Visit to the port city of Bermeo

Bermeo is a small town that will capture your attention for two main reasons: its charming port, which tells the story of Basque whalers and their incredible saga, and its unique rock formation , San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, made famous by the Game of Thrones series. It's a vibrant town with medieval origins, boasting beautiful palaces and a harmonious atmosphere just waiting to be explored.

Bermeo, a small town in Biscay

We're going for a walk in Bermeo at the end of the day. Park in the car parks on the outskirts of town and walk to the port. It's one of the largest fishing ports in Cantabria. The town is built on a steep slope, perched on Mount Sollube, and its cliff face is visible all the way to the sea, where rocks, like small islands, rise from the waves.

Returning to the port and its surroundings, several heritage sites are remarkable in Bermeo, such as the Ercilla Tower, one of the 30 that once encircled the town (you'll notice remnants of the ramparts here and there). Other notable sites include the cloister of the Church of Santa Maria and the Church of Santa Eufemia. The port is a lively place, perfect for a stroll, and there's a boat housing a whaling interpretation center. Bermeo was one of the epicenters of this fishing activity. The North Atlantic right whale, also known as the Biscay whale, roamed the waters of the Cantabrian Sea before the ^18th century. It was a thriving economy for villages like Bermeo, as the whale provided blubber for making oil and soap, substantial bones for construction, and meat to feed the population. Whalers used traineras, boats with specific characteristics for quickly crossing swells, to hunt cetaceans. The decline in whale populations made whaling obsolete, and Basque fishermen then turned to sardines and tuna.

We enjoyed walking up to the city's heights to reach a grassy park with a beautiful promontory offering spectacular views of the seafront.

The Bermeo coastline and its islands

Just 8km from Bermeo town centre, visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, one of Biscay's most famous spots. While you'll need patience during peak season and shouldn't expect to get photos without anyone in them, it's a breathtaking place to see in the off-season. There's a whole string of small islands to explore : Akatz Island, Izaro Island, Cape Matxitxako, all surrounded by cliffs and rocks …

For a peaceful swim in calm water, Aritzatxu Beach, a sort of small, deliciously blue cove… If you have time, take a boat trip to admire the coast and get close to the islands.

The patron saint's festival of Bermeo is that of Saint John. In July, the day of the Magdalena is also a special festival. In September, Nuestra Señora de Almike is celebrated.

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