Being surrounded by the Cantabrian Sea for as far as you can see is a remarkable sensation that you will experience when going on this excursion that covers the coast of the Basque Country between Bermeo and Bakio. Some of the places you will visit are Cape Matxitxako which is the northernmost point of the Basque coast and the small island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe which is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit.

Dive right into the coastal sceneries starting in Bermeo, a traditional fishing town whose heart is centered around the port. This is where the steep city streets of the historic part of town begin. Right next to the port is the Fisherman''s Museum and the "Iglesia Juradera de Santa Eufemia". This church is where the gentlemen of Bizkaia used to swear to respect the ancient regional laws.

The ancestral house of Alonso de Ercilla, author of the epic poem "La Araucana", is a house and tower dating back to the 15th century. Inside, you can visit the Fisherman''s Museum.

From Bermeo, highway BI-3101 snakes its way along the coast to the next coastal town to the East, Bakio. However, we recommend that you take two short detours along the way in order to fully appreciate the sheer drops of the coastal landscape. The first detour is off highway BI-4203 that takes you to Cape Matxitxako. Mount Sollube juts out toward the sea forming Cape Matxitxako. It has two lighthouses and a watchtower from which, in days gone by, whales and pirates were sighted. Today, you can watch birds from this watchtower.

The second is a walk around the Eneperi brewery all the way to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Legends, mysteries, plunderings, and shipwrecks fill the past of this crag. It is even said that Saint John was here, leaving behind a footprint on one of the stairs. It is also told that Pirate Brake took refuge in the hermitage. Nowadays, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a much more serene spot whose tranquility is only interrupted by the birds that live in this protected biotope.

When we say walk, we mean walk. You have to climb 231 narrow steps sculpted out of rock in order to reach the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Once there, you will be amazed by its spectacular location. From the heights of this small, rocky island that is connected to the coast by a narrow viaduct, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a fantastic vantage point where you can overlook the sea or view the rock of Aketz.

Our coastal route concludes in Bakio, a traditional town in which the citizens of the region of Bilbao go to spend their vacation. Some of the things that stand out about Bakio are its beach, the church of Our Lady of the Ascension, and "txakoli", a young, native wine of the region that you have to try.

The 12th century church of Out Lady of the Ascension is located in the middle of a rural area pertaining to the town of Bakio. Make sure to see the mosaic of its portico and the four archivolts of its façade.

Bakio''s greatest attraction is the beach. It is wide, clean, and has a brand new boardwalk. Bakio''s beach will please those who love to go for a swim in the sea or lay out in the sun. It is also a great spot to surf and scuba dive.