Portugalete Holidays Guide: Basilica, Palaces and Beach
Bizkaia · Basque Country · Spain · 45,826 residents · on the coast
Las Arenas
Basilica of Santa María, Portugalete
Lexartza Jauregia
Convent of Santa Clara, Portugalete
Palacio EguzkialdePortugalete is a coastal town of around 46,000 people in Bizkaia, in Spain's Basque Country, and it is unusually easy to reach from Britain. Bilbao Airport is about 6 miles away and Bilbao's ferry port barely 2 miles. Most of its sights sit within a short walk of each other. The Convent of Santa Clara, the Basilica of Santa María, the Casa Torre de Salazar and the Lexartza Jauregia palace are all within a quarter of a mile of the centre. Las Arenas beach is less than half a mile off. Summers are mild rather than scorching, with August highs around 25°C, and rain is part of the picture all year.
Why go
- The Basilica of Santa María and Casa Torre de Salazar sit barely a quarter mile apart.
- Bilbao Airport, with direct UK flights, is only about 8 minutes' drive away.
- Mild summers peak around 25°C in August, a comfortable alternative to southern Spain's heat.
Top sights in Portugalete
Basilica, Palaces and Industrial Heritage
Portugalete's appeal is its heritage, packed into a compact area. Las Arenas beach, about 0.4 miles away, is the best-known spot nearby and suits families. Closer still is the Basilica of Santa María, listed as a cultural property, roughly 0.2 miles from the centre, with the Convent of Santa Clara only about 100 metres off and the Casa Torre de Salazar, a fortified tower house, also around 0.2 miles away.
The town is notable for its palaces. Lexartza Jauregia (about 0.25 miles) and El Saltillo palace (about 0.3 miles) are within easy strolling distance, while Palacio Eguzkialde and Casa Itxasbegi (both around 0.75 miles), Residencia Bake Eder (about 0.8 miles) and Palacio San Joseren (just over a mile) reward a longer walk. The Rialia Museum of Industry, about 0.4 miles away, is a good choice with children, and the Itsasadarreko begiratokia viewpoint lies at a similar distance.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page using the booking cards below.
- 1Las Arenas
- 2Basilica of Santa María, Portugalete
- 3Lexartza Jauregia
- 4Convent of Santa Clara, Portugalete
- 5Palacio Eguzkialde
- 6Palacio San Joseren
- 7El Saltillo palace in Portugalete
- 8Casa Torre de Salazar
- 9Residencia Bake Eder
- 10Rialia Museum of Industry in Portugalete
- 11Casa Itxasbegi
- 12Itsasadarreko begiratokia (Portugalete)
1beach- 2basilica
- 3palace
Lexartza Jauregia
In the centre · Photo
- 4monastery
- 5palace
Palacio Eguzkialde
1 mile from the centre · Photo
6palacePalacio San Joseren
1 mile from the centre · Photo
7palaceEl Saltillo palace in Portugalete
In the centre · Photo
8castleCasa Torre de Salazar
In the centre · Photo
9palaceResidencia Bake Eder
1 mile from the centre · Photo
10museumRialia Museum of Industry in Portugalete
In the centre · Photo
11palaceCasa Itxasbegi
1 mile from the centre · Photo
12viewpointItsasadarreko begiratokia (Portugalete)
In the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in Portugalete
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Portugalete can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Portugalete
Choosing a Base in Portugalete
For sightseeing on foot, stay close to the centre: the basilica, the convent, the Casa Torre de Salazar and several palaces lie within half a mile, so you can walk almost everywhere. If the beach matters more, look towards Las Arenas, about 0.4 miles away.
The outer palaces, between three-quarters of a mile and just over a mile from the centre, point to quieter residential streets. For a livelier evening, Bilbao is only about 6 miles away. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Portugalete and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 8 min away.
Best time to visit Portugalete
When to Visit Portugalete
- 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.
Portugalete has a mild, damp Atlantic climate. July is the most settled month, with around 10 rain days and the lowest rainfall of the year, and highs of about 24°C. August is the warmest, at around 25°C, and June and September stay in the low 20s. Early summer is generally the most pleasant time for a visit.
The wettest periods are November and January, each with about 177mm of rain, and autumn turns wet from September onwards. Winter highs sit around 13°C. Expect showers whatever the month, as even the driest months see rain on roughly a third of days.
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
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 6 miles away, roughly an 8-minute drive. Santander (SDR) also has direct UK flights and is about 41 miles off, just under an hour by car. Zaragoza (ZAZ), with direct UK flights too, is around 152 miles away, about three and a half hours' drive.
Ferries make Portugalete especially convenient for those bringing a car. Bilbao's port, about 2 miles away, is served by Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, a crossing of roughly 28 to 32 hours. Santander, about 41 miles away, has Brittany Ferries sailings from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (about 20 hours).
Driving the whole way from Calais takes roughly 13 hours and 20 minutes of driving time, before stops.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)6 miles, about 8 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)41 miles, about 58 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)152 miles, about 3 h 36 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 13 h 21 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Bilbao (2 miles), Santander (41 miles).
Portugalete is good for
Around Portugalete
Day Trips Along the Basque Coast
Santurtzi is right next door, about 0.6 miles away, and Getxo is around 2.5 miles off. Bilbao, the region's largest city, is only about 6 miles away, making it an easy half-day or evening out.
Inland, Avellaneda is about 9 miles away and Balmaseda roughly 12 miles. Across the regional border in Cantabria, Castro-Urdiales is about 11 miles along the coast. For a longer outing, the fishing towns of Bermeo and Mundaka are both around 17 miles away.
.jpg/500px-Museo_Guggenheim%2C_Bilbao_(31273245344).jpg)
.jpg/500px-Matxitxako_Lighthouse_(1).jpg)
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Pack a waterproof whatever the season. Even July, the driest month, averages around 10 rain days, and from September to January monthly rainfall rarely drops below 140mm.
With Bilbao Airport only about 8 minutes away, Portugalete works well for a long weekend: you lose very little of the holiday to transfers. Because most sights lie within half a mile, you can manage without car hire unless you plan day trips further along the coast.
Questions people ask
How far is Portugalete from Bilbao Airport?
Bilbao Airport is about 6 miles from Portugalete, roughly an 8-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, so it is the most convenient arrival point. Santander Airport, also with direct UK flights, is about 41 miles away, just under an hour by car.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to Portugalete?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao, about 2 miles from Portugalete, taking roughly 28 to 32 hours. Alternatively, Santander, about 41 miles away, has sailings from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) and Plymouth (about 20 hours).
Is there a beach near Portugalete?
Las Arenas beach is about 0.4 miles from the centre and is well suited to families. Bear in mind the climate is Atlantic, with summer highs around 24 to 25°C and rain possible even in July and August.
What is the weather like in Portugalete in summer?
Summers are mild. July averages highs of about 24°C and is the driest month, with around 10 rain days. August is slightly warmer at about 25°C but wetter, with roughly 14 rain days. Nights stay around 15 to 16°C.
Is Portugalete a good base for visiting Bilbao?
It is very well placed. Bilbao is only about 6 miles away, and its airport is closer still. Getxo, around 2.5 miles off, and Castro-Urdiales, about 11 miles along the coast, are also within easy reach for day trips.
What are the main sights in Portugalete?
The Basilica of Santa María, the Convent of Santa Clara and the Casa Torre de Salazar sit within a quarter mile of the centre. Add a string of palaces, including Lexartza Jauregia and El Saltillo, plus the Rialia Museum of Industry, about 0.4 miles away.