Free walking tours in Bermeo and what to see

Must-sees

Bermeo is one of the most important fishing ports on the Basque coast and for centuries was a key town of the Lordship of Biscay. Start at the old harbour, with its colourful houses crowded along the water and the boats moored. Very close is the Torre Ercilla, a medieval tower house that now holds the Fishermen’s Museum, devoted to the life and work of seafaring people.

Then climb to the old town. There you will see the Arco de San Juan, the only surviving gate in the wall, the church of Santa María, opposite the town hall, and the Gothic cloister of the convent of San Francisco. A few kilometres away, still within the municipality, is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the hermitage on an islet joined to land by a flight of steps. Bermeo is also the gateway to the Urdaibai biosphere reserve.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-like free walking tours are not common in Bermeo. Most people explore the old town and harbour on their own or with a pre-booked guided tour, which usually includes the Torre Ercilla and the town’s fishing and whaling history. The tourist offices have information on these routes in season.

The excursions are what really make it worthwhile. There are boat trips along the coast passing in front of Gaztelugatxe, guided routes in Urdaibai to see birds and marshes, and visits to Gernika and Mundaka. Bear in mind that in high season access to the hermitage may require a free advance booking, so check before you go.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the town itself: a couple of hours for the harbour and the old town, and another for the museum and a meal by the sea. If you add Gaztelugatxe, allow another morning or afternoon, as going down and back up the steps takes time. With two days you can add Urdaibai, Mundaka and Gernika without rushing.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to sleep in the centre, between the old town and the harbour. From there you can do everything on foot, with bars and restaurants at hand and the bus stops for Bilbao and the coastal villages close by. If you want peace and have a car, there are rural cottages and places to stay around town, on the way to Gaztelugatxe or inland in Urdaibai.