A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto de la Cruz vs. Biarritz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz 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.

Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto de la Cruz and Biarritz, we can see that Biarritz is more expensive. And not only is Puerto de la Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto de la Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Biarritz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Biarritz than you might in Puerto de la Cruz.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Puerto de la Cruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Puerto de la Cruz is generally a little warmer than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 24°C (75°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Biarritz. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Biarritz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Biarritz. Also, most visitors come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Biarritz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Biarritz averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Puerto de la Cruz is generally much warmer than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 20°C (68°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In April, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Puerto de la Cruz