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

Should you visit Manchester or Biarritz?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Biarritz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a cultural, relaxing, and quirky seaside town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Biarritz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Manchester and Biarritz are popular destinations, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Biarritz attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Biarritz is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Manchester offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Biarritz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Biarritz offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Biarritz. 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 Manchester or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Manchester and Biarritz.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Biarritz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Music?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Biarritz is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Biarritz is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

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

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

Manchester is not a resort destination.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

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

Biarritz is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Biarritz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Biarritz both offer plenty of great spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Biarritz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 Manchester or Biarritz Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Biarritz.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Biarritz is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Biarritz are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Biarritz is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Biarritz is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Biarritz Better for Students?

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

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Biarritz is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Biarritz?

Both Manchester 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 Manchester. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

Families should spend more time in Biarritz than Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Biarritz?

Manchester is a big city with plenty to do. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the dynamic seaside town of Biarritz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Biarritz?

Manchester 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 Manchester, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Biarritz, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Manchester or Biarritz?

Manchester 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.

Biarritz, a popular seaside town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this seaside town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Biarritz?

Manchester 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 city offers something for everyone.

Biarritz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this seaside town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Biarritz?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester or Biarritz?

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 Manchester or Biarritz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Biarritz. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Biarritz this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Biarritz. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than Biarritz. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Biarritz in the Winter?

Both Biarritz and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In January, Manchester usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Biarritz in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Manchester is much colder than Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun.

Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Biarritz. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Manchester