How to get the best views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: top 6 viewpoints

Admire San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from its best viewpoints!

When I was 14 years old, on a family trip across the Basque Country I visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for the first time. It wasn’t a major tourist attraction, in fact, few people visited it. The popularity of this small island with a church at its highest point, only connected to the land through a stone bridge raised due to one of the most popular TV series in the world, Game of Thrones.

After the island starred in the 7th season of the HBO production, tourists from all over the world started visiting it. Only in 2019 (before the Covid pandemic), more than 700,000 people set foot on the island. Nowadays anyone that wants to visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe needs to book a free ticket. Not having it means not being able to enjoy one of the most famous sites in Basque Country and Spain.

During the past year, I have visited San Juan de Gaztelugatxe many times, and I had the chance to explore its viewpoints. Even if you got your ticket, to assess the size and beauty of this place it is a must to observe it from the distance. Some of the San Juan viewpoints listed here are well known. Others, however, are hidden in most people’s eyes or are part of unforgettable experiences. These are the top 7 San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoints.

The raise of tourists to this area has both positive and negative effects. Be a responsible visitor and leave no mark behind you.

The official San Juan de Gazelugatxe viewpoint

Let’s start with the most common San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoint, the official one. To access this one a ticket is required. As mentioned before, it is free to get a ticket to San Juan. However, during the summer months, the place gets booked really fast, so plan in advance. Otherwise, as I describe in detail in my San Juan de Gaztelugatxe photography guide, it is possible to access it without a ticket before and after sunset.

There are 2 different paths to reach the island, Ermua, and Urizarreta. Ermua is the long one, Urizarreta the steep one. Take the Urizarreta path, which is the one that starts by the parking. After 5 minutes of walking, you will find a bifurcation. Take the left detour towards the viewpoint, “mirador” in the Spanish signs. A few meters later you will reach the official San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoint.

This is one of the most captured photos of the island and its church. Perfect for family shots and selfies, but the landscape photographers might have a hard time there. The constant flow of people is the main drawback of this viewpoint.

The Game of Thrones viewpoint

The official viewpoint is the most common view of the island, however, to get the Game of Thrones vibes, you need to get to the stone bridge that connects it to the land. This is the closest viewpoint listed here, and it is included because of its spectacularity. It is from below that one can see how impressive this place is. Instead of crossing the bridge, stand at the left-hand side of it. From this perspective, the sea, the bridge, the island, and the church can be part of a single photo.

To get the exact Game of Thrones view, cross the bridge and stop just when it widens. With some creativity imagine Dragonstone where the church is, and Daenerys walking the stairs towards the castle.

For this viewpoint it is also necessary to have purchased your free ticket to access San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

The hidden Gaztelugatxe viewpoints

This is my favourite viewpoint of this list. Unlike the two first ones, it is not very crowded with tourists. However, and to be honest, it is becoming more and more well-known among visitors. Moreover, you don’t need a ticket to get to this viewpoint.

Getting there might seem complicated, but it is quite easy. After parking your car, you will have multiple possibilities. Don’t take the official path. instead, follow the road that goes by the restaurant (see map below). After walking for 3-4 minutes, you will see a small path at the right-hand side of the road. Take it, walk for an extra 2 minutes and you will be there.

In fact, this is a 2 in 1 viewpoint, as there are 2 levels. Be extra careful, as this is not a signalled path and there is no fence that prevents you from going down the cliff. Stay at a prudent distance and enjoy the best view of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

San Juan from the road

If the first three San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoints were not enough for you, we could be friends. Discovering different viewpoints of San Juan has become one of my hobbies. This viewpoint, however, is well signaled and it even has parking. Nonetheless, this is not close to the island itself. In fact, it is at a 20 minute drive from San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. The good news is that if you are coming from Bilbao, it can be part of your route.

This is the exact location of this viewpoint. The first thing you will notice is the distance. San Juan (the church) will be a tiny spot at the top of an island. However, the main reason why I recommend visiting this place is to understand the size of the island and the bridge. Moreover, on rainy or cloudy days (not misty, where the island can’t be seen), the view is fantastic.

Views from Matxitxako lighthouse

All San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoints listed above are places devoted uniquely to admire the island and its church. The view from this spot is similar to the one from the road. However, the place is worth visiting. The Matxitxako lighthouse is one of a kind. In fact, the first thing you will notice is that there are 2 lighthouses, the old one and the new one.

From the lighthouse closer to the sea, the original Matxitxako, look at your left. In the distance, there is one of the best views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. I prefer the view from the road as there are fewer people and it is easier to find a parking spot. Yet, this place is objectively more beautiful than the previous one.

On the way to the Matxitxako lighthouse (here), you will cross one of my favorite forest sections of the Basque Country coastline. An unexpectedly green and deep forest that stops just before the lighthouse. During the summer months, it can get very busy, avoid peak hours. If you like hiking, consider doing the Gaztelugatxe – Matxitxako route with impressive views over the sea and both the lighthouse and the Gaztelugatxe itself.

San Juan from the sea

Perspective changes things. Surrounded by water, the best way to discover san Juan is from the sea. From the nearby Bermeo city, there are 1-hour excursions that bring tourists near the island. This is a unique experience, and the views are not limited to San Juan. Other places like the Matxitxako lighthouse or the enormous Akatx island look completely different from the sea. Prices range from 13€ (adult) to 8€ (children) for the 1-hour route. More information and tickets available here.

This is a different viewpoint, specially recommended for families and people that don’t mind spending one hour in a boat. As a photographer myself I found it difficult to take good photos for two reasons: other people in the boat and the constant movement. However, I think it is a unique experience worth living.

These are the top 6 San Juan de Gaztelugatxe viewpoints. If you enjoyed this article and are visiting the Basque Country, find other articles below that might be of your interest. Follow me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals) for more travel guides! For other inquiries, send me an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com