Things to do in Gernika

Enjoy the best of Bizkaia region. First of all we will make the hike to the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, 241 steps of rock, sea and wind that will take us to enjoy spectacular views. After returning to the starting point and taking a well-deserved rest, we will go to the charming fishing village of Mundaka, on the west bank of the Urdaibai River estuary, where we can see how the modernity of surfers mixes with the tradition of fishermen. in a villa with a unique appeal. Finally we're going to take a deep dive into the heart of Basque history by visiting the legendary Gernika tree and the tragic bombing of the village during the Spanish civil war. Picasso´s Gernika portrayal will be visited along the way. Approximate itinerary: 9:00 Departure from Bilbao 9:45 Arrival at the route of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and hike to the hermitage 11:30 Departure from the area and arrival in Mundaka. Guided walk through the town (pier, church, viewpoint of the Urdaibai estuary). A 20 minutes stop will be provided in a local restaurant (food is not included in the tour price) 1:00 Gernika village guided tour 3:00 Drop off in Bilbao IMPORTANT - At all times, the advice given at access points must be followed, and the measures and recommendations established by health authorities should be respected. It is recommended to check the weather forecast for the day of the visit (Euskalmet) and to follow the authorities' recommendations in case of extreme weather events. On days with an orange alert and to avoid health incidents, it is advised not to hike up to the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe hermitage during the affected hours. In any case, it is recommended to take self-protection measures, such as wearing comfortable and suitable footwear, protecting yourself from the sun, and staying properly hydrated.

Spend a magical day looking out over the Cantabrian Sea in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Mundaka, and learn about Basque history in Guernica. And to finish, what could be better than a txacoli tasting? ✔ We meet in Bilbao: See you next to the Puppy sculpture, in Bilbao. The guide will be waiting for you to take our bus and go straight to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, our first stop. ✔ A legendary setting, Dragonstone: There, one of the key settings in the Game of Thrones series awaits us. Does Dragonstone ring a bell? To reach the hermitage at the top, you'll have to put on your trainers and cross a stone bridge with 241 steps. An access permit is required, but with this activity, it's guaranteed. Get your camera ready because you'll have panoramic views over the cliffs of Bakio. Disconnect, relax and recharge your batteries while you enjoy the spectacle with the sea breeze caressing you. ✔ Guided tour in Bermeo: We will continue our route along the Basque coast, heading towards Bermeo. There, we will take a walking tour with our guide, who will explain the most important moments of its past. ✔ Next stop: Mundaka village: The following stop will be the seafaring town of Mundaka, a surfer's paradise where you can wander the streets, enjoy the views and have free time for lunch: don't miss its typical seafood dishes. ✔ Guernica, living history: Our day trip continues to bring you closer to the history of the Basque people; we are talking about Guernica. Walk around the town and see the air-raid shelters, the Guernica Tree and the mural with a reproduction of Picasso's emblematic painting of the bombing. Listen to the anecdotes that this town, located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, treasures. ✔ Txacoli testing to ends our day: To round off the excursion in style, there will be a tasting of txakoli, one of the most famous Basque products. At the end of the route, we will return to Bilbao in the afternoon. The bus will drop you off at the same point of departure. Don't miss this adventure!

Embark on a unique journey through the stunning Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Our adventure begins with a scenic hike to uncover the secrets of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a spectacular location featured in the famous TV series “Game of Thrones.” Along the way, you’ll enjoy breath-taking views and learn about the history of this magical place. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and bringing a bottle of water to make the most of the hike. Next, we’ll visit the charming fishing village of Bermeo, where you’ll have free time to explore and savour the local cuisine. Our expert guide will recommend several local spots for you to try traditional Basque dishes, from fresh seafood to delicious pintxos. The day continues with a visit to Gernika, a town rich in history. We’ll tour the Casa de Juntas, the heart of Basque political life, and see the iconic Gernika Tree, a symbol of freedom and democracy. Here, you’ll gain insight into the culture and values that have shaped this remarkable region. Don’t miss this incredible day filled with nature, history, and Basque culture! Book now and experience a journey you’ll never forget.

Departure from Bilbao and direct transfer to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, where we will have two free hours to make the journey across the stone bridge with 241 steps to the top. Gaztelugatxe was one of the places where Game of Thrones was filmed, so as we cross the bridge, it will seem as if we are ascending to Dragonstone. Next, we will leave Gaztelugatxe behind to visit the Biscayan town of Bermeo, a beautiful fishing village with a deep-rooted seafaring tradition, where we will take a walking tour. Our last stop will be Gernika, the Basque town that gives its name to the famous painting by Pablo Picasso, where we will visit its Assembly Hall, one of the few buildings that survived the bombing that took place during the civil war, and its famous Tree of Gernika, a symbol of Basque society.

Follow the river road of Bilbao towards the coast and admire the old industrial areas that once powered Bilbao. You will visit the Transporter Bridge of Bizkaia, the oldest bridge of this type in the world, still active and considered a beloved icon by locals. Afterwards, you will see the neighborhood of Neguri and its old mansions owned by rich industrial managers before you head towards the interior of the province. Admire the traditional local houses and farmhouse structures, and discover the imposing old Castle of Butron. Arrive at the coastal village of Bakio, a popular summer holiday destination among Basque natives, before you follow the beautiful and wild coastal road to arrive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.  This place is said to be one of the most beautiful locations along the Basque coastline. It is an impressive islet with a hermitage on top and it is connected to the mainland by means of a long stone stairway. Next, you will continue to the fishing town of Bermeo. Here, you will stop to visit its port. Later, you will head to Gernika, seeing the magnificent views of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on the way. In Gernika you will visit the Basque Sacred Tree and the Assembly Hall before returning to Bilbao.

Discover the Basque region that surrounds Bilbao called Biscay (Bizkaia in Basque language) during a full-day trip from San Sebastian. Fall in love with the charming 10th century hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and climb its 241 stairs to get to the top and enjoy its magnificent views. Game of Thrones' 7th season was shot here, so find yourself at Dragonstone! After a little break to have a rest learn about Basque history by visiting the legendary Gernika tree and the tragic bombing of the village during the Spanish civil war. Picasso´s Gernika portrayal will be visited along the way. The tour is conducted in bilingual (English and Spanish), so our guides will speak both languages simultaneously IMPORTANT - At all times, the advice given at access points must be followed, and the measures and recommendations established by health authorities should be respected. It is recommended to check the weather forecast for the day of the visit (Euskalmet) and to follow the authorities' recommendations in case of extreme weather events. On days with an orange alert and to avoid health incidents, it is advised not to hike up to the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe hermitage during the affected hours. In any case, it is recommended to take self-protection measures, such as wearing comfortable and suitable footwear, protecting yourself from the sun, and staying properly hydrated.

A very entertaining walking tour to explore Gernika-Lumo, where you will learn many facts and curiosities about basque culture, our history, our traditions, what really happend in 1937´s bombing or how did picasso ended up creating the famouse painting... among other things. Gernika is an small town located around a half-hour drive from the city of Bilbao, also well connected to Bilbao by train and buses. We only work with profesional guides: friendly, outgoing, knowledgeable and fun. So it feels save to say that you will enjoy the experience!

The perfect combination of breath-taking sights, history and culture If there were a region in the Basque Country that combines great nature and vibrant history, it would be the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai. We will visit some of the most beautiful places in the entire Basque Country, which are also key to understanding the history and culture of this land. A visit to Urdaibai, an area where I have grown up, visiting world-known places such as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Gernika or Bermeo. Our trip will first take us to the area of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (we do not access the chapel and stairs on this tour), famous for being the setting for Dragonstone in the famous series “Game of Thrones”. Currently, due to a landslide it is not possible to visit the chapel, so we will access several viewpoints to contemplate the beauty of the place. We will continue to Bermeo, to visit what was the capital of the province until 1602 and discover a central element of Basque history: the sea. The visit ends in Gernika, a key town for understanding Basque culture, where we will discover the tragic story of its bombing, which inspired Picasso to paint his famous painting “Guernica”. I would love for you to accompany me to discover my favourite area in the entire Basque Country. After Gernika, we drive back to the Old Town of Bilbao, where visit concludes. I have grown up playing, swimming and fishing in this beautiful corner of our geography and today is the day I want to share it with you, do you dare?

Join us for an unforgettable tour through the heart of the Basque Country. We’ll start by a tour of the Bilbao Estuary, where you’ll discover the fascinating industrial past of the city. As we reach the coast, we’ll stop to admire the Bizkaia Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an engineering marvel. Next, we’ll head to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a natural gem renowned for its rich biodiversity. From a viewpoint, you’ll have stunning views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the breath-taking island that served as a backdrop in the famous TV series Game of Thrones. Afterward, we’ll visit Bermeo, a picturesque fishing village where you’ll enjoy a delicious pintxo, a traditional Basque snack, to recharge and soak in the local atmosphere. Our final stop will be Gernika, where we’ll explore the historic Casa de Juntas and the symbolic Gernika Tree, a powerful symbol of Basque freedom and democracy. Book now for a full day of history, nature, and Basque culture!

Explore the Basque Country on a week-long journey to the sites of historical and cultural importance on a trip that includes 4-star accommodation. Using Bilbao as your base, enjoy daily half-day and full-day excursions. Travel along the coast to see fishing villages, old ports, and picturesque beaches. Spend time inland visiting mountains, wineries, and remote villages. Day 1: Bilbao After arriving in Bilbao, private transfer to your hotel. Depending your time of arrival, free time to explore the city. Day 2: Gaztelugatxe – Bermeo – Gernika - Bilbao Breakfast Depart to Bizkaia Bridge to discover the oldest transporter bridge and continue to Butrón Castle a beatiful castle of medieval origin. Afterwards, discover San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, famous for being one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones, Bermeo, a beautiful fishing town and Gernika, the town that gives name to Picasso's famous picture. Return to Bilbao and walking tour to discover the highlights of its old quarter. Day 3: Biarritz – San Sebastian Breakfast Departure to Biarritz and walking tour to discover the higlights of the city. Continue along the coast to visit Saint Jean De Luz and in the afternoon, arrive in San Sebastian, where you will have free time and will go on a panoramic tour of the city’s mountain and historical quarter. Return to Bilbao in the evening. Day 4: Vitoria – Rioja Breakfast Travel to Vitoria for a tour of the city and discover the best preserved old town in the Basque Country. Then follow the route towards the wine region to arrive in the medieval village of Laguardia. Enjoy a walking tour and a visit a traditional Rioja winery. By mid-afternoon you will go back to Bilbao passing by Elciego, where you will see the magnificent architectural work of Frank Gehry at the Marques de Riscal Winery. Day 5: Sanctuary of Loyola – Getaria – Zarautz – San Sebastian Breakfast Make your way to the Sanctuary of Loyola, then visit Getaria, a charming fishing village and the birthplace of Juan Sebastian Elcano. See Zarautz, home to the longest beach in Basque Country. Then go to San Sebastian for a city tour, followed by a walking tour in the historic center, before returning to Bilbao in the evening. Day 6: Elorrio – Oñati – Sanctuary of Arantzazu Breakfast Head towards Durango, located near Urkiola Natural Park. Stop in Elorrio, a town characterized by the abundance and slenderness of its palaces and manor houses of stone and carved stonework. Continue to Oñati, home to the oldest university in the Basque Country. Travel up a road between cliffs to reach the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, where you can discover the grounds and enjoy the view, before returning to Bilbao in the afternoon. Day 7: Bilbao-Departure Breakfast Private transfer to Bilbao Airport or Station.