The Basque Beaches

The beaches

• Les Sables d’or is the southernmost beach in Anglet’s chambre d’amour district. It’s also the most urban and popular with tourists and locals alike. No fewer than forty bars and restaurants are located here, making it the place to be for concerts, fireworks displays, night markets and other summer events. At night, don’t miss the spectacle of the waves, highlighted by powerful lighting.
• Biarritz’s Grande Plage is the most famous and busiest beach in the resort. Situated along the promenade in the heart of the town, the Palais de Biarritz, the Casino and the municipal swimming pool add to its charm. With its terrace bars, children’s beach clubs and surf schools, it’s the ideal beach for those who like their summer entertainment close at hand.
• Wilder and larger than its neighbor, the Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz is a favorite spot for local surfers, where numerous competitions are organized. It’s also very popular with families, as it’s supervised in summer and offers lovely views of the mountains and the Rocher de la Vierge. Please note that the beach is only accessible at low tide.
• Backing onto the Bidart golf course, Ilbarritz beach sits at the foot of the manor house of the same name. It’s perhaps one of the prettiest supervised beaches on the Basque coast, where you can swim in complete safety in a superb natural setting and crystal-clear waters. Also popular with surfers, it’s easy to get to thanks to its two parking lots.
• The starting point for the coastal path, Erretegia beach is ideally located away from the town of Bidart, at the foot of gentle cliffs in a green setting. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on the coast, with its panoramic view. A quiet enclave far from the noise, its turquoise-blue waters give it an air of paradise.
• A world-famous surfing spot, Guéthary’s Parlementia beach is less frequented than its neighbors, as its access is less visible. Long with fine sand, it unfurls its charms along the coast and is supervised during the summer season. Note the small bars where you can enjoy a drink while watching the sea and surfers.
• Cénitz beach offers a quiet enclave of nature between Guéthary and Saint-Jean-De-Luz. Nestling at the foot of the Cénitz hill, from which you can observe the beauty of the ocean, it is made up of sand and pebbles. With its wild creek-like appearance, it gives the impression of the end of the world, much appreciated by lovers of authenticity.
• In Saint-Jean-De-Luz, you’ll find one of the Basque coast’s mythical beaches, Lafitenia, a surf spot with a reputation for difficulty and therefore reserved for experienced surfers, where swimming can be complicated. However, we’ve fallen in love with the wild beauty of this fine sandy beach set in an arc at the foot of a green hill. You’re guaranteed to fall in love!
• Socoa, just outside Ciboure, is the largest beach in the area. It is very popular with families, as it is protected from large waves by several dikes. It also offers superb panoramic views of the coastline, with the typical Basque houses of Socoa on one side and the bay of Saint-Jean-De-Luz on the other.
• Just a few minutes from Spain,Hendaye ‘s Grande Plage stretches over several kilometers of fine sand, to the delight of all. From walking in the water to swimming and surfing for beginners (numerous surf schools have been set up), there’s no shortage of activities. As an added bonus, there’s a thalassotherapy center at the western end of the beach.

Whether you’re looking for peace and quiet, famous surf spots or safe swimming for the whole family, the Basque coastline offers a multitude of pleasant beaches for a dream vacation.