Gaztelugatxe

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a narrow, rocky islet jutting into the Bay of Biscay, part of the municipality of Bermeo in the Basque Country, roughly 30 km from Bilbao. It has become one of the most photographed spots on Spain's northern coast, known for its stone footbridge, its steep staircase, and a hermitage perched high above the waves.

What does the climb to the top involve?

A narrow stone bridge links the mainland to the islet, and from there a winding staircase of more than 230 steps cut into the rock climbs toward the summit. The path zigzags along the cliff face, opening onto views of the open Atlantic and the jagged Basque shoreline below. The reward at the top is the hermitage itself and a sweeping panorama over the bay.

What is the story behind the hermitage?

At the summit stands a small chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Its origins go back to the 9th or 10th century, and local tradition credits the Knights Templar with its construction. The building has weathered a turbulent past: English privateer Francis Drake raided it in 1593, and English forces struck it again during an 18th-century attack. Its most dramatic setback came on 10 November 1978, when a fire gutted the interior. The hermitage was rebuilt and reopened on 24 June 1980, and today it remains the destination most visitors are climbing toward.

What legends surround the bell and the footprints?

Several local beliefs are tied to Gaztelugatxe. The best known holds that pulling the bell rope inside the hermitage three times while making a wish will see it granted through the intercession of Saint John the Baptist; ringing the bell is also said to ward off evil spirits. A separate tradition points to footprint-shaped marks in the rock, said to have been left by the saint himself during a visit to the island — touching them is supposed to bring good luck. Nearby caves, according to local lore, once served as a place where people accused of witchcraft and dealings with the devil were held, a darker strand running through the island's folklore.

Why is Gaztelugatxe linked to Game of Thrones?

Visitor numbers rose sharply after 2017, when the islet was used as the filming location for Dragonstone in the seventh season of Game of Thrones. The stone bridge and staircase provided the backdrop for Daenerys Targaryen's return to her ancestral stronghold and her first meeting with Jon Snow. Since then the site has drawn not only travelers interested in Basque history and coastal scenery but also fans of the show, adding considerably to the foot traffic on the narrow path to the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many steps lead up to the hermitage? The climb involves more than 230 steps cut into the rock, winding from the stone bridge up to the chapel at the summit.

Who built the hermitage on Gaztelugatxe? The chapel, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, dates back to the 9th or 10th century; local tradition attributes its construction to the Knights Templar.

What is the legend of the bell? According to local belief, pulling the bell rope three times while making a wish brings good fortune, and ringing the bell is also said to drive away evil spirits.

Why is the island associated with Game of Thrones? Gaztelugatxe served as the filming location for Dragonstone in the show's seventh season, in scenes featuring Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow.