Ermita De San Juan De Gaztelugatxe
Ermita De San Juan De Gaztelugatxe
Ermita De San Juan De Gaztelugatxe
4.5
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- ZezecamanelAlcobaca, Portugal2,840 contributionsMagical place with stunning viewsAbsolutely unmissable to take the route from the entrance, the bridge that connects the islet to the coast and take the 241 steps to reach the Hermitage. Stage of legends and place of pirates, this Hermitage became even more famous after being part of the television series Game of Thrones. The final climb has some degree of difficulty due to the steps, comfortable shoes, fresh clothes and a bottle of water are necessary.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 20, 2024
- Patrice R4 contributionssuperb and easy!We parked in the restaurant car park (3€) it's below the free car parks , and closer to the path entrance . We descend by a well-appointed path: slabs or cobblestones , easy . it takes 15 minutes to get down , then 15 minutes to climb the 240 steps to the hermitage , easy too . Beautiful views , not too crowded if you arrive before 10am . Great!Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 8, 2024
- HECTOR B3 contributionsBeautiful Site but a Mid to High Level Hike because of incline.Wow what an impressive site to visit. Just be aware that there is a steeped paved walking trail to get down to the look out point and this is still a long ways to get to the Ermita on the rock. The issue is that you have to hike UP that steep road on the way back - not an entry level hike and definitely challenging for those with impaired mobility. Having said that it is very beautiful and worth the trip if you are physically fit.Visited November 2024Traveled with friendsWritten December 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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candice M
Bordeaux, France283 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Magnificent discovery of this Game of Thrones filming location. The walk lasts around 2 hours round trip but is not accessible to everyone as written on different sites.
PMR inaccessible. You need to have a minimum of cardio and be a little sporty to go up and back down.
The different landscapes are worth it.
Arrival at the top with a view of Bakio and the ocean.
Parking is paid but accessible by other means.
Remember to book before going. It's free but without prior reservation you will not be able to enter the site.
PMR inaccessible. You need to have a minimum of cardio and be a little sporty to go up and back down.
The different landscapes are worth it.
Arrival at the top with a view of Bakio and the ocean.
Parking is paid but accessible by other means.
Remember to book before going. It's free but without prior reservation you will not be able to enter the site.

Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marco.to
Turin, Italy433 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The place is spectacular and worth going there specifically. However, I would like to give some practical advice:
- the road that connects the parking entrance to the hermitage is steep in some places and has several steps. Those with delicate knees must take their time
- Book otherwise I saw several people bouncing.
- if you arrive early (we were there before 9.30 am) we entered without a reservation and parked comfortably in the shade.
- the road that connects the parking entrance to the hermitage is steep in some places and has several steps. Those with delicate knees must take their time
- Book otherwise I saw several people bouncing.
- if you arrive early (we were there before 9.30 am) we entered without a reservation and parked comfortably in the shade.

Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain24,073 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Ermita de San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a little church located on a rock in the sea, close to the coast, in Bizkaia Region, in Basque Country. Really, it is a mystical place, where some scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed. The views of the place are wonderful and you can go here from stone stairs to the top of the rock. In fact, it was a great little excursion. I recommend you go before 9a.m. and not in weekend, because it is empty of people. Also the surroundings are very nice: the sea, the rocks, the coast and mountains. Top in our travel in Basque Country.
(See also Playa de Bakio, Txakolingunea, Doniene Gorrondona Txakolina and Urzabal)
(See also Playa de Bakio, Txakolingunea, Doniene Gorrondona Txakolina and Urzabal)
Written November 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nico D
Royan, France202 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
I don't know what to think about it...
The site is obviously magnificent, whether you are a “Game of Thrones” fan or not!
But the management of the site is challenging!
You must reserve to limit the influx of visitors and preserve the environment: why not!
It comes from a very good intention...
But we are forbidden to go down to the island very, very upstream, at least 1 km from the entrance to the site!! (we walked 4 km to get from the lighthouse to this access point...)
Of course, I had tried to get places for 1 month before and every day for the last week...
There were places left for tour operators for 2 days of the last week but which were not made available for individuals!!?
And how to say the management of the site questions:
Restaurant, unfriendly paid parking, waste management, deforestation leading to collapses...
I will let you judge the tourist management of the site which has strong potential for progress.
But the island and the hermitage and this coast remain magnificent and worth the detour...
Above all, plan to anticipate your reservation 2 to 3 months before your visit during peak periods (April to September).
Otherwise you will leave a little frustrated...
And don't forget to visit other magnificent sites on this Spanish Basque coast!
The site is obviously magnificent, whether you are a “Game of Thrones” fan or not!
But the management of the site is challenging!
You must reserve to limit the influx of visitors and preserve the environment: why not!
It comes from a very good intention...
But we are forbidden to go down to the island very, very upstream, at least 1 km from the entrance to the site!! (we walked 4 km to get from the lighthouse to this access point...)
Of course, I had tried to get places for 1 month before and every day for the last week...
There were places left for tour operators for 2 days of the last week but which were not made available for individuals!!?
And how to say the management of the site questions:
Restaurant, unfriendly paid parking, waste management, deforestation leading to collapses...
I will let you judge the tourist management of the site which has strong potential for progress.
But the island and the hermitage and this coast remain magnificent and worth the detour...
Above all, plan to anticipate your reservation 2 to 3 months before your visit during peak periods (April to September).
Otherwise you will leave a little frustrated...
And don't forget to visit other magnificent sites on this Spanish Basque coast!

Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tudney
Park City, UT69 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
So sad that they make it impossible even just to see the view without walking down. No where does it say you need advanced reservations. It says it is closed on Sundays, but it is not so we didn’t think we needed to get a reservation and could just see the view of it at the mirador as I read somewhere… however, you need a ticket to even go to that point. You can walk up some stairs by the little bathrooms and walk down a few hundred feet and see this picture I posted. Right now on a Sunday in September, the next available time slot is Thursday
Unfortunately Game of Thrones has ruined another pristine place in the world (like Dubrovnik) and made things difficult to see and the locals don’t love that.
So.. another site not visited.
Unfortunately Game of Thrones has ruined another pristine place in the world (like Dubrovnik) and made things difficult to see and the locals don’t love that.
So.. another site not visited.
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
judithvb
Chichester, UK442 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We arrived only to find out along with many others that you need to prior book a slot on line. There is no possibility of just turning up. Instead we walked to the lighthouse with good views of the island en route although the cloud was very low so not very clear for photos
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimFinPortland
Seattle, WA163 contributions
Nov 2021
On a recent trip to the area, I planned to see this. I got confusing information on the Internet so I went to the tourist office in Bilbao (circle next to the train station and Five Guys). They confirmed that it was closed due to water damage. However, they didn't discourage me from going to see it, even if I couldn't go onto the island.
So we took the bus from the main square in Bilbao (easy--buy tickets on the bus) to Bakio. Then we hiked to the restaurant at the main parking area on the headland. The tourist office warned me it was steep and they weren't kidding. From the last bus stop in Bakio ('San Pelaio'), just walk toward the headland. You'll pass a terraced concrete viewing area on the left, then turn left at the first street. You'll pass a securely fenced property (it looks like a sewage treatment plant), then you'll just walk uphill (a lot) past a few homes and some horse pastures. The walk takes about 45 minutes. It's pretty obvious on a map and it's pretty obvious when you're there. The road is drivable and paved the entire way (which was surprising to me). There are a number of unofficial view points along the way; just look where someone has made a little trail to the ocean side of the street. I used every one and took pictures. Please be careful as the cliffs can be quite steep and there are no railings or barriers.
This is absolutely worth it even if you can't get onto the island.
Please note that there is a second bus between Bakio and Bermeo which will take you up to the restaurant/parking but it is small (8 people) and only runs on weekdays. The tourist office in Bilbao was quite helpful and gave me all the bus schedules even though I had already seen them on the Internet. The also gave me a brochure on San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with info and a maps of the trails.
The restaurant at the parking area was used by some people. My trip was in November so it wasn't very busy but I could tell it must get quite crowded in the summer. Bakio is bigger than I though and you can also find some restaurants there.
So we took the bus from the main square in Bilbao (easy--buy tickets on the bus) to Bakio. Then we hiked to the restaurant at the main parking area on the headland. The tourist office warned me it was steep and they weren't kidding. From the last bus stop in Bakio ('San Pelaio'), just walk toward the headland. You'll pass a terraced concrete viewing area on the left, then turn left at the first street. You'll pass a securely fenced property (it looks like a sewage treatment plant), then you'll just walk uphill (a lot) past a few homes and some horse pastures. The walk takes about 45 minutes. It's pretty obvious on a map and it's pretty obvious when you're there. The road is drivable and paved the entire way (which was surprising to me). There are a number of unofficial view points along the way; just look where someone has made a little trail to the ocean side of the street. I used every one and took pictures. Please be careful as the cliffs can be quite steep and there are no railings or barriers.
This is absolutely worth it even if you can't get onto the island.
Please note that there is a second bus between Bakio and Bermeo which will take you up to the restaurant/parking but it is small (8 people) and only runs on weekdays. The tourist office in Bilbao was quite helpful and gave me all the bus schedules even though I had already seen them on the Internet. The also gave me a brochure on San Juan de Gaztelugatxe with info and a maps of the trails.
The restaurant at the parking area was used by some people. My trip was in November so it wasn't very busy but I could tell it must get quite crowded in the summer. Bakio is bigger than I though and you can also find some restaurants there.
Written November 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MadrugadaTampa
Columbus, OH89 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
This was an amazing day trip from Getxo. At the top was a bar with a huge spread of pintxos. I suggest getting a small bite before making the journey down. Also grab a small bottle of water to take with you. You are going to sweat so be prepared with a change of clothes for the car. I suggest good hiking boots or tennis shoes. You will be walking for a couple of miles on cobblestones on a very steep path. My husband and I are in good cardiovascular shape and would say the way down was more about balance and the way back was an amazing cardio workout-we were drenched! This is an exhilarating trip! Make sure to ring the bell at the top to tell the world you were there!
Written July 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul W
United Kingdom70 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Great views and good exercise. Don’t attempt this unless you are prepared for a short walk up and down some steep slopes and steps. Not too bad though. Worth the effort for the views, especially for Game of Thrones fans. Car parking near the cafe/restaurant is good.
Written May 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan Manuel S
Guayaquil, Ecuador9 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Very nice place near Bermeo and Bakio on the Bizkaia cost.
You can eat pintxos and several good food on the restaurant
You can eat pintxos and several good food on the restaurant
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, estoy pensando en ir y quería saber si hay algún sitio para comer al aire libre cerca...voy con mi perro.
Written August 15, 2019
Hola krism275. No hay ningún problema en ir con tu perro y poder comer al aire libre. En la entrada del mismo camino de Gaztelugatxe hay un sitio para comer tanto en interior como en exterior
Written August 15, 2019
Desde donde dejas el coche, ¿qué distancia hay andando hasta la Ermita? ¿Hay mucho desnivel?
Gracias!
Written June 27, 2019
Hola Jesuscembo!! Hay dos parking gratuitos, pero son pequeños, se llenan. Nosotros cogimos ticket por internet para ir a San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, reservas hora para que no haya tanta aglomeración de gente, aunque puedes ir por la tarde sin reserva. Ese ticket es gratuito. Desde que dejas el coche, la bajada es por un camino en pendiente, como una pendiente de 45°, pero con valla de madera y suelo de piedra y escalones y justo antes de llegar abajo, a la izquierda veréis un camino que os conduce a un mirador, hacer una paradita para contemplar la vistas. No sé decirte cuánta distancia hay hasta llegar al comienzo, ya que te paras a hacer bastantes fotos, pero por decirte algo aproximado sería como 500 metros o algo así, yo creo que más de 1km no es. A mi me costó más la subida de vuelta al coche por la pendiente que subir y bajar de la Ermita. Espero haberte ayudado algo y que lo disfrutes muchísimo!! Un saludo!!.
Written June 27, 2019
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