Hike Gaztelugatxe, Fishing Port Bermeo & Pintxo Lunch from Bilbao
Description
-This experience offers a fantastic overview of the Basque coast, countryside and culture! Furthermore, this tour mixes an invigorating trek with the renowned Basque cuisine and wine! -Please wear comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing as we will be hiking to the top of Gaztelugatxe with some of the most amazing views in the Basque Country! We also advise bringing a rain jacket, hat and sunblock as the weather can change a lot in this region. -Following the hike, you will experience some delicious tapas/pintxos at a local restaurant in the quaint fishing village of Bermeo that exemplifies our love of food and drink! -If you are visiting the Basque Country, it is an absolute must to come see our rugged and dramatically beautiful coastline. -This tour is great mix of exercise, nature, food and wine that will surely be one of the highlights of your vacation!
Tour Options
Itinerary
-We will make the hike to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe! Expect to spend approximately 2 hours hiking to the top and back. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. -Located just off the shore along the Bay of Biscay and 35 km (22 miles) east from Bilbao, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a definite “must” if you are visiting the Basque Country. Many will recognize San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as the island fortress of “Dragonstone” from season 7 of Game of Thrones, however, its real name can be translated as “castle rock” from Basque (“gaztelu” = castle + “aitz” = rock). -The island is connected to the mainland by a man-made stone bridge. The bridge transitions into a narrow path that contains 241 steps and zigzags its way back and forth to the top. These steps have even been recognized as one of the world’s grandest staircases.
Bermeo is a colorful coastal village located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and is less than 10 km away from the impressive San Juan de Gaztelugatxe island. Famous for its fishing tradition, it is a great place to stop for a while and explore. We will enjoy some pintxos/tapas at the marina, and for a leisurely stroll through the scenic old fishing port.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The tour is operated from the city of Bilbao only. Pickup and drop-off is offered from within the city limits at your hotel, Airbnb, etc...
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers without a decent moderate of physical fitness
Reviews(62)
This is a bit harder of a hike than most are expecting, but so worth it. If you are not fit or have young kids this is NOT a great choice for you. But if you are fit then this tour is spectacular.
We can recommend this tour. Very knowledgeable and nice guide. Early start is smart, because it is less crowded. We walked the 242 stairs almost alone. We had a great time.
Booking the private tour was a great decision. We were lucky to have an excellent guide. Irene was fantastic from the moment she picked us up at our hotel and took us first to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and then to Bermeo. She always let us go at our own pace to enjoy the incredible views. She shared fascinating stories about the history, culture, and local traditions, making every stop much more meaningful. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and she went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible experience. Even the stop for pintxos and txakoli was great. Thank you Irene!
Zach was phenomenal. Very informative & descriptive of region. An enjoyable time & a hike to boot. Pintxos in Bermeo quite good. Zach made pick up easy & the drive very comfortable.
What a wonderful way to visit San Juan de Gatztelugatxe and Bermeo! We had the most amazing day with Olaia at this beautiful site. It was great learning more about the history and legacy and to see it from so many different perspectives as we walked up and back down (and back up… be ready for lots of steps!). Then we had such a lovely visit to Bermeo afterwards and enjoyed hearing stories about this village. Having some pintxos and txakoli overlooking the picturesque harbor was the perfect way to wrap up the day. And we truly can’t say enough about Olaia. We’ve done many tours in different countries and she was the best guide we have ever had! She is so kind, thoughtful, considerate and goes above and beyond to make sure you have the best possible experiences. She is wonderful! The booking process was seamless and easy. The owners are responsive and helpful. Do not miss your chance to book with Best of Basque — for this or any other tours!!
excellent overview of basque area with a great hike -short but moderate - lots of steps up and down, can be steep but the views are incredible. Zach was an amazing guide. Pick up was early but we beat the crowds! Borneo was a nice fishing town -- Very comfortable airconditioned van. Pintxos were delicious. highly recommend!
Irene was an excellent guide. Very friendly and helpful. It was great to hear about Basque culture and history. Gaztelugatxe itself was stunning and worth the trio. Great Pintxos in Bermeo an idyllic little fishing village.
It was a perfect trip and a half day if you are staying in Bilbao. Hiking trail and the steps are tiring but at the end you get an amazing scenery on the top.. You will be amazed by the view even if you are not a fan of Game of Thrones.. And the trip becomes more joyful and informative with Zak, i am glad that he was our tour guide.. I wish we had more time to explore other tours with him..
The driver and guide was very kind and caring, so I was able to participate with peace of mind. Even though it was May, it was hot in the middle of summer. Gastelgatier had a very good early 8am start, when he had to field a game because he was walking down stairs and down an unpaved hill. I think it was easy to walk at my own pace and take photos because I was free. Bermeo was also painted with colorful buildings and the sea. The pintxos we had at lunch were a choice and delicious. Thank you so much for the time.
Had a great time exploring Gaztelugatxe and Bromeo with Irene. She made the trip fun and showed us the best place for delicious pintxos and txakoli in Bromeo. She also gave us great recommendations for pintxos in Bilbao after the tour. Highly recommend!
