Travelers staying near the Spanish-French border should take the chance to hop over to the country next door. Biarritz, on the Bay of Biscay, is a French surfing town marked by thriving nightlife and the sort of glitz and glamour you’d normally be hard-pressed to find outside of the French Riviera.
The Route: Local bus companies will sell you a ticket from Bilbao, Spain for anywhere between $9-$20 each way. The trip should take just under three hours.
Where to Stay: You’re never going to want to be too far away from the seaside while you’re in Biarritz, so book a room at the Hotel l’Ocean, which offers affordable luxury in the city center, only seconds away from the beach.
Where to Eat: Treat yourself to a fantastic post-surf meal at Bistro Toqué Anglet, which offers a seafood-forward menu and lighter fare.
What to Do: Biarritz is as good a surfing spot as anywhere else in France or Spain, and the city has a prominent surf culture. If you’re a rookie, don’t panic — the École de Surf Hastea offers lessons and camps throughout the year for surfers at any level.
