One of the most photographed features of the Basque coast is San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a rocky island topped by a 10th-century hermitage, 10km northwest of Bermeo. The island is accessed from the mainland via a stone footbridge and 241 steps. Admission is free, but from June to September and at weekends you must book online in advance. You can arrive a maximum of 10 minutes before your time slot and up to an hour afterward.
There are two entrance points for the descent to the island. The more popular route is the steep 2.6km walk from Eneperi. Or, from the upper car park, you can follow the path east to the starting point of a gentler but longer path down.
The hermitage is named after St John the Baptist, who according to legend once visited the island. Inside, the hermitage is adorned with nautical paraphernalia. The site gets busy in summer; early mornings are best.
