A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Biarritz for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Toulon 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 Toulon and Biarritz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a relaxing, quirky, and dynamic seaside town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulon and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Biarritz?

Both Biarritz and Toulon have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Toulon is very popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Biarritz attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Biarritz is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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 Toulon or Biarritz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Biarritz makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Biarritz offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a resort destination.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Biarritz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Biarritz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Biarritz?

Both Toulon and Biarritz are great shopping destinations.

Toulon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

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.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Couples?

Biarritz is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Biarritz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Both Toulon and Biarritz offer nice public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Biarritz has some public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Toulon or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Toulon and Biarritz both are great when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Biarritz is a very walkable port 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 Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Biarritz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Biarritz?

Both Toulon 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 Toulon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toulon, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

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

The port city of Toulon 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.

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 Toulon or Biarritz?

Toulon 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 Toulon, 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 Toulon or Biarritz?

Toulon 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.

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 Toulon or Biarritz?

Toulon 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural 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 The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Biarritz, we can see that Biarritz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Biarritz?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Toulon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Toulon is a little warmer than Biarritz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Biarritz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Biarritz. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulon because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

In October, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Toulon gets 205 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, Toulon usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Biarritz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Biarritz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Toulon is cooler than Biarritz in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Biarritz. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Toulon usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Biarritz in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Toulon is around the same temperature as Biarritz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Biarritz averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Toulon gets 245 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, Toulon usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Toulon