Day trip
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: a day trip from Bilbao to the chapel in the sea
A stone bridge runs out into the Bay of Biscay, and 241 steps later you are standing by the bell outside the chapel. Here is how to plan the day from Bilbao, with the coast at Getxo and Bermeo on the way.
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In short: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a small chapel on an islet near Bakio, less than an hour by car from Bilbao. You walk about 1.3 kilometres down to the stone bridge, then climb 241 steps. Allow two and a half to three hours. On busy days you need a free ticket booked in advance.
Stay by the sea: Check availability and prices at Hotel Embarcadero
The steps, the bell and the chapel
The path starts by the Eneperi restaurant, high above the water, and zigzags down towards the islet. From there the whole route is laid out below you: the arched stone bridge, the steps along the ridge and the chapel at the top.
A bell hangs on the chapel wall. Tradition says you ring it three times, for luck and to keep evil spirits away. The chapel itself is usually locked and opens only on a handful of feast days, including 24 June.
Plenty of visitors recognise the place from Game of Thrones. In season seven, Daenerys climbs these same steps to Dragonstone. The castle was added digitally, but the bridge and the steps are real.
Allow around 45 minutes from the start of the path to the top. The way back is uphill all the way to Eneperi, so bring water and shoes that grip on wet stone.
241 steps to the top
The steps follow the spine of the islet, with the sea on both sides. Photo: Alejandro Pohlenz / Unsplash
Book before you go
Entry is free, but on busy days you must reserve a ticket with a fixed entry time. That applies above all in summer, at weekends and on public holidays. The ticket arrives by email and can be shown on your phone.
If you do not turn up, the booking is cancelled 60 minutes after your slot. One booking covers up to ten people. Miss a slot without cancelling and you cannot book again for a year.
Check the calendar on the Gaztelugatxe booking page before you plan the day. Last checked: November 2026.
The coast along the way
Gaztelugatxe alone justifies the trip, but the coast between Bilbao and the islet turns it into a full day. Getxo, where the river meets the sea, is a good first stop.
The Bizkaia Bridge in Getxo
The Bizkaia Bridge opened in 1893 as the first transporter bridge in the world. A gondola hangs from steel cables and carries cars and people across the river in about a minute and a half.
The bridge has been a World Heritage Site since 2006. To cross on foot at the top, take the lift up to the walkway 45 metres above the water. The Bilbao metro stops at Areeta on one side and Portugalete on the other.
Bakio and Bermeo
Bakio has the closest beach to Gaztelugatxe, a long stretch of sand with surfers all year round. Bermeo is a working fishing town, and from spring to autumn boats leave the harbour for the islet. The trip takes about an hour and shows the steps from the water.
Mundaka and Urdaibai
A little further east is Mundaka, famous among surfers for the wave at the river mouth. Behind the village lies Urdaibai, a biosphere reserve of wetlands and birdlife. This is where most people turn round and head back to Bilbao.
The bridge to the islet
From above you can see how the stone bridge ties the islet to the mainland. Photo: Thomas Gabernig / Unsplash
Getting there
By car: Less than an hour from Bilbao when the roads are clear. With a car you can fit in Getxo and Bermeo on the same day. Arrive early and you will share the steps with fewer people. See car hire and prices
By bus: Bizkaibus runs from Bilbao to the coastal towns nearest the islet. Routes and times change with the season, so check the Bizkaibus timetable in advance.
Guided tour: Several operators run day trips from Bilbao covering Gaztelugatxe and Bermeo. It is the easiest option if you would rather not drive. See experiences and tickets
Where to stay on the coast
To wake up by the sea and reach Gaztelugatxe early, stay in Getxo, Portugalete or Bakio. From Getxo and Portugalete the metro runs into Bilbao.
Hotel Embarcadero, Getxo
The hotel sits on the bay in Getxo, and the lounge and roof terrace look straight out over the water. The Embarcadero restaurant serves Spanish food at lunch and dinner. Gobela station is seven minutes on foot and Areeta ten.
Best for: couples who want a sea view and a short ride into Bilbao.
Good to know: There is parking, and dogs are welcome.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Embarcadero
A pool above the harbour
From the pool at Palacio Arriluce you look straight down on the boats in Getxo. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Palacio Arriluce Hotel, Getxo
Palacio Arriluce is a turreted palace above the bay in Neguri, the villa district of Getxo. It is a five-star hotel with a pool overlooking the harbour and a spa with massages and a steam room.
Best for: a luxury weekend by the sea, ideally at the end of the trip.
Good to know: Parking is included, and Neguri station is an eight-minute walk.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Palacio Arriluce Hotel
Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel, Portugalete
This hotel is in Portugalete, across the river from Getxo and close to the Bizkaia Bridge. Its restaurant, Paladar by Zuriñe García, serves lunch and dinner, and there is a cocktail bar.
Best for: staying by the bridge and taking the metro into Bilbao. The station is eight minutes on foot.
Good to know: There is parking, handy if you drive on along the coast the next day.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel
Hotel Arimune, Bakio
Arimune sits on the beach at Bakio and is the closest hotel to Gaztelugatxe in this selection. It is a small place with a bar and a garden whose gate opens onto the sand.
Best for: being first on the steps in the morning.
Good to know: It is a one-star hotel, so the rooms are simple. The beach, though, is right outside.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Arimune
If you would rather stay in the city and drive out for the day, see our pick of the best hotels in Bilbao.
Our pick on the coast
Hotel Embarcadero
From the lounge at Hotel Embarcadero you look straight across the bay in Getxo, where the river meets the Bay of Biscay. In the morning Gaztelugatxe is under an hour away by car, and in the evening you can eat Spanish food in the hotel restaurant. The metro to Bilbao leaves from Areeta, ten minutes away, so the coast and the Guggenheim fit into the same trip.
Frequently asked questions about Gaztelugatxe
Do you need to book to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe?
Yes, on busy days you need a free ticket with a fixed entry time, booked on the official reservation page. This applies mainly in summer, at weekends and on public holidays. On quiet off-season days you can often walk in without one. Check the calendar the day before and keep the ticket on your phone.
How many steps are there at Gaztelugatxe?
There are 241 steps from the stone bridge up to the chapel. Before that you walk about 1.3 kilometres down from Eneperi, where the path begins. Allow around 45 minutes to the top and the same to get back, as the return is uphill. Good shoes matter more than fitness.
How do you get from Bilbao to Gaztelugatxe without a car?
Bizkaibus runs from Bilbao to Bakio, and from there it is a short way to the path. Routes and times change with the season, so check the timetable before you travel. The alternative is a guided day trip from Bilbao, which often stops in Bermeo as well.
Was Gaztelugatxe in Game of Thrones?
Yes, Gaztelugatxe is Dragonstone in season seven of Game of Thrones, where Daenerys climbs the steps to the castle. The stone bridge and the steps are real, while the castle was added digitally. At the top you will find a small chapel with a bell you can ring.