Lekeitio in 30 seconds
About 7,200 inhabitants (7,163 in 2024, INE), 54 km from Bilbao via the Amorebieta road. Opposite the town lies San Nicolás island. Founded in 1325 by María Díaz de Haro, who granted it its town charter (carta puebla).
What to see
San Nicolás island
The symbol of the town. An islet you can reach on foot at low tide. Check the tide times before you set off.
Isuntza beach
The town beach, facing the island. A village atmosphere. The neighbouring beach of Karraspio, on the other hand, belongs to the municipality of Mendexa.
The fishing port
The port (Txatxo) is still dominated by fishing. The classic photo: the harbour at sunset.
The Basilica of the Assumption
Gothic, 15th century. Its gilded 16th-century Flemish Gothic altarpiece is described by Turismo Euskadi as the third largest in Spain. Not to be missed.
Torre Turpin
A 16th-century tower in a style transitional between Gothic and Renaissance.
The palaces
The Uriarte, Oxangoiti, Uribarri and Abaroa palaces. Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma stayed at the Uribarren palace.
Santa Catalina lighthouse and the hermitage of San Juan Talako
Two destinations for a walk along the coast.
Festivals
- San Pedro (late June): the town dances the Kaxarranka, in which the dancer stands on a chest carried by eight seamen.
- San Antolín (1–8 September), the patron saint festivities, with Goose Day on 5 September.
Getting there
- Car: from Bilbao, about 54 km via Amorebieta-Etxano
- Bus: Bizkaibus routes from Bilbao (timetables on the Bizkaibus website)
- Train: no station in Lekeitio; the nearest is in Guernica (Gernika-Lumo)
1-day itinerary
- At low tide: walk across to San Nicolás island
- Next: the fishing port
- Midday: lunch in the village
- Afternoon: the Basilica of the Assumption (altarpiece), then Isuntza beach
- Early evening: a stroll around the harbour
My favourite photo
The harbour at sunset — colourful boats, with the island in the background seeming to float. Or the walk across to San Nicolás at low tide, figures silhouetted against the rock.
Sources
- Turismo Euskadi (Basque Government) — Lekeitio (in Spanish)
- Lekeitio — Wikipedia (in Spanish) (INE 2024 population)
Ongi etorri Lekeitiora — Welcome to Lekeitio.