What to see in Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Vitoria-Gasteiz is a jewel yet to be discovered. Although less well known compared to the other two large cities in the Basque Country, the capital of Alava breaks visitor records every year. And those who wander through its medieval streets, through its parks and secret gardens, and savour its flavours in its taverns and bars, leave with the feeling of one who discovers the pleasures of the unexpected. And no wonder, given that it is one of the cities with the best quality of life in Europe, and the abundance of sights to see in Vitoria.

The capital of the Basque Country has a well-defined soul, and it is marked by a colour: it is one of the few green cities globally, bike-friendly and with a historical heritage on a par with other top tourist destinations. A green ring of parks and gardens surrounds the capital of the Basque Country in all directions, while in the heart of the city stands its architectural jewel: the Old Town. It is a maze of perfectly preserved medieval streets, with a unique almond-shaped layout.

#TOP 12 things to see in Vitoria and not to be missed

Getting lost in Vitoria’s Old Town

This is one of the essential places to see in Vitoria-Gasteiz, as it is one of the best-preserved medieval layouts in Spain, and the heart and soul of the city. The Old Quarter stands on a hill that has been occupied since the 8th century, and comprises the perimeter of the old walled city. The streets have preserved intact their almost millenary almond-shaped layout and the names of the time, which were assigned according to the trades that were carried out in each one: Blacksmith, Painter, Shoemaker or Cutlery, the latter being the busiest in the whole of the old quarter.

At the top of this hill stood the ancient village of Gasteiz, from which the city takes its compound name, like most of the surnames in Alava. Many of the monuments and places of tourist interest are located in this area. It is also the heart of the city’s hospitality industry, and a good place to lose yourself to the pleasures of fine dining in the form of exquisite pintxos on Calle Cuchillería, discover the colourful street art murals scattered around the centre or simply be transported back in time among its beautiful medieval streets and historic buildings.

What to see in the Old Town of Vitoria?

1. La Casa del Cordón. An old 15th century palace located in Cuchillería Street. It is well worth a visit to contemplate its incredible starry vault. It conceals an interesting history related to the Sephardic Jews who lived in the city. Admission is free.
2. Doña Ochanda Tower. A fortification dating from the 15th-16th centuries which today houses the Museum of Natural Sciences. Who was Doña Ochanda? A 21st century woman, but in the Middle Ages. 
3. The medieval wall. Built in the 11th or 12th century to defend the city and its strategic location on a hill. Part of this ancient fortification has now been recovered. To get to know it in depth, you will have to lose yourself in the old buildings of the Old Quarter. 
4. The Escoriaza Esquivel Palace. A 16th century Renaissance style building located next to the medieval wall that surrounds the Old Quarter, just a few metres from the Cathedral of Santa María. 
5. Church of San Vicente.  Next to the Plaza del Machete, in the highest part of the city, is this 15th-16th century church built on the site of an old fortress. The church is often overlooked by the neighbouring Church of San Miguel, but it is an essential part of the Vitoria landscape, as well as being the only hall church in the province of Álava. It is essential to climb the tower, which dates from the 19th century and offers an excellent panoramic view of the city.
6. Fournier Playing Card Museum.  It was founded by the grandson of Heraclio Fournier, the famous playing card manufacturer. It is located in the Bendaña Palace, a 16th century Renaissance building in the eastern part of the Old Town. It houses one of the finest collections of playing cards in the world, including 15th century playing cards with a wide variety of themes. Together with the adjoining Archaeology Museum, which houses a large part of the archaeological artefacts found in the region, they make up the Bibat museum complex. Admission to both museums is free.

Exploring the Cathedral of Santa María, inspiration for Ken Follet

Although it is in the Old Quarter of Vitoria, the old cathedral deserves a separate section. It is located next to the beautiful Plaza de la Burullería and was erected over the cemetery of the primitive village of Gasteiz. It is unique in the world, and this authenticity is due to its construction errors, the result of the rugged terrain on which it stands.  

Far from being ashamed of its faults, the church proudly displays all its scars on a guided tour that delves into the secrets of medieval architecture and restoration work. These failures exposed the way a cathedral is built and led Ken Fllet to make the sanctuary his muse for some of his bestsellers. 

The visit includes a climb to the bell tower, from where you have an unbeatable view of the city. We recommend booking in advance and the tour is accessible for people with reduced mobility, as it has lifts.

Plaza de la Virgen Blanca

Probably the most iconic and lively place in the city. It is the meeting point for many locals, and in the centre of the square stands the Monument to the Battle of Vitoria, where Napoleon suffered one of his last defeats. 

You can’t say you’ve been to Vitoria Gasteiz if you don’t have your photo taken next to the plant sculpture on which the city’s name is written, commemorating its election as European Green Capital 2012. Plaza España is just a short walk away and the surrounding area is full of nice bars for pintxos.

At the top of the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca stands one of the most important churches in the city: the Church of San Miguel, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, which houses the niche of the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city. In front of the niche is the monument to the Celedón, who every year descends from the church to the square to start the festivities in honour of the patron saint of Vitoria. If you are in the city on 4 August, don’t miss it.

Plaza España

The Plaza España is located in the Ensanche, next to the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. It was built in the 18th century following the neoclassical patterns of other similar squares, such as those in Madrid and Salamanca. It was one of the first buildings to be constructed outside the medieval walls, when the city began to grow. 

It is presided over by the Town Hall of Vitoria, a 19th-century building in neoclassical style. There are also some places of interest here, such as the Tourist Office, and it is surrounded by porticoes where you will find bars, cafés and restaurants. 

Florida Park

One of the most important parks, as it is located in the heart of Vitoria Gasteiz, just a few metres from the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. Its history dates back to 1820, when the oldest part of the park was built. The original bandstand remains from that period, where concerts and dances with a traditional flavour still take place. 

The park covers an area of about 3.2 hectares and is home to an enormous number of trees from different parts of the world. It is also one of the places you have to see if you are in Vitoria at Christmas. In December and early January, this freely accessible Botanical Garden becomes a giant nativity scene with dozens of life-size figures. 

Right next door is the Cathedral of María Inmaculada or Catedral Nueva, just a few steps from the park.

Basque Parliament

The seat of the Basque Parliament is a 19th century building in a beautiful setting, next to Florida Park. It is certainly worth a visit, even if only from the outside, because of its historical importance.

It is also a good starting point for the Central Area Route, as it is very close to the Cathedral of María Inmaculada and the Palace of the Province. From there you can head towards Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, pass through Plaza España, continue east to Plaza Los Fueros and finally change direction north to the ARTIUM museum.

La Senda Promenade and Ajuria Enea

A must if you want to discover the places not to be missed in Vitoria outside the Old Town. The Paseo de la Senda starts in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, continues through the Parque de la Florida and enters the most exclusive area of the city, where imposing old mansions and palaces stand. A good example is the Zulueta Palace, which dates from the early 20th century.

Continuing south, you will come across the Zuloaga House, built at the end of the 19th century and where the Paseo de la Senda, Paseo de las Universidades and Paseo de Fray Francisco converge. In the latter stands the Palace of Ajuria Enea, which currently serves as the official residence of the Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government). Its façade is a very characteristic example of neo-Basque style architecture. 

Opposite Ajuria Enea is the Museum of Fine Arts of Alava, which houses a significant collection of Spanish artists. The walk is a delight, and we recommend you continue along the Paseo de Cervantes until you come across the statue of San Prudencio, patron saint of Álava, and finish at the Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia. It is about 3 kilometres that can be covered by bicycle.

ARTIUM Museum of Contemporary Art

It houses some of the most important works of Basque art of the 20th and 21st centuries. It also has works by other important contemporary Spanish painters, such as Picasso, Dalí and Miró. The permanent collection is among the best in Spain, but it also has temporary exhibitions.

Fournier Playing Card Museum

The Fournier Playing Card Museum of Alava was founded by the grandson of Heraclius Fournier, the famous playing card manufacturer. It is located in the Bendaña Palace, a 16th century Renaissance building in the eastern part of the Old Town. This museum houses one of the finest collections of playing cards in the world, including cards from the 15th century, and with a wide variety of themes. Together with the adjoining Archaeology Museum, which houses a large part of the archaeological objects found in the region, they make up the Bibat museum complex. Admission to both museums is free. 

The Ensanche of Vitoria

The Ensanche is a neighbourhood in the centre of Vitoria Gasteiz, to the south of the medieval quarter. It is the main commercial area, and it is also where some of Vitoria’s upper class noble buildings are located. As its name suggests, this is the first area of expansion of the city, when the medieval walls surrounding the Old Town began to become too small. This area is home to the Plaza España and the Parque de la Florida, among other notable buildings. Its axes are Dato Street.H3 Basílica de Armentia

The Basilica of Armentia

The Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia, patron saint of Alava, is located some 4 kilometres southwest of the Old Quarter. It is a Romanesque-style church built in the 12th century and renovated in the 18th century. It is located in the middle of a very pleasant meadow, the Campas de Armentia, a very popular place for a picnic or to relax for a while. It is also very close to one of the forests of the Green Belt.

What to see in Vitoria in 1 day?

If you are in Vitoria for a day or a weekend, these are the places you have to see:

• The Old Quarter and the Cathedral of Santa María.
• The Ensanche, the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and the Plaza España
• The Parque de la Florida and the Basque Parliament
• ARTIUM Museum
• The Paseo de la Senda and Ajuria Enea
• Fueros Square

What to see in Vitoria with children?

The Ice Rink

The ice rink is one of those places where children in Vitoria have a great time. It is a place where you can do many sporting activities, as well as ice skating. There is also a restaurant and cafeteria where you can have a drink.

The rink is inside the Bakh sports centre and is open from Thursday to Sunday, but you should check the calendar of public sessions, as times may vary from one moment to another. Children under the age of four or wearing a shoe size below 26 are not allowed.

You can take advantage of the fact that you are already here and take a stroll through the wetlands of Salburua Park, which forms part of the Green Belt and is just a short walk away. 

El Prado Park and its swings

This 3-hectare park is located near Ajuria Enea, the Lehendakari’s residence, on the Paseo de la Senda. It is the perfect place to go for a bike ride, discover its sculptures or entertain the children in its playground.

Taking the Gasteiztxo tourist train

This unique train takes you on a 45-minute guided tour of the most popular tourist sites in Vitoria Gasteiz. There are two routes: the first through the Old Quarter and the second through the Armentia neighbourhood. The first is undoubtedly the best, as it covers the entire historic quarter, starting at the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca and passing by some of the most important buildings in the city centre. 

The tourist train runs mainly during the summer season, from June to September-October, and is one of the best ways to get to know Vitoria Gasteiz with the kids.

Florida Park and its unique trees

The Parque de la Florida is a real botanical garden in the heart of the city centre, freely accessible. It is home to some rather curious tree species. There is a variety of more than a hundred well-documented species, including a gingko biloba, a giant red sequoia, a cedar of Lebanon and the emblematic “tree of love” with pink leaves. 

Our recommendation: download the park’s mobile app. It’s called ‘La Florida de Gala’ and allows you to participate in a game of clues in augmented reality to find “objects” scattered all over the place and get to know it in the most fun way.

Curious things to see in Vitoria

Statue of the Wayfarer

In Vitoria-Gasteiz you can find more than a hundred sculptures, but one of the most striking is this 3.5 metre high bronze figure. It is located in the Plaza del Arca and is the work of the contemporary sculptor Juan José Eguizabal. Don’t forget to take a photo with this emblematic inhabitant of the city.

H3 Plaza de los Fueros Echo Area

This triangular square is the work of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida and the architect Peña Ganchegui. In front of the amphitheatre there is a point where, if you stand facing the stands and speak, there is an incredible voice projection, like a kind of echo. 

Statue of Ken Follet

The Old Cathedral was a great source of inspiration for the Welsh writer Ken Follet. Through his historical novel “A World Without End”, the architectural jewel of Vitoria became known to many people all over the world. For this reason there is a statue in commemoration of him next to the entrance to the church. H3 Ruta de los Murales en el Casco Viejo

Machete Square

A medieval square just a few metres from the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca which forms the boundary of the old medieval village. In the nearby Church of San Miguel is kept the machete on which the town’s procurators used to swear an oath. The warning was that if they did not fulfil their obligations, they would be executed with the same machete. Death sentences were also carried out in this square in the Middle Ages.

The Route of the Murals of the Old Town

The Mural Itinerary is one of the most fun ways to get to know the city. The movement emerged in 2007 and is a collaboration between several artists who have set up a veritable open-air museum scattered throughout the city centre.

In total there are 25 murals, 14 of which are in the city centre. Some of the best are: “Al hilo del Tiempo”, on one of the façades of the Plaza de la Burullería; the “Mural del Triunfo”, in the Etxanobe Garden; and “La noche más oscura”, in Calle Correría.

El Portalón

This is one of the oldest buildings in the city, in the Plaza de la Burullería. It looks like the set of a medieval fantasy series. This former merchants’ inn now serves a different purpose: it is one of the city’s most famous restaurants.

Santa Isabel cemetery

This is a historic cemetery full of nature and pantheons from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here lie several illustrious Vitoria citizens, such as General Álava, who took part in the Battle of Vitoria against Napoleon’s armies.

As you can see, Vitoria has a lot to offer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Kora green City reception.