The area surrounding Bilbao contains some of the most distinctive castles and fortified towers in the Basque Country. Unlike the large royal castles commonly associated with central Spain, Basque fortifications were often linked to noble lineages, defensive tower houses, and medieval territorial conflicts between local families. Many of these structures were strategically positioned along trade routes, valleys, and coastal access points that connected Bilbao with the rest of northern Iberia.
Today, castles near Bilbao offer visitors a combination of medieval history, Neo-Gothic architecture, industrial heritage, and rural landscapes. Some have been restored as museums or hotels, while others remain powerful reminders of the turbulent feudal period that shaped Bizkaia during the Middle Ages. Exploring these castles also provides insight into the broader historical identity of the Basque Country, where local nobility, maritime commerce, and defensive architecture played central roles for centuries.
Butrón Castle
Butrón Castle is the most iconic castle near Bilbao and one of the best-known landmarks in the Basque Country. Although its origins date back to a medieval tower house belonging to the Butrón family, the current appearance largely results from a nineteenth-century Neo-Gothic reconstruction inspired by Bavarian castles. Surrounded by dense woodland and dramatic towers, the castle has an almost fairy-tale appearance unusual in northern Spain.
Located around 30 minutes from Bilbao, Butrón Castle is especially popular among photographers and visitors interested in romantic architecture and medieval Basque history.
Butrón Castle can currently only be visited from the outside. Visitors are able to walk around the castle grounds and enjoy the surrounding woodland and gardens, which offer some of the best views of the building and its Neo-Gothic architecture. However, the interior of the castle is not open to the public, so it is not possible to enter or tour the inside of the property.
Arteaga Castle
Arteaga Castle combines medieval origins with nineteenth-century restoration linked to the French imperial family. The castle was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style after Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, showed interest in the historical site due to family connections with the region. Located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, its beautiful location makes it an excellent stop when exploring the Basque coast, Gernika, or nearby fishing villages.
Arteaga Castle now operates as a hotel, allowing visitors to spend the night inside one of the most distinctive historic buildings in the Basque Country. In addition to accommodation, the castle also features a restaurant where guests and non-guests can enjoy lunch or dinner in a unique Neo-Gothic setting surrounded by the landscapes of the Urdaibai region.
Castle of Muñatones
The Castle of Muñatones is one of the most important medieval defensive complexes in Bizkaia. Built by the powerful Salazar family during the Middle Ages, the fortress reflects the violent conflicts between rival noble lineages that characterized Basque feudal history. Unlike the romantic appearance of Butrón, Muñatones retains a more austere military design with thick defensive walls and strategic positioning.
The castle is located near the western coast of Bizkaia, not far from Bilbao and the Enkarterri region. Visitors can explore the interior, observe preserved artifacts, and learn about the castle’s strategic importance in controlling trade routes and defending the region. Guided visits help explain the political struggles and social organization of medieval Basque society.
Torre Loizaga
Torre Loizaga combines medieval architecture with one of Europe’s most unusual automotive collections. The restored tower complex, located in the rural Enkarterri region west of Bilbao, houses an important collection of classic Rolls-Royce vehicles alongside historic defensive structures.
Originally a medieval tower house, the site was carefully restored while maintaining its fortified appearance and surrounding walls. Torre Loizaga offers a unique combination of Basque medieval heritage and twentieth-century industrial luxury. Its countryside location also makes it a good base for exploring nearby valleys, forests, and traditional villages in western Bizkaia.
Visitors can admire not only the castle itself — including its restored medieval tower, fortified walls, courtyards, and defensive architecture typical of the Basque tower houses of Bizkaia — but also iconic vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom series, classic convertibles, and rare luxury models. In addition to Rolls-Royce, the collection features renowned marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz, representing the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship.
