A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Biarritz vs. Playa del Ingles for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Biarritz or Playa del Ingles?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa del Ingles? 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 del Ingles?

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 del Ingles

Translating to "Englishman's Beach," Playa del Ingles is a sea resort located on the south coast of the Gran Canaria island of Spain's Canary Islands. Since the 1960s it has been built up to accommodate tourists from around the world, especially from Europe. Some of the most popular attractions include an abundance of bars and clubs as well as beachside activities like swimming, surfing, scuba, and snorkeling.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Biarritz and Playa del Ingles, we can see that Playa del Ingles 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 del Ingles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Ingles 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 del Ingles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Playa del Ingles?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Playa del Ingles. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz and Playa del Ingles, 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 del Ingles?

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 del Ingles in the Summer?

Both Playa del Ingles and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 20°C (68°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Ingles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during summer. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa del Ingles in the Autumn?

Both Playa del Ingles and Biarritz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Biarritz is cooler than Playa del Ingles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Playa del Ingles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. Biarritz usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa del Ingles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Playa del Ingles. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Biarritz is much colder than Playa del Ingles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Biarritz in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Biarritz usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during winter. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 187 hours of full sun in the winter.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Biarritz or Playa del Ingles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Playa del Ingles. The spring months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Biarritz is generally much colder than Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 12°C (54°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Ingles. In the spring, Biarritz often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 225 hours of full sun.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the spring. Biarritz usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Ingles. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Playa del Ingles and Biarritz