The town bombed on 26 April 1937, with the Gernika Peace Museum, the Casa de Juntas and the Tree of Gernika, and the gateway to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Many visitors combine it with Mundaka and Bermeo on the same E4 line.
Gernika-Lumo is a small town in Bizkaia, in Spain's Basque Country, about 33 km north-east of Bilbao. It is known worldwide for the aerial bombing of 26 April 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, later immortalised in Picasso's painting Guernica, and it is the gateway to the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. The simplest way to reach it is the Euskotren E4 line from Zazpi Kaleak (Casco Viejo) or Bilbao-Atxuri, a journey of about 51 minutes with trains every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly at weekends. A fare of roughly EUR 2 to EUR 4 with a Barik card is typical, though it should be confirmed before travelling. Driving takes about 40 minutes.
In town, the main sights are the Gernika Peace Museum on Foru Plaza, which documents the bombing and the idea of reconciliation; the Casa de Juntas, the seat of the Biscay assembly; and the Tree of Gernika, the symbol of Basque liberties. The Euskal Herria Museoa and the Parque de los Pueblos with its Henry Moore and Eduardo Chillida sculptures are within walking distance. Monday is market day, when the town fills with stalls of local cheese, vegetables and produce, which is lively but busier.
A suggested day starts with a morning train, then a walk through the Peace Museum and the Casa de Juntas before lunch. Traditional bars and restaurants around the centre serve grilled fish, cod dishes and Idiazabal cheese. In the afternoon, continue on the same E4 line towards Mundaka and Bermeo to see the Urdaibai estuary and its harbour villages, or walk a stretch of the reserve's marshland. The Euskotren line allows an easy flexible plan with no car, and many visitors combine Gernika with Mundaka and Bermeo in a single day.
The best months are April to October, when trails in Urdaibai are dry and the estuary is at its greenest. Arrive by mid-morning to see the museum before any group visits, and leave time for the estuary views at the end of the day. Because most of the sights are close together in a flat town centre, the trip suits families and travellers who prefer a gentle pace.
| Distance | About 33 km from Bilbao |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 51 minutes by train from Bilbao Zazpi Kaleak (Casco Viejo) |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Foru Plaza 1, 48300 Gernika-Lumo, Bizkaia, Spain (Gernika Peace Museum) |
How to get there
- Euskotren E4 train (about 51 minutes)
- Bizkaibus A3513 and A3523 call at Gernika on the way to Lekeitio
- Car (about 40 minutes)
Location
Foru Plaza 1, 48300 Gernika-Lumo, Bizkaia, Spain (Gernika Peace Museum)
43.3170, -2.6773 View on map
Highlights
- Gernika Peace Museum on Foru Plaza
- Casa de Juntas and the Tree of Gernika
- Parque de los Pueblos sculptures
- Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve estuary views
- Monday market with local cheeses and produce
Tips for visiting
- Take the Euskotren E4 from Zazpi Kaleak; trains run every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly at weekends.
- Use a Barik card for the cheapest fare and check the current price at euskotren.eus.
- Combine Gernika with Mundaka and Bermeo on the same E4 line.
- Visit on a Monday for the market, but expect more crowds.
- Check Peace Museum opening hours before going, as they vary by season.
When to visit
April to October, arriving by mid-morning. Monday market days are livelier but busier.
Accessibility
The town centre is mostly flat and walkable, and the Euskotren stations are in the urban area. Check with the museum for specific wheelchair access details.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the train from Bilbao to Gernika take?
The Euskotren E4 takes about 51 minutes from Zazpi Kaleak (Casco Viejo), with trains every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly at weekends.
What is the main thing to see in Gernika?
The Gernika Peace Museum, the Casa de Juntas and the Tree of Gernika are the main sights, and they sit close together in the town centre.
Can Gernika be combined with other places?
Yes. The same E4 line continues to Mundaka and Bermeo, so many visitors add the Urdaibai coast to the same day.