Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour
About This Experience
This is the broadest Gaztelugatxe day trip that leaves Bilbao, and the most-reviewed: ten hours, five stops and a coach seat that saves you the two bus changes the public route demands. It is also the one that guarantees your access slot to the islet, which matters more than most visitors realise until they arrive without one.
The coach leaves central Bilbao and runs about ninety minutes over the Bizkaia hills to the Bakio coast. You get roughly 110 minutes at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — long enough to cross the stone causeway, climb the 241 steps to the hermitage, ring the bell and walk back down without hurrying. The cliffs on the Bakio side are the ones that stood in for Dragonstone in Game of Thrones, and your guide will point out exactly where the camera sat.
From there the route follows the coast to Bermeo, a working fishing harbour with a guided walk through its old quarter, then on to Mundaka, where a long free block covers lunch. Mundaka's left-hand river-mouth wave is one of the best-known breaks in Europe, and the village itself is a short, walkable grid of seafront houses. Gernika comes next: the oak, the assembly house, the air-raid shelters and the tiled reproduction of Picasso's painting.
The day closes with a txakoli tasting at a Bizkaia winery — the slightly sparkling, high-acid white the region is known for. Note the operator's own caveat: depending on the access slot the authorities assign, the winery can move earlier in the day. Lunch and drinks beyond the tasting are not included.
Highlights
- Guaranteed access slot to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — no separate reservation needed
- Roughly 110 minutes at the islet, enough for the 241-step climb and the walk back
- See the Bakio cliffs that appeared as Dragonstone in Game of Thrones
- Guided walks in Bermeo, Mundaka and Gernika, plus free time for lunch in Mundaka
- Txakoli tasting at a Bizkaia winery to close the day
What's Included
- ✓ Official bilingual guide (English, Spanish)
- ✓ Air-conditioned bus transportation
- ✓ Access to the grounds of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe's Chapel
- ✓ Guided tour in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- ✓ Free time in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- ✓ Guided tour in Bermeo
- ✓ Guided tour and free time in Mundaka
- ✓ Guided tour in Guernica
- ✓ Tasting and sampling of Txakoli
Not Included
- Food and drinks
What to Bring
- Passport or ID card
- Comfortable walking or trainer-style shoes
- A layer for the wind on the exposed causeway
- Water
Good to Know & Caveats
- Ten hours door to door, including about three hours of road time
- Expect a moderate amount of walking; the 241 steps are optional but they are the reason most people come
- The order of stops can change depending on the access slot the Gaztelugatxe authorities assign — the winery sometimes moves before lunch
- Lunch is at your own cost during the free block in Mundaka
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
Not Suitable For
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
- People with low level of fitness
Meeting Point
Beside the Puppy sculpture at the Guggenheim Museum, Mazarredo Zumarkalea 60, Bilbao. The exact meeting point and time vary by the option you book, so check your voucher.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 3,079 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Had the BEST tour guide - Pedro. Quick wit and runs a tight ship so u need to be on time which was needed as there was so much packed on this tour! Fantastic tour!! Loved the hike @ Gaztelugatxe. I only wish Bermeo was longer (adorable town), and Mundaka was shorter. Pedro really gives u a history lesson about the Basque region during the Gernika tour. The beautiful winery was the perfect ending to a great trip. I highly recommend this trip to everyone.
— judy, Septemb
Exhausting especially in a hot summer day. Age 60+ not recommended. Great information cool trip
— Natan, Septemb
The guide, Pedro, was very good and thorough; he told us everything we could possibly know. He is a very knowledgeable person who loves his work. Excellent service and experience. He also gave us some tips on where to take pictures or how to take them! Excellent.
— Sara Alessandra, Septemb
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gaztelugatxe access permit included?
Yes. Access to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is controlled by timed slots and the operator holds one for your group, so you do not need to make a separate reservation. This is the main practical reason to take a guided tour rather than drive yourself in high season.
How long do you actually get at Gaztelugatxe?
About 110 minutes on the ground. Most people take 25 to 35 minutes to walk out along the causeway and up the 241 steps, a similar time back down, and the rest at the top or at the viewpoints, so the allowance is comfortable rather than rushed.
Do I have to climb the 241 steps?
No. The causeway and the viewpoints on the mainland side give you the classic photograph without the climb, and some guests stop there. The steps are stone, uneven in places and exposed to the wind, so the operator lists this tour as unsuitable for wheelchair users and travellers with mobility impairments.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drink are excluded apart from the txakoli tasting. The free block in Mundaka is timed so you can eat there — it is a seafaring village with good seafood and pintxos bars within a few minutes' walk of the drop-off.
What is txakoli?
Txakoli (txakolina) is the Basque Country's own white wine: low in alcohol, high in acidity and lightly sparkling, traditionally poured from a height to open it up. The tasting is at a Bizkaia winery on the way back to Bilbao.
Where does the tour start and finish?
Beside the Puppy sculpture at the Guggenheim on Mazarredo Zumarkalea in central Bilbao, and the coach returns you to the same spot in the evening. The meeting point can vary with the option you book, so check your voucher.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
It runs year-round. Gaztelugatxe is fully exposed to the Bay of Biscay and the access path can close in a severe storm at the authorities' discretion, in which case the guide adjusts the route. Bring a rain layer between October and April.
Is it suitable for children?
Older children who can manage the stairs are fine and the coach format suits families, but the operator flags the walking. Under-tens usually find the full ten-hour day long. If your group cannot manage stairs, look at a coastal viewpoint tour instead.
Other Gaztelugatxe Departures
The Basque Coast Tour & San Juan Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone)
Bilbao: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Walk along Basque Coast
From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe with Access, Bermeo and Gernika
From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika Day Trip
From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, and Guernica Tour
