What to see in Vitoria: Gastronomy, tradition and culture

 


Founded at the dawn of the twelfth century, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a city of exemplary urban design, inviting visitors to leisurely explore its historic centre, the neoclassical expansion, tranquil gardens, and the picturesque Green Ring that surrounds it. The city never fails to impress with its lively cultural life and a gastronomy that celebrates garden-fresh ingredients, always accompanied by the unique Basque wines.

If you want to make the most of your trip to the Basque capital and not miss any of its emblematic corners, read on and discover what to see in Vitoria. Don't hesitate and head to Vitoria with Renfe!

Vitoria: historic and monumental

One of the must-sees in Vitoria is its medieval quarter. Its charming corners, gardens and tree-lined promenades form a spectacular backdrop against which stand buildings and historical monuments that cannot be missed on your visit to the capital of Alava.

In addition, the city has a whole green lung (the green ring of Vitoria) that, without losing its careful urban planning, allows its medieval streets to intermingle harmoniously with Renaissance palaces and neoclassical churches.

In this sense, one of the key points of the old town is the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, presided over by the monument to the Battle of Vitoria. In addition to this monument, in this square we find a huge plant sculpture 3 meters high and 7 meters long on which you can read "Vitoria-Gasteiz", the perfect place for a souvenir photo!

Also in this square is the Church of San Miguel, which houses the image of the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city. The current building dates from between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, so it has a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance elements. With a rectangular floor plan, inside you can see its three naves covered with ribs in the late Gothic style, as well as its main altarpiece, by Gregorio Fernández.

Beyond this square, the entire historic centre has some of the most important buildings in the city such as the Escoriaza-Esquivel palace, Montehermoso, or the spectacular Casa del Cordón and a network of picturesque streets that will take us back to the medieval past of the city.

What to see in Vitoria-Gasteiz: the essentials

  • The historic centre. Declared a monumental complex in 1997, it ranks among the most stunning and meticulously preserved treasures of northern Spain. 
  • Cathedral of Santa María Inmaculada. Popularly known as the Old Cathedral. In Gothic style, its fourteenth-century portico, its triforium and its bell tower stand out.
  • Vitoria-Gasteiz is the city with the highest rate of green areas per inhabitant. More than 130,000 trees of 150 different species are planted in the city. A green ring, made up of 6 large parks, embraces the city.
  • Museums. Must-sees are the ARTIUM Centre Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Archaeology and Playing Cards -Bibat- or the Museum of Fine Arts, among others.
  • Shopping. Craft shops, bookstores and gift shops are mixed with speciality shops and large shopping malls. Fournier decks, sweets, ceramics and, of course, wine from Rioja Alavesa and Txakoli from Álava.
  • Gastronomy. From the most traditional Basque gastronomy dishes to the most advanced creations of the new Basque cuisine. Don’t miss the "pintxos", Basque culinary gems in miniature form, often crafted as bite-sized masterpieces.

Discovering new corners

Beyond the historical and cultural icons of the city, it is worth getting to know other corners and original and different options that such a charming city offers:

  • Ken Follett statue: The Old Cathedral of Vitoria became internationally known thanks to his book "A World Without End". That is why this nice statue was placed in honour of the writer next to the entrance to the cathedral.
  • Route of the murals: Discover the city and its corners thanks to spectacular murals created by the locals themselves. Delve into the history of each of them while getting to know Vitoria in a different and entertaining way.
  • Florida Park: It is one of the most important parks in Vitoria, a true haven of peace and nature in the heart of the city.
  • Plaza del Machete: This distinctive square was historically the site of "garrote vil" executions, darker historical chapters. It is currently a perfect space for leisure that marks the limit of the old medieval town of Gasteiz.

Want more? Don't miss the famous Link to the Vitoria Jazz Festival website, held every year in July, which usually offers exclusive advantages for Renfe travellers.

How to get to Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Are you already convinced? We make it very easy for you if you want to visit Vitoria-Gasteiz with Renfe. Use our Long Distance trains. The Vitoria train station is located in the city centre, so you can move around comfortably without the need for a car.

Don't think twice and let yourself go with Renfe! The easiest, most comfortable and sustainable way to travel. Consult our routes