Gernika-Lumo has confirmed the positive trend in its tourism activity during the summer of 2026. Between July and August, the Tourism Office assisted 22,572 people, an increase from the 17,467 visitors recorded in 2025. This figure represents 5,105 more users in a single summer, marking a 29.2% growth compared to 2024, when 16,230 people were registered.
These numbers significantly surpass the records from 2023, 2022, and 2021, establishing them as the highest in recent history. The growth is evident across the key months: July closed with 8,333 attendees (compared to 7,044 last year and 6,628 in 2024), and August reached 14,239 users (compared to 10,423 the previous year and 9,602 in 2024). This shows an 18% increase in July and a 36% increase in August relative to 2025.
Regarding visitor origins, a notable shift is observed. In the summer of 2026, 8,333 visitors came from Euskadi, 10,563 from other parts of Spain, and 10,005 were international tourists. International tourism has seen one of the most significant increases, nearly doubling the 5,916 visitors from 2025 and surpassing the 3,210 from 2024. France (3,743 visitors), Italy (2,016), Germany (660), and Belgium (451) were the primary international markets.
Among domestic markets, Catalonia (2,328) and Madrid (2,381) stand out, although Catalonia saw a slight decrease compared to the previous year. The Valencian Community (1,439) and Andalusia (1,358) also maintain a significant presence. Within Euskadi, Bizkaia is the province attracting the most visitors (1,029), followed by Gipuzkoa (249) and Araba (155). Gernika-Lumo itself registered 571 users, highlighting the importance of local tourism.
Adding to this visitor growth, this year sees enhancements to the tourist offerings. The opening of the Church of Santa María has attracted thousands, recording 8,835 visits between July and August. Meanwhile, the Astra Air-Raid Shelter has continued its service, with 2,667 visitors in August and 869 in July, reaching a total of 3,973 users so far this season.
These figures indicate that Gernika-Lumo is facing a new tourism landscape: more visitors, a stronger international presence, and an expanded heritage offering. The Tourism Office continues to play a crucial role as a public service, promoting the destination and supporting the municipal tourism strategy.
