Best Gaztelugatxe Tours From Bilbao in Winter

Before you compare: 5 winter facts to know

1. You only need a ticket on a few winter days. In 2026 the free access ticket is required only on November 1, December 5–8 and December 30. The provincial government advises tourists not to visit on December 30, which is set aside for local celebrations. On every other day from November to March, access is free and no booking is needed. Tours that say “ticket included” book it for you on controlled days.
2. Rain doesn’t usually cancel a tour, but weather warnings can. Most group tours run “rain or shine.” On days with an orange alert, though, the official advice (repeated by operators in their listings) is not to hike down to the islet during the affected hours. In that case you may get only the viewpoint.
3. Days are short. December has about 9 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 08:34 and sunset around 17:36, and December 21 is the shortest day. Morning departures, like all the main picks here, put you on the rock in the best light.
4. Repair works are coming, but no date has been set. On September 21, 2026, Deia reported that the provincial government will repair the walls under the path to the hermitage, with works expected to take about four months and an investment of about €490,000. This is part of the four-phase “Plan Integral de Actuación y Gestión de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.” The tender closed on September 14, 2026, and no start date or closure period had been announced by late October. Past works have overrun: according to Deia, the 2023 works began on October 23 with a two-month estimate but kept access closed for more than four months because of the weather. Some tour listings already say access to the hermitage will be closed “during the months of January and February” while “the viewpoints will remain open.” That isn’t confirmed for 2027, so check before you book if you’re going between January and March.
5. It’s a real hike. It’s about 1.2 km down a steep path, then the bridge and 241 steps, and you have to climb all the way back up. Wet stone is slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.

The best Gaztelugatxe tours from Bilbao in winter, reviewed

1. Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka & Gernika Day Trip (Local Experts Tours): best overall

• Where to book: From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, and Guernica Tour on GetYourGuide. Local Experts also sells it on its own site (from €69), on Civitatis and on Viator.
• Price from: $49 on GetYourGuide at the time of checking. The private option costs much more.
• Duration / schedule: 6 hours, daily. Departs 09:00 from the Puppy sculpture at the Guggenheim (Mazarredo 63). About 1 h 45 min at Gaztelugatxe, then a guided walk in Mundaka (20 minutes for lunch, not included), a guided visit in Gernika, and drop-off around 15:00.
• Group size: small group. A smaller vehicle is used when there are fewer than 9 people. Some options allow 15 or more, so check the option you pick.
• Included: transport, bilingual Spanish/English guide, Gaztelugatxe access ticket on controlled days
• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before. Minimum 4 adults; if that isn’t reached you’re offered an alternative or a full refund.
• Rating: 4.7/5 from 2,491 reviews on GetYourGuide

Pros: It’s among the most reviewed tours on the route and runs every day, and the morning start suits winter daylight. Mundaka in the low season is quiet and lovely. Cons: The guide is bilingual by default, so explanations come twice. Lunch is short. It isn’t suitable for travellers with reduced mobility. Best for: first-timers who want the classic Gaztelugatxe–Mundaka–Gernika loop.

2. Gaztelugatxe with Access, Bermeo & Gernika (Servicios Turísticos Integrales): most time on the rock

• Where to book: From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe with Access, Bermeo and Gernika on GetYourGuide. It’s also on Viator and Musement, and Civitatis sells a similar trip.
• Price from: $67 on GetYourGuide at the time of checking
• Duration: about 6 hours. Starts at Mazarredo Zumarkalea 65, with 2 hours of free time at Gaztelugatxe, then Bermeo (about 30 minutes) and Gernika (about 45 minutes).
• Group size: coach, up to 50
• Included: transport, guide (may be bilingual), access ticket
• Weather: “This tour will take place rain or shine.”
• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before. It may be cancelled if minimum numbers aren’t met, in which case you get an alternative or a full refund.
• Rating: 4.3/5 from 619 reviews on GetYourGuide, the lowest score among the big group tours here

Pros: The 2 hours on the rock means you won’t be rushed, and Viator lists 50% off for children aged 2–12 travelling with two adults. Cons: Large groups. Stops in the towns are short, and one recent reviewer said 30 minutes in Bermeo wasn’t enough. It costs about $18 more than the Local Experts tour above for a similar day. Best for: families and travellers who mainly want unhurried time at the rock.

3. Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika & Txakoli (Buendía): best value full day

• Where to book: Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour on GetYourGuide (English/Spanish guide). Buendía also sells it on its own site with a Spanish-language guide, and on Viator and Expedia.
• Price from: $66 on GetYourGuide at the time of checking; Buendía’s own site lists €69, with promotions seen lower
• Duration: 10 hours from the Puppy sculpture (Mazarredo 60). About 110 minutes at Gaztelugatxe, then Bermeo, Mundaka (with free time for lunch), Gernika, and a txakoli tasting at Bodegas Berroja.
• Group size: coach (up to about 55)
• Cancellation: free up to the start time when booked direct; platform terms vary
• Rating: 4.7/5 from 3,329 reviews on GetYourGuide, the most of any tour on this page

Pros: It covers the most places for the money, and the txakoli finish works well on a cold day. Cons: It’s a long coach day, and you’ll return after dark in winter. Some reviewers felt the “wine tour” was only a short tasting. The listing also carries a note about a January–February hermitage closure; see the works warning above. Best for: travellers who want to see as much as possible in one day and don’t mind a big group.

4. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe & Walk along the Basque Coast (Bilbao Green Tours): best small group

• Where to book: Bilbao: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Walk along Basque Coast on GetYourGuide; also on Viator
• Price from: $78 per person on GetYourGuide at the time of checking
• Duration: about 3.5 hours. Meets next to Bilbao City Hall (Ernesto Erkoreka Plaza 5); about 45 minutes’ drive each way. Includes a “secret viewpoint” (weather permitting) and about 90 minutes of hiking to the top.
• Group size: maximum 8; ages 10+
• Languages: English, Spanish, Basque, German, Italian
• Weather: “This experience requires good weather.” If it’s cancelled for weather, you’re offered another date or a full refund.
• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before
• Rating: 4.9/5 from 257 reviews on GetYourGuide

Pros: It’s the most personal format here, run by a local guide, and it leaves your afternoon free in Bilbao. Cons: It only goes to Gaztelugatxe, and because it needs good weather, a stormy week can push you onto another date. Best for: couples and solo travellers who dislike coaches.

5. Hike Gaztelugatxe, Fishing Port of Bermeo & Pintxos (The Best of Basque): best private tour

• Where to book: Hike Gaztelugatxe, Fishing Port Bermeo & Pintxo Lunch from Bilbao on Viator, or the operator’s own site. GetYourGuide doesn’t list it.
• Price: from $154 on Viator at the time of checking. On its own site the operator quotes €300 in total for 2 people and €375 for 3–4; ask for a quote for larger groups.
• Duration: 4–5 hours, 09:00 pickup from your hotel or the cruise port
• Includes: private vehicle and guide, Gaztelugatxe hike, Bermeo port, pintxos
• Rating: 5.0/5 from 69 reviews on Viator

Pros: You choose the timing, which helps you work around showers. It’s door to door, and the price per person drops quickly for a group of four. Cons: It’s expensive for couples. The cancellation and weather terms depend on where you book, so read them before paying. Best for: families, cruise passengers and anyone who wants flexibility.

6. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe & Txakoli Wine Day Trip (Northern Spain Gastronomy): best food & wine

• Where to book: Bilbao: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Txakoli Wine Day Trip on GetYourGuide
• Price from: $252 per person at the time of checking
• Duration: 7 hours, with optional pickup in Bilbao
• Group size: maximum 7; private options available
• Includes: transfer, full visit to Gaztelugatxe, visit to a small family winery near Bakio, 3 wines with appetisers, lunch
• Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before; “reserve now, pay later” is available
• Rating: 5.0/5, but from only 5 reviews, so the score says little yet

Pros: It’s a real winery visit with lunch, not a quick glass at the end of the day. Cons: It costs about four times as much as the group tours, and it has very few reviews. Best for: food lovers and special occasions.

7. Full-Day Game of Thrones Tour (Dragonstone Tours): best Game of Thrones tour

• Where to book: the operator’s own site; it isn’t sold on GetYourGuide or Viator
• Price from: about €65
• Duration: full day, roughly 08:00–17:30, departing from El Arenal opposite San Nicolás church. Stops: Muriola beach in Barrika (“King’s Landing”), Butrón Castle (photo stop), Gaztelugatxe (about 2 hours), Bermeo and Itzurun beach in Zumaia (where Daenerys lands on Dragonstone). A half-day version is also offered.
• Extras: cloaks and swords for photos

Pros: It’s the only option here built around the show. Cons: At the time of checking, the operator’s site still showed an undated banner saying the hermitage can’t be reached “from October.” It may be left over from the 2023 closure, but check before you book. Best for: Game of Thrones fans. Our Bilbao Game of Thrones tour guide covers the filming locations.

If you’d rather book on GetYourGuide, The Basque Coast Tour & San Juan Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone) (4.9/5 from 93 reviews, from $107) is a different, four-hour tour from another operator. It covers Gaztelugatxe and the coast but not Muriola, Butrón or Zumaia.

8. Biscay Bridge, Gaztelugatxe & Txakoli Winery (Local Experts Tours): best for limited mobility

• Where to book: Biscay Bridge, Gaztelugatxe and Txakoli winery from Bilbao on GetYourGuide; also on the operator’s own site (from €75) and Viator
• Price from: $84 on GetYourGuide at the time of checking. The small-group option with hotel pickup on Viator costs more.
• Duration / schedule: 5 hours, Fridays and Saturdays. Guided visit to the Vizcaya Bridge, txakoli winery (2–3 glasses), Gaztelugatxe viewpoint photo stop (about 30 minutes), Mundaka, Bermeo.
• Group size: small group (max 10 on Viator) or bilingual group
• Minimum: 2 adults (4 for the bilingual option). If the minimum isn’t met, you’re offered another date, another tour or a full refund.
• Rating: 4.7/5 from only 6 reviews on GetYourGuide, too few to judge by

Pros: You see Gaztelugatxe without the 241 steps. It’s also a good fallback if a works closure or a storm shuts the path. Cons: You don’t set foot on the islet. It only runs two days a week. Best for: limited mobility, grandparents, small children, and as a weather-proof plan B.

9. Gaztelugatxe & Gernika from San Sebastián (Local Experts Tours): best from San Sebastián

• Where to book: Gaztelugatxe and Guernica from San Sebastian on Viator; San Sebastián Turismo’s online shop sells it from €95
• Price from: $148 on Viator at the time of checking
• Duration / schedule: 7.5–8 hours, Mondays and Saturdays at 09:00 from the San Sebastián bus station. Two hours at Gaztelugatxe, then a guided visit to Gernika.
• Group size: up to 30; bilingual guide; ticket included
• Rating: 4.9/5 from 33 reviews on Viator

Best for: travellers based in San Sebastián who don’t want to stay overnight in Bilbao. Booking through San Sebastián Turismo costs less than the Viator price.

If none of these fits, the nine-hour Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika day trip (4.8/5 from 860 reviews, from $78) gives you the longest free block on the coast for lunch in Bermeo.

Comparison table

Prices from the GetYourGuide and Viator listings on October 27, 2026, except Dragonstone Tours (operator’s site). Check the current price.

Tour vs bus vs car in winter

• Bus: this is the cheapest option. Bizkaibus runs from Bilbao to Bakio and Bermeo, but the final connection, the A3524 taxi-bus, runs on weekdays only. Our step-by-step winter bus guide has the timetables and fares.
• Car: this gives the most flexibility. Parking is easy outside the busy dates, but you’ll be driving narrow, wet coastal roads.
• Tour: this costs more (from $49), but it’s the most efficient way to fit in the extra stops (Mundaka, Gernika, Bermeo) before dark. On controlled days the ticket is sorted for you.

Our take: If you only want the rock and you’re comfortable with buses, go on your own on a weekday. If you want two or three stops in one short winter day, or you’re going at a weekend, take a tour.

How to choose: checklist

• Group size: a maximum of 8–15 makes for a very different day from a 50-seat coach
• Stops: do you want the climb itself, or is the viewpoint enough?
• Ticket included on November 1 and December 5–8 (and avoid December 30)
• Meeting point: the Puppy, City Hall, El Arenal or hotel pickup
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before (or later)
• Weather policy: what happens if the path is closed? A refund, a new date, or the viewpoint only?
• Language: English-only, or bilingual
• Recent reviews that mention rain, wind or winter visits
• Return time compared with sunset (around 17:30–18:00)

Winter tips for tour days

• Wear walking shoes with good grip and a waterproof shell. Skip the umbrella, because wind on the bridge makes it useless.
• Check the Euskalmet warnings the night before. If there’s an orange coastal alert, use your free cancellation.
• The hermitage itself is normally closed to visitors, so expect the views and the bell rather than an interior.
• Want an earlier start or a second try? Spend a night in Bakio or Bermeo, a few minutes from the upper entrance.
• Bermeo’s council-run guided visits (bus from Bermeo, guide, ticket handled) run only at Easter, in July and in August, not in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best Gaztelugatxe tour from Bilbao?

For most people it’s Local Experts Tours’ Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika day trip. It runs daily, includes the ticket, has 4.7/5 from 2,491 reviews on GetYourGuide and costs from $49 at the time of checking.

Do Gaztelugatxe tours run in winter and in the rain?

Yes. The main group tours run all year, and several say they go ahead “rain or shine.” Strong wind, an orange alert or a works closure can stop the climb, though, so book with free cancellation.

Do tours include the Gaztelugatxe ticket?

Most of the tours above handle it. The ticket is free, and in winter 2026 it’s only needed on November 1, December 5–8 and December 30.

How much does a Gaztelugatxe tour cost?

At the time of checking, group tours from Bilbao cost $49–67, the small-group half day $78, and the private hike from $154 on Viator. Check the current price.

Is there a Game of Thrones tour?

Yes. Dragonstone Tours combines Gaztelugatxe with Muriola beach, Butrón Castle and Itzurun beach in Zumaia, booked on its own site.

Can I visit if I can’t do the 241 steps?

Yes. Choose the Biscay Bridge and txakoli tour, which only goes to the Gaztelugatxe viewpoint, or a private tour that stops at the viewpoints.

Will Gaztelugatxe be closed for works in 2027?

A repair project of about four months has been announced, but no closure date had been published by late October 2026. Check the official Gaztelugatxe page before you book.

Is a tour better than the bus in winter?

Yes if you want several stops in one short day or you’re going at a weekend, when the last bus connection doesn’t run. If you only want the rock on a weekday, the bus is cheaper.

Related Guides

• Which Gaztelugatxe tour from Bilbao is right for you
• How much a Gaztelugatxe tour from Bilbao costs
• Private vs small-group Gaztelugatxe tours
• Gaztelugatxe by bus from Bilbao in winter

Last checked: October 2026. Tour prices, schedules and closures change, so check the listing and the official site before you go.