San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

The climb down the hill, across the bridge and up to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a small adventure that will handsomely reward you with truly impressive views. The ocean can be particular rough in this area and the waves really crash against the rocks of the island, adding to its awe-inspiring beauty. If you think it looks cool in the photos, just wait till you experience it in person.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, whose name means “castle rock” in Basque (“gaztelu” = castle + “aitz” = rock), is a definite “must” if you are visiting the Basque Country. It is an island located just off the shore along the Bay of Biscay. The island is cone-shaped and features a tiny church on its highest point that is dedicated to John the Baptist. Although not proven, it has been said that he even set foot on the island.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe 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. Once there, you will find the church which has a bell situated along the front of its facade. According to legend, after you have completed the climb, you should ring the bell three times and make a wish.

The church on top of the island is by no means the original. Over the centuries the church has burned down and been rebuilt several times. It is believed that the first hermitage that existed here was erected in the 9th century. In the 12th century, it became a convent. However, two centuries later, the friars abandoned it taking with them everything of value.

How to get to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe by public transport

STEP 1.
Bus from the «PESA» bus company from San Sebastian to Bilbao.

You should stop by the PESA Office to buy your tickets in advance or purchase your tickets online (Tickets can be purchased online up to a month before your date of travel).

-BUS COMPANY:           PESA   www.pesa.net

–PESA BUS COMPANY Office: In the same bus station. Address: Federico García Lorca 1 (below Renfe train station)

–SCHEDULE: http://www.pesa.net/pesa/en/horarios

-PRICE:              12, 90€ and ***8,77€ with the Mugi card (One way price) Subject to possible changes

The bus takes approx. 75 minutes

***You can pay with your MUGI bus card to get to Bilbao from San Sebastián (you will obtain a discount if you use your MUGI bus card and will be charged the price corresponding to that bus line after the discount. So you must make sure you have enough money -at least 10 €- on your MUGI bus card).

STEP 2.
Once at the bus station in Bilbao you can walk or take the subway to «Plaza Moyua»  

• Cómo llegar a San Juan de Gaztelugatxe desde Bilbao:  Desde la estación de autobuses de Bilbao (Termibus) hay una línea de autobús con parada en San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (A3527 Bilbao – Mungia – Bermeo). Y otra línea (A3518 Bilbao – Mungia – Bakio) que se puede complementar con el servicio estival de bus Bakio – Bermeo y en invierno -solo laborables-, con el Taxibus para llegar hasta allí.Puedes consultar los horarios del autobús en el teléfono: 946 125 555.
• Desde Bermeo y Bakio: Podrías coger el autobús A3527 que te une Bermeo con Bilbao o utilizar el taxibus (con capacidad máxima de 8 personas).

STEP 3.
From the Moyua square in Bilbao, take the bus line A3518 from the company «Bizkaibus» that leads on the motorway to «Bakio». The final destination is only three kilometers from this town.

STEP 4.
Between «Bermeo» and «Bakio», throughout the year there is also a service of «Bizkaibus» (line A3524). It circulates every two hours, and it is a minibus with capacity for 8 passengers. The ticket is very cheap (1.15€).

The minibus only operates from Monday through Friday.

If you want to go on the weekend, you can take a taxi from Bermeo (Taxi # 699 626 708)