Mundaka’s left-hand wave attracts surfers from around the world each year, and several international surfing competitions are held there. The town’s character also includes Larrinaga Palace, one of the notable buildings around the harbor; the Church of Santa María, a local landmark; views from the Chapel of Santa Catalina over Izaro and the river estuary entrance; and Laidatxu Beach in the town center. Mundaka therefore brings together surfing, architecture, landscapes, and a centrally located beach.

Surfing and event dates

For planning purposes, the wave and the competitions are not the same thing: the wave is a recurring reason why surfers come to Mundaka, while a competition takes place on a specific date. Several international competitions are held each year, but names and dates can change. This helps you avoid confusing an annual occurrence with a fixed date.

Harbor, landmarks, and views

Larrinaga Palace is one of the notable buildings around Mundaka’s harbor; the Church of Santa María is one of the town’s landmarks. These offer two different starting points for exploring the town’s culture: the palace is associated with the harbor, while the church is a landmark in Mundaka. The Chapel of Santa Catalina adds a landscape perspective to this view of the town. From there, you can enjoy views of Izaro Island and the river estuary entrance. If you would like to explore architecture and landscapes as well as surfing, you can distinguish between the harbor, the church landmark, and the views mentioned here.

Beach and carnival

Laidatxu Beach is in the center of Mundaka, making it a clear geographical reference point. During Mundaka’s carnival, the Atorrak procession begins in the village square in the morning. These two details help answer different questions: Laidatxu locates a beach in the town center, while the procession gives you a time reference for the carnival. The timing and program can vary. If the procession is important to your travel plans, check the information for the year you visit.

Getting oriented and getting there

The tourist information office provides information about sights and activities in the surrounding area. If you are planning beyond the local highlights mentioned above, you can get your bearings there; as service details can change, check the latest information before visiting. The route information for the Euskotren E4 line names Bilbao and Bermeo as connected towns and lists a stop in Mundaka. Check the current timetable before traveling, as transport details can change. The line information shows which places are connected; for your specific departure, the timetable is what matters.

To find a hotel, you can start with the purpose of your trip and your travel dates. If you are visiting for a surfing competition, its current dates are the key timing reference; if your trip is not tied to a particular event, you can focus more on surfing, architecture, or views. This lets you plan around your actual interests without assuming the same itinerary for everyone.

Discover more destinations: Lejona, Lekeitio, Sestao, Laukiz, Balmaseda, Mendieta, Orduña, Mungia

For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.