Everything You Need To Know About Visiting San Juan De Gaztelugatxe in Spain

The Epic History

In Basque, Gaztelugatxe literally translates to “castle rock“. However, there is no castle here, just a small chapel at the summit. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the chapel dates back to the 10th century and has weathered battles, pirate attacks, and fierce storms. Legend has it that ringing the church bell three times brings good luck, adding a sense of tradition to your visit.

The Stunning Hike

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe offers one of the most stunning hikes in Spain. The 1.7-mile out-and-back trail to the islet is moderately challenging and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. From the zigzagging stone bridge connecting the islet to the mainland to the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs below, every angle is a feast for the eyes. As you climb the 241 steps to the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the Bay of Biscay that are nothing short of cinematic.

The Wonderful Photo Ops

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a photographer’s dream, with endless opportunities to capture jaw-dropping shots. The dramatic staircase winding up to the chapel is iconic, but don’t miss the chance to frame the islet against the turquoise waves or capture the details of the intricate stonework. Sunrise and sunset provide particularly magical lighting for your photos, especially if you’re visiting on a clear day!

The Game of Thrones Tie-In

Fans of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon will instantly recognize San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as the iconic location of Dragonstone, the Targaryen ancestral home. The islet’s otherworldly charm made it the perfect choice for one of the series’ most memorable settings. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s hard not to feel transported to Westeros while exploring this enchanting spot!

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Schedule and Cost

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is generally free to visit*, but you may need to book a ticket in advance as the site has controlled access points to limit the amount of visitors during certain times of the day and year:

• March 23 – June 14*: Tickets are required between 10AM – 7PM on holidays and weekends
• June 15 – September 15*: Tickets are required between 10AM – 7PM daily
• September 16 – October 20*: Tickets are required between 10AM – 7PM on holidays and weekends
• October 20- December 8*: Tickets are required between 10AM – 5PM on holidays and some weekends
• December 9 – March 22*: Tickets are generally not required.

Please note: The site is closed to tourists on June 24, July 31, August 29, August 31 and December 30 for local celebrations*. Entrance tickets also do not include parking – more on that below.

Routes

Located about 22 miles east from Bilbao, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is situated along the rocky and uneven Basque coast. Due to its unique position, the site cannot be accessed directly by car – you must take one of two walking routes to reach the islet:

• Urizarreta: The main and shortest route to the islet (0.75 miles). It is also the steepest (35% slope) and has stairs that can be especially slippery in the rain. 
• Ermu: The longer route to the islet (1.2 miles). It is free from stairs, but still has a sizable slope that can be slippery when wet.

Eventually, both Urizarreta and Ermu converge on an old paved service road that will take you a bit further down the coastline and to the base of the epic staircase leading up to the islet’s hermitage.

Parking

There are 3 parking lots near the walking routes:

The first parking lot is located next to the access road, BI-3101. It is small, with just 25 parking spaces, about 650 feet away from the Urizarreta walking route’s access control point. This lot is free* for visitors to park in.

Continuing down the road toward Eneperi Restaurant is the second parking lot, the largest and closest to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Unfortunately this lot is privately-owned and you must pay to park here. If you are visiting outside of the lot’s regular hours and do not see an attendant, I do not recommend parking here unless you’re willing to risk a ticket or tow.

The third parking lot is located near the Ermu walking route, about a 15 minutes walk to the access control point. This lot is free* for visitors to park in.

Even with these options, demand for parking is high and the lots tend to fill-up quickly, especially in the summer season! If you’re not able to find an available space, you might also consider parking and hiking up from a paid lot in Bakio, a nearby town that’s about a 45 minute walk from the nearest access control point.

How To Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

By Local Tour Guide

One of easiest ways visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is with a reputable tour operator. While they do come at an additional cost, local guides can better ensure your experience is safe, informative and memorable.

By Independent Exploration

The option I chose! Independent exploration is possible and recommended for San Juan de Gaztelugatxe if you would like to explore at your own pace, try to avoid crowds and see the surrounding Basque coastline.

Because of its location along the coast, its narrow bridge and uneven steps, visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe requires some weather and safety precautions:

Follow Safety Regulations

Adhere to any posted safety signs and regulations. One such sign directs travelers to only brave the trek up to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe while wearing flat hiking boots or sneakers.

Prepare For The Weather

The route to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe can be challenging, no matter what time of year you visit. In the warmer months, it’s important to bring water and sun protection. In the cooler months, it’s important to bring rain gear that can withstand the coastal winds.

Stay Alert

While taking photos and videos, be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones or being engrossed in your phone to ensure you’re aware of any other travelers passing by along the stairway.

Visit During Daylight Hours

It’s safer to visit the islet during the day when visibility is better so that you can easily see all the uneven – and possibly slippery – terrain.

Conserve The Area

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a protected area. Do not leave any residue or trash during your visit.

Just before dawn on a recent October morning, my boyfriend, Matthew, and I set out from Bilbao, eager to catch the sunrise on our first ever visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe! Of all the stops on our trip, this was the one I’d been looking forward to most: an epic hike, a dash of Game of Thrones history, and a dramatic coastal landscape that reminded me of growing up in Northern California.

Along our drive, however, mother nature had a different plans in store. The rain started gently at first, tapping against the windshield like a quiet reminder of autumn. But as the miles passed, the once soft drizzle turned into a steady downpour, washing away any chance of catching a sunrise. Instead of disappointment, we chose to lean into the storm’s moody allure—it seemed fitting for the epic place we were about to explore.

We parked our car in the first parking lot off the access road, donned our rain gear and made our way down the hill toward the Urizarreta walking route.

After injuring myself in the rain last year during a solo trip to Vietnam, I was a bit cautious in taking the hill and stairs going down the coastline. The uneven, stone pathway was covered in fresh puddles of rainwater and mud, with an occasional slug to step around. The rain was coming down hard and fast while the wind threatened to overtake my umbrella each time I hit a turn on the zig-zagging slope.

Eventually though, we made it to the end of the somewhat precarious Urizarreta walking route and onto the paved service road that hugged the coastline all the way toward the base of the stairs leading up to the islet. It was here that we caught our first glimpse of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

Even more epic in person, the ocean waves seemed to heave-and-ho at the base of the islet and stairway in the distance. The wind and rain mixed with the water as it sprayed upwards only to come crashing back down again against the rocks below. Outside of the weather, it was fairly quiet – making this an unexpectedly peaceful and magical travel moment. It was here that I think I fully understood the awe that the location scout’s must have felt when seeing San Juan and choosing it to stand-in as Game of Thrones‘ iconic Dragonstone stronghold in the HBO TV show.

At the summit, Matthew and I found a small locked chapel – the hermitage. We took shelter under its awning and peaked inside a small window near its door. The space had an altar and a cross, as expected.

Just across from the chapel was another shelter of sorts. We ran inside, under the open archway, and were surprised to see it was an “indoor” picnic area equipped with a fireplace.

Just as soon as we had entered, another traveler with a Canon DSLR popped in right behind us. From New York, we exchanged travel stories, chatted about our cameras and remarked how nice a fire would have been given the current stormy weather. And just before we left, he offered to take our photo at the top of the summit – proof we had conquered the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe summit on our perfect rainy day adventure!