A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Biarritz vs. Playa de las Americas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas? 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.

Where Should I go: Biarritz or Playa de las Americas?

Biarritz

Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on southwestern France's Basque coast that has been a popular resort since European royalty started visiting the area in the 1800s. It is located on France's Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay. Half ritzy coastal resort, half summer surfer's hang-out, the seaside resort of Biarritz has been a favorite seaside getaway ever since Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugenie arrived during the mid-19th century. To entertain her court, the empress built a grand palace, which is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other than this exquisite villa by the sea, the names of the streets in Biarritz also hint at the city's royal past: Avenue de l'Imperatrice, Avenue de la Reine Victoria, and Esplanade Elizabeth II. Mansions decked with steeples and spectacular windows recall the city's 19th-century splendors. Though the royal influence of Biarritz has faded, the city is still a popular tourist destination for those looking for a classic summer holiday. Pristine sandy beaches, beautiful coastal villas, and stylish restaurants offer a sophisticated ambience. Wide seafront promenades and well-placed benches allow visitors to soak up the stunning natural landscape. Biarritz is also the capital of surfing in Europe.

Playa de las Americas

If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Biarritz and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Biarritz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Biarritz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Biarritz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Biarritz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Biarritz Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Playa de las Americas?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Playa de las Americas. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

Biarritz is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during summer. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Biarritz is much colder than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Biarritz in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. In the autumn, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Biarritz usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?

Both Playa de las Americas and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Biarritz is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 8°C (47°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In January, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?

Both Playa de las Americas and Biarritz during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Biarritz is much colder than Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. Biarritz usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Biarritz