This Basque fishing port has one of Spain's largest fishing fleets. The 13th-century old town includes the Ercilla Tower and a busy harbor where boats bring fresh catch daily.
Bermeo sits between rocky cliffs and the Bay of Biscay in Spain's Basque Country. In this fishing town, you can climb the 241 steps to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe monastery, explore the 15th-century Ercilla Tower, or watch fishing boats unload their catch at the marina. The streets of the old port lead to small bars where you can taste fresh seafood and pintxos.
Exploring the Old Port
In the old port ("Portu Zaharra"), fishing boats arrive daily with fresh catch, and market vendors sell fish and seafood. Blue, yellow, and red houses line the waterfront, creating a distinctive backdrop to the port activities. At the center, you'll find a 16th-century fountain with carved shields of Bermeo and Biscay. The port's bars serve local dishes like bacalao a la vizcaÃna (cod in red sauce) and marmitako (tuna and potato stew).
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
A man-made bridge connects the mainland to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet 8 kilometers from town. You can climb 241 steps to reach a 10th-century monastery at the summit. The site served as a castle in the 14th century before monks converted it into a monastery. Each year on August 29th, locals gather for the feast of San Juan, celebrating mass in the monastery.
Inside the Fishermen's Museum
The 15th-century Ercilla Tower now serves as the Fishermen's Museum. Across five floors, you can examine fishing equipment from hand-cast nets to modern trawling gear, study traditional boat building tools, and see personal items from local fishing families. The museum includes a detailed model of a 16th-century Basque whaling ship, showing how crews operated in the Bay of Biscay. The museum opened its current exhibition space in 2014.
Historic Buildings Around Sabino Arana Square
The town hall from 1732 dominates Sabino Arana Square, with two solar clocks on its neoclassical facade. The Santa MarÃa Church (1858) stands next door, with a triangular front and Greek-style columns. In Lamera Park, the 1894 Casino Building displays three original murals by painter Ignacio Zuloaga and functions as a restaurant and exhibition space.
Local Festivals
On September 7th, the town celebrates Nuestra Señora de Almike. Fishermen's Day follows on September 9th with boat races and seafood cooking contests. The Magdalena festival on July 22nd brings Basque music to the streets, with txistulari flute players performing during religious processions.
