Explore Biarritz

The Vibe Right, listen. Biarritz is where the fancy crowd goes when they want to look like they aren't trying too hard. It’s got that old-school French elegance—think palaces and casinos—mixed with a heavy dose of surf culture that keeps the place from getting too notionsy. For 2026, it is becoming the absolute spot for Irish travellers who are sick of roasting like a chicken in a rotisserie in the Mediterranean. You have got the Atlantic breeze keeping things fresh, so you won’t be melting into your pint or needing to hide in the hotel air-con all day. It’s a town of two halves: one minute you’re watching world-class surfers tackle the monster waves at Cote des Basques, and the next you’re walking past a shop selling handbags that cost more than your first car. It is grand, it is vibrant, and it has got a bit of edge to it that you just do not get in the polished-to-death resorts of the south. It is essentially the Lahinch of France, but with much better wine and a lot more gold leaf on the buildings. It is an absolutely class spot for a holiday that offers a bit of substance with your style. The Value Justifier Now, let us talk brass tacks. Why is it a value play for 2026? Compared to the absolute madness of the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast, Biarritz is actually a bit of a bargain if you play your cards right. In 2026, luxury accommodation prices here are sitting about 20% lower than what you would pay in Saint-Tropez for the same level of service and food. Plus, for the lads and ladies flying out of Cork, Shannon, or Belfast, there is a real win. Those regional airports are seeing much better connections into southwest France, and when you factor in the 0.87 regional multiplier on your travel stress and parking fees, the overall holiday cost takes a lovely dip. You are getting five-star Basque gastronomy—which is arguably some of the best on the planet—at prices that won’t leave you weeping into your wallet. Even a fancy dinner here feels like fair play compared to the prices being hiked up in Dublin or London these days. You get significantly more bang for your Euro here than in the traditional hotspots that have been overcharged for years. Local Secrets If you want to live like a king on a budget, head straight for Les Halles de Biarritz in the morning. It is the local market, and it is the heart of the town. Grab some local sheep’s cheese, a bit of Bayonne ham, and a fresh gateau Basque, and you have got a lunch better than any Michelin-star joint for less than a tenner. Another tip: the beaches at Anglet, just a short hop up the coast, are where the locals go to avoid the tourist markup. The sand is just as good, but the prices for a coffee or a beer are way more sensible. Finally, keep an eye out for the local Basque pelota matches; it is a proper bit of culture and usually costs very little to watch. It is a proper bit of craic without the resort price tag, and you will come home feeling like you have actually been somewhere unique rather than just another sun-trap. Fair play to anyone who makes the trip; you will be laughing all the way to the boulangerie while the rest of the world is sweating it out in a 40-degree heatwave elsewhere.