News surf Côte Basque & Landes
Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the Basque Country
20 September 2023
Le Pays Basque est réputé pour les belles plages qu’il offre. Des plages sauvages, comme à proximité d’une ville, il y en a pour tous les goûts. Avec une trentaine de kilomètre de plages, il y a de quoi s’en mettre plein la vue. Préparez vos appareils photos et vos surfs car certaines sont considérées comme les plus belles de France.
10. MIRAMAR – BIARRITZ
Located just above the Grande Plage, it is known for the rock sitting in the water—a rock you can actually swim beneath. If you enjoy a good swim, be sure to visit this beach. Just make sure the swell isn’t too strong so you can swim peacefully in this magnificent spot.
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9. CHAMBRE D’AMOUR – ANGLET
This beach takes its name from a story about a 17th-century couple, Saubade and Laorensse, who met in secret—much like Romeo and Juliet. To avoid being seen, they took refuge in a cave facing the beach in Anglet. However, the tide was high; a moment of inattention, and the trap snapped shut. Swept away by the tide in the name of love, the couple’s story has become well-known and now serves to raise safety awareness among young people.
A stunning beach surrounded by cliffs, with an incredible view of the Biarritz lighthouse.
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8. LA GRANDE PLAGE – SAINT JEAN DE LUZ
Just steps away from shops, restaurants, a magnificent Gothic church, and a charming little harbor, the large beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz gently borders the town. Sheltered by the Artha breakwater, this lovely bay hosts a wide range of activities. You can enjoy various water sports here, such as catamaran sailing, Hawaiian outrigger canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
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7. ILBARRITZ – BIDART
Located at the foot of the Ilbarritz Manor, it features a seaside promenade. If you are looking for ideas for a family walk, be sure to follow the marked paths along the beach.
The Ilbarritz Manor is a must-visit landmark in the Basque Country. Built between 1895 and 1897, it once housed the largest organ ever commissioned by a private individual (now located at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre) and offers access to a magnificent beach.
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6. LA GRANDE PLAGE – BIARRITZ
Biarritz’s Grande Plage is probably the most popular and renowned beach in the Basque Country. It is known worldwide for having a casino right across from the sand and the ocean.
As for the history, it was originally called “Madmen’s Beach.” People who were difficult to manage were sent into the cold waves there during the winter.
This beach is vast and lined with shops. It offers the chance to go for a walk, browse the stores, and even have fun in the waves.
Whether you are tourists or surfers, you will love this iconic Biarritz landmark.
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5. MADRAGUE – ANGLET
La Madrague is a beach featuring sand that stretches as far as the eye can see in every direction. There are no limits to how you can enjoy the beach and the ocean. It is perfect for groups of friends or families looking to have fun with balls or kites. You will have plenty of space to enjoy yourself and have fun, both on the sand and in the water.
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4. PARLEMENTIA – GUÉTHARY
Parlementia is a legendary spot in the world of big-wave surfing, but it is also a very pleasant 100-meter-long beach. Swimming at Parlementia is perfectly feasible, thanks to a rocky barrier that shields the area from open-ocean waves; you can swim among the rocks while enjoying a view of the Pyrenees.
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3. PORT VIEUX – BIARRITZ
This small beach in Biarritz has a special feature that appeals to swimmers. Nestled in a rocky cove, it is sheltered from the wind and waves, allowing visitors to enjoy the sun and the ocean in peace.
Easily accessible via stairs that lead directly to the sand, you’ll love taking the opportunity to sunbathe and swim.
Historically favored by fishermen for butchering whales sheltered from the wind and waves, this beach is separated from the “Grande Plage” by the Rocher de la Vierge. You will find yourself right in the heart of Biarritz, ready to soak up the sun and capture magnificent photos.
In addition to its history, it is also known for its “Polar Bears” club, whose members swim every day of the year in their swimwear because it is good for the body and for rheumatism.
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2. ERRETEGIA – BIDART
This restored beach in Bidart is a gem of the Basque coast. Watched over by a cross visible from the road, a winding path through the natural landscape leads you straight to this small, unspoiled beach. Step by step, you will discover this charming beach and its magnificent view.
Please note: The beach to the right of Erretegia is a naturist beach.
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1. LA CÔTE DES BASQUES – BIARRITZ
A beach renowned for surfing, and particularly for longboarding. It is the perfect beach for learning to surf; in fact, there are numerous surf schools there.
In addition to surfing, the beach offers one of the most beautiful views in the Basque Country—a sweeping panorama of the ocean and the Villa Belza. It is also a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, thanks to the pétanque courts located just above the beach.
You just need to be careful. If you want to surf, swim, or sunbathe, you have to go at low tide, because at high tide there is no beach left and the waves crash against the stairs.
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There are other iconic beaches in the Basque Country as well; whether you want to surf or simply soak up the sun, local shopkeepers—especially surfboard rental shops—can offer recommendations. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice so you can experience the finest beaches the region has to offer.
Enjoy,
Marty
