It is in the province of Biscay, which is part of the autonomous region of the Basque Country in northern Spain.

Tourist attractions include the island of Gaztelugatxe, the Ercilla Tower (a fishing museum), San Juan Gate and the port.

In 1082, it is mentioned by Don Lope lñiguez as "Sancti Michaelis Arcangeli in Portu of Vermelio".

Ferdinand II of Aragon named the town the capital of Biscay on 31 July 1476, a position it held until 1602.

Bermeo's economy is based on fishing, and its port is the town's chief source of revenue.

In addition to fishing, diesel engines and generators are manufactured and the commercial port receives raw materials.

BizkaiBus connects Bermeo with Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Bilbao, Derio and Bakio.

Euskotren Trena connects the town directly with Bilbao, Guernica, Amorebieta-Etxano, Biscay and Gipuzkoa.

The Kikunbera house, in Basque Rationalist style, was designed to resemble a ship and has been an Artistic Historical Monument since 1995.