Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, has been hosting a group of Irish media with the support of the Spanish Tourist Board in Dublin.
Accessible via Bilbao airport (Ryanair did have a direct route for a period in 2005) Vitoria-Gasteiz continues to evolve as a sustainable and culturally rich destination. The city is rolling out a “Green Passport” initiative in 2025, encouraging visitors to explore eco-friendly attractions like the Green Belt and local markets with discounts on sustainable activities. Additionally, the Azkena Rock Festival (June 2025) expands its lineup with international and local acts, drawing music lovers to Mendizabala.
The La Blanca Festivities (August 4–9) will feature new eco-conscious events, such as plastic-free zones and green art installations. The itinerary included:
- Kora Green City, a modern, eco-conscious hotel in the heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Opened in recent years, this hotel emphasizes sustainability with energy-efficient design, locally sourced materials, and a focus on guest comfort. Its sleek rooms offer views of the city’s green spaces, and its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring. In 2025, Kora Green City introduces new wellness packages, including guided mindfulness walks in nearby parks, aligning with the city’s ethos as a former European Green Capital.
- The medieval quarter, known as the “Almendra Medieval” for its almond-shaped layout, tis one of the finest in northern Spain, features cobblestone streets named after medieval guilds (Cuchillería, Herrería) and stunning architecture. Highlights include the Bibat Museum, a unique complex housing the Fournier Playing Card Museum, showcasing over 3,000 decks from the 15th century onward, and the Archaeological Museum, displaying artifacts from Álava’s ancient past. In 2025, the Bibat Museum launches interactive digital exhibits, allowing visitors to explore the history of playing cards and local archaeology through augmented reality.
- Santa Maria Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and a UNESCO-recognized site along the Camino de Santiago. Its ongoing restoration, part of the “Open for Construction” project, offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval architecture and preservation efforts. Visitors don hard hats for guided tours through scaffolding, crypts, and the bell tower, inspired by authors like Ken Follett, who drew on the cathedral for his novels. For 2025, the cathedral introduces evening tours with storytelling sessions, bringing its history to life under the stars.
- La Escotilla, a cozy restaurant in the medieval quarter known for its Basque cuisine with a modern twist, offers dishes like perretxikos (spring mushrooms) or goxua (a creamy dessert), paired with local Rioja Alavesa wines. In 2025, La Escotilla adds a “pintxo tasting menu,” featuring bite-sized Basque delicacies, perfect for sampling the region’s flavors.
- The Wetlands of Salburua, part of Vitoria-Gasteiz’s 33km Green Belt, offer a network of six parks encircling the city. Salburua, a RAMSAR-listed wetland, is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers, hosting species like purple herons and European mink. Its wooden boardwalks and cycling trails make it ideal for walking, running, or biking.
- The Ataria Interpretation Centre, located within Salburua, offers an observation tower, interactive exhibits on the wetland’s ecosystem, and guided tours. New for 2025, Ataria introduces family-friendly workshops on biodiversity, teaching visitors about local flora and fauna through hands-on activities.
- Wine tasting of Rioja Alavesa at the Plaza de Abastos, the city’s vibrant local market, which showcases Álava’s culinary heritage with stalls offering fresh produce, cheeses, and wines. The wine tasting features bold Rioja Alavesa reds and crisp txakoli, paired with local pintxos. In 2025, the market expands its “Gastronomic Thursdays,” offering live cooking demos and extended wine-tasting sessions, making it a lively evening spot.
- The Senda Route, a pedestrian path from the city center to the residential Armentia district, passes through Florida Park, historic mansions like Zulueta Palace, and cultural landmarks. The route culminates at the Romanesque Basilica of San Prudencio, Álava’s patron saint, a serene 12th-century church surrounded by fields. In 2025, the Senda Route is enhanced with new interpretive signage, highlighting the architectural and historical significance of the palaces and museums along the way.
- Gastrogune, a culinary innovation center in the Europa Conference Centre, blends traditional Basque ingredients with avant-garde techniques, offering dishes like Alava pinto bean stew or cod with Idiazabal cheese foam. For 2025, Gastrogune introduces a “zero-waste” menu, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices and local, seasonal produce, reflecting Vitoria-Gasteiz’s green ethos.
- Añana Valley, a 7,000-year-old cultural and natural landscape renowned for its salt production lies 30km to the west. This open-air salt mine, a national monument, features wooden structures and evaporation basins where mineral-rich spring water is transformed into high-quality salt. A guided visit and salt tasting explores the valley’s history and artisanal methods, with tastings of plain and flavored salts (like red wine-infused varieties) prized by top chefs. In 2025, Añana Valley adds a new sensory experience: a “salt and wine” tour combining salt tastings with Rioja Alavesa wine pairings, perfect for foodies.
- Fine Arts Museum, housed in a historic palace on the Fray Francisco Esplanade, showcases Basque art from 1850 to 1950, featuring works by artists like Ignacio Zuloaga and contemporary Basque masters. Its free admission and serene setting make it a must-visit. For 2025, the museum introduces temporary exhibits of emerging Basque artists, bridging historical and modern art.
- The Romantic Route, the 19th-century expansion of Vitoria-Gasteiz, known as the Ensanche district, hosts wide avenues, elegant buildings, and traditional shops alongside modern restaurants and pintxos bars. Highlights include Plaza Nueva and the commercial vibrancy of Dato Street. In 2025, the Romantic Route is enlivened with new street performances, including live music and Basque dance, enhancing its festive atmosphere.
- Cube, a chic restaurant in the Artium Museum, Vitoria-Gasteiz’s premier contemporary art space, offers creative Basque dishes, such as vegetable stew or fried peppers, in a stylish setting surrounded by modern art. In 2025, Cube launches a “farm-to-table” menu, highlighting organic ingredients from Álava’s countryside.
- Zab, a sophisticated restaurant blending Basque traditions with global influences, is located in the Ensanche, Zab’s menu features seasonal dishes like Gorbea honey-glazed lamb or fresh seafood, paired with Rioja Alavesa wines. For 2025, Zab introduces a chef’s table experience, offering an intimate, multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, perfect for a memorable finale.
- Vitoria-Gasteiz is pedestrian-friendly, with trams and buses connecting key sites. Rent a bike to explore the Green Belt or Senda Route.
