Biarritz

Port des Pêcheurs / Côte des Basques

The historic fishing harbor and the surf beach south of the Grande Plage, connected by a promenade past the Rocher de la Vierge. Colored crampottes cottages on the port side, Art Deco beach architecture facing the widest ocean view in Biarritz on the Côte des Basques side. Where old-Biarritz whaling and 1957-onward continental surf culture happen to share a coastline.

Who it's for: Travelers who came for the surf — this is where European surfing started in 1957 and where the surf schools still operate. Seafood eaters who want to be feet from where the fish arrived. Sunset-chasers — the Côte des Basques's west-facing sweep is the definitive Biarritz sunset. Anyone doing the postcard coastal walk from the Grande Plage south past the Rocher de la Vierge to the Côte des Basques.

Things to know

  • Swimming at Côte des Basques is only for competent surfers and strong swimmers even in summer — no supervised swim zones, real wave break, shifting currents. If you want to swim, walk five minutes back to Port Vieux instead: sheltered cove, lifeguards June–September, safe for kids.
  • Côte des Basques is the surf beach. Jo Moraiz and the other schools operate on the sand; group beginner lessons run ~€40, private ~€70. Best learn-to-surf conditions are the summer south swell at low tide.
  • Port des Pêcheurs restaurants (Chez Albert, Casa Juan Pedro) are seasonal — most close November through mid-February. Verify hours if you're visiting off-season.
  • Casa Juan Pedro doesn't take reservations. Queue before 7pm to have a table by 7:15; by 8pm the wait is an hour or more in summer.
  • The Rocher de la Vierge footbridge closes during storms — high winds and rough seas make the crossing genuinely dangerous. If it's closed on your day, the view from the Esplanade Sainte-Eugénie above is still spectacular.
  • The Musée de la Mer inaugurated a new jellyfish gallery in April 2025 and hosted an Art Deco-themed 90th anniversary immersive exhibition — worth checking the current program before visiting.
  • Two ocean museums in this neighborhood, and they complement each other: the Musée de la Mer (at Plateau de l'Atalaye, walkable from centre-ville) is the traditional live-tank aquarium; the Cité de l'Océan (Steven Holl building at Plage de la Milady, 3 km south) is the VR-and-simulator science-and-surf-culture museum. A combined ticket runs €28 adult versus €30 separate — worth it if you're doing both in the same trip. Take Chronoplus Bus 6 or 8 from Hôtel de Ville to reach Milady.
  • Villa Belza is closed to the public — it's now residential condos. The visit is the exterior photograph from the seaward promenade. Do not attempt to walk in.
  • Côte des Basques beach shrinks and disappears entirely at high tide in winter. If you're planning a beach walk, check the tide table (available at Biarritz tourism office or via any surf-report site) — low tide is the walk window.
  • Post-surf food and drink culture is real. Etxola Bibi (open 8am–11pm April–November) is the classic sunset-and-cocktail terrace above Côte des Basques; Le Surfing is the classic burger-and-fish-and-chips beach restaurant.