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Gernika, what to see and do in one of the most historic towns in the Basque Country.
Gernika shines with its own light in the tourist panorama of Euskadi, it is not for less, its museums, its natural environment, its history and its gastronomy place it as one of the most charming places of all our territory. Located in the region of Busturialdea, surrounded by the majestic environment of Urdaibai and magnified by its own history, Gernika is an obligatory stop in any good trip to Euskadi. That is why we have found it necessary to write this article about what to see and do in Gernika, a tourist guide, with which we intend to show the history and beauty of this impressive place. We hope you like it.
Information on what to see and do in Gernika-Lumo.
- Online reservations: Here
- Population: approximately 16,900.
- Festivals: Santa Maria on August 15 and San Roque on August 16.
- Main attractions: Peace Museum, Casa de Juntas, Gernika Tree, Euskal Herria Museum, Jai Alai Fronton, Urdaibai, Txakoli wineries…
- Location: Busturialdea region, Bizkaia, Basque Country.
Gernika faithfully represents the Basque people. In this urban center, we find all the facets that have made the name of Euskadi famous around the world: culture, history, nature, and gastronomy. These aspects ensure that everyone who visits Gernika enjoys every day they spend with us to the fullest. A tourist destination that invites people of all kinds to visit its most emblematic spots. Are you up for it?
History of Gernika.
Although the purpose of this article is to show what to see and do in Gernika, we would like to pay special attention to its history. The past of any town is evident in its present and future. Even more so in the case of the noble and loyal town of Gernika (officially Gernika-Lumo). Unfortunately, the past of Gernika has turned this urban center into one of the most internationally known Basque areas. This fact is a consequence of the atrocious bombing suffered by the German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War. An attack on civilians that shocked half the world. The painting of Pablo Picasso, the Guernica, reflects this historical fact, a work of art, in which the pain and suffering of the Basque people is evident in every brushstroke.
Unfortunately, the bombing carried out on April 26, 1937, destroyed more than 80% of the buildings in Gernika, only buildings such as the Casa de Juntas survived enemy fire. This attack was the consequence of the support that Germans and Italians offered to Francisco Franco, the man who tormented our people and punished the use of our language, the Basque. To renounce to forget, to renounce to revenge. With this slogan, the Peace Museum of Gernika invites us to know the town from the memory and peace. We recommend comfortable shoes, a camera and the desire to know the history of our town. Are you up for it?
Guided tours in Gernika.
Memori Tour Gernika, the guided tour program offered by the Gernika Peace Museum, gives us the opportunity to discover the town from a historical and neutral perspective. We have fallen in love with these guided tours. The low price of these activities (€3 per person) and their high quality make these guided tours the best option for discovering Gernika. We encourage you to book these experiences at the best price here, quickly, securely, and at the best price. You won’t regret it. If you want to learn more about each of the guided tours on offer, we recommend reading our article on guided tours in Gernika. You can also check out the free tours of Gernika.
What to see in Gernika.
Gernika offers us places worth framing, worth visiting. Places where history and nature come together to provide us with a picture-perfect getaway. We are sure you won’t be disappointed.
1.- Tree of Gernika and Casa de Juntas (reservation required here): Learn about the symbolism and importance of the Tree of Gernika and the Casa de Juntas, two places where, historically, the great Basque politicians would meet to decide on the future of our people. Today, the tradition continues, and it is here, next to the Tree of Gernika, that the Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government) is sworn in before taking up his duties as the new leader of the Basque Government. The Casa de Juntas, built between 1826 and 1833 by architect Antonio Etxeberria, houses the Sala de Juntas, where the plenary sessions of the General Assembly of Bizkaia are held.
The tree of Gernika, an oak that generation after generation has tended the gardens of the Casa de Juntas, is the symbol of the freedoms and traditions of the Basque people. It was here, under the original 14th century tree, that the fueros, a group of laws by which the Basque Country enjoys a certain degree of autonomy from the Spanish state, were established.
Currently, we find two trees, the old tree, planted in 1742, located in a portico in the garden of the Casa de Juntas, and the current tree of Gernika, planted in 2015 and successor of this one. An icon of the Basque people. Formerly, the Casa de Juntas of Gernika hosted the assembly in which the legislative power of Bizkaia was exercised. The convocation to this meeting was made by sounding the horns from the mountains. You can read more about this historical fact in our article “Create your own horn in 6 steps“. On the other hand, the Casa de Juntas can be visited free of charge every day from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, a schedule that is extended in summer until 19:00. Highly recommended.
2.- Peace Museum: The Peace Museum in Gernika is a benchmark for museums of this kind. It is a space where memories make the bombing as present as it was then. The Peace Museum in Gernika shows us the importance of remembering those events from a place of peace. It invites visitors to leave behind any desire for revenge. Begoña’s audiovisual presentation, a small reproduction of the bombing, leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits this museum. We recommend that you buy your ticket in advance at the best price here. You can find more information about this museum in our article “Gernika Peace Museum.”
3.- Santa María Church: Santa María Church is located in the center of Gernika, next to the Peace Museum, the Euskal Herria Museum, and the Casa de Juntas. A 15th-century religious building, it stands out for combining elements of two different styles, Gothic and Renaissance. The masonry and carved stone on the exterior of the Church of Santa María catch the eye of everyone who passes by. A true beauty.
4.- Euskal Herria Museum: The Euskal Herria Museum is located in the Alegría Palace, a noble building in the center of Gernika, next to the Park of the Peoples of Europe, which is easily recognizable. This museum in Gernika shows us the history and culture of Euskal Herria through traditional elements of the Basque people, distributed over three floors. Very interesting. A museum with a similar theme to the one found in Plaza de Unamuno in Bilbao, which complements it perfectly.
5.- Park of the Peoples of Europe: Located behind the Casa de Juntas and the Euskal Herria Museum, the Park of the Peoples of Europe is an oasis of peace where the sound of ducks flapping their wings mixes with the sound of water. Here we find Eduardo Chillida’s work “Gure Aitaren Etxea,” a reflection on peace featuring the Tree of Gernika. It is a space to rest and enjoy art.
6.- Guernica: Right in the street, opposite the local health center, we find a replica of Pablo Picasso’s work, “Guernica.” It is a huge ceramic mural that faithfully represents the original work found in the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid. Next to it, we can read the words “GUERNICA GERNIKARA,” a phrase in Basque that calls for the famous work of art to be brought closer to Gernika.
7.- Astra Air Raid Shelter: The Astra Air Raid Shelter is one of the few air raid shelters remaining from that period, a small space that we are sure you will enjoy visiting. Although it appears very simple, the history of this shelter says a lot about the history of Gernika. Together with the Pasealekua air raid shelter, it currently forms part of the Gernika Air Raid Shelter Route. This space was built in 1936 to protect the workers of the “Talleres de Gernika” factory. It is a concrete structure hidden behind a false ceiling that simulated the roof of a house so that aircraft could not recognize it. This shelter was restored in 2005 to show visitors what the shelters in Gernika were like at that time.
8.- Pasealekua Air Raid Shelters: This shelter is the last one to have been opened to the public. Although the complex consisted of four tunnels more than 10 meters deep, it is not possible to visit the entire facility today. According to reports, so many people took refuge in this shelter in Gernika that it was practically impossible to breathe due to the lack of oxygen.
9.- Sculpture in honor of the gudaris: In order to pay tribute to the Basque gudaris (soldiers) who defended the freedom of our people during the Civil War, Gernika unveiled a bronze sculpture on the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Gernika to remember and honor the memory of those people. A beautiful reminder that will remain with us forever.
10.- Town center: Although in this section we have only mentioned the most emblematic places in Gernika, it is always a good idea to stroll around the town center and discover little details that catch your eye. What’s more, a visit to the center of Gernika is always a good opportunity to enjoy our famous pintxos, a wonderful example of the Basque Country’s great gastronomic culture.
Boat trip in Gernika.
We offer boat trips in Gernika for groups throughout the year. A great option for those who want to follow the course of the Urdaibai estuary to discover one of the least known and most beautiful areas of the Basque coast. Remember that these boat trips can be customized to suit the needs of each group. Do not hesitate to to contact us. We are waiting for you!
What to see near Gernika.
In the vicinity of Gernika there are many places to see and enjoy. Within a radius of less than 30 minutes by car from the center of Gernika we find villages, museums, beaches and other places worth visiting. A nice list of spaces that we detail below.
- Urdaibai: Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Urdaibai is one of the most important natural areas in the Basque Country. It is the perfect setting for enjoying active tourism with nature as the main attraction. For more information, see our article Urdaibai, what to see and do.
- Bermeo: This fishing village, with its port, captivates everyone who decides to visit it. If its picturesque fishing port and its colorful houses are not enough of an excuse to go to its surroundings, you should know that most of the boat tours in Urdaibai depart from this wonderful Basque town. If you are interested in visiting Bermeo, we recommend you to read our article “Bermeo, what to see, what to do and where to sleep“.
- Matxitxako Lighthouse: The Matxitxako cape is located in the vicinity of Bermeo, on one of the slopes of Mount Sollube. A space of great natural value, that, molded by the sea proposes us to know two of the most famous lighthouses of the Biscayan cornice. The old lighthouse was inaugurated in 1852 and was in operation until 1909. Next to the remains of this old lighthouse, we find the new lighthouse, a structure located by the sea that continues to illuminate the way home for our fishermen.
- Mundaka: This small and cozy Basque town is known worldwide for hosting one of the best left waves for surfing. A fact that has made Urdaibai one of the most visited Basque areas by lovers of this sport. More information: Mundaka, what to see and do.
- Elantxobe: This village located literally on the cliffs surprises travelers with its steep streets and its port. A must-see urban center during any visit to Gernika. More information: Elantxobe, what to see and what to do.
- Ekoetxea: This Basque museum located in the Madariaga Tower in Busturia invites us to learn the secrets of biodiversity in the Basque Country. In addition to the wonderful 15th century building in which it is located and the great natural environment that surrounds it (Urdaibai), this museum holds many treasures inside.
- Ea: Another surprising village. And is that, although from afar this town may seem sad and gray, inside it keeps one of the most striking corners of Urdaibai. A great unknown for tourists who visit us. You cannot miss it. More information in our article Ea, what to see and do.
- Lekeitio: A different, special town. A small fishing village in Bizkaia that has us madly in love. We recommend you to visit its port and the streets of the town center, we are sure you will love it. More information about Lekeitio: Lekeitio, what to see and do.
- Ondarroa: This coastal town in Bizkaia is known worldwide for the volume of fish that arrives at its port. But what many people don’t know is that it hides some truly incredible spots. We recommend you discover them for yourself. More information: Ondarroa, what to see and do.
- Faro de Santa Katalina: El faro de Santa Katalina es el único faro visitable que tenemos en Euskadi. Una pequeña joya que alumbra el camino a casa de todos los pescadores lekeitiarras. Una bonita visita guiada para conocer más de cerca todo lo que rodea este tipo de estructuras. Más informacion en nuestro artículo “Visita guiada al faro Santa Catalina de Lekeitio”.
- Urdaibai Bird CenterIts name says it all. This bird research center and museum is a real discovery for people who love nature. A space that, located in a privileged enclave, between marshes, invites us to discover the great natural wealth of the Urdaibai Reserve.
- Oma Forest: The painted forest of Urdaibai. A space where nature and art merge to offer visitors a beautiful route in Urdaibai. A unique enclave where the trees come to life to offer us different works of art. Recommended reading: Bosque de Oma, the painted forest of Urdaibai.
- Arteaga Castle: This incredible building located in the center of Urdaibai has its origins in the 13th century. However, its current appearance is due to the reconstruction carried out by several French architects. Apparently, in 1856, the French emperors Napoleon III and Eugenia de Montijo, decided to recover this historic building as thanks to the fact that the General Assembly of Bizkaia had named Eugenio Bonaparte, son of both, Bizkaino by birth.
- Beaches of Laida and Laga: Two beaches that leave their mark. Two of the most peculiar beaches of Euskadi. The changing Laida and the wild Laga, are 2 beaches that you must know during your trip to Gernika. This is what we wrote in our article about the beaches near Bilbao and we recommend them again. We recommend reading the article on the best beaches in Urdaibai.
- Ogoño: The cape of Ogoño, faithful protector of the beach of Laga and the village of Elantxobe, takes us through its entrails to enjoy one of the most striking views of our coast. A highly recommended route.
- Basondo: Refuge for native wildlife. A space with similar characteristics to Karpin in Karrantza. A place where they care for animals that have suffered some kind of injury and cannot return to their original habitat.
- Santimamiñe: Although the cave and the original paintings cannot be visited, there is a reproduction that can be viewed during the guided tour. This reproduction helps us to appreciate the history of the land we walk on.
- San Pedro Atxarre: From Atxarre you get one of the best views of all Urdaibai. An enclave, which, like Ogoño, is always worth a visit. We recommend reading our article San Pedro Atxarre, family route in Urdaibai.
- San Miguel de Ereñozar: This place is another of the great viewpoints of Urdaibai. A space, located at the top of Mount Ereñozar, above the caves of Santimamiñe, in Ereño, gives us one of the best views of the biosphere reserve. If you want to enjoy these views, we encourage you to read our article on the route to San Miguel de Ereñozar.
What to do in Gernika and surroundings.
The list of activities to do in Gernika and surroundings is very extensive, so we have selected some of the ones that have caught our attention. Experiences that we recommend you to live in first person. And is that the memories of a good trip are not only fed by photos or souvenirs, the sensations of the experiences lived are another of the treasures that we must store after each adventure, after each trip.
- Boat trip to Elantxobe: If you want to discover Elantxobe from the sea, this boat trip is the best option. A little adventure that invites you to discover this Basque village from below, from the water. The boat departs from the neighboring town of Bermeo and takes you to some of the most emblematic places in the area. You can book and check the itinerary, prices, and schedules here.
- Boat trip to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: This boat trip is an excellent alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to (or can’t) climb the 241 steps leading up to the Gaztelugatxe chapel. The trip lasts one hour and takes you to one of the many Game of Thrones locations in the Basque Country. You can book this experience here.
- Bilbao: The capital of Bizkaia is a must-visit place. A getaway for which we have written a must-read article: 199 things to see in Bilbao.
- Boat trips in Bilbao: If you want to make the most of your visit to Gernika to get to know Bilbao, we recommend taking a boat trip in Bilbao. It’s comfortable, practical, and educational. Thanks to their regular routes and free audio guides, these boat trips along the Bilbao estuary have become one of the most popular experiences in the capital of Bizkaia. If you want to book these boat tours, we recommend doing so here.
- Whale watching: In the Biscayan coast, in front of Urdaibai, we find one of the best places for whale watching. An unforgettable experience that we talked about in our article “Whale watching in Euskadi, an unforgettable adventure“.
- Guided tour of the Jai Alai fronton: The Jai Alai fronton in Gernika is a true emblem, a true icon. Cesta Punta, one of the most international forms of Basque pelota, finds one of its greatest allies in this fronton. No wonder, as this fronton is considered by many to be the temple of Cesta Punta. This variant is one of the fastest fronton sports around at the moment, with the ball flying back and forth and the players, equipped with wicker baskets, putting on a real show. There are guided tours where you can appreciate the difficulty and speed of this sport firsthand. Are you in?
By the way, if you like fronton sports, we recommend you to visit the Galarreta Jai Alai fronton in Errenteria. It is currently one of the few scenarios in which you can enjoy the remonte, another modality of Basque pelota that attracts a lot of attention.
- Routes through the marshes: For those people who like to stretch their legs, Gernika offers a magical itinerary among marshes. A family route that we recommend you to enjoy. You can find more information in our article “Route in Urdaibai, a family walk among marshes“.
- Visit the market of Gernika. On Mondays, the baserritarras of the area crowd the market of Gernika with some of their best products. A meeting point where, in addition to creating one of the best atmospheres, some of the most demanded gastronomic products of the Basque society are exchanged. An authentic experience. We must take into account that on Mondays the museums of Gernika are closed so it is impossible to see everything indicated in this article on the same day. A perfect excuse to spend a few days enjoying the Urdaibai Reserve.
- Enjoying Urdaibai: Experiencing Urdaibai is synonymous of active tourism and boat trips, two of the most demanded experiences in this paradisiacal natural space. As we have already mentioned, there are many maritime routes to do in Urdaibai, even to cross a large part of the Biscayan coast, more information here. As for active tourism experiences there are several companies in the region, our recommendation Sustraiak natura.
- Visiting a Txakoli winery: Txakoli, one of our most internationally known popular beverages, is experiencing a great moment in Gernika and its surroundings. And the fact is that, less than 15 minutes by car from the urban center of Gernika, we find some of the best Txakoli wineries. This is the case of the Itsasmendi Winery or the Berroja Winery, which, located in a magical enclave, invite us to taste their delicious wines.
- Knowing the Basque gastronomy: The raw material is essential for any good menu. And it is here, where the incredible local products that we find in the square come into play. Materials that are essential to provide a good gastronomic experience. We recommend you to take a pintxo route through the city center or enjoy one of the restaurants that we recommend in the section “Where to eat in Gernika”.
- Camino de Santiago: The northern route, one of the busiest routes of the Camino de Santiago, crosses Gernika discovering each of its most emblematic corners. This road reaches the town after visiting the Collegiate Church of Ziortza or Cenarruza, in the neighboring municipality of Ziortza-Bolibar, an enclave worth visiting.
- Buy a souvenir: Euskal Souvenirs, one of the first souvenir stores created in Euskadi has its physical location in Gernika, in front of the tourist office. A great opportunity to visit the store and buy a souvenir of our stay in the Basque Country. souvenirs of our stay in the Basque Country..
Where to sleep in Gernika.
The low number of hotels in the vicinity of Gernika and the high quality of the rural houses in this area of the Basque Country have made rural houses the best option for people who want to visit Gernika and its surroundings. In this regard, we recommend reading our article “Rural houses in Urdaibai,” a text in which we highlight what we consider to be some of the best rural houses in the whole of Bizkaia. We recommend checking availability and prices here.
Where to park in Gernika
Although in the historic center of Gernika we find OTA signs (Traffic and Parking Ordinance), currently it is not necessary to pay if we want to leave our vehicles in any of the areas marked with this sign. However, near the center, there are more than 3 free parking lots. The most important are located next to the bus station, next to the Ertzaintza police station and behind the Casa de Juntas. 3 perfect options for what to see and do in Gernika.
Where to eat in Gernika.
Gernika, famous throughout the world for offering visitors some of the best raw materials of Euskadi, also gives us the opportunity to enjoy the gastronomic culture of our people. Here are 3 establishments that, at least, can be interesting during your stay in Gernika.
- Boliña El ViejoBoliña El Viejo: An emblematic place, a restaurant where you can eat traditional food. A restaurant with tradition that proposes us to taste simple menus at very competitive prices.
- Lezika: This restaurant located next to the Oma Forest is another of those places where you can enjoy the gastronomic culture of Euskadi. Its dining room, spacious and overlooking the garden, has a large capacity. Of course, we recommend making a reservation as it is always very crowded.
- Arita Berri: This restaurant located in Ereño, is one of the most demanded in the area to celebrate special occasions such as weddings or communions. The price of this restaurant and the Lezika restaurant is higher than that of the Boliña El Viejo restaurant, but we must say that they are establishments of a totally different profile.
Tourist office of Gernika.
In case you need more information about what to see and do in Gernika, we recommend that you go to the tourist office of the town. It is located in the city center, in front of the Peace Museum. We are sure that the people who work there will be able to show you the places that best suit your needs.
Tourist office of Gernika.
- Low season schedule (from November to Easter): Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 (this schedule may vary).
- Hours high season (from Easter to the last Monday of October): Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 (this schedule may vary).
- Location: Artekalea 8, Gernika.
Video on what to see in Gernika
As usual in our articles, we have created a small video for you to know in a more visual way what to see and do in Gernika. In case you like it we recommend you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, we are sure you will enjoy our new publications.
With this article about what to see and do in Gernika we hope you enjoy this wonderful urban center. A historical space of obliged visit in Euskadi. As you can see, this town has a lot to offer just 30 minutes from Bilbao, a luxury opportunity to enjoy our nature, history and culture, are you up for it? If you have any questions or suggestions, we recommend that you use the comment system that you will find below these lines, we will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!
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