San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Spain’s Dramatic Sea Staircase

Along Spain’s northern coast, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe stands out for its unusual setting. A stone bridge connects the mainland to a rocky island in the Bay of Biscay, where a long flight of steps winds up to a small chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. From a distance, the path looks as though it has been carved into the sea itself. The climb is steep, but it is the setting that makes this place so memorable.

A stone staircase climbs to the historic hermitage on San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

Located on the Basque coast of Biscay, between the seaside towns of Bakio and Bermeo, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe combines rugged coastal scenery, religious tradition and centuries of history. Its 241 steps have become the landmark’s most recognisable feature, but the story of this isolated chapel goes beyond the climb.

Where Is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe?

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe lies in the province of Biscay, in Spain’s Basque Country. The name is associated with a castle-like rock, an apt description of the steep outcrop that rises from the sea. The islet is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge and a narrow path that zigzags up to the hermitage. The surrounding coastline belongs to a protected natural area known for its cliffs, marine scenery and distinctive rock formations.

The landscape is the first thing many visitors notice. From a distance, the staircase appears to cling to the rock, while the chapel at the summit looks small against the open sea. On a clear day, the contrast between the green hills, pale stone, and deep blue water makes the site particularly striking.

The 241 Steps to the Hermitage

The famous staircase has 241 steps, according to official Basque tourism information. It winds upward from the stone bridge to the chapel, following the uneven contours of the rocky islet. The climb is only part of the effort. Visitors must also walk down the approach path and make their way back uphill afterward. Uneven surfaces, exposed sections and steep gradients mean that sturdy footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are important.

At the top, the reward is not simply the chapel. The elevated viewpoint reveals the Bay of Biscay, the rugged shoreline and the sea-carved cliffs around the islet. The setting feels especially powerful when the waves break against the rocks below.

First Image Credit: Daniel Zudaire Araiz

The rocky islet is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge.

Image Credit: Jose Mª Rada

The History of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

A hermitage with mediaeval roots

The exact beginnings of the religious site are difficult to reconstruct, but the official Basque tourism account states that the first hermitage is believed to have been established in the 9th century. It later became a convent in the 12th century, before the religious community departed.

The building standing today is not the original structure. Fires, conflict and repeated rebuilding have altered the chapel over the centuries. For that reason, it is better to describe Gaztelugatxe as a historic religious site with mediaeval roots than to claim that the present chapel dates unchanged from the early Middle Ages. Its isolated position also gave it a distinctive place in local tradition. The chapel became associated with sailors, fishermen and people seeking protection on the dangerous waters of the Bay of Biscay.

A place shaped by the sea

Inside the hermitage, offerings associated with sailors who survived shipwrecks reflect maritime traditions. These objects connect the religious site to the working lives of coastal communities, where the sea has long provided a livelihood as well as a source of danger. Gaztelugatxe is therefore more than a picturesque chapel. It remains a place where landscape, faith and the history of fishing communities meet.

The staircase to the hermitage has 241 steps.

Image Credit: GOIEN Ako Argazki Lehiaketa

Legends, Footprints and the Chapel Bell

One of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe’s best-known traditions concerns the bell at the hermitage. According to local belief, visitors should ring it three times to attract good luck and drive away evil spirits. Another legend links a footprint near the top of the steps to Saint John the Baptist. These are local traditions, not independently verifiable historical events.

The stories give the climb a personal dimension. Some visitors come for the scenery, others for the history, and some for the chapel's traditions. The legends have become part of the identity of the place, passed along with its religious and maritime heritage.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Game of Thrones

The islet gained wider international recognition after appearing in the television series Game of Thrones. Its striking shape and staircase made it a natural choice for scenes representing Dragonstone, the fictional stronghold associated with Daenerys Targaryen. The connection brought a new wave of visitors interested in seeing the landscape in person. Yet the real location has a history that long predates its television appearance. Its chapel, maritime traditions, and rugged setting make it worth understanding as a destination in its own right, rather than simply as a filming location.

The stone bridge provides the connection between the mainland and the islet.

Image Credit: Antonio Prado

How to Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is situated between Bakio and Bermeo, with access routes from the surrounding Basque coast. Visitors travelling from Bilbao can explore public transport options, but they should check services and seasonal connections before departure. The official Tourism Euskadi visitor guide provides transport information. Access to the site requires a free entry ticket on dates when reservations are required. Check the official information before travelling, as access arrangements can vary.

Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and allow enough time for both the descent and the return climb. The route is steep and uneven, and the staircase makes the hermitage difficult to reach for people with reduced mobility. Those who cannot manage the steps may wish to consider an appropriate viewpoint instead; Visit Biscay’s accessibility guide explains the terrain and access limitations.

The chapel at the summit gives the rocky islet its historic religious significance.

Image Credit: Jon González

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe located?

It is on the coast of Biscay in Spain’s Basque Country, between Bakio and Bermeo, overlooking the Bay of Biscay.

How many steps lead to the chapel?

The staircase has 241 steps, according to official Basque tourism information.

When was the hermitage built?

The first hermitage is believed to date from the 9th century. The present building has been rebuilt multiple times.

Why do visitors ring the chapel bell?

Local tradition says ringing the bell three times brings good luck and wards off evil spirits.

Is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe a Game of Thrones filming location?

Yes. It appeared as part of the fictional Dragonstone setting in the television series.

Is an entrance ticket required?

A free access ticket is required on dates when the reservation system applies. Please consult the official visitor information before setting out.

Can visitors with limited mobility climb to the chapel?

The route includes steep slopes, uneven terrain and 241 steps, with no step-free route to the hermitage. Visitors with mobility limitations should consult the official accessibility guidance and consider viewing the site from an accessible viewpoint.

Suggested one more Ritebook post:

Unique Vineyards of Lanzarote, Spain.

The islet stands along the rugged Basque coastline.

Image Credit: Pablo Feo

The first hermitage is believed to date from the 9th century.

Image Credit: Jon González

The staircase follows the contours of the rocky outcrop.

Image Credit: Aitor Garcia Viñas

Local tradition says visitors should ring the chapel bell three times.

Image Credit: Adolfo Martínez López

The waves of the Bay of Biscay have shaped the surrounding coastline.

Image Credit: German Vidal

Conclusion

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a remarkable meeting of natural scenery and human history. Its stone bridge and 241 steps are striking, but the centuries-old religious tradition, along with the stories of sailors and legends surrounding the chapel, give the islet a deeper identity.

Whether someone first discovers it through Game of Thrones or a photograph of the Basque coastline, the real place offers much more than a dramatic backdrop. It is a reminder of how communities have built traditions around difficult landscapes—and how a small chapel above a restless sea can become one of Spain’s most memorable coastal landmarks.

References & Sources

• Tourism Euskadi — San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — official tourism facts, step count, historical background and access.
• Visit Biscay — San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — local traditions, maritime heritage, filming information and accessibility.
• Visit Biscay — Accessibility guide — route conditions and mobility limitations.