Getxo Holidays: Beaches, Palaces and Bilbao Airport Access
Bizkaia · Basque Country · Spain · 80,770 residents · on the coast
Getxo is a coastal town of around 80,770 people in Bizkaia, on the Basque Country's Atlantic shore and just 6 miles from Bilbao Airport. Within a mile or so of the centre you have two family beaches, Arrigunaga and Ereaga, and a surprising concentration of grand houses and palaces, from Palacio Ampuero to Palacio Lezama-Leguizamón. A short walk further brings you to the Faro de Punta Galea lighthouse and the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri. Summers are mild rather than scorching, with August highs of about 25°C, and the green landscape owes a lot to generous rainfall. With Bilbao only 8 miles away, Getxo works equally well as a seaside base or a city-side escape.
Why go
- Arrigunaga beach lies under half a mile from the centre, with Ereaga under a mile away.
- Bilbao Airport is just 6 miles away, about nine minutes by car, with direct UK flights.
- Mild summers peak around 25°C in August, with July the driest month of the year.
Top sights in Getxo
Beaches, Palaces and a Lighthouse
The beaches come first for most visitors. Arrigunaga, about 0.4 miles from the centre, and Ereaga, roughly 0.9 miles away, are both well suited to families and make easy half-day outings on foot.
Getxo's other great draw is its architecture. Within a mile or so you will find Casa Olozaga-Antigua Casa Rosada (0.8 miles), Palacio de Santa Clara in Algorta and the Getxo Town Hall (both about 1 mile), Palacio Arriluce (1.2 miles), and Palacio Ampuero and Palacio Lezama-Leguizamón (each around 1.2 miles). Strolling between them is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
For open views, head to the Faro de Punta Galea lighthouse, about 1.6 miles out, a favourite with couples. Golfers have the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri at around 1.3 miles. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
1beach
2beach
3palacePalacio Ampuero
1 mile from the centre · Photo
4lighthouse
5palacePalacio de Santa Clara, Algorta
1 mile from the centre · Photo
6palacePalacio Lezama-Leguizamón
1 mile from the centre · Photo
7palace
8palaceCasa Olozaga-Antigua Casa Rosada
1 mile from the centre · Photo
9palace
10palacePalacio Arriluze
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri
golf course · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Getxo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Getxo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Getxo
Choosing Your Base in Getxo
Getxo is a sizeable town rather than a village, so you can choose between staying close to the sand near Arrigunaga or Ereaga, or closer to the grand houses and palaces that cluster within a mile or two of the centre, around Algorta and towards Neguri.
The beach side suits families who want to walk to the shore each morning; the residential palace district suits those after a quieter, more architectural stay with the golf course nearby. Either way, Bilbao is only 8 miles away for evenings in the city. Live hotel prices are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Getxo and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 9 min away.
Best time to visit Getxo
When to Visit Getxo
- 13°CJan177 mm
- 14°CFeb126 mm
- 17°CMar96 mm
- 17°CApr85 mm
- 18°CMay113 mm
- 22°CJun72 mm
- 24°CJul42 mm
- 25°CAug84 mm
- 23°CSept144 mm
- 22°COct160 mm
- 17°CNov177 mm
- 13°CDec157 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getxo has a mild, wet Atlantic climate rather than classic Spanish sunshine. The warmest stretch runs from June to September, with highs of 22°C in June, 24°C in July, 25°C in August and 23°C in September, and nights rarely dropping below 15°C.
July is the pick for a beach holiday: it is the driest month, with around 42mm of rain over roughly 10 days. Autumn and winter are noticeably wetter, with November and January each seeing about 177mm. Winter highs hover around 13°C, so the cooler months suit city and culture breaks better than sunbathing. Pack a light waterproof whenever you travel.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 177 mm | 5 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 126 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 8°C | 96 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 9°C | 85 mm | 9 h |
| May | 18°C | 11°C | 113 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 15°C | 72 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 16°C | 42 mm | 11 h |
| Aug | 25°C | 16°C | 84 mm | 10 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 144 mm | 9 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 13°C | 160 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 10°C | 177 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 13°C | 7°C | 157 mm | 5 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Getxo from the UK
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and sits just 6 miles away, around a nine-minute drive. Santander (SDR) also has direct UK flights and is about 41 miles away, roughly an hour by car. Asturias (OVD), with direct UK flights too, is further at about 152 miles, or around three and a half hours' drive.
If you would rather bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao, taking roughly 28 to 32 hours, and the port is only about a mile from Getxo. Santander, about 41 miles away, has sailings from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (around 20 hours).
Driving all the way from Calais takes roughly 13 hours 20 minutes, best split over two days.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)6 miles, about 9 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)41 miles, about 58 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Asturias (OVD)152 miles, about 3 h 36 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 18 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Bilbao (1 mile), Santander (41 miles).
Getxo is good for
Around Getxo
Day Trips from Getxo
The neighbouring towns of Santurtzi and Portugalete are both only about 2.5 miles away, easy for a short outing. Bilbao, the region's largest city, is around 8 miles off and makes a natural day out.
Crossing into Cantabria, Castro-Urdiales lies about 11 miles away. Inland, Avellaneda is roughly 12 miles and Balmaseda about 14 miles. Heading east along the coast, the fishing towns of Bermeo and Mundaka are each around 16 miles from Getxo.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Rain is a real factor here even in summer, with at least 10 rainy days in every month of the year, so plan beach days flexibly and keep indoor visits, such as Bilbao, in reserve for showery spells.
This is a town of over 80,000 people right beside Bilbao, so it does not shut down out of season; it works as a year-round base, just with cooler, wetter weather from autumn to spring.
With the airport only nine minutes away and the beaches and palaces within walking distance, you may not need car hire unless you plan several day trips.
Questions people ask
How far is Getxo from Bilbao Airport?
Bilbao Airport is about 6 miles from Getxo, roughly a nine-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making Getxo one of the easiest Basque coastal towns to reach quickly after landing.
Is Getxo good for a beach holiday?
Yes, with two family-friendly beaches close to the centre: Arrigunaga, about 0.4 miles away, and Ereaga, about 0.9 miles away. Expect mild rather than hot weather, with August highs around 25°C and July the driest month.
What is the weather like in Getxo in summer?
Summer is mild. Highs reach about 22°C in June, 24°C in July and 25°C in August, with lows around 15 to 16°C. July is the driest month, with roughly 42mm of rain, though showers remain possible throughout.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to near Getxo?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, and the port is about a mile from Getxo. Santander, around 41 miles away, has sailings from Portsmouth and from Plymouth, the latter taking about 20 hours.
Is Getxo a good base for visiting Bilbao?
It is. Bilbao is only about 8 miles away, so you can enjoy beaches and palaces in Getxo by day and head into the city for culture or evenings out, returning to a quieter seaside base.
What is there to see in Getxo besides beaches?
Getxo has a cluster of palaces and grand houses, including Palacio Ampuero, Palacio Lezama-Leguizamón, Palacio Arriluce and Palacio de Santa Clara, plus the Faro de Punta Galea lighthouse and the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri, all within about 1.6 miles.