Bayonne vs Biarritz Which French Basque City is Better to Visit?

Bayonne vs Biarritz? It’s a question those with limited time ask themselves when visiting the French Basque Country.

These two cities are popular places to explore the Northern Basque Country or the distinct region found within France that borders the Bay of Biscay and spills into the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.

Both Bayonne and Biarritz are found in the French Basque region and each city offers a unique and different vibe.

Biarritz is found on the sea and offers a glitzy beach resort escape. Bayonne straddles the Nive and Adour Rivers and can feel a little more like a gritty port town that at its core is a historical medieval city.

The short answer is, why not visit both? While the two popular French Basque cities have two very different stories, they are easily connected via public transportation. Bayonne and Biarritz are only a short distance apart!

This quick guide includes things to do in Bayonne and Biarritz while highlighting the main attractions. If short on time, many of these places to see can be visited in one full day. Included in this overview are the best ways to reach the French Basque Country and how to travel between both cities.

Here’s how to make the most of your time in the French Basque Country in Bayonne and Biarritz.

Table of Contents

• What is the Basque Country?
• How to Visit the French Basque Country Cities of Bayonne and Biarritz
• Bayonne vs Biarritz Things to Do
• Sleep in French Basque Country
• Conclusion | Which French Basque Country City Should You Visit Bayonne or Biarritz?

What is the Basque Country?

The Basque Country is fascinating and covers the northeastern corner of Spain and a small section of southwest France. The Basques have their own language (Euskara), cuisine, and culture. The roots of the Basque heritage are closely connected with the sea due to its privileged location on the Bay of Biscay.

What’s also unique about the Basque culture is that it is found across two countries (Spain and France). The Spanish Basque Country covers a much larger area and takes a huge sense of pride in their heritage. Major Basque cities in Spain include Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastian, the capital city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and even a few popular hilltop villages in the greater La Rioja Wine Region.

The French Basque Country is smaller in area than the Spanish region and is a little more blended with French culture. Bayonne and Biarritz are the most well-known Northern Basque Country cities, but the mountain hamlet of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is famous as being the official starting point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route of the Camino Frances.

I think it’s best to visit both Basque regions in Spain AND France to have a better understanding of this area. If looking to spend time in the Northern Basque Country mountain villages, definitely opt to sleep and spend extended time on the French Basque side. A car would be useful, too.

How to Visit the French Basque Country Cities of Bayonne and Biarritz

The great news is, it’s a breeze to visit Biarritz and Bayonne with numerous transportation options from planes, trains, and buses.

Be mindful that it’s good to check all the routes and companies, as some methods and companies are much more expensive than others.

Bayonne vs Biarritz Transportation Options

Bayonne (Baiona)

• Bayonne has no airport
• Bayonne Train Station (gare) is centrally close to the Old Town of Bayonne and connects select cities in France via SNCF. This is where pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago Frances should take the train to reach Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
• Bayonne does not technically have an official bus station. Buses stop here, about a 10-minute walk from the Bayonne Train Station.

Biarritz

• Biarritz has an airport Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ) that offers domestic flights throughout France and a few limited locations to Europe and the UK
• Biarritz Train Station (gare) connects select cities in France via SNCF (No connections to Spain). Note that the train station is far from Biarritz’s Old Port and Beaches.
• Next to the Biarritz airport (Halle Iraty) is where buses from Alsa (San Sebastian Spain) and FlixBus (Europe) stop. From here, take a city bus to the Biarritz Center. There is no actual station, just a waiting area with benches

Biarritz to Bayonne Connections

Biarritz and Bayonne can be visited via a local transportation company Txik Txax. Tickets are around €1.20 – €2 depending on the route and method.

• T1 is a tram that connects the city centers of Biarritz and Bayonne (30 minutes)
• The 5 Bus also connects Biarritz Center with Bayonne and ends at the Bayonne Train Station (less than an hour)
• There are connections between Biarritz and Bayonne via FlixBus, but they are more expensive and typically require local transit to and from the bus station.

Coming to the Northern Basque Country from Spain?

With their close vicinity, the French Basque country is an easy day trip from the Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian.

I’ve taken the route between San Sebastian and the French Basque Country numerous times. Here’s what I found best.

Take a bus from San Sebastian’s main bus terminal to Biarritz. Alsa Bus Company is typically the way to go and you’ll arrive in France in about an hour for around €10. FlixBus offers cheaper bus tickets and has more scheduled departures, especially during peak season.

Another option is to take the Spanish Basque train of Euskotren to Hendaia (the border town in France). This is a budget-friendly option as San Sebastian to Hendaia is only a 35-minute ride for €2.75.

The Hendaia Euskotren Station is right next door to the Hendaye Train Station (Gare de Hendaye). From here, take the SNCF train to Biarritz or Bayonne (a better and more central location).

French Basque Country Day Tours

If short on time, a guided tour may be the best option to get an overview of the Northern Basque Country. Here are some popular day trip options. Be mindful that most of these full-day trips depart from San Sebastian Spain.

➜ Biarritz and French Coast Small Group Tour from San Sebastian is a more budget-friendly way to see the best of the French Basque Country

➜ This private tour from San Sebastian Spain highlights the best of Bayonne, Biarritz, and San Juan de Luz in one full day

➜This private cultural tour focuses on the Basque Coast and the best places to see in Biarritz and Bayonne

Bayonne vs Biarritz Things to Do

Bayonne is not located on the sea, but rather along the Nive and Adour Rivers. Bayonne is more of a medieval village that was an influential port city and is connected via its many bridges. There are lots of cultural aspects to appreciate about Bayonne with its narrow cobblestone streets, an impressive cathedral, museums, and typical cuisine.

Biarritz is famous for being one of the premiere surfing spots in the Basque region and a modern-day resort town. Numerous beaches attract surfers, beach strollers, and sunbathers, especially during the summer months.

Here are the top things to see in Bayonne and Biarritz.

Bayonne Attractions (Baiona in Basque / Bayona in Spanish)

A medieval city at heart, one of the best things to do in Bayonne is to simply wander through the narrow cobblestone streets. Most of the attractions are found in Grand Bayonne, the historic Old Town, and across the Nive River in Petit Bayonne.

The colorful buildings are designed using a half-timber work method and are decorated with colorful wooden shutters. This delightful area is the perfect place to take a stroll and is filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. As you twist through the Grand Bayonne section of Bayonne you may catch glimpses of the old fortress entrance gates and fortified walls.

The Cathedral Sainte-Marie de Bayonne is a fantastic and free place to visit in Bayonne. The Cathedral is connected to the UNESCO World Heritage Routes of Camino de Santiago in French, which leads pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

Cathedral Sainte-Marie de Bayonne was built during the 12th century in a Roman style, but due to fire damage, it was rebuilt and modified with Gothic architecture. The vaulted ceilings are spectacular and many of the chapels are painted with vivid colors and enhanced by the bright stained glass windows. The cloister is also worth visiting but has to be accessed from a different entrance. Don’t skip it!

Not far from the Saint Mary of Bayonne Cathedral is the beautiful botanical gardens.

Stroll along the Nive River lined with tons of waterfront restaurants and cafes with outdoor terraces. There is also another fabulous market hall, Les Halles de Bayonne located right along the riverside.

Local food specialties in Bayonne include the cured Jambon de Bayonne and the spicy Espelette peppers which are grown in the town of Espelette found at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains. Another popular way is to experience a Bayonne food tour.

Cross the river and head to the Musée Basque. This is a comprehensive museum focusing on the Basque culture, especially focusing on arts, crafts, and architecture.

With enough time, make sure to visit at least one chocolate shop. Bayonne is actually one of the best places to get chocolate in France.

➜ Short on time? Try out this Bayonne Electric Scooter tour or experience the Bayonne highlights on a unique Segway tour

Who Will Love Bayonne France?

Bayonne France is a spectacular medieval village jam-packed with lots of things to see and do. Although fairly small, the main sights are easy to visit on foot and include an impressive cathedral, charming cobblestone streets, food halls, chocolate shops, and museums.

Biarritz Attractions

Biarritz’s iconic Grand Plage, the main sprawling beach of the city is a great place to start. The sandy beach is packed during the summer months.

To the east of the beach, find the white Biarritz lighthouse sitting picturesquely on a rocky cliff. Grand Plage is encompassed by a lovely promenade lined with hotels, a park, restaurants, and the seaside Casino Barrière Biarritz.

Continue on the seaside and wander past the Port des Pêcheurs. This small marina is found on the shores beneath Sainte-Eugénie Church of Biarritz. Find plenty of little bustling restaurants in old fishing huts hosting outdoor terraces.

After strolling the scenic seaside, head inland towards Port Vieux, the old fishing village. This is one of the best places to see in Biarritz and is home to many popular restaurants, bars, and shops. The Plage du Port Vieux is a more cozy beach that is a great option to swim as it’s more protected.

From here it’s possible to walk out to Rocher de la Vierge, a rock with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The short walk has stunning views of Biarritz with lots of unusual rock formations to appreciate along the way. Steps away is the highly-rated Aquarium de Biarritz. 

Don’t miss the views of the Villa Belza, the iconic seaside castle with maybe one of the best views of the entire coastline.

Those who love to surf will want to visit Côte des Basques Beach. Be mindful that the tides make the beach inaccessible at times.

Although off the seaside, the Halles les Biarritz food hall is an absolute must-visit place in Biarritz. Open daily from 7:30 – 14:00, the Biarritz market offers tons of fresh produce, pintxos bars, coffee, and food stalls that are packed full of locals. There are outdoor tables and the market is in a fantastic area of town.

Surrounding Halles de Biarritz, find no shortage of cafes and restaurants. The plaza is a superb place for people-watching. Foodies will love digging into the French and Basque-inspired dishes and local delicacies.

➜ Short on time? Try out this Biarritz Guided Tour that highlights all the best things to do in Biarritz in an hour

Who Will Love Biarritz?

Biarritz is the perfect beach paradise for those looking to surf or soak up the rays in one of the Basque region’s seaside locations. As it’s on the sea, many of the activities in Biarritz are beach-based. Foodies will love digging into the French and Basque-inspired dishes and pintxos at the market.

Sleeping in French Basque Country

When it comes to Bayonne vs Biarritz and where to sleep in the French Basque Country there are numerous options.

Bayonne is a larger city, so it feels a little more lived-in and local. Bayonne is the largest French Basque city, so there are plenty of places to sleep. It’s cheaper to stay in Bayonne than Biarritz.

• Budget | Hostel 20 Bayonne
• Mid-Range | Ibis Bayonne Centre
• Luxury | Baionakoa Résidence

➜ Browse all the Best Places to Stay in Bayonne France

Biarritz can be a little more expensive as it’s a resort town. There are tons of accommodation options in Biarritz, but you’ll pay more the closer you are to the sea.

• Budget | Garden – Utopy Hostel / Coast – Utopy Hostel
• Mid-Range | Hôtel Saint James
• Luxury | Hôtel Au Bon Coin

➜ Browse all the Best Places to Stay in Biarritz France

If looking for a quieter escape, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a lovely fishing village at its core and is closer to the border of Spain. Those looking to head to the mountains and soak in the tranquility may prefer to sleep in Sare or Ainhoa.

Pilgrims looking to walk the Camino de Santiago should sleep in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the numerous Gîtes, or pilgrim accommodations, and hotels.

Conclusion | Which French Basque Country City is Better to Visit Between Biarritz and Bayonne?

So, in the end, which French Basque Country city is the best to visit when it comes to the Bayonne vs Biarritz debate? The real answer lies in your interests!

Do you prefer a glitzy seaside resort or the gritty feel of a very much lived-in medieval city? The choice is yours and you may have to visit both to find the right answer for you. With very different highlights, Bayonne and Biarritz in the French Basque Country are both worth visiting.

Biarritz and Bayonne are so well connected via public transportation and the main attractions of each city are compact enough, that you could see Biarritz and Bayonne in one day! Although, it may not do either city as much justice as it deserves.

As I have walked the Camino de Santiago, Bayonne continues to pull on my heartstrings, as this is where my journey to Santiago de Compostela and the End of the World began.

Have you visited Biarritz and Bayonne in the French Basque Country? Do you lean towards a certain city when it comes to the Bayonne vs Biarritz debate? I would love to know your take in the comments!

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