Bermeo Holidays: Basque Coast Town Guide for UK Travellers
Bizkaia · Basque Country · Spain · 16,937 residents · on the coast
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Bermeo is a coastal town of around 17,000 people in Bizkaia, in Spain's Basque Country, and it sits almost at sea level. For British travellers its great advantage is access: Bilbao Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 18 minutes away by car, and Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth into Bilbao. The town keeps its interest close together, with the Torre de Ercilla, the Museo del Pescador and the Cloister of San Francisco all in the centre, while the Matxitxako Lighthouse stands on the coast just outside. Summers are mild rather than hot, rain falls in every month, and tiny Mundaka is right next door.
Why go
- Matxitxako Lighthouse sits on the coast under 3 miles from town, ideal for a breezy outing.
- The Museo del Pescador and Torre de Ercilla are both right in the town centre.
- Bilbao Airport, with direct UK flights, is only about 18 minutes' drive away.
- Mild summers peaking around 24°C in August suit travellers who dislike fierce heat.
Top sights in Bermeo
Lighthouse, Tower, Museum and Cloister
The best-known sight is the Matxitxako Lighthouse, about 2.7 miles from the centre on the coast. It is the natural outing for walkers and couples who want sea views and open headland away from the streets.
Back in town, everything else is within a short stroll. The Torre de Ercilla, a listed cultural property classed as a castle, stands in the centre, as does the Museo del Pescador, the fishermen's museum, which works well for families. The Cloister of San Francisco, a former monastery cloister, is about 0.2 miles from the centre.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
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Tours & tickets in Bermeo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Bermeo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Bermeo
Staying in a Small Coastal Town
Bermeo is a modest coastal town rather than a resort, so expect a compact centre where the tower, museum and cloister are all on foot. Staying centrally puts you within walking distance of the main sights and the waterfront.
If you want more choice or a livelier evening scene, Bilbao is about 15 miles away, while Mundaka, barely a mile along the coast, is a much smaller and quieter alternative. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options in and around town.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Bermeo and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 18 min away.
Best time to visit Bermeo
When to Visit Bermeo
- 12°CJan179 mm
- 13°CFeb120 mm
- 16°CMar101 mm
- 16°CApr92 mm
- 18°CMay97 mm
- 22°CJun66 mm
- 23°CJul57 mm
- 24°CAug133 mm
- 22°CSept159 mm
- 21°COct162 mm
- 17°CNov189 mm
- 13°CDec157 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Bermeo has a mild, damp Atlantic climate with no single standout season. The warmest months are June to August, with daytime highs of 22 to 24°C and nights around 15 to 17°C. July is the driest month at about 57 mm of rain, with June close behind, making early to mid summer the most comfortable time for walking out to the lighthouse.
From September onwards rainfall climbs steeply, peaking in November at around 189 mm, with January nearly as wet. Winters are cool rather than cold, with highs of 12 to 13°C. Expect rain on somewhere between 13 and 19 days in every month of the year.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 6°C | 179 mm | 5 h |
| Feb | 13°C | 6°C | 120 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 101 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 16°C | 9°C | 92 mm | 10 h |
| May | 18°C | 11°C | 97 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 15°C | 66 mm | 11 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 16°C | 57 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 17°C | 133 mm | 11 h |
| Sept | 22°C | 15°C | 159 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 21°C | 14°C | 162 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 10°C | 189 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 13°C | 7°C | 157 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Driving from the UK
Bilbao Airport is the obvious gateway: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 12 miles from Bermeo, roughly an 18-minute drive. Santander Airport, also with direct UK flights, is about 55 miles away, around 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Zaragoza, again with direct UK flights, is a much longer 149 miles, about 3.5 hours on the road.
By sea, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, and the port is about 17 miles from town. Santander's port, about 55 miles away, takes sailings from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (around 20 hours).
Driving the whole way from Calais takes about 13 hours at the wheel, so most people will want an overnight stop in France.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)12 miles, about 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)55 miles, about 1 h 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)149 miles, about 3 h 31 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 5 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Bilbao (17 miles), Santander (55 miles).
Bermeo is good for
Around Bermeo
Day Trips Along the Basque Coast
Mundaka is the closest escape, only about a mile away, a small coastal village of under 2,000 people. Bilbao, the region's big city, is about 15 miles off, with Getxo at about 16 miles and the neighbouring towns of Portugalete and Santurtzi both around 17 miles away.
Inland, Durango lies about 18 miles from Bermeo, while Eibar and Elgoibar are both about 21 miles away, giving a different, valley-town side of Bizkaia.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips Before You Go
Pack a waterproof whatever the month. Even in the driest part of summer Bermeo sees rain on around 14 days a month, and from autumn into winter the totals are heavy.
Bermeo is a small town of around 17,000 residents, so for a wider choice of shops and evening options plan a trip into Bilbao. The town sits close to sea level, so walks around the centre are easy, though the lighthouse outing is best saved for a dry, clear day.
With Bilbao Airport so close, car hire on arrival makes it simple to combine the town with Mundaka, the lighthouse and the inland towns.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Bermeo?
Bilbao Airport is the nearest, about 12 miles away and roughly an 18-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making Bermeo one of the more convenient Basque coastal towns to reach for a short break or longer holiday.
Can I get to Bermeo by ferry from the UK?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, and the port is about 17 miles from Bermeo. Santander, about 55 miles away, has sailings from Portsmouth and from Plymouth, the latter taking around 20 hours.
When is the best time to visit Bermeo?
June and July combine the warmest weather, with highs of 22 to 23°C, and the lowest rainfall of the year. August is slightly warmer at around 24°C but wetter. From September to January rainfall rises sharply, with November the wettest month.
What is there to see in Bermeo?
In the centre you will find the Torre de Ercilla, the Museo del Pescador fishermen's museum and the Cloister of San Francisco, all within a short walk. The Matxitxako Lighthouse is about 2.7 miles away on the coast and makes a good outing.
Is Bermeo good for day trips?
Yes. Mundaka is about a mile away, Bilbao about 15 miles, and Getxo, Portugalete and Santurtzi are all within roughly 17 miles. Inland, Durango, Eibar and Elgoibar are between about 18 and 21 miles away.