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Option to Lekeitio- Guernika? Mundaka?

I'm replanning a trip that was supposed to happen last year and had planned one night at Lekeitio, in between Los Picos hiking stops and a stay in Comillas to see all the caves, and finishing up the trip in Bilbao. Unfortunately, the place I had planned on staying in Lekeitio is booked and I'm looking at options. This is one night to relax and eat in between all the outdoor activity and a couple days of city stuff of Bilbao. I hope to stop at Guernika for the museum before dumping the car in Bilbao, but has anyone stayed there overnight? The option is to find another hotel in Lekeitio (because the town has been recommended here) or try Mundaka. Or, since I live near the coast and the beach isn't a novelty, find some place inland with a good restaurant and pretty views. Or add the night to Bilbao and make it easy, which seems like the least enticing since I'll have a car for a change and want to get what I can out of it.

Taking a poll here!

Posted by
743 posts

Some questions, as a Basque local:

  • "All the caves" in Comillas means what caves? Just out of curiosity, there are quite a few!
  • Museum in Gernika, I understand you mean the Peace Museum? Because the really interesting place in Gernika is the Parliament where the Oak Tree is located (Casa de Juntas - Batzar Etxea, https://jjggbizkaia.eus/en/seats/gernika-assembly-hall). You can visit Gernika in less than two hours.
  • Lekeitio is a lovely town, indeed, beach weather is not always an option in rainy Basque Country so I would not consider that as a priority there, we do not go to Lekeitio for the beach, really. Parking is a nightmare and heavily restricted all over town.
  • I would consider maybe Plentzia, Zumaia, Deba...as alternative locations. Bermeo, too. Good restaurants are found anywhere in the Basque Country, and I´m totally honest on this.
  • Public transport is excellent, so if you choose to stay another night in Bilbao, you will have very easy access to Gernika, Lekeitio...
Posted by
436 posts

"All the caves" means all the cave paintings I can fit into two or three days! I was looking for some place to chill out for a night before getting to Bilbao, but if the transportation is good (and the car rental is expensive), then good to know Guernika is possible with transit if nothing else works out.

Posted by
492 posts

We enjoyed our day in Guernika.
The reproduction of Picasso’s work in ceramic tile is excellent.
We watched kids practicing jailai in the main arena. Quite enjoyable.
Had a good lunch.
Museum and adjacent park were very good.
Stay overnight and take the train to Bilbo.

Posted by
743 posts

Take into account you need a prior reservation for the cave visits, and they are all guided in Spanish, not English. I recommend Las Monedas and El Castillo caves, which can be visited in the same morning. You´ll need a car to get there. Gernika is easily accessible either by train or bus from Bilbao.