Bermeo in 30 seconds
About 17,000 inhabitants (17,042 in 2024, INE), on the coast of Biscay (Bizkaia), 33 km from Bilbao (about 35 min by car, via the BI-631). Facing the Bay of Biscay, it is Biscay’s leading fishing port. The whole municipality lies within the Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (1984), which covers about 22,000 hectares across 22 municipalities: the most important wetland in Euskadi (the Basque Autonomous Community).
A little history
In 1236, Bermeo is granted the title of villa (chartered town) and the Logroño fuero by Lope Díaz II de Haro, Lord of Biscay.
31 July 1476: Ferdinand the Catholic confirms Bermeo as ‘head of Biscay’ (Cabeza de Vizcaya), a role the town loses in 1602.
Today, Bermeo has kept its identity as a fishing port.
What to see
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
THE local wonder, within the municipality of Bermeo, on the way to Bakio. A hermitage dedicated to St John the Baptist, perched on a rocky islet joined to the coast by a stone bridge. The hermitage dates back to the 10th century (some finds date from the 9th); destroyed by fire on 10 November 1978, it was reopened on 25 June 1980. 241 steps cut into the rock lead up to the top. Made world-famous by Game of Thrones (season 7, where it plays Dragonstone). Feast days on 24 June (for the people of Bermeo) and 29 August (for those of Bakio).
Bermeo’s old quarter
Narrow streets around the Torre Ercilla (late 15th century, a former defensive tower). Santa Eufemia church (Gothic, the oldest in town) — a juradera (oath-swearing) church, where the Lords of Biscay swore to uphold the fueros.
The coast
Offshore lies the island of Izaro; further along, Cape Matxitxako. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is about 8 km from the centre. In town, a monument by Néstor Basterretxea pays tribute to the painter Benito Barrueta.
The fishing port
The beating heart of the town and Biscay’s leading fishing port. This is the place to wander and take photos.
The Mundaka estuary
The Urdaibai estuary (or Mundaka estuary), at the mouth of the Oka, at the heart of the reserve. The tidal area stretches for a dozen or so kilometres, as far as the neighbouring village of Mundaka.
The Fishermen’s Museum
Housed in the Torre Ercilla, whose façade was remodelled in 1948, it is devoted to the history of fishing.
Santimamiñe cave
In Kortezubi, within the Urdaibai reserve. Magdalenian rock art (between 14,000 and 9,000 years old), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2008. 47 black paintings: 32 bison, 7 ibex, 6 horses, a deer and a bear. Closed to visitors since 2006 to preserve it, the cave can be explored in 3D virtual reality at the nearby hermitage of San Mamés.
Festivals
- 22 July: the feast of St Mary Magdalene.
- From 7 September: festivities of Our Lady of Almike, the town’s patron saint; 9 September is the day of the Arrantzale (the fisherman).
Getting there
- Car: BI-631 from Bilbao (about 35 min)
- Bus: Bizkaibus A3515 Bermeo–Gernika
- Train: Euskotren from Bilbao, all the way to Bermeo
1-day itinerary
- Morning: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (check whether you need to book)
- Midday: lunch in Bermeo
- Afternoon: old quarter + Torre Ercilla and the Fishermen’s Museum, then the fishing port
- Early evening: a walk towards Mundaka and the estuary
My favourite photo
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from the clifftops at sunset — the 241 steps winding up to the hermitage, the ocean behind. Or Bermeo harbour at dawn as the boats come in with their catch.
Sources
- Turismo Euskadi (Basque Government) — Bermeo (in Spanish)
- Wikipedia (in Spanish): Bermeo (INE 2024 population), San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, Santimamiñe cave
Ongi etorri Bermeora — Welcome to Bermeo.