Vitoria-Gasteiz’ medieval Old Town core includes the UNESCO-recognized Santa Maria Cathedral. There are a number of museums and delicious pintxos bars to try. Its abundant, connected green spaces offer nature in the heart of this lively city.
Our itinerary is perfect for a 1-day visit to this hidden gem of Spain’s Basque Country.
Table of Contents
One Day in Vitoria-Gasteiz Itinerary
Use our 1-day itinerary to explore the medieval Old Town and nearby areas.
- Take a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Santa Maria Cathedral.
- Wander the charming streets of Old Town (Casco Viejo).
- Discover the remnants of its medieval City Walls.
- Admire the architecture of the Church of San Pedro.
- Discover local art and history at one of the many Vitoria-Gasteiz Museums.
- Experience local gastronomy with Vitoria-Gasteiz’s famous pintxos.
- Go beyond Old Town to the Ensanche neighbourhood and see sites such as Plaza España and Cathedral of Mary Immaculate.
Vitoria-Gasteiz Attractions Map
Santa Maria Cathedral (UNESCO)
The 13th-century Santa Maria Cathedral is a must-visit attraction in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This stunning, medieval cathedral is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. It is part of the UNESCO-recognized Santiago de Compostela Routes of Northern Spain World Heritage Site.
One of the first things we noticed as we approached the huge Gothic cathedral was the intricate stone carvings on its exterior.
The cathedral’s restoration began in 1994 and is still ongoing. It is actually a mixture of archaeological dig and restoration. The cathedral is only open to the general public by guided tour.
See beautiful stained-glass windows and ornate chapels on the guided tour. Learn about the cathedral-fortress built into the walls of the city and which replaced an earlier church destroyed by fire.
The tour is unique as it winds through an active worksite around scaffolding and trenches. It is not just a guided tour but a look at the cathedral restoration and an archaeological dig of ruins of a 13th-century sanctuary under the cathedral. The tour also visits the underground crypts and the tower for great views of the city below.
The charming St. Mary’s Church is tucked away on the side of the main cathedral. This 14th-century church is definitely worth a look. Inside discover huge stained-glass windows and beautiful frescoes.
Walk the Old Town (Casco Viejo)
The Casco Viejo refers to the Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The original settlement of Gasteiz was established on this small hilltop a thousand years ago. In the 12th century, Gasteiz was conquered by the Spanish and was given the new name of Victoria. The ‘c’ was dropped over time. Today, its official name, Vitoria-Gasteiz, combines its Spanish and Basque names.
We spent an afternoon walking the winding streets of Casco Viejo. Many of its buildings date back to the Middle Ages, including chapels, museums and former palaces. There are also fun, lively bars on Aiztogile Street.
Some of the streets of Casco Viejo have been brightened by the Murals of Vitoria-Gasteiz. These gigantic, colourful murals bring life and history to the walls of old town’s buildings.
Gasteiz City Walls
The old town is partially enclosed by thick, stone walls. These thick walls, constructed during the 11th century, are among the oldest city walls in Basque Country.
For your first glimpse of these impressive walls, walk through the Arch of the Rampart, the main gateway into the historic centre on Las Carnicerias Kantoia.
Another well-preserved section of the wall is at the south end of the old town in Montehermoso’s Old Palace Gardens. Beside the wall is an interesting piece of local history, the Icehouse.
Built in 1860, the Icehouse kept the city’s ice supply before modern refrigeration techniques. The ice was brought to the city by cart from nearby Mount Gorbea and stored in this 8-metre deep pit. The pit could hold a whopping 45,000 litres of ice.
Church of San Pedro Apóstol
The beautiful Church of San Pedo sits on the edge of Old Town. Built in the 14th century, this church is an impressive display of Gothic architecture. The east portico is decorated with detailed Gothic sculpture. Be sure to take a look inside the church. Beautiful altarpieces are adorned with intricate carvings and gilded details.
Vitoria-Gasteiz Museums
For art and history buffs, Vitoria-Gasteiz has lots of museum options.
One of the most interesting museums is the Bibat Museum. This unique space combines two museums under one roof: the Fournier Playing Card Museum and the Archaeology Museum.
Check out any of these great museums. The first 4 are located in Old Town.
| Museum | Known for |
| Bibat Museum | The world’s largest collection of Fournier playing cards, spanning centuries and continents, plus archaeological artifacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages |
| Museum of Natural Sciences of Álava | Exhibits on local geology, flora, and fauna including paleontological fossil collections, located in the medieval Doña Otxanda Tower |
| Montehermoso Cultural Center | Art exhibitions and cultural events housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palace |
| Museum of Lanterns | Unique collection of traditional religious lanterns used in the Vitoria-Gasteiz annual Rosary procession |
| Atrium Basque Museum of Contemporary Art | 2800+ works of contemporary Basque art from the 20th century, primarily focused on the 1950s to the present |
| Fine Art Museum of Alva | Basque and Spanish paintings from the 18th to 20th centuries in the beautiful 20th-century Augustin-Zulueta Palace |
| Ataria – Salburua Wetland Interpretation Centre | Educational exhibits about the Salburua wetlands ecosystem and wildlife |
| Armoury Museum of Álava | Extensive collection of historical weapons, armour, and military artifacts from prehistory to the 20th century |
Pintxos in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Basque Country is well known by food lovers for its pintxos. These bite-sized morsels are the Basque version of Spanish tapas.
Enjoy an array of these delectable treats in Vitoria-Gasteiz. From the classic anchovy and olive combinations to the innovative creations using local cheeses and meats, there’s plenty to choose from.
These are some of the most popular restaurants in Vitoria-Gasteiz serving pintxos.
| Pintxos Restaurant | Known for |
| Sagartoki erretegia | Innovative pintxos and specialty cocktails |
| PerretxiCo | Popular low key bar with traditional pintxos |
| El Toloño taberna | Wide variety of pintxos and local wines |
| La Malquerida | Inexpensive pintxos with vibrant atmosphere |
| Saburdi Taberna | Famous for its diverse pintxos selection and friendly service |
| Anboto restaurant | Traditional Basque dishes and pintxos |
| Waska! taberna-jatetxea | Vegetarian options in a casual environment |
Beyond Old Town (Ensanche Neighbourhood)
The transition zone between Old Town and Ensanche is Plaza Virgen Blanca. Many of Old Town’s streets end in the square. Considered the city’s main square, it is a gathering point for locals with lots of cafés, bars and patios nearby.
The Ensanche neighbourhood was the first area developed outside Old Town’s city walls and is home to several important landmarks.
Wander from Plaza Virgen Blanca into the grand 18th-century Plaza España. The square is bordered on one side by the neoclassical City Hall, designed by Vitoria-borne architect Justo Antonio de Olaguíbe. In the past, this square was where the bullfights were held.
The Cathedral of Mary Immaculate of Vitoria is another stunning church. This Neo-gothic-style cathedral, called the New Cathedral, was built in the 20th century. Its plans included twin towers but they were never built. The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art contains exhibits of religious art from the Basque province of Alava.
Enjoy a walk through Florida Park on the cathedral’s south side. This 19th-century garden was inspired by French neoclassical design. It features walking paths with fountains and gardens containing a varied collection of tree and shrub species. The Basque Parliament Building, a former public school, is at the north end of the park.
Florida Park is just one of many green areas in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
The “Green Capital”
Vitoria-Gasteiz was named the European “Green Capital” in 2012 due to its commitment to sustainable development and environmental initiatives. This process began in the early 1990s.
The city developed a Green Belt (Anillo Verde), which is a 30 km network of parks and cycle paths that encircle and connect the city.
Salburua Park, one of the parks in the Green Belt, is particularly notable. This wetland area has been restored and is now considered one of the most important inland wetlands in Basque Country. Visit the Ataria Interpretation Centre and its impressive observation tower. Spot birds and wildlife, including a herd of deer that roam freely.
Salt Valley of Anana
Just 30-kilometres west of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Salt Valley of Añana makes an ideal one-day excursion. This valley has been a hub for salt production for over 7000 years.
Learn about the traditional methods used to extract salt from saline spring water. See the 5000 threshing pits made of stone, clay and wood that stand on man-made terraces. Several archaeological sites from the medieval period show forges and furnaces in excellent condition. The valley is home to the last working convent of the Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Know Before You Go – Visiting Vitoria-Gasteiz
How to get to Vitoria-Gasteiz?
The easiest way to get to Vitoria-Gastiez is by car. There is train service from Barcelona, Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastián. Vitoria-Gasteiz can be reached by bus from Bilbao, which has the closest international airport.
How to get around Vitoria-Gasteiz?
The best way to get around the Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz is on foot. It is the perfect place to wander. Outdoor escalators make the climb up to this part of town easy from all directions.
A good way to discover the city’s Green belt is by bike.
City trams connect the city together. The current network has two lines: Ibaiondo-Unibertsitatea and Abetxuko-Florida.
Parking is easy to find.
Explore All of Our Basque Country Guides
Discover our complete series of detailed guides to help you plan your perfect road trip through Spain’s beautiful Basque region.
Main Article: Basque Country Road Trip – Best Things To Do in Spain’s Basque Country
Part 1: Bilbao – The Guggenheim, Architecture, and Riverside Charm
Part 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Medieval History and UNESCO Cathedral (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 3: Donostia-San Sebastián – Pintxos Culture and stunning Beaches
Interested in more Itineraries? Sign up here.
