How to Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – Practical Tips

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is one of the most iconic sights along the Basque coast. Set high on a rocky islet, the hermitage is connected to the mainland by a winding staircase of 241 steps and a narrow medieval stone bridge. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and panoramic sea views, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most visited spots in northern Spain.

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you might recognise Gaztelugatxe as Dragonstone from season seven of the HBO series. The winding climb up to the fortress was filmed right here and it looks just as impressive in real life.

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Even before it appeared on screen, Gaztelugatxe had long been one of the Basque Country’s most unique and memorable landmarks. It draws both local visitors and travellers from all over and it’s not hard to understand why.

A visit to Gaztelugatxe requires bit of preparation, especially during the busy summer months. As the route to visit the top of the islet includes a relatively long walk on steep slopes and a long staircase with uneven steps, it’s good to know what to expect and if you can even do it.

In this guide, we’ll share practical tips from our recent visit: what to expect, how to get there (by car or with a guided tour), how to book your ticket and what to bring.

hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – History and legends

The hermitage you see today isn’t the original one. Over the centuries, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has been destroyed and rebuilt many times as a result of battles, pirate raids and fires. The first chapel is believed to have been built in the 9th century and later became a small convent in the 12th.

Its position made it a strategic stronghold too: in 1334, King Alfonso XI of Castile attacked the islet in pursuit of Juan Núñez de Lara, who took refuge there and held out for over a month. In 1596, English pirate Francis Drake looted the hermitage and according to legend, threw the hermit off the cliff. The last major fire was in 1978 and the current version was rebuilt in 1983.

But Gaztelugatxe isn’t just rich in history, it is full of legends too. One of the most famous tells how Saint John the Baptist arrived from Bermeo in just three giant strides. The final step of his journey is marked by a footprint carved into the rock next to the hermitage, inscribed with the name San Juan. Locals will tell you where to find the others scattered along the way.

And don’t forget the bell. Once you reach the top, it’s tradition to ring it three times and make a wish, whether it’s for luck, love or just a safe journey back down.

is Gaztelugatxe worth visiting?

Absolutely. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is definitely worth a visit as it is one of northern Spain’s most captivating sights. What makes Gaztelugatxe so special and worthwhile is not just the spectacular setting or the TV fame, it’s also the atmosphere and the sense of adventure that comes with a visit.

The hermitage on top of the islet might be small, but the steep walk down, the crossing the medieval bridge and slowly climbing up the 241 steps to reach the top, followed by the return journey, makes the experience so much more special.

The history, natural beauty, adventure and panoramic views all leave a lasting impression that makes the detour to visit Gaztelugatxe more than worthwhile.

What to expect

Don’t make the same mistake we did not to be fully prepared about what to expect from a visit to Gaztelugatxe. We visited in the month of May, so we didn’t have to make a booking in advance and there weren’t many other people. What we didn’t realise was the length of the hike to get to the top of the rocky outcrop to visit the chapel.

Luckily though when we travel we generally do it quite slowly and so are often prepared for various unforeseen circumstances such as this visit. In this case we brought enough water and snacks as well as good shoes, but above all, enough time to visit.

We will now go through everything you need to know in this guide, but in brief, these are the things you can expect when visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe:

• A challenging but scenic hike, so be prepared with what to bring.
• Allow enough time as you’ll need at least 2 hours for the full visit.
• Book your time slot well enough in advance.
• Limited facilities with no shops, toilets or restaurants on the island itself. So be prepared.
• Photogenic location, so bring a fully charged phone or camera as you will take lots of photos.
• Prepare how to get there and how much time it takes. This is important to plan your reserved time slot.

How to get to Gaztelugatxe

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is located on the northern coast of Spain in the province of Biscay, between the towns of Bakio and Bermeo. A visit makes an ideal day trip from Bilbao as it’s just a 30 km (19 miles) drive from the city center. Many also visit Gaztelugatxe as a stopover when driving between San Sebastián and Bilbao.

Read also: Essential tips for driving in Spain

With a guided tour

For a stress-free option, especially recommended in peak season, you can join a guided tour. This way you won’t need to worry about parking (see details later in this post) or booking an entry slot in advance. Tours are available from both Bilbao and San Sebastián.

By car

Visiting by car is the most flexible option, especially if you have a rental car or drive your own vehicle. It also gives you the freedom to explore the nearby towns like Bermeo, Mundaka, Bakio or Getxo along the way.

The fastest road from Bilbao is to head to the BI-631 towards Bermeo and turn off onto the BI-2101 towards Bakio, then follow the signs to Gaztelugatxe towards Bermeo.

• From Bilbao: Take the BI-631 towards Bermeo, then turn onto the BI-2101 towards Bakio, and follow signs to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
• From San Sebastián: Take the AP-8 toll road toward Bilbao, then continue as above via BI-631 and BI-2101.

TIP: Parking near Gaztelugatxe is limited and fills up fast in summer, so arrive early if driving.

By bus

Outside of peak season, getting to Gaztelugatxe by public transport requires some planning as only during the summer months there is a direct bus from Bilbao to Gaztelugatxe.

• In summer: A direct bus (A3517) runs from Bilbao Plaza Moyua to Gaztelugatxe (Gaztelubegi stop). Check current timetables on the Bizkaibus website.
• Year-round: Take a bus to Bakio or Bermeo (around 1 hour from Bilbao), then either walk 5 km (3.1 miles) from Bakio or 10 km (6.2 miles) from Bermeo. You can also take a short taxi ride from either town to the entrance.

TIP: The walk from both towns gives you amazing views of the landscape and Gaztelugatxe itself. Just keep in mind there are some pretty steep parts along the way, which adds to the hike from the parking area all the way up to the hermitage.

Where to park with a car

There are two parking areas accessible via the BI-3101 access road.

The first parking area is located right at the entrance, just as you come off the main road and before reaching the restaurant. This is the official parking, free of charge, but places are limited. You must come very early, especially in peak season to find a spot. There are a few larger spaces suitable to park a small camper or a van.

The second parking lot is private, much larger and charges a fee (3.5 Euro in 2025). To get there, pass the first parking, turn left and follow the road down behind the restaurant. This is also where the Ermu entrance is located.

Parking with a camper van

Visiting with a camper van can be challenging. The first parking lot has only a few spots for smaller campers and the second, private parking does not allow camper vans.

Your best options are to arrive very early to secure one of the limited larger spaces at the first parking area or to park in Bermeo or Bakio and then take a taxi or walk to the entrance.

You might find parking along the main road, but be sure to check whether this is allowed and safe before leaving your vehicle there.

The hike to Gaztelugatxe – which route to take

Hiking all the way to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is definitely a memorable part of the visit but also a bit of a challenge. From the parking area, you must first hike down to the iconic stone bridge, cross over to the islet and climb the notorious 241 steps up to the hermitage.

After enjoying the views and the chapel, you go back the same way to the parking area. So you kind of walk in a V shape, twice if you want to visit all the way.

There are two main access routes leading to the stone bridge at the base of the islet: Urizarreta and Ermu. Both lead to the same point but are different in length, steepness and level of experience/fitness required.

Good to know: Whichever route you take, the walk down, up the steps and all the way back again requires a moderate level of fitness and is not recommended for those with limited mobility or physical strength. However, this does not mean that you won’t be able to enjoy the views of Gaztelugatxe from the mainland, which we will talk about further on in this post.

Urizarreta path – the main path

This is the most commonly used route, starting from the larger (private) parking area near the Eneperi restaurant. The path is about 1.2 km (0.75 miles) long but is also the steepest of both routes, with gradients of up to 35%. This trail includes partly stairs and party a steep path.

This is the fastest and shortest route to the bridge, physically pretty demanding for your legs and knees, but worthwhile for the stunning and jaw-dropping views of the coastline and of Gaztelugatxe itself. This is also the path most people will use, so it can get pretty crowded at times so you might have to wait for slower people.

TIP: We highly recommend taking this route down to the stone bridge as it offers some of the best views of the bridge and the chapel. Midway, there is a small detour leading to a viewpoint which is definitely worth the detour.

Ermu path – the alternative route

The Ermu path is longer, 1.6 km (1 mile) but is less steep and usually much less crowded. To take this route, start from the upper parking area, keep right and walk past the front of the Eneperi restaurant.

It’s a wider path, also used occasionally by local service vehicles and only has a gradient of max. 15%, making it much gentler for knees and legs.

We recommend taking this route for your return walk, after having descended the steeper Urizarreta path and climbing 241 steps up and down. The Ermu path is not only easier, but also scenic, with a few benches where you can rest and enjoy stunning views of the coastline and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

The 241 steps to the hermitage

After reaching the foot of the islet you’ll cross the narrow medieval stone bridge and begin the final climb up 241 steps. The staircase zigzags its way up the rock. The steps are uneven with a steep incline and since it’s quite narrow with people going up and down, the walk can be tiring.

Viewpoint without doing the hike

If you don’t have a ticket, have reduced mobility, or simply prefer to skip the hike, there’s a viewpoint along the Ermu route that offers a beautiful view of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe without needing to walk all the way down.

From the upper parking area, walk past the front of the Eneperi restaurant and continue along the wide gravel path. It’s mostly flat and easy to walk, and after a few hundred meters you’ll reach a scenic lookout point with a fantastic panoramic view of the islet, the stone bridge and the surrounding coastline. It’s a great alternative for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to tackle the full hike.

Allow enough time

A visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe isn’t just a quick stop to snap a photo and head back to the car. Reaching the hermitage at the top of the islet and fully experiencing the journey takes time and is very much part of the adventure.

So, how long should you plan for? In general, the entire visit can easily take two to three hours, or more if you take it very slow, like we did. This includes hiking down to the bridge, climbing the 241 steps, spending around 30 minutes at the top to explore the hermitage, taking in the views and simply soaking up the atmosphere. And then making your way back up again.

During the busy summer months, give yourself even more time. The narrow paths and staircases can get crowded and you might have to queue along the way especially during peak hours. And when it rains, the path becomes quite slippery so you should take it slow and easy.

In short: don’t rush it. Take your time, enjoy the stunning coastal views, the peaceful setting and the almost surreal feeling of standing atop this dramatic rock formation.

Reserve your ticket in advance

Entrance to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is free of charge. However, if you are visiting during public or school holidays, or between June and September, you’ll need to book a free access ticket in advance. This system had to be introduced due to the increased popularity of it being a Game of Thrones filming location.

You’ll need to look at the official calendar as to which days are necessary to reserve your ticket in advance, but as a general rule, anytime between early June to end of September. Any other day you can just make your way and visit the site without any booking.

An online reservation can be made through the official website on which you will have to select a day and a time slot. As tickets book out fast during peak season, especially on public holidays and weekends, you’ll need to book a few weeks in advance.

Good to know: As entrance is free of charge, often people book in advance and cancel if they cannot make it. So if you didn’t manage to get a ticket for your preferred day, keep refreshing and trying to make a booking as places do become available again closer to the day. The same principle applies when booking (paid) tickets for the Alhambra in Granada. You may not be able to get tickets on your preferred day, but constantly refreshing the website may produce freed up tickets. We ‘planned’ our visit to Granada about 3 days in advance and got tickets for the Alhambra the day before.

Stick to the time slot

When booking a specific date and time, you will have to respect your time slot and enter at the hour shown on your online ticket. You have a 60 minute grace period after which your reservation will be cancelled and you cannot make a new booking for the next 12 months.

Should you have a problem, you can always contact them.

Avoid peak hours if you can

To beat the crowds and avoid the summer heat, try to visit either early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Both the steep path leading down to the stone bridge and the staircase itself are quite narrow which can make the walk uncomfortable when it’s crowded. Keep in mind that during peak times, it may also take longer to find parking or access the site.

This advice mainly applies in high season as during the low or shoulder season it’s usually neither too hot nor too busy.

Some practical tips for your visit

The Basque Country is known for its unpredictable climate as it can swing from hot and sunny to wet and windy. To prepare for a visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and for the whole Basque Country for that matter, prepare for any type of weather.

Below are a few practical tips on what to pack and bring for the hike to make your visit safe, comfortable and enjoyable:

• Wear sturdy footwear: The paths are steep, uneven and often slippery when wet. Good walking shoes or decent sneakers are a must. Do not walk with high heels or flip flops.
• Bring snacks and water: There are no shops/vending machines or water fountains along the route or at the chapel on top of the island. So considering you’ll be out there for at least 3 hours, bring enough food and water to stay hydrated and keep your energy levels up, especially in warmer months.
• Use a hat and sunscreen: There is hardly any shade along the way so protect for the sun by wearing a hat and sunscreen.
• Dress in layers: Along the Basque Coast the weather can suddenly change so dress in layers and bring a light raincoat which will protect against the rain and sudden wind that might come up.
• Come with a fully charged camera or phone: You will take lots of photos as the views are spectacular and the site is stunning. You’ll likely take more photos than expected, especially if you’re like us. So bringing a battery bank for your phone isn’t such a bad idea. We actually have a battery bank with us at all times when travelling.
• Walking poles: For those with sensitive knees or balance concerns, walking poles can help on the way down and up.