Bermeo

Day Trips

Wake up to the sound of church bells and step onto the quiet cobblestone streets of Bermeo’s medieval casco viejo. Gaze at colorful fishermen’s houses and admire wrought-iron balconies as the town slowly comes to life. Stop by a family-run café for a strong café con leche and freshly baked pintxos before the crowds arrive.

Dive into local history at the Calle Mayor, browsing artisan shops and stopping at the Plaza de San Francisco for people-watching. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a sea-view terrace, sampling anchovies preserved in olive oil and homemade seafood risotto. Continue exploring hidden alleys, discovering tiny chapels and century-old fountains tucked away off the beaten path.

As dusk falls, head to a rooftop bar overlooking the harbor to witness the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues. Savor a dinner of grilled bonito and Basque cider while listening to spontaneous accordion tunes drifting through the narrow lanes. End the night strolling along the quayside, watching fishing boats sway gently under lantern light.

Rise early and join local fishermen on the docks as they haul in the catch of the day, from hake to red prawn. Feel the salty spray on your face and learn traditional net-mending techniques handed down for generations. Share a hearty bowl of fish stew prepared right on the quay, paired with homemade sourdough bread.

Board a small wooden boat for a guided tour of Bermeo’s rugged coastline, passing hidden coves and sea caves carved by Atlantic storms. Spot playful dolphins escorting your vessel and listen to stories of ancient mariners who once navigated these waters. Return ashore to explore the maritime museum housed in a converted warehouse, admiring scale models and fishing artifacts.

Enjoy a casual seafood feast at a family-run taberna, savoring razor clams drizzled with garlic and parsley oil. Toast to the day with a glass of chilled txakoli from nearby Getaria. Finish with a moonlit stroll along the esplanade, breathing in the night air tinged with brine.

Pack a light daypack and catch a dawn bus to the trailhead at Gaztelugatxe. Trek along winding coastal paths framed by windswept vegetation and panoramic views of the Bay of Biscay. Pause to spot seabirds gliding over the shimmering water and feel the invigorating sea breeze.

Climb the iconic 241 stone steps leading to the hermitage perched atop the rocky islet. Ring the ancient bell three times for good luck, as local legend prescribes, then admire sweeping vistas of the jagged coastline. Enjoy a picnic lunch of local cheese, idiazabal chunks and quince paste while listening to the waves crash below.

Descend as the afternoon light softens and return to Bermeo for a restorative soak in a natural thermal spa. Soothe your muscles in steaming pools overlooking pine-forested hills. Dine on pintxos featuring seaweed-infused croquettes and sip a sweet Basque cider under the stars.

Set off before sunrise for the Urdaibai wetland, a UNESCO biosphere teeming with migratory birds. Bring binoculars to spot herons, ospreys and rare white storks among the reeds. Learn about conservation efforts at the Gogorrozat kite-flying station perched above the marshes.

Rent a kayak and glide silently along tranquil waterways, discovering hidden lagoons fringed by alder trees. Enjoy a riverside picnic of smoked trout, local sausage and crunchy vegetables from nearby farms. Paddle past fishermen’s huts on stilts and marvel at the network of tidal estuaries unfolding around you.

Return to Bermeo for a farm-to-table dinner at a countryside agroturismo, sampling homemade edible flower salads and lamb roasted over oak embers. Share Basque folk tales around a roaring fire while sipping artisan cider. Drift to sleep lulled by the distant call of night herons.

Catch an early boat to Mundaka, Europe’s legendary left-hand surf break. Gear up with a board and wetsuit from a local surf school and follow an instructor into the frothy sets. Feel the rush as you carve your first wave under a golden sunrise.

Take a break at a beachside café, relishing tortilla de patatas and a chilled isotonic drink. Watch expert surfers navigate the perfect barrels at low tide before heading back out for more practice. Improve your stance and carving technique as you soak up tips from friendly locals.

Wipe the salt from your board and stroll through Mundaka’s quaint village streets, lined with colorful surf shops and tapas bars. Sample pinchos topped with miel de txakoli and smoked fish, pairing each bite with an artisanal craft ale. Return to Bermeo under an inky sky, muscles pleasantly tired from a day on the waves.

Board a regional train to Lekeitio, a postcard-perfect fishing village framed by twin beaches. Walk the harbor at dawn, watching lobster pots being hauled in and seabirds diving for anchovies. Stop at a bakery for freshly baked bizcocho and a cup of hot chocolate.

Hire a small boat to explore the offshore islet of San Nicolás, accessible only at low tide. Climb to the hilltop chapel for panoramic views of the Cantabrian Sea and surrounding cliffs. Return to town for a leisurely lunch of fried squid and anchovy pintxos on the Plaza Euskadi.

Sip chilled Txakoli on a seaside terrace as the sky fades to lavender. Wander narrow alleys lined with whitewashed houses decorated with geraniums. Conclude the day with a seafood paella shared with new friends at a family-run restaurante.

Step into a traditional Basque kitchen for a hands-on workshop led by a local chef. Learn to prepare classic dishes like bacalao al pil-pil and stuffed peppers using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a mid-morning tasting of Txakoli-marinated anchovies and homemade chutneys.

Master the art of pintxo assembly, balancing flavors and textures on miniature skewers. Create seasonal delights like asparagus with jamón ibérico and foie gras croissants. Feast on your own creations paired with a flight of regional wines and ciders.

Join your chef and fellow food enthusiasts for a guided tapas crawl through Bermeo’s top pintxo bars. Compare smoky chorizo bites, gooey Idiazabal cheese skewers and radish rounds topped with mushroom duxelles. Cap off the night with a sweet glass of Orujo and lively conversation under lantern light.

Visit the Itsaslur Museo del Pescador, housed in a restored fish market, to explore Bermeo’s seafaring heritage. Interact with multimedia exhibits on ancient navigators and modern sustainability practices. Examine vintage photographs capturing the town’s evolution over a century.

Stroll to the nearby Maritime Cultural Center, admiring rotating art installations inspired by the sea. Attend a live demonstration of shipbuilding techniques from local artisans. Follow up with lunch at a café overlooking the harbor, sampling mushroom-stuffed peppers and local calamari.

Wander back through the Old Quarter as dusk blankets the streets in golden light. Discover hidden street art celebrating Basque myths and coastal folklore. End the evening at a cozy speakeasy-style bar sipping single-malt whiskey or a smoky gin cocktail.

Rise before dawn and head to the cliffs near San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for a sunrise photoshoot. Capture dramatic waves crashing against rocky outcrops as pink light washes the sky. Refine your composition skills under the guidance of a local photographer.

Drive along the coastal road to Cabo Machichaco, stopping at overlooks to snap panoramic sea views. Photograph fishing boats tethered to weathered docks and children playing on deserted beaches. Enjoy a picnic of artisan cheeses and seasonal fruit amid windswept dunes.

Return to Bermeo as the golden hour approaches and set up at the harbor to capture reflections in the calm waters. Experiment with long-exposure shots of passing fishing boats and lantern-lit quays. Wrap up with a seafood paella dinner while reviewing your favorite shots of the day.

Sleep in a little after the previous night’s photography adventure, then ease into the day with churros dipped in thick hot chocolate. Stroll through the market to watch vendors prepare for a weekend festival celebrating Basque folklore. Pick up fresh flowers and local crafts while listening to buskers strumming traditional tunes.

Join the fiesta on the Plaza Zearreta, where dancers in traditional garb perform every half-hour. Sample festival–only pintxos like spicy chorizo bites and grilled octopus skewers. Sip homemade sangria as the square fills with families, children in colorful masks, and spontaneous tambourine parades.

Continue your tapas crawl through Bermeo’s lively side streets, moving from one buzzing bar to the next. Compare smoky txipirones, mushroom pintxos and gooey cheese melts, accompanied by cold ciders and local lagers. End the night at an open-air concert under strings of fairy lights, dancing until the final note fades.