Mundaka: Surfing, Architecture and Views

Mundaka stands out for its left-hand wave and surf scene. Other points of interest to consider when planning your trip include Larrinaga Palace by the harbour, the Church of Santa María, the views from the Chapel of Santa Katalina, Laidatxu Beach in the town centre and the carnival. These allow you to think about the destination in terms of different interests: surfing, architecture, scenic views, the beach or a celebration.

Surfing and competitions

Mundaka’s left-hand wave attracts surfers from all over the world every year. In addition, several international surfing competitions are held in Mundaka annually. These are two related but distinct reasons to plan a trip: the wave represents the town’s enduring surfing character, while a competition provides a specific date as a reason to visit. The names and dates of individual competitions may change. So if you want to plan your trip around a particular event, check the latest dates before deciding when to travel. This means Mundaka’s surfing appeal does not depend on whether a competition happens to be taking place during your visit.

Architecture and landmarks

Larrinaga Palace is one of the notable buildings by Mundaka’s harbour. The Church of Santa María is one of the town’s landmarks. So, alongside the surf scene, there are two specific architectural points of interest to consider when planning your trip: the palace’s connection to the harbour and Santa María’s role as a landmark. You can give each of these different points of interest its own weight if you want to explore Mundaka’s built heritage as well as its sporting side.

Views and beach

The Chapel of Santa Katalina offers views of Izaro Island and the entrance to the estuary. If scenic views are a factor in choosing your destination, this viewpoint brings together two named sights. Laidatxu is in the centre of Mundaka and offers a different attraction: a beach in the town centre. The choice is a clear contrast—views of the island and estuary on one hand, a centrally located beach on the other. This makes it easy to include different interests in your plans.

The carnival as a reason to visit

Mundaka’s carnival features a morning procession of the Atorrak, which begins in the village square. The tradition returns each year, but the date and programme may vary. If the festival is going to influence when you travel, check the latest dates and programme information in advance. This gives you two specific points to plan around—the time of day and the starting point—without assuming that the programme is the same every year.

Getting around and travelling to Mundaka

Mundaka’s tourist information office provides information about local sights and activities. It is a useful point of reference if you have further questions about planning beyond the local attractions mentioned here. Practical details of the information service may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

The Euskotren E4 line connects Bilbao and Bermeo and includes a stop in Mundaka. This is one possible option to consider for your journey; transport details may change, so check the current service and timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Nabarniz, Portugalete, Fruiz, Muskiz, Altamira-San Kristobal, Osma, Morga, Mendieta

For the broader travel overview: Bizkaia.