Ermita San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

To reach the modest stone chapel of Ermita San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, you’ll take on a quest worthy of Daenerys Targaryen. Cross a stone bridge that connects the islet to the Basque coast, before climbing 241 zigzagging steps to the peak of the rock. The sea-spray-filled journey is absolutely worth it, though. This dramatic, fortress-like location dates back to the 9th century and has seen plenty of action. The chapel has defended the area against pirate attacks, been under siege several times and even been destroyed by fire – its latest reconstruction re-opened in 1980. While it’s always been popular with locals and visitors, its drawn new admirers since the cinematic setting became the fictional location of Dragonstone in fantasy TV series, Game of Thrones. On your tour of the chapel, make sure you take part in the ancient tradition of ringing the bell three times – it’s said to bring good luck.