The availability of holiday rentals in Uribe Kosta, Busturialdea and Lea-Artibai is drastically reduced in July and August, with prices reaching €2,500 per month in Bakio.
Anyone looking to rent an apartment on the Bizkaia coast this summer will find it difficult. A glance at seasonal listings on portals like Idealista reveals that most properties are already booked for July and August, and those that remain have prices that can exceed €2,000 per month. The scarcity is particularly notable in towns like Bakio, Plentzia and Lekeitio, where demand has grown due to proximity to Bilbao and the appeal of the beaches.
Bakio, the most sought-after destination
In Bakio, one of the most in-demand municipalities in Uribe Kosta, there are hardly any options left for this summer. One listing offers a 100 square metre apartment with two bedrooms and a pool for €1,600 for two weeks in July and €1,900 in August. However, the calendar indicates that the property is occupied until the end of September. Another three-bedroom flat by the seafront is available for €2,500 per month, but only from October. According to sources in the real estate sector, many owners prefer to keep listings active even when the dates are booked, creating a false sense of availability.
For the resident of Bilbao looking for a second home without having to travel far, Bakio remains a magnet. Its beach, summer atmosphere, and road connection in under 30 minutes make it an ideal option for those wanting to work remotely from the coast. But the reality is that, at this point, finding a rental for August is almost an impossible mission.
Plentzia and Sopela: residual supply
In Plentzia and Sopela, the situation is similar. Although several temporary rental listings appear on the portals, most refer to stays after September. Among the few visible options is a 86 square metre property with three bedrooms in the Sopelmar development, but its availability is from September onwards. Prices, meanwhile, remain high: a two-bedroom flat in Plentzia can cost €1,200 per month in the low season, but in summer it skyrockets to €1,800.
The lack of supply has led many Bizkaian residents to expand their search inland, although coastal demand remains predominant. For readers who have not yet booked, local agencies have a clear recommendation: do not wait until the last minute and consider rentals starting in September, when prices drop and availability increases.
Lekeitio and eastern Bizkaia
In the Lea-Artibai region, Lekeitio also records almost full occupancy. Although the port and Isuntza beach attract entire families, seasonal rental listings are virtually nonexistent for July and August. A study by Idealista consulted by this newspaper indicates that the supply in the area has fallen by 30% compared to last year, while prices have risen by an average of 15%. In towns like Ondarroa or Mutriku, the trend is the same: what little remains is booked months in advance.
For those not willing to give up on the beach plan this summer, an alternative is to look in inland municipalities like Gernika or Durango, where rentals are more affordable and the connection to the coast is quick. However, the charm of sleeping to the sound of the waves comes at a price that seems higher than ever this year.
According to the Bizkaia Real Estate Association, the trend indicates that the demand for seasonal rentals will continue to grow in the coming years, which could further strain the market. For now, anyone wanting a flat on the Bizkaia coast this summer will need to hurry… or wait until autumn.
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