A Travel Price Comparison for France Biarritz vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a dynamic, cultural, and relaxing seaside town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Biarritz. Although Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence are both popular with visitors, Biarritz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Biarritz is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Biarritz is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. It is also home to Grande Plage. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Biarritz different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Biarritz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Aix-en-Provence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Dining out in Biarritz is an experience not to be missed. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Biarritz is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is well known for its resorts. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Biarritz is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is well known for the beach. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Biarritz. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Aix-en-Provence draws large crowds to its stores. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Biarritz. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Biarritz is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Biarritz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence make for a very good place to visit.

Biarritz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Couples visit Aix-en-Provence frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is well known for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Biarritz is a very popular seaside town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

Aix-en-Provence is a good seaside town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence.

Biarritz has some public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence are very good when it comes to walkability.

Biarritz is a very walkable seaside town. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Biarritz Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Biarritz?

How long in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Biarritz due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Biarritz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

Families should spend more time in Biarritz than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Biarritz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Biarritz than Aix-en-Provence if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Biarritz.

One day in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

The relaxing destination of Biarritz offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

The seaside town of Biarritz offers shopping and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Aix-en-Provence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Biarritz is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This seaside town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

The cultural seaside town of Biarritz offers food and shopping. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Biarritz Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Biarritz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Biarritz is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Biarritz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Biarritz. In the summer, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Aix-en-Provence. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 16°C (60°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Aix-en-Provence. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Biarritz is a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches and the small town charm. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the spring, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Biarritz in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Biarritz