After visiting the old town of Bilbao, indulging in multiple pintxos, exploring everything in the famous Guggenheim Museum, and crossing all its bridges, you might reach a point of saturation. That’s when it’s time to seek fresh air and feel the Cantabrian breeze.
Taking your group along the Basque Coast to reconnect with nature will make everyone feel great. Going on an adventure along the Basque coast is a fantastic plan to enjoy as a group!
Highlights like Getxo, the Butrón Castle, Mungia, Bermeo, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Urdaibai Reserve, and Gernika are some of the must-see spots on this stretch of the Basque Country’s coastline. Did you know that some of these locations were chosen as filming spots for Game of Thrones? You’ll discover all this and more on this adventurous bus route.
Map of the Bilbao Basque coast bus tour
How to travel along the basque coast?
The tour I propose for today could technically be done by public transport, although I think it’s not the most suitable, as there are many stops, and coordinating with the schedules might be a hassle.
An alternative is the Bizkaibus buses, which offer several connections and schedules. However, the best option is to rent a car (if you’re a very small group) or hire a minibus in Bilbao. With both options, you’ll have the freedom to move at your own pace and make stops that are off the itinerary.
Itinerary along the basque coast
Visiting Getxo, Butrón Castle, Mungia, Bermeo, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Urdaibai Reserve, and Gernika all in one day would be quite ambitious, as they are spread out, and you’ll surely want to spend enough time at each.
If you only have one day, you can pass by each of these sites and visit the essentials. Keep in mind that it will be a 10-12 hour day trip, considering the transfers from one place to another and the time spent at each site.
That’s why I suggest dividing the tour into two days to make the most of each location. Below is a possible itinerary for a complete one-day route.
Getxo
I recommend starting the route in Getxo, a small town in Bizkaia with 10 km of coastline dotted with cliffs and beaches. It’s located 12 km from Bilbao via the BI-637.
You can spend 1-2 hours strolling along its promenade, crossing the famous Bizkaia Hanging Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (don’t miss going up to the walkway for the best panoramic view), and stopping for breakfast (a great spot is La Kazuela, at C/ Mayor 17).
Then, to start immersing yourself in the Basque coast, I suggest heading to Getxo beach to spend some time there.
The Butrón castle
After recharging with breakfast and a short stroll through Getxo, you can continue your trip to Butrón Castle, located on a hill, about 30 minutes by road.
Tickets to the Butrón castle
In this place that will transport you to the Middle Ages, you can easily spend two hours exploring every nook and cranny. It’s also possible to walk around the castle to admire the entire structure.
Remember to book in advance, as each visit admits a maximum of 10 people. Group visits are held daily at 11:00 and 16:00, and the price is €12 with a duration of 1.5 hours.
Where to park your minibus?
Before crossing the bridge over the Butrón River, there’s a small car park where you can leave your vehicle for free. Just keep in mind that if you’re visiting during peak season, it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot. In case you’re traveling by bus or minibus, it’s advisable to check availability and rates beforehand.
Mungia
About 20 minutes by car from Butrón Castle is Mungia, a town where you can take a walk along the main streets to admire its civil architecture and stop for lunch.
If you’re craving meat or a grill, a great spot is Beheko Sue (at Gamiz Bidea, 7, Bajo). Customers recommend the Onddo and Franchie burgers.
Bermeo
After a walk through Mungia, your route continues to Bermeo (30 minutes by car), a fishing town on the coast of Bizkaia, within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
In Bermeo, I suggest spending the rest of the day strolling around its harbor, enjoying the atmosphere, and photographing its colorful houses. Don’t forget to walk through the old town and visit the Church of Santa María.
For dinner, I recommend Artza, a restaurant in the heart of the town (at Askatasun Hiribidea, 1), where you’ll find many traditional Basque dishes at reasonable prices. Another option is Akelarre Taberna (also in the town center, at Aurrekoetxea 2), where you should try some of their traditional fish dishes, like bonito marmitako or the famous pintxos.
Here, I suggest spending the night at Hotel Lauaxeta Etxea (Lauaxeta Olerkari 4), located in the town center.
The Urdaibai reserve
The next day, you can start the day by exploring the Urdaibai Reserve, a natural space declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This site, crossed by the Oka River, is known for its marshlands, home to many bird species and other animals. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in the Basque Country for surfing, like Laga and Laida, and numerous natural viewpoints.
There are several routes within the reserve of varying durations, depending on how much time you want to spend. For example, the route from Laida Beach to Bermeo takes about 2 hours and passes by cliffs, offering spectacular views of the sea and mountains.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Are you a Game of Thrones fan? Then, you’ll love visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, located about 30 minutes by car from Mungia. Perched on top of a rock facing the Cantabrian Sea, it served as the set for Dragonstone in the acclaimed series.
While you can get there by road without any problem, I suggest arriving by boat from Bermeo to add a special touch to the journey. Once there, climbing the 241 steps to the hermitage is a must and will be rewarded with the best views of the Cantabrian Sea.
Tickets to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is one of the most visited places in the Basque Country and Spain, so during peak season and weekends, it tends to get crowded. Therefore, if you’re visiting at this time, I suggest booking your tickets in advance, especially for large groups.
It’s worth noting that entry is free, but you must book in advance as it’s in a protected area with a daily visit limit..
Visiting hours
The visiting hours for San Juan de Gaztelugatxe are from 10 am to 7 pm from October 25 until the end of the year. Please note that the last entry is at 5 pm.
How long does the visit take?
The visit lasts approximately 2 hours, depending on how much time you spend at the hermitage. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the site, another half-hour to explore and take photos, and about an hour to return via a 2 km uphill path.
Parking for cars and buses
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe has a parking area located about a 30-minute walk from the hermitage. Keep in mind that it tends to get quite crowded, especially during peak season, so it’s recommended to arrive early.
There is also a specific parking area for tourist buses, at a convenient distance from the hermitage area. In this case, it is also advisable to check availability and conditions in advance.
Gernika
The final stop of the Basque Coast tour is Gernika, located about 30 km from San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. If you’re already hungry, don’t miss lunch at Taberna Auzokoa, perfect for a round of pintxos.
Afterward, you can spend a few hours visiting the famous Gernika tree and the Peace Museum, walking through the old town, and seeing Picasso’s famous painting in the Casa de Juntas.
After two days of exploring, it’s time to return to Bilbao and continue discovering the wonders of the Basque Country.
Usefull links for your Basque coast bus tour
Public buses
https://www.bizkaia.eus/es/web/bizkaibus/inicio
Minibus with driver rentals in Bilbao
https://rentautobus.com/countries/spain/vizcaya/bilbao/item241
Tickets to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
https://www.tiketa.eus/gaztelugatxe/?lang=en
Restaurant in Gernika
