Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Vitoria

Features

Gastronomy75%
Culture90%
Support50%
Activities50%

Vitoria

Alava

Vitoria (called Gasteiz in Basque) but often referred to with both names at once, is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. With beautiful medieval architecture and a twisty winding old town, Vitoria is a pleasure to roam about in. Lauded as a Green Capital of Europe, it has a belt of parks around it as well and is not far from mountains or sea. It is a multicultural city, ranked as one of the five best places to live in Spain, it also ranked first for cultural places per capita. It has a lively atmosphere year round with the tradition of fantastic and plentiful pintxo bars, and fine gastronomy. It is quite simply one of the most delightful cities in all of Europe.

What to do and see in the historic city of Vitoria

Where is Vitoria

Vitoria-Gasteiz lies in a central position in relation to the other big cities of the region and is more or less an hour’s drive in each direction from Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao and Logroño. Sitting on the north-western edge of the Rioja Alavesa wine region, there are several famous wineries not far from the city itself. The Pyrenees lie to the north, and the Basque coast is also under an hour away. Situated as it is, it is no wonder that it is a crossroads of rich cultural and historical pathways.
Vitoria monuments alava spain

The Vitoria Landscape

Vitoria, the municipality (which comprises not just the city but also the agricultural lands of 63 villages around), is the largest in the Basque Country, with a total area of 276.81 square kilometers (106.88 sq mi), and it has a population of 252,571 as of May 2019. It has an elevation of 525 m (1,722 ft). Surrounded by the beautiful green hills of the Basque country and close enough to the sea to have a coastal feel to the air, it is a lovely breathable city, and in fact has been named a European Green Capital and has won awards for its sustainable tourism. The center is encircled by six large parks, The Green Ring, and one of them has a series of lakes that attracts a large number of migratory birds. Vitoria is compact, and easily navigated. The medieval old town is gorgeous with the winding streets and old stone houses evoking the era of knights and brigands.
Vitoria

History of Vitoria

The site of Vitoria, like most cities of the region, was inhabited before Roman times. There is evidence of a primitive village named Gasteiz, but the origins of Vitoria are unclear. It is thought that the Visigoths may have founded the city of Victoriacum in the 6th century in celebration of the defeat of the Vascones, though there is some dispute over the exact location of this city.

It was already a walled city though when Sancho VI ‘the Wise’ King of Navarra founded the town as a defensive outpost in 1181. Shortly after, it was besieged and captured by Alfonso VIII of Castile and annexed into The Kingdom of Castile. It continued expanding into the 15th century and remained a part of Castile thereafter.
Vitoria spain
In the 17th century, it was the site of one of the most famous battles of the Peninsular Wars, when French troops led by Napoleon invaded Iberia. An army of British, Portuguese and Spanish soldiers fought together under Wellington, against the French, under Joseph Napoleon, Bonaparte’s brother. The victory of Wellington’s men eventually led to the retreat and loss of French control of Spain. Beethoven composed his symphony opus 91 in commemoration, titled “Wellington’s Victory, or the Battle of Vitoria”.
vitoria alava

What to See in Vitoria

Without a doubt the Cathedral of Santa María de Vitoria cannot be missed. It is such a singular cathedral that the famous author Ken Follet studied it extensively in order to use it as his model cathedral in his spectacular bestseller Pillars of the Earth. It is also featured in the well-loved mystery novel El Silencio de la Ciudad Blanca by Basque author Eva Garcia Saenz de Urturi, where Vitoria is the backdrop to a series of murders. Indeed the town and cathedral lend themselves to literary pursuits with an air of magic and fairytale. The cathedral itself was first a church that was destroyed by fire in 1202. Alfonso VIII then had it rebuilt as a cathedral-fortress, which served as the entrance to the city. It was built upon haphazardly throughout the centuries, giving it the unique and interesting shape it has today. It is currently under construction, but the construction site can still be toured, and contains recent archeological findings within as well.

There are several Gothic style churches to visit: the Church of St. Peter Apostle, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, the Church of San Vicente Mártir and finally the Basilica of San Prudencio, which was constructed in the 12th century but completely rebuilt in the 18th.

The Basque Museum of Contemporary Art houses the best collection of contemporary Basque and Spanish art. For something a little different, there is the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards. Vitoria-Gasteiz is actually well-known for the manufacture of playing cards and the museum contains thousands of cards on display. The Arms Museum of Alava contains weapons from pre-historic axes to all kinds of medieval weaponry on up to 20th century handguns. It also has a reconstruction of the Battle of Vitoria.
cards museum vitoria

What to Do in Vitoria

The aforementioned parks, the so-called green belt, feature a wetland habitat on the outskirts of the city, called Salburua. It is considered to be the Basque Country’s most valuable marsh, with bird-watching hides, wide open spaces, and deer wandering about. It is perfect for a nature walk or bike ride. The entire park system though, is worth meandering around especially on a sunny day.
vitoria alava
The Casco Viejo or Old Town retains its medieval layout in an almond shape of ringed streets emanating out from the Santa María Cathedral. A simple but wonderful pleasure is to just wander around and soak in the atmosphere of another time, while stopping in for a coffee or beer at one of the many small traditional bars and cafés lining the streets. Stop by the Plaza de los Fueros where one may happen upon a game of pelota at the fronton – a walled ball court used for the traditional Basque sport. There is also a space for concerts and other festivities, with the requisite lines of cafés around it.
Vitoria alava
One of the joys of the region in general is to attend one of their local festivals. The one in Vitoria is quite spectacular. Taking place from August 4th to 9th, La Fiestas de la Virgin Blanca (White Virgin) begin with a bizarre ritual called The Descent of Celedón. Celedón is the symbol of a villager of Avala, a doll dressed in a beret, traditional blouse, and who flies beneath an open umbrella. No one knows exactly who he is supposed to be based on, but there is speculation the real Celedón was a bricklayer in the 19th century who frequented the bars of Vitoria and was in general a bon-vivant. His effigy’s descent is rigged on cords coming from the belfry of the Church of San Miguel. The doll comes down amid great celebration and cheering to the square below, and the festivities officially begin. For five days, the residents of Vitoria throw a non-stop party. People dress in traditional blue and white and the air is filled with constant music. Along with religious ritual, the fiesta puts on concerts, traditional dances, activities for children, gastronomic and artisanal fairs, bullfights, and of course, the indispensable fireworks show each night.

Vitoria also hosts several music festivals throughout the year, including a jazz festival, a rock festival, a big band festival, an ancient music festival, and a folk music festival in the Santa María Cathedral, as well as a light festival, a poetry festival and a World Press photo festival. It would be hard to throw a rock and miss once of these in Vitoria.
Vitoria spain alava

Where to Eat in Vitoria

You can never go wrong in Basque Country eating at a sidrería, or traditional cider house. Serving up enormous, mouth-watering wood fire grilled steak, juicy cod omelets and a red bean stew, the Sidrería Armentegi is a fantastic option. Don’t forget to get up and catch a stream of unlimited cider spouting out of ancient barrels in the wall. Letting the cider fizz against the side of the glass, this aerates the cider and brings it to life. Each barrel will have a different batch.
vitoria
For fine-dining, there is the only Michelin starred restaurant in Vitoria, Zaldiarán. They present award-winning gourmet Basque food, such as hake cheeks in a pil pil sauce with clams, or the snails filled with a special house sauce.
To be at one with history, the Restaurante Portalón has an incredible atmosphere and story book feel to it. It’s a converted 15th century inn and coachhouse, with heavy wood beams and décor, creaky floors, and eccentric stone work. They serve traditional, hearty cooking with beautiful fish dishes, big steaks and plenty of fresh vegetable plates to choose from.
Finally, Vitoria has a morning food market with hundreds of stalls selling everything from local Idiazabal (sheep) cheese to fruit and veggies and all kinds of fresh fish and seafood coming straight out of the nearby Bay of Biscay.

Make your stay in Vitoria unforgettable and discover its essence with us.

Only the best hotels 

  • Parador de Olite ****

    Delightfully Gothic

    This hotel is located within the majestic Palace-Castle of Olite, declared a national monument. The interior offers beautiful stained glass windows, arcades and other characteristic medieval features. The palace is the most significant example of Gothic non-ecclesiastical architecture in Navarra, and one of the most outstanding examples in Europe.

  • Hotel Elgorriaga Hotel & Spa ***

    Mountain spa getaway

    This hotel is located in the cinco villas region, surrounded by valleys and mountains, it is nestled in one of Navarra’s prettiest landscapes. Their mantra is Water, Nature and Silence, making this hotel the perfect reward after a morning of exercise. Its natural springs contain with the highest salinity in Europe and the thermal circuit and massage hit the spot.

  • Hotel Roncesvalles ***

    Where the Camino Begins

    At the gates of the Irati forest, the second largest beech tree forest in Europe, this quaint pre Pyrenee hotel is in the heart of the commencement of the Camino de Santiago. It is a charming oasis from the cities and town and an excellent base from which to visit numerous attractions in the Orreaga – Roncesvalles valley.

  • Hotel Palacio Borda ***

    Historic Heritage Building

    This pretty Navarra Palace Hotel is an emblematic building, cataloged by the Prince of Viana Institute as an Historic Heritage Building. Maintaining its characteristic red stone, this hotel has an air of holding within its stately walls rich stories of the past.

  • Hotel Alma Pamplona *****

    Oasis from the City Hub Bub

    Alma Pamplona is an active travel friendly hotel. Modern and avant-garde, has its own personality, which seeks to surprise. This quiet enclave is where we luxuriate in the Spa and Treatment center, and chill at the gastro bar after a morning of activity.

  • AC Hotel Ciudad de Tudela ****

    To the Land of Vegetables

    AC Hotel Ciudad de Tudela is in part an 18th century historic building once called Casa de Beneficencia. This hotel is in the historic quarter of charming Tudela. We are in walking distance to the Muñoz Sola Modern Art Museum and a visit to the Marqués de San Adrián Palace. After a great ride, the sauna and Turkish bath hits the stop.

  • Hotel Aire Bardenas ****

    Luxury in the Desert

    This exquisite and very unique hotel is within the National Park Bardenas Reales which is Navarra’s wonderland desert. This is an oasis from the desert terrain with a chance to lean back, relax and watch a zillion stars, a brighter moon and the spectacular Architecture of this outstanding hotel.

  • Hotel & Spa Castillo Gorraiz ****

    Navarra

    This four star hotel + spa personalized and sophisticated for maximum comfort, making this hotel the quiet oasis from the city of Pamplona. A decorative symphony of elegance and exclusivity. The fusion of stone, wood, velvet, works of art and furniture of exclusive design create a warm unique atmosphere. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, we can begin to peddle from the moment we step out the door.

  • hotel palacio las pujadas

    Hotel Palacio de Pujadas ***

    This quaint palace combines the historical building charm of the 16th century and the comfort of a modern hotel. It is located within the town of Viana (Navarre), at the foot of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route in the historical part of the town.

  • Hospedería Chapitel****

    Estella

    One of the best hotels in Estella is the charming four star Hospedería Chapitel. In the heart of the historic quarter in Estella, this boutique hotel is located in the Jewish neighborhood right by San Miguel de Estella church and is surrounded by historic monuments. Famed for its original and cozy feel, this regional hotel will meet all your expectations.

  • Outstanding accommodation

    Propriedad de Arinzano

    Sleep on the Arinzano Estate

    Señorío de Arínzano is one of the oldest wineries in Spain, but is also one of our favorite accommodations for walking, cycling and food and wine visits.

Discover Vitoria

No personnel found, please create the personnel post to use the item.

Related Tours

© NorthernSpainTravel 2019 | Terms and Conditions | Cookies policy | Privacy Policy