A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Biarritz for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Geneva or Biarritz?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Biarritz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

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. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Geneva and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Biarritz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Biarritz are popular destinations, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Biarritz attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Biarritz is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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 Geneva or Biarritz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Biarritz can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Biarritz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Geneva or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Biarritz know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a great destination for its resorts. However, Geneva is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Biarritz to choose from. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Geneva is not a resort destination.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Biarritz for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a popular place for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

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 Geneva or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Biarritz is 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.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Couples?

Biarritz is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Students?

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

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

Is Geneva or Biarritz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

You'll find some public transit in Biarritz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Geneva or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Geneva and Biarritz both are superb when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Biarritz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Biarritz?

Both Geneva and Biarritz have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Biarritz than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

Families should spend more time in Biarritz than Geneva. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Biarritz than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Biarritz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Biarritz than Geneva 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 Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Biarritz?

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

Biarritz is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Biarritz. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic destination of Biarritz. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Biarritz?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Biarritz, 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 Geneva or Biarritz?

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 Geneva or Biarritz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Biarritz. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Biarritz in the Autumn?

Both Biarritz and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Geneva is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Biarritz in the Winter?

Both Biarritz and Geneva during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is much colder than Biarritz in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Biarritz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Biarritz. Most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Geneva