# Sunday in Biarritz: surf lesson, market and aquarium An hour-and-a-half surf lesson at Biarritz's learner beach, tapas and produce at the covered market and, in the afternoon, the Atalaye aquarium. Less than an hour from San Sebastián. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/nouvelle-aquitaine/french-basque-coast/itineraries/sunday-in-biarritz-surf-and-market · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## El día - 09:00 · Salida: 30 min by car (by the AP-8 and A-63, about 45 min to Biarritz) - 10:00 · Surf Lesson at Biarritz's Côte des Basques (Biarritz Surf Training · 1 h 30 · from €45 · the time depends on the tide) · Biarritz Surf Training, From €45 per person - 11 min on foot - 12:30 · Les Halles de Biarritz (covered market until 14:00 and tapas bars around it · €€) · Les Halles de Biarritz, €€ - 12 min on foot - 14:30 · Biarritz Aquarium (1 h 30 · €17 for adults, €12 for ages 4 to 12) - 17:00 · Vuelta (In San Sebastián around 18:00) The Côte des Basques is Biarritz's learner beach: at low and mid tide a wide strip of sand opens up and the wave breaks in soft foam, good for standing up the first few times. This plan is for trying surfing without giving up a whole weekend. You take an hour-and-a-half introductory lesson in the morning, eat at the bar of the covered market and in the afternoon see the aquarium's seals. It is a Sunday designed for going with teenagers or among friends, from April to November. ## The day, hour by hour 9:00 · Departure. From San Sebastián, the AP-8 and A-63 to the Biarritz exit, about 45 minutes. The start time depends on the lesson: the school sets it by each day's low tide, so it may be at nine or at three. If yours is in the afternoon, turn the plan round. 10:00 · Surf lesson. Biarritz Surf Training has its hut on the same beach, on Boulevard du Prince de Galles, with changing rooms and showers. The introductory lesson lasts an hour and a half: warm-up and technique on the sand and then into the water with the instructor beside you, in groups of eight at most. It costs from €45 per person with soft board, wetsuit and insurance. Arrive fifteen minutes early to change. You need to be able to swim. 12:30 · Les Halles. Biarritz's covered market opens every morning, until two. Inside you buy Bayonne ham, sheep's cheese and fish; around it, the tapas bars fill their counters with people coming out of the shopping. It is a meal standing up or at a high table, good value and quick. Arrive before one: at two the stalls pack up. 14:30 · Biarritz Aquarium. In the former Musée de la Mer, the Art Deco building at the Atalaye, a quarter of an hour's walk from the market. You tour the Bay of Biscay from the coast to the depths, with turtles, sharks and the seal tank, which you see from above and from below the water. Allow an hour and a half. Buy the ticket on its website to avoid queuing. 17:00 · Return. On leaving, the Rocher de la Vierge is five minutes away. In San Sebastián around six. ## What to eat at Les Halles Basque produce from both sides of the border: Bayonne ham, Ossau-Iraty sheep's cheese, Espelette pepper and the fish of the day. At the bars around the market you eat portions and tapas. If you prefer a table and tablecloth, book somewhere else in the centre: on Sunday at midday everything fills up. ## If you do not fancy the water or the sea is big The lesson is cancelled in too big a sea; the school lets you know. That day swap the surf for the old town and harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, twenty minutes away, or walk the coastal path from Bidart, with the cliffs above the water. With children under 10, surfing is left for the French school-holiday courses: the aquarium and the shore of the Côte des Basques at low tide, in the supervised area, are plan enough. ## Cómo llegar ### By car AP-8 and A-63, toll road, about 45 minutes to Biarritz. Parking by the Côte des Basques costs in summer. The free park-and-ride at the Halle Iraty, on the outskirts, has a shuttle to the centre. ### Without a car Euskotren Topo to Hendaye, regional train to Biarritz and Txik Txak bus to the centre, because the station is about 25 minutes away. Allow a good hour and a half. Check Sunday timetables. ## Consejos ### Book the lesson with the tide in mind The time is set by the low tide. Confirm it before fixing lunch. ### Wear swimwear underneath and bring a layer for afterwards The Atlantic is cool even in summer and a wind blows when you leave the water. ### Ask about the seals' time The aquarium does not publish it: they give it to you at the ticket office. ## Cuándo no ir A Sunday in August by car at midday. Traffic jams to get in and full car parks. That month, go by train and set out early. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does a surf lesson in Biarritz cost? From €45 for the hour-and-a-half introductory lesson at Biarritz Surf Training, with board and wetsuit. ### Do I need experience? No. You just need to be able to swim and be comfortable in the water. Paddling tires the arms more than it seems. ### What time are the lessons? They depend on the tide: they are given at low or mid tide and change every day. ### Is Les Halles open on Sundays? Yes, every morning until two. In July and August it also opens in the afternoon. ### How much does the aquarium cost? €17 for adults and €12 for ages 4 to 12. Allow an hour and a half for the visit.