Starting point San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Start the day marvelling at the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, crowned by a simple hermitage dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which you can reach via its 241 steps. The best thing to do is to park your vehicle in the designated car park, then begin the climb to the hermitage. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a protected Natural Biotope where beauty and seafaring roots come together, a unique setting of battles, legends and festivities. You must have a free access ticket to get in, but if you prefer you can go to the viewpoint next to the restaurant to admire it.

The next stop is Bermeo, but before you arrive you can take a detour to Matxitxako cape, the most prominent cape on the Cantabrian coast. It’s an excellent viewpoint over the coast and has two lighthouses. The old one is now an observatory for seabirds and cetaceans, while the new one, built in 1909, continues to operate as a lighthouse.

Bermeo is an essential stop on your coastal visit. It’s a seafaring town that has the Fisherman’s Museum and its port offers the chance to visit some canneries and see the guild’s net-menders. Make the most of your visit to taste its delicious cuisine.

We continue to head right into the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, on the left bank of the estuary, the municipality of Mundaka is much more than a picturesque fishing village. It has the best left-hand wave in Europe and is a major draw for surfing enthusiasts. It has viewpoints and charming spots.

Following the route, we’ll head to Ekoetxea Urdaibai, where nature and culture meet. It’s the Biodiversity Centre of the Basque Country, located in Busturia, in the Madariaga Tower. From the Clock Tower, you can enjoy a 360º view that includes mountains, marshes and the iconic Mundaka beach.

We’ll end the day in Gernika. Gernika is a city steeped in history. The Casa de Juntas and the Tree of Gernika form a monumental complex declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, and above all they are a symbol of the history of Bizkaia and the Basque Country. In the town you can visit two key museums: the Peace Museum (an interactive museum that transports you to the day of the 1937 bombing) and the Euskal Herria Museum. It also has the largest in-use fronton (pelota court) in the world, the Jai Alai, and fairs where you can taste and buy local produce: The Monday market and, in particular, the market on the last Monday in October, when the biggest one of the year is held, with almost 900 stalls.