Alojamientos sostenibles in Europe's greenest city — the capital of the Basque Country
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the official capital of the Basque Country and the capital of the province of Álava (Araba in Basque). It is a city that wears its green credentials proudly — named European Green Capital in 2012 by the European Commission, it boasts more than 42 square metres of green space per resident, one of the highest ratios of any European city. For eco-conscious travellers, there is no more fitting destination in northern Spain.
At the heart of the city lies the Almendra Medieval (the Medieval Almond), so named because the oval-shaped old quarter resembles an almond when seen from above. These narrow, atmospheric streets were laid out in the 12th and 13th centuries and still radiate outwards from the hilltop where the original settlement stood. At the summit sits the Cathedral of Santa María, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece that has been undergoing an extraordinary open restoration for more than two decades. Visitors can take the celebrated "Open for Works" tour, walking through scaffolding and seeing medieval stonemasons' marks up close. The cathedral famously captivated novelist Ken Follett, who visited in 1998 and was so moved by the building and its living restoration that elements of it inspired his novel World Without End. Today, a bronze statue of Follett stands near the cathedral's west entrance, and a plaque commemorates the connection.
Below the medieval quarter, the city unfolds into elegant 19th-century boulevards and modern districts, anchored by the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, the social heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz where locals gather for festivals, coffee, and conversation. Culture lovers will find the Artium Basque Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the most important contemporary art spaces in Spain, housing works by Miró, Picasso, Chillida, and Oteiza alongside a constantly rotating programme of international exhibitions.
What truly sets Vitoria-Gasteiz apart, though, is the Anillo Verde — the Green Belt. This remarkable ring of restored parks and wetlands encircles the entire city, linking six major green areas into a continuous 33-kilometre loop of walking and cycling trails. Within the Green Belt, the Salburua wetlands and its Ataria interpretation centre offer birdwatching, deer spotting, and peaceful boardwalk strolls just minutes from the city centre. The city's commitment to cycling infrastructure is unrivalled in Spain — Vitoria-Gasteiz is widely considered the most bikeable city in the country, with over 150 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes.
Just south of the city, the landscape shifts to rolling vineyards of Rioja Alavesa, where world-class Tempranillo wines are produced in bodegas designed by architects like Santiago Calatrava and Frank Gehry. And this is fundamentally a city of pintxos — the Basque art of small, exquisitely crafted bites served at bars throughout the old town and the Ensanche district. Vitoria-Gasteiz is regularly rated among the top pintxos destinations in the Basque Country, and the annual national pintxos competition has been won by local chefs multiple times.
Getting there: Vitoria-Gasteiz has its own airport, Foronda Airport (VIT), about 9 kilometres northwest of the city, but it handles limited domestic and seasonal routes — mostly to Madrid and a handful of charter destinations. For international arrivals, Bilbao Airport (BIO) is the gateway, located roughly 65 kilometres to the north. Direct buses from Bilbao Airport to Vitoria-Gasteiz run regularly and take approximately one hour. San Sebastián's airport (EAS) is about 100 km to the northeast. By rail, Renfe high-speed services connect Vitoria-Gasteiz to Madrid in under three hours, and regional trains link to Bilbao (about 1 hour) and other Basque cities. The city sits at a strategic crossroads on the A-1 motorway, making it easily accessible by car.
Getting around: Vitoria-Gasteiz is a supremely walkable city — the medieval quarter, the Ensanche shopping streets, and the main parks are all within easy walking distance of each other. But the real star of urban transport here is the bicycle. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, with over 150 km of bike lanes crisscrossing the urban area. A public bike-sharing system makes it easy for visitors to pedal between attractions, and the flat terrain of the city plateau means riding is effortless. The modern tram network (EuskoTran) runs through the city centre and connects to outlying neighbourhoods.
Day trips: From Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Rioja Alavesa wine region is just 30–40 minutes south by car — visit celebrated bodegas like Marqués de Riscal in Elciego (housed in Frank Gehry's swooping titanium building) or Ysios in Laguardia (designed by Santiago Calatrava). The remarkable Salinas de Añana (Valle Salado), one of the oldest salt-producing sites in Europe with origins dating back over 6,500 years, is 35 km west and offers fascinating guided tours of the restored salt terraces. For nature lovers, Gorbea Natural Park lies 30 km south, crowned by the 1,482-metre peak of Gorbea — the highest point in Álava — with beech and oak forests, waterfalls, and well-marked hiking trails. And of course, Bilbao with its Guggenheim Museum and San Sebastián with its legendary beaches are both within easy day-trip range.
The medieval old town. Narrow cobbled streets, the Cathedral of Santa María, atmospheric bars. Best for history and character.
The 19th-century expansion. Wide boulevards, Calle Dato shopping, pintxos bars, and the main transport connections.
Near Parque de la Florida and Artium museum. Leafy, central, and well-connected — great for culture and parks.
Modern district north of centre. Near the convention centre and large parks. Best for business stays and drivers.
A polished 4-star hotel occupying a prime spot in the Ensanche district, just steps from Calle Dato and the city's best pintxos bars. Rooms are modern and soundproofed, with rainfall showers and work desks. The hotel features a restaurant serving Basque cuisine, a fitness centre, and meeting rooms. An excellent base for exploring the city centre on foot.
Book with IMPT →A contemporary 4-star hotel with a striking modern façade, located near the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. The 149 rooms blend clean Scandinavian-influenced design with Basque warmth. Highlights include a seasonal rooftop terrace, a well-regarded restaurant focusing on local produce, and a bar that buzzes with after-work pintxos. Walking distance to the medieval quarter and the main shopping streets.
Book with IMPT →The only 5-star hotel in Vitoria-Gasteiz, set in the modern Lakua district north of the city centre. The 73 rooms and suites feature premium bedding, marble bathrooms, and city views. The hotel's fine-dining restaurant specialises in creative Basque cuisine with Rioja Alavesa wine pairings. There is a full spa with sauna, indoor pool, and treatment rooms, plus a landscaped garden. Ideal for travellers seeking luxury and tranquillity with easy access to the Green Belt trails.
Book with IMPT →A boutique 4-star hotel set within extensive gardens on the eastern fringe of the city, bordering the Anillo Verde. This intimate property offers just 10 individually designed rooms in a restored Basque farmhouse, blending rural charm with modern comfort. The acclaimed restaurant serves a seasonal tasting menu built entirely from local produce. Gardens, walking trails, and absolute quiet — while still only 10 minutes from the city centre by car or bike.
Book with IMPT →A well-maintained 3-star hotel right on Calle Dato, the main shopping and pintxos street. Rooms are compact but well-equipped with air conditioning, modern bathrooms, and excellent soundproofing. The location is unbeatable — step out the front door and you are immediately in the thick of Vitoria-Gasteiz's bar and restaurant scene, with the medieval quarter a three-minute walk uphill. Great value for city-break travellers.
Book with IMPT →A comfortable 3-star hotel on Avenida Gasteiz, the tree-lined boulevard that connects the modern city to the old town. Rooms are bright and recently refurbished, with wooden floors and large windows. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet featuring local cheeses and pastries. The tram stops directly outside, making it easy to reach any part of the city. A solid mid-range choice with good transport links and proximity to both the Casco Medieval and the Ensanche.
Book with IMPT →The full loop around the city's Green Belt, connecting all six restored park areas — Salburua, Armentia, Zabalgana, Olárizu, Errekaleor, and Gamarra. Flat to gently undulating terrain on well-signposted paths. Can be done on foot (7–8 hours) or comfortably by bike (3–4 hours). The wetlands sections are particularly rewarding for birdwatchers.
A self-guided loop through the almond-shaped old quarter. Begin at Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, climb to the Cathedral of Santa María, follow the concentric ring streets (Cuchillería, Zapatería, Herrería, Pintorería), admire the Renaissance palaces on Calle Fray Zacarías Martínez, and descend past the medieval walls and the Portalón — a 15th-century timber-framed merchants' house, now one of the city's most atmospheric restaurants.
Follow the Zadorra river path east from the city centre to the Salburua wetlands, one of the most important inland wetland areas in the Basque Country. The flat, paved path passes through riverside meadows before reaching the boardwalks and bird hides of Salburua, where you may spot European mink, herons, and herds of semi-wild European fallow deer. End at the Ataria centre for an exhibition on the wetland ecosystem.
Climate, festivals, and the best seasons for wine tours, Green Belt walks, and pintxos crawls.
From molecular pintxos at Sagartoki to medieval dining at El Portalón — your guide to eating in the Basque capital.
Cathedrals, wetlands, wine country, and playing card museums — 12+ activities for every kind of traveller.
Yes. Vitoria-Gasteiz was named European Green Capital in 2012 by the European Commission, recognised for its 42 m² of green space per inhabitant, its Anillo Verde (Green Belt) of restored periurban parks, sustainable transport network, and biodiversity corridors. The city has continued expanding these initiatives since the award.
Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport (VIT) has limited domestic flights. Most travellers fly into Bilbao Airport (BIO), about 65 km north, and take a direct bus (1 hour) or rent a car. The city is also well connected by high-speed rail (Renfe) from Madrid (under 3 hours) and Barcelona (around 4.5 hours).
The Cathedral of Santa María is a 13th-century Gothic cathedral undergoing a unique open restoration. Visitors can tour the ongoing works via the "Open for Works" programme. Author Ken Follett visited in 1998 and was so inspired by the cathedral and its restoration that elements influenced his novel World Without End. A statue of Follett stands near the cathedral entrance.
Pintxos are small, elaborately prepared snacks served atop bread slices — the Basque answer to tapas. Vitoria-Gasteiz is considered one of the top pintxos cities in the Basque Country. Hotspots include Calle Dato and the streets around Plaza de España for traditional pintxos crawls, and award-winning bars like Sagartoki (known for molecular pintxos) and PerretxiCo.
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