Summer on the Biscay coast brings together, within just a few kilometres, fine beaches, one of the most acclaimed cuisines in the country and the closeness of Bilbao, all under an Atlantic climate that keeps temperatures mild while much of the peninsula endures heatwaves. An appealing alternative for July and August, in a setting where the daylight lingers until almost ten at night.
Overlooking the marina and the Bay of the Abra, Palacio Arriluce Hotel is the perfect choice for a summer holiday in Getxo and Bilbao. A 5-star hotel in Getxo, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, that throughout the summer opens up its finest outdoor spaces: a pool with sea views, gardens with a croquet lawn and dinners on the terrace of Restaurante Delaunay.
Palacio Arriluce: the heart of summer overlooking the Abra
The outdoor pool, with views over the marina and loungers facing the sea, is kept open all year round. With the arrival of summer, the Ria pool bar opens — the poolside bar reserved exclusively for guests, with its own menu of snacks and drinks. As evening falls, it is one of the hotel’s favourite spots overlooking the Abra.
The palace gardens also feature the croquet lawn, certified by the World Croquet Federation, which on the long summer evenings hosts open-air matches and aperitifs in the shade. For grey days or the hottest hours, the Neguri Spa & Wellness offers an indoor alternative: a water circuit, heated pool, sauna and tailored treatments.
What to do in Getxo in summer: beach, sport and sea
Among the ideas for what to do in Getxo in summer, Ereaga beach is the most obvious. A few minutes’ walk from the hotel, this fine-sand urban beach has a Blue Flag, full services and gentle waves thanks to the Arriluze breakwater. The Cantabrian Sea reaches 21 degrees in early August, bracing at first touch and pleasant throughout the day. The calm waters of the Abra are ideal for paddle surfing: from the hotel terrace you can see countless boards gliding across the bay all day long.
Surf lovers will find the beaches of Sopelana (La Salvaje, Atxabiribil and Arriatera) a fifteen-minute drive away, one of the best-known spots on the northern Spanish coast, with surf schools and equipment hire. The Real Club Marítimo del Abra, in Las Arenas, organises sailing outings throughout the summer. And Saint John’s Eve, on 23 June, is celebrated in Algorta with bonfires on the beach, one of the oldest traditions in the Basque calendar, marking the start of summer on the coast.
What to do in Bilbao in summer: the city around the estuary
Bilbao in summer, just twenty minutes by metro from Getxo, revolves above all around the Nervión estuary. From the Muelle de la Sota, next to the Maritime Museum, boat tours set off through the heart of the city; those who prefer something more active can follow the same route by paddle surf or kayak between the Zubizuri, La Salve and Pedro Arrupe bridges, with the Abandoibarra waterfront as a backdrop.
Added to this is a cultural programme of open-air concerts in Doña Casilda Park, theatre in the squares of the Ensanche district and standout events such as the Getxo International Jazz Festival in early July or Bilbao’s Aste Nagusia in late August, with its international fireworks competition over the estuary. The terraces of Abandoibarra and the pedestrianised stretches along the banks of the Nervión fill up at dusk, and the day stretches well into the night.
Seasonal Basque cuisine at Restaurante Delaunay
Summer coincides with the finest produce of the Cantabrian Sea. Salt-cured anchovies, hake and its kokotxas, lobster, red prawns and scallops are the stars of the summer Basque cuisine that Restaurante Delaunay prepares with a contemporary touch.
Dining on the terrace at sunset, with the last light over the Abra, is one of the most popular plans during the summer. A way to round off the day without leaving the hotel after a morning on the beach, a boat trip along the estuary or an afternoon of croquet in the gardens.
Your summer at Palacio Arriluce Hotel
Summer in Getxo is many things at once: the calm of a historic seafront palace, the closeness of a cultural capital like Bilbao, the finest produce of the Cantabrian Sea and the chance to alternate beach, sport, culture and rest without long journeys. A sound choice for both a short break and a holiday of several weeks.
If you are wondering where to stay in Getxo for a summer holiday in the Basque Country that combines coast, cuisine and culture, Palacio Arriluce Hotel is one of the most complete options in the north. High season fills up weeks in advance, so it is worth securing your dates early.
Book your summer stay at Palacio Arriluce Hotel and discover Getxo and the Basque coast.
Summer in Getxo blends beach, gastronomy and the closeness of Bilbao at Palacio Arriluce Hotel, a five-star retreat overlooking the Bay of the Abra. Between swims at Ereaga, paddle surf, trips along the Nervión estuary and seasonal Basque cuisine at Restaurante Delaunay, it is one of the most complete choices in the north for a summer getaway.
