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San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the stone bridge and the 241 most famous stairs of Euskadi.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Gaztelugatxeko Doniene in Basque, is one of the most visited places in the Basque Country. A fortress, formed by an imposing stone bridge, 241 stairs and a hermitage, has conquered half the planet. Its particular composition and its privileged location have made it one of the most famous places in Euskadi.
If you are planning to visit this place, we recommend you to read this tourist guide we have created about San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. We have collected the most important information, we hope you find it helpful.
Tickets (free ticket) for San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
The Provincial Council of Bizkaia, has defined a ticket system so that the visit to Gaztelugatxe becomes a pleasant and enriching experience. The long queues that were created do not benefit anyone. The entrance is still free of charge, but from now on it is necessary to obtain a ticket to access San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Now, is it always necessary to get tickets to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? It is only necessary to get a ticket during certain times of the year, when a large influx of people is expected. You can check this on the ticketing page. Remember that the access point is located in Urizarreta, next to the Eneperi restaurant.
Guided tours in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
If you want to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in the company of a local guide, we encourage you to take one of our guided tours. An experience of about 3 hours, in which we will show you this corner of our geography in a pleasant and interesting way. Remember that these guided tours include the management of the tickets, so you do not have to worry about running out. If you are interested in this option, we encourage you to book as soon as possible from here.
Excursion to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
If you are traveling in a group and you want to make an excursion to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, we encourage you to take a look at one of the most demanded options, the excursion to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from Bilbao. If you are interested in this proposal, we recommend you to contact us. This excursion includes the management of the entrance tickets, the bus and the services of specialized guides. Remember that there is the possibility of customizing it to your liking (schedules, route, food…).
Where to park in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
There are several parking lots where we can park our vehicles. As we can see in the image below, the first parking lot is located next to the road (number 1) while the largest and best located is the Eneperi restaurant parking lot (number 2). This last parking lot is payable, 3€ must be paid at the time of entry. Remember that it is forbidden to park on the shoulders of the road leading to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. The Ertzaintza will impose fines to any vehicle parked incorrectly.
Boat trip to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
The boat trips to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe allow us to enjoy this islet from a different perspective. An experience that we encourage you to enjoy in first person. If you are interested in this boat trip to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, you can book your ticket here. You can also take a look at the rest of Urdaibai’s maritime routes.
Bell of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is part of the history and tradition of Bizkaia. In fact, it is common to see offerings to San Juan by the arrantzales (fishermen in Basque) before setting out to fish. Both Bakio and Bermeo, the two most important towns in the area, celebrate festivals in honor of St. John (June 24, July 31, August 29 and December 30).
After climbing to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, there is only one thing left to do, ring the bell. Tradition has it that if we ring the bell 3 times while making a wish, it will be granted. As a curiosity, we must mention that many people are unaware that at the bottom of the sea, next to the islet, hides an image of the Virgin Begoña, a statue placed in 1963 to which floral offerings are made on special days of the year.
Set of Game of Thrones.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe was chosen as one of the locations for the seventh season of Game of Thrones. A production, which moved to the Basque Country to shoot coastal scenes in the towns of Bermeo, Barrika and Zumaia. It is not surprising that the American network HBO fell in love with our beloved islet, and is that it is seen in plain sight that fits perfectly with the mysterious and enchanting landscapes surrounding the 7 kingdoms.
History.
The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has been subject to looting, wars, fires. This is the reason why the hermitage we see today is not the original one from the IX century. This temple has formed part of the defensive line of the Basque coast on several occasions. It is not surprising given its strategic location.
What does Gaztelugatxe mean?
There are two possible theories about the meaning of Gaztelugatxe: Gaztelu-aitz or Gaztelu-gatxe. Both have a common denominator, the word gaztelu (castle in Basque). The difference is found in their ending: aitz (Basque for rock) and gatxe (Basque for rough or difficult). Whatever their origin, it is clear that in both cases they allude to their peculiar composition.
241 stairs.
The path that leads from the stone bridge to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is full of stairs, but the total number of these has always been mired in a sea of doubts. Most visitors claim that there are 241 steps that make up the winding staircase of San Juan, how many do you think it has? We are waiting for your suggestions!
Timetable of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has a time slot in which the entry and exit of people is controlled. As a general rule, the established timetable is from 9:30 to 19:00. We recommend that you check directly in the reservations section in case the timetable changes. Outside these hours, it is not possible to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Hermitage.
The small and picturesque hermitage that we find in Gaztelugatxe, was created in honor of San Juan Bautista. A building that offers beautiful views of the Basque coast. The hermitage remains closed most of the year, opening its doors only for religious and tourist events during holidays, Easter and summer. The usual opening hours of the chapel in high season are from 11:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and from 11:00 to 15:00 on Sundays.
This religious temple has a small stall located at the entrance of the structure where souvenirs and refreshments are sold, a good option for all those who do not wish to carry bottles to their destination. In case you want to photograph the interior of the hermitage it is necessary to pay 1 €.
Experiences in the Basque Country.
If you want to enjoy authentic and original experiences in Euskadi, we encourage you to take a look at our reservation center. A section of our website where you will find activities for all tastes and budgets. We leave you a short list with some of the most demanded experiences. We hope you like them.
Location.
Surrounded by the Cantabrian Sea and Mount Burgoa, Gaztelugatxe is located on the Basque coast. At 35 kilometers from Bilbao, next to the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai. Although the closest town to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is Bakio, this tourist enclave is located between the territorial limits of Bermeo, a Biscayan town that captures us with its small and charming fishing port. Do you know it?
How to get to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is far from any urban center. For this reason it is necessary to use public or private transport to reach its surroundings. We show you the best options:
Private transport: The best option is to head towards Loiu airport (BI-631 road) to reach the town of Mungia (without entering it) and take direction Bakio (BI-2101 road). In Bakio, we must cross the town and go directly to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Bus to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Bizkaibus, responsible for the bus services of the historical territory of Bizkaia, offers us the regular route that takes us to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. If you have any doubts, you can consult the timetables of the bus to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe by calling the telephone number 946 125 555.
- In winter: In winter there is no direct bus from Bilbao. Otherwise, on weekdays we have the option of taking a bus to Bakio and then use the Taxibus. The Taxibus is a small white van with the Bizkaibus logo, line code A3524 and a maximum capacity of 8 people that runs the Bakio-Bermeo route from 6:45 to 18:45 every 2 hours. In the opposite direction, Bermeo-Bakio, the route runs from 7:15 to 19:15. On winter weekends there is no option to access by public transport.
- In summer: From June 10th to September 2nd, the regular service between Bilbao and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe will be in force. A daily service, which extends the route that usually performs in winter line 3517 (Bilbao-Derio-Mungia) adding the towns of Bakio and Bermeo. We must take into account that although there are several bus frequencies, not all of them arrive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, only the buses that depart “to and 40”. The bus stop in Bilbao is located in Plaza San Jose, in Elcano street number 5, in front of the Civil Government. The trip Bilbao – San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has an approximate duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. The stop in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is called “Gaztelu Begi”, so keep an eye out for it.
Route to the hermitage.
There are two routes to get to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. We always opt for the first option, the most used, the shortest, but it does not have to be the best for you. We explain the differences. Both paths share their final stretch, but they have nothing to do with each other. The first one (marked with red in the image below), the most used, combines stairs and slopes in equal parts, while the second one (marked in blue), longer, takes us all the way along a paved road, without vehicles and without stairs.
Although in the image it is not possible to contemplate the relief, both have large slopes. The differences between both routes are the type of surface and the length of each one of them. We detail the route from Urizarreta, the most popular option. This route begins and ends next to the Eneperi restaurant.
From there, we must descend to almost sea level by a fairly steep path that combines stairs and slopes in equal parts. A path that surprises us with small viewpoints that put us to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the island of Akatz within camera range. Once down, begins the party of hundreds of steps and movie views. We cross the stone bridge with 3 arches and the ascent to the hermitage of San Juan begins.
We must indicate that this route is not advisable for people with reduced mobility and not to access with strollers. The complete route, Eneperi – San Juan de Gaztelugatxe – Eneperi, has an approximate duration of 2 hours. We must point out that both routes present certain difficulties for the elderly. Please read carefully the slope and length of the route to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
- Entrance through Urizarreta: Main access, very steep, 1,200 meters, 35% slope.
- Entrance via Ermu: Secondary access, longer, less vertical drop, 1,600 meters, 15% vertical drop.
As we know that many times words and photos are not enough to express clearly and in detail everything we find in the destinations we visit, we have decided to record a video to show it to you in the most real way possible. We hope you like it. We encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to know all the places and experiences that we recommend in Euskal Herria, we are waiting for you!
Frequently asked questions about San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Many people write to us through our contact form asking us a series of questions that are repeated with some frequency. That is why we wanted to compile all of them in a single section. We hope you find the answers to your questions.
- When does San Juan de Gaztelugatxe open? San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is open 24 hours a day. The only difference is that during the high season it is necessary to make a reservation to enter during the busiest hours.
- How much is the entrance fee to Gaztelugatxe? 0€, free. The entrance to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is free.
- How long does it take to go up to the Gaztelugatxe hermitage? 45 minutes. The average duration of the complete route to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (round trip) is 2 hours.
- How many steps are there in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? 241.
- Where to sleep to go to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? The best options for accommodation near San Juan de Gaztelugatxe are the neighboring towns of Bermeo and Bakio. In this sense, the rural houses of Urdaibai are the best option.
- Where to leave the car to go to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? Although there are several parking lots nearby, more and more people are choosing to leave their vehicles in Bermeo and Bakio.
- How to get San Juan de Gaztelugatxe tickets? You can purchase them from the website of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.
- What is the telephone number of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? 688 73 81 47. You can call this number if you have any doubts about tickets or reservations for San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
- Is it possible to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with a dog? Yes, as long as all current regulations are complied with.
- What is the best time of the year to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe? In summer, when the influx of travelers increases, the stairs of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe become a continuous coming and going of people. We recommend staying away from the busiest times and visit outside the summer season.
- What can I do if the tickets to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe are sold out? Remember that tickets to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe are usually sold out in high season, in this case, there are only 2 options, take the boat route to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe or take a private guided tour.
Recommendations.
We leave you some recommendations to make the most of one of the most visited corners of Euskadi. We remind you that although some of them may be very simple, they can mark a before and after during our visit. Please keep them in mind.
- Do not go up in a thunderstorm. There have been many lightning strikes at the hermitage.
- Comfortable footwear. Forget dress shoes, the 200+ steps require something more comfortable.
- Adequate clothing. Even in the hottest months, it is common to encounter the cool sea breeze that lashes San Juan.
- It is very important to be hydrated during the route, we recommend you to carry a bottle of water with you.
- Respect the signs, they are not a mere decoration.
- It is forbidden to descend to the lower part of the bridge, it is a very slippery area.
- Although there are garbage cans next to the hermitage, we ask that everyone bring their own garbage to the parking lot.
- The route is not suitable for everyone.
What to see near San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Although Gaztelugatxe is one of the most beautiful corners of our geography, the Biscayan coast does not end on this islet. Nearby towns like Bakio or Bermeo and natural paradises like Urdaibai, have much more to offer than they appear at first glance. Here is a brief summary of the places we recommend visiting in the vicinity of Gaztelugatxe.
Where to eat near San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Although, the urban centers that surround San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Bakio, have good restaurants where to taste traditional food of the Basque Country, we recommend to enjoy the charms of the gastronomic complex Eneperi. An establishment, in which we find bar, restaurant and brewery. If you are interested in knowing more details about where to eat in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe we recommend reading our article Eneperi, the Restaurant of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a jewel that we must enjoy and take care of. A place that we recommend you to visit in every trip to Euskadi. We encourage you to share with us your doubts through the comments system that you will find below these lines. We will try to respond as soon as possible. You can also share with us your opinion of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Although in this article we offer you all the necessary information to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, we remind you that we have a web page specialized in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, do not hesitate to visit it. Ondo pasa!
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