While most tourists flock to San Sebastián and Pamplona, the hidden cosmopolitan gem of Vitoria-Gasteiz (pop. 229,000) lies only an hour away. This city, the capital of Basque Country, is threaded with green lines of trees and long pedestrian walkways, and the music of street performers drifts about the elegant avenues on many a summer night. The relaxing pace of the city nurtures a thriving arts scene; numerous posters advertise live shows and jams, and one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world is held here every summer. Plenty of hiking and biking await visitors here as well. The city has a progressive and feisty attitude, evident in everything from the politically charged graffiti art to its public bicycles, free for all to use. Vitoria-Gasteiz’s hyphenated name testifies to its regional ties; founded as Villa de Nueva Victoria by King Sancho VI of Navarra in 1181 over the small Basque village of Gasteiz, the city regained its original name centuries later when the Basques recovered regional autonomy in 1979. Spray-painted road signs with “Vitoria” crossed out are evidence of continuing loyalty to Basque roots today.
Flights: Aeropuerto Vitoria-Foronda, (☎ 902 40 47 04; www.aena.es), 9km outside town. Airport info open M-F 8am-2:15pm. Flights to Dublin, London, and Mallorca. Accessible May-Oct. by La Union bus ...more
The medieval casco viejo is the almond-shaped core of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and shelters its three oldest streets: Fray Zacarias Martinez, Santa Maria and Las Escuelas in the highest and most central part of ...more
Vitoria-Gasteiz is loaded with deluxe options, but a growing number of budget accommodations are beginning to appear along the main streets of C. Francia and C. de la Paz, leading away from the bus station ...more
You can’t go wrong in the casco viejo. The area around Pl. de España has pintxos (tapas) galore, many marked with “pintxos €1” signs. Get your groceries at Carrefour Express, C. General Álava ...more
Artium. The rotating permanent collection at Artium, the city’s contemporary art museum, boasts multimedia works and paintings by 20th-century greats such as Dalí, Picasso, and Miró. You’re nearly ...more
Vitoria-Gasteiz hosts countless cultural, music, and sports festivals throughout the year. For info on theater and special events, pick up the free monthly guide Gidatu at the tourist office or check out ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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