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

Should you visit Southampton or Biarritz?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Biarritz? 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. 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. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Biarritz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Biarritz than Southampton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Biarritz is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Southampton is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Biarritz is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Also, Biarritz is famous for Grande Plage. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Southampton is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Southampton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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 Southampton or Biarritz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is Southampton or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Biarritz has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is Southampton or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for its luxury resorts. However, Southampton is not a resort destination.

Biarritz is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Southampton is not a resort destination.

Is Southampton or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for the beache. However, Southampton is not a beach destination.

Biarritz is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Southampton is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Biarritz?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Biarritz is very family-friendly. 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.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Biarritz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Biarritz make for a high quality place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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 Southampton or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Many backpackers visit Biarritz. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Biarritz is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Biarritz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Biarritz is a great seaside town for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

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

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Biarritz?

Both Southampton 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 Southampton. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

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

The port city of Southampton offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quirky seaside town of Biarritz. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Biarritz?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quirky destination of Biarritz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This seaside town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Southampton or Biarritz?

Southampton 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the dynamic seaside town of Biarritz. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Biarritz?

Southampton 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 port city offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Biarritz. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this seaside town.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Biarritz?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Biarritz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Biarritz. The summer months attract visitors to Southampton because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

Southampton is cooler than Biarritz in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Biarritz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Biarritz this time of the year. Southampton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Biarritz. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Southampton is cooler than Biarritz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Biarritz averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Biarritz. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Biarritz in the Winter?

Both Biarritz and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Southampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Southampton. In January, Southampton is generally much colder than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during winter. Southampton gets 52 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, Southampton usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Southampton in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Southampton is cooler than Biarritz in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Biarritz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Biarritz. Southampton gets 147 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. Southampton usually gets less rain in April than Biarritz. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Southampton