Biarritz Leisure

Sporting events and activities are popular in Biarritz, with the beach and coast providing the perfect launching pad for many water-based activities.

Spectator sports

In terms of spectator sports, Biarritz is perhaps most famous for rugby, with the Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque team playing regular games during the season at the Parc des Sports Aguilra stadium. Visiting rugby fans are welcome to attend games and can purchase tickets directly from the stadium itself. Parc des Sports Aguilra is a multi-use sports centre and has facilities for staging football and athletic events, which visitors may also be lucky enough to catch if their holiday coincides with a special event. Surfing is also huge, with the annual surfing festival attracting large numbers of visitors.

Participant sports

In terms of participant sports, Biarritzs main attractions are water-based, with opportunities for holidaymakers to try surfing as well as body boarding. The area is often referred to as Europes surfing Mecca and whether youre a professional or a complete novice, the waves here are ideal for all. Other sea activities available include sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, rafting and canoeing.

Meanwhile, land-based activities include horseback riding, go-karting, tennis and squash. For golf fans, the Biarritz Le Phare golf course is an 18-hole affair, hailed as the second oldest course on the continent. Covering a distance of 5,376 metres, the course, which was constructed by Tom and Willy Dunn, has a par of 69.

If youre into keeping fit then youll find most of the citys major hotels have their own gymnasiums, which are normally free to guests and open to non-guests on a fee-paying basis.