Long-standing Biarritz locals know it: September is the best month of the year. The tourists have gone, the Atlantic swells return, the weather is still good and the city recovers its true scale.
Autumn surfing
The first Atlantic depressions of September generate the first autumn swells. Waves of 1.5 to 2.5 metres are common in October and November at the Côte des Basques. Water temperature still reaches 18-20°C in September — maximum comfort for surfing.
Local life
Restaurants are accessible again without booking a week in advance. The markets are calmer. La Rhune’s paths are less crowded. It’s the season for hikers, photographers and travellers who prefer the real to the manufactured.
Prices
Accommodation prices drop by 30 to 50% compared with August. Last-minute bookings are possible. Restaurants offer more interesting off-season menus.
The light
The light in September and October in the Basque Country is particular: warmer than in summer, more horizontal, which makes the Basque architecture and the cliffs especially photogenic.