San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Few religious sites can claim as dramatic a backdrop as this stone hermitage built on a steep islet surrounded by the crashing waves of the Atlantic. A narrow footpath of 241 steps with water on either side stretches from the mainland to the building, whose foundation was laid in the 9th century. The structure has been destroyed and restored countless times over the centuries, most recently in 1980. When you reach the church, a local superstition has it that you should touch the bell three times for good luck. The setting is so cinematographic that Game of Thrones filmed here; since then, lest the site be overrun with tourists, the local government has created a ticketing system to help with crowd control. Online booking is mandatory.
