Mundaka Holidays: Atxarre Beach, Flights and Weather
Bizkaia · Basque Country · Spain · 1,893 residents · on the coast
Mundaka is a small coastal town in Bizkaia, in Spain's Basque Country, home to fewer than 2,000 people and sitting just 6 metres above sea level. It suits travellers who want a quiet base on the northern coast rather than a large resort. The nearest beach is Atxarre, a family-friendly stretch of sand about a mile from town, and the larger town of Bermeo lies around a mile away too. Bilbao airport, which has direct flights from the UK, is roughly 13 miles and 18 minutes by car, so a long weekend is as realistic as a fortnight. Expect mild, green weather: summer highs reach about 25°C, and rain falls in every month of the year.
Why go
- Atxarre, a family-friendly beach, lies only about a mile from the centre of Mundaka.
- Bilbao airport has direct UK flights and is around 18 minutes away by car.
- Summer stays comfortable rather than scorching, with July and August highs of 24 to 25°C.
Top sights in Mundaka
Beach Days and Bookable Outings
The headline sight close to Mundaka is Atxarre, a beach about a mile (1.5 km) from town that is well suited to families. It is the natural first stop on a warm day, and its short distance means you can drift between the town and the sand without planning the day around a car journey.
Beyond the beach, the best way to fill your days is to look further along the coast and inland, which the day trips section covers. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, where you will find a selection of activities shown as booking cards.
Atxarre
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Mundaka
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Mundaka can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Mundaka
Choosing a Base in Mundaka
With a population of under 2,000, Mundaka is a small, quiet place, and staying here means trading nightlife and big-resort facilities for a calm coastal setting at sea level. It works best for couples and families who want Atxarre beach close by and a peaceful evening.
If you would rather have more going on, neighbouring Bermeo is a larger town about a mile away, and Bilbao, a city of around 347,000 people, is some 15 miles off. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options in Mundaka itself and nearby.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Mundaka and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 18 min away.
Best time to visit Mundaka
Weather Through the Year
- 13°CJan179 mm
- 14°CFeb120 mm
- 17°CMar101 mm
- 17°CApr92 mm
- 19°CMay97 mm
- 23°CJun66 mm
- 24°CJul57 mm
- 25°CAug133 mm
- 23°CSept159 mm
- 22°COct162 mm
- 17°CNov189 mm
- 14°CDec157 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Mundaka has a mild, wet climate, and no single month stands out as reliably dry: there are between 13 and 19 rainy days in every month. The driest stretch is early summer, with July the least rainy at about 57 mm and June at around 66 mm, which makes June and July the most dependable months for beach time.
August is the warmest month, with highs of around 25°C and nights near 18°C, closely followed by July at 24°C. The wettest period runs from autumn into winter, peaking in November at about 189 mm and January at 179 mm, when highs drop to 13 or 14°C. Spring brings highs of 17 to 19°C but plenty of showers.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 7°C | 179 mm | 5 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 7°C | 120 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 101 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 10°C | 92 mm | 10 h |
| May | 19°C | 12°C | 97 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 23°C | 16°C | 66 mm | 11 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 17°C | 57 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 25°C | 18°C | 133 mm | 11 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 16°C | 159 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 14°C | 162 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 11°C | 189 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 8°C | 157 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting There from the UK
Bilbao airport is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the UK and sits about 13 miles from Mundaka, roughly 18 minutes by car. Santander airport also has direct UK flights and is around 57 miles away, about an hour and 20 minutes' drive. Zaragoza, likewise served directly from the UK, is a much longer option at about 147 miles and three and a half hours on the road.
If you prefer to bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, landing about 17 miles from Mundaka. Santander, around 56 miles away, is reached from Portsmouth in about 24 to 32 hours or from Plymouth in around 20 hours. Driving the whole way from Calais takes about 13 hours at the wheel.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)13 miles, about 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)57 miles, about 1 h 20 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)147 miles, about 3 h 29 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 (56 miles).
Mundaka is good for
Around Mundaka
Day Trips Along the Coast
Bermeo, a town of nearly 17,000 people, is only about a mile away and the easiest outing of all. Bilbao, the region's big city, is around 15 miles from Mundaka, and the coastal towns of Getxo, Portugalete and Santurtzi are all within 16 to 17 miles.
Inland, Durango is roughly 17 miles away, while Eibar and Elgoibar are both about 19 miles off, making them comfortable half-day or full-day trips by car.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Pack a waterproof whatever the season. Even in July, the driest month, you can expect around 14 rainy days, so plan beach time flexibly and keep a city or inland outing up your sleeve for wetter spells.
Mundaka is a small town of under 2,000 residents, so choice of shops and services is limited compared with Bermeo or Bilbao. Car hire is worth considering: the airport is only 18 minutes away, and most of the day trips listed here sit within 20 miles.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Mundaka?
Bilbao airport is the nearest, about 13 miles from Mundaka, with a drive of roughly 18 minutes. It has direct flights from the UK. Santander airport, also served directly from the UK, is the alternative at around 57 miles and about an hour and 20 minutes by car.
Can I get a ferry from the UK to near Mundaka?
Yes. Brittany Ferries runs from Portsmouth to Bilbao in about 28 to 32 hours, arriving roughly 17 miles from Mundaka. Santander, about 56 miles away, is served from Portsmouth in around 24 to 32 hours and from Plymouth in about 20 hours.
Is there a beach near Mundaka?
Atxarre beach lies about a mile (1.5 km) from Mundaka and is well suited to families. Its short distance from town makes it easy to visit for a few hours or a full day without needing to plan a long journey.
What is the weather like in Mundaka in summer?
Summer is mild rather than hot. Highs reach about 23°C in June, 24°C in July and 25°C in August. July is the driest month at around 57 mm of rain, though showers remain common, with about 14 rainy days expected.
When is the wettest time to visit Mundaka?
Autumn and winter are the wettest. November sees the most rain at about 189 mm, followed by January at around 179 mm, with highs of only 13 to 17°C. October and December are also wet, each bringing well over 150 mm.
How long does it take to drive to Mundaka from Calais?
The drive from Calais to Mundaka takes about 13 hours of driving time. If you would rather shorten the road journey, ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao or from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander land much closer to the town.