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Alava PlainLocated in the middle of the historical territory and formed by 11 municipalities, Alava Plain has been always a passing route for many pilgrims and traders. Durrounded by ranges and mountains, its relief is very flat, thus, creating a space of wide and beautiful landscapes, through which the river Zadorra runs.
Being an area where natural spaces prevail, the North of the plain presents the appealing landscape of Elgea and Urkilla ranges. The visit to Garayo Natural Park, resting place for a wide variety of water birds, is essential due to its leisure and recreational areas, green fields. To the west we'll find the Badaia range and, in the South, Iturreta and Gasteiz mountains.
The Sanctuary of Estibaliz, excellent model of Basque Romanesque
Besides, the plain is home to a rich cultural heritage. One of the best models of Basque Romanesque: the Sanctuary of Estibaliz, which is in the center of the region, on the outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. In the area around the capital of Alava, we also find lordly houses and medieval-character villages such as Mendoza and Mártioda towers.
The main municipality in Alava Plain is, doubtless, Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the historical territory. The city offers a wide cultural offer and is full of nice parks, trees, green areas and walks. The old part of the city is one of the most appealing in the Basque turning Vitoria-Gasteiz into one of the European cities with the highest quality of life.
There again, Salvatierra constitutes the heart of the eastern plain. We can go for a walk through the streets and enjoy the beautiful palaces in the village, thus feeling its medieval past, till we arrive in the San Juan Bautista square and the homonym parish church. We would like to mention the Aizkormendi dolmens in Eguilaz/Egilatz and Sorginetxe in Arizala, two megalithic monuments worth visiting. In the north, Zalduondo is the area that pilgrims passed by. Nowadays Zalduondo is well-known for its carnivals and its popular figure "Markitos."
Being an area where natural spaces prevail, the North of the plain presents the appealing landscape of Elgea and Urkilla ranges. The visit to Garayo Natural Park, resting place for a wide variety of water birds, is essential due to its leisure and recreational areas, green fields. To the west we'll find the Badaia range and, in the South, Iturreta and Gasteiz mountains.
The Sanctuary of Estibaliz, excellent model of Basque Romanesque
Besides, the plain is home to a rich cultural heritage. One of the best models of Basque Romanesque: the Sanctuary of Estibaliz, which is in the center of the region, on the outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz. In the area around the capital of Alava, we also find lordly houses and medieval-character villages such as Mendoza and Mártioda towers.
The main municipality in Alava Plain is, doubtless, Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the historical territory. The city offers a wide cultural offer and is full of nice parks, trees, green areas and walks. The old part of the city is one of the most appealing in the Basque turning Vitoria-Gasteiz into one of the European cities with the highest quality of life.
There again, Salvatierra constitutes the heart of the eastern plain. We can go for a walk through the streets and enjoy the beautiful palaces in the village, thus feeling its medieval past, till we arrive in the San Juan Bautista square and the homonym parish church. We would like to mention the Aizkormendi dolmens in Eguilaz/Egilatz and Sorginetxe in Arizala, two megalithic monuments worth visiting. In the north, Zalduondo is the area that pilgrims passed by. Nowadays Zalduondo is well-known for its carnivals and its popular figure "Markitos."
Western ValleysThe region of Alava's western valleys presents an outstanding natural landscape. Its lands, full of rural flavour, have seen very little changes all through the past, and become a great example of exploitation-free lands. In the north we find the valleys of Zuia and Ayala, with their refreshing waterfalls and solid tower-houses. In the south, we can find singular landscapes such as the Salinas de Añana and the ravine of the Valderejo Natural Park.
Zuia is the closest valley to Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the foothills of the Gorbeia Natural Park, a natural spot on the borderline between Alava and Bizkaia, perfect to go hiking and more mountain sports. Between Zuia and Ayala, we find Orduña, enclave of Bizkaia in the lands of Alava. Very close to the source of the river Nervion, which slides 300 metres down, there is the canyon of Dekila viewpoint, from which the waterfall is quite spectacular to notice. Another spectacular waterfall in the area is Goiuri, formed after meeting the river Altube.
Land of fortifications and outstanding buildings
The valley of Ayara, in the northwestern of Alava, played an important role in history as a connection area between Castilla and the Bay of Biscay. It is worth visiting Quejana/Kexaa, with the Ayala tower-houses, apart from other areas such as Arespaldiza, Amurrio and Llodio/Laudio, second region in Alava in terms of habitants.
The valley of Valdegovía in located in the south of the territory. It is a transition area between the Atlantic landscape and the Mediterranean, offering a peculiar view. Salinas de Añana is the main and most beautiful municipality in the valleys, thanks to the incredible salt mines that marked the village's history and gave it a unique personality. The salt fields, with superimposed terraces, form a unique ensemble that gives the village its personality. It is thought that salt's extraction is obtained through the evaporation of Muera River's waters.
Good example of little human pressure is the Valderejo Natural Park and the lands that surround it, full of beech, oak and holm-tree woods. We can make different routes through Valderejo park; the most attractive one being that which goes along the river Purón, with its falls and lagoons. Besides, we'll see two abandoned villages fully integrated in the landscape; wild boars, foxes, woodpeckers; squirrels and wild cats inhabit those villages.
Zuia is the closest valley to Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the foothills of the Gorbeia Natural Park, a natural spot on the borderline between Alava and Bizkaia, perfect to go hiking and more mountain sports. Between Zuia and Ayala, we find Orduña, enclave of Bizkaia in the lands of Alava. Very close to the source of the river Nervion, which slides 300 metres down, there is the canyon of Dekila viewpoint, from which the waterfall is quite spectacular to notice. Another spectacular waterfall in the area is Goiuri, formed after meeting the river Altube.
Land of fortifications and outstanding buildings
The valley of Ayara, in the northwestern of Alava, played an important role in history as a connection area between Castilla and the Bay of Biscay. It is worth visiting Quejana/Kexaa, with the Ayala tower-houses, apart from other areas such as Arespaldiza, Amurrio and Llodio/Laudio, second region in Alava in terms of habitants.
The valley of Valdegovía in located in the south of the territory. It is a transition area between the Atlantic landscape and the Mediterranean, offering a peculiar view. Salinas de Añana is the main and most beautiful municipality in the valleys, thanks to the incredible salt mines that marked the village's history and gave it a unique personality. The salt fields, with superimposed terraces, form a unique ensemble that gives the village its personality. It is thought that salt's extraction is obtained through the evaporation of Muera River's waters.
Good example of little human pressure is the Valderejo Natural Park and the lands that surround it, full of beech, oak and holm-tree woods. We can make different routes through Valderejo park; the most attractive one being that which goes along the river Purón, with its falls and lagoons. Besides, we'll see two abandoned villages fully integrated in the landscape; wild boars, foxes, woodpeckers; squirrels and wild cats inhabit those villages.
Rioja AlavesaVineyard rows alternating between walled villages and cellars are the characteristics of the best known part of Alava, where good wine with the Denominación de Origen Rioja label of quality is produced. Tempranillo grape, together with the region's geological and climatological conditions, is responsible for the excellent quality of the wines that play such an important role in local life.
Under the shelter of the Cantabrian mountain range, 12,000 ha of vineyards spread up to the Ebro valley, covering the landscape with an intense green colour in spring, but with a golden-reddish colour in autumn. Its lands are privileged for vine growing. Thus, two hundred wineries produce delicious wines that will satisfy the most refined palates.
In addition to this, Rioja Alavesa adapts to new ages and combines tradition with the most modern technological advances when producing the wine.
Besides, over the last years new cellars have been erected. Some of them are really appealing for tourists due to their modernist architectural lines, such as Ysios and Baigorri by Santiago Calatrava and Iñaki Aspiazu, or Frank Gehry's Marques de Riscal. Undoubtedly, wine tasting and visits to cellars have turned into one of the main tourist demands in the area, along with the valuable artistic and architectural heritage hosted by the region in the shape of walled villages, ancestral houses and prehistoric remains.
Region with history
Laguardia is one of the 15 municipalities of the Rioja Alavesa that stands out. Located on a hillock, it was a village of enormous military and commercial importance in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it still offers the odd stretch of wall and the entrance gates to its fortified town, in addition to numerous stately homes dating fom the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Gothic doorway of Santa María de los Reyes is the only one in the State still perfectly to conserve its polychromy.
Many are the prehistoric remains that bear witness to the early human presence in the area. On the feet of Rioja Alavesa's capital we will find the prehistoric municipality of La Hoya, whereas in the municipality of El Villar we'll see the outstanding dolmens of "El Encinal" and "La Chabola de la hechicera."
Although Laguardia is the most important borough in the area, other including Leza, Elciego, Oyón-Oion, Lapuebla de Labarca or Labastida are also highly interesting for tourists. Labastida, sheltered by the Toloño Mountain, is a very frequented summit by mountaineers due to its attractive silhouette. On the top, the location gives an excellent view of the Ebro valley and its river flowing through the Rioja Alavesa. Smaller villages, such as Salinillas de Buradón, still house the originally walled village centres that witnessed the intensive history of its prosperous winemaking region of Alava.
Under the shelter of the Cantabrian mountain range, 12,000 ha of vineyards spread up to the Ebro valley, covering the landscape with an intense green colour in spring, but with a golden-reddish colour in autumn. Its lands are privileged for vine growing. Thus, two hundred wineries produce delicious wines that will satisfy the most refined palates.
In addition to this, Rioja Alavesa adapts to new ages and combines tradition with the most modern technological advances when producing the wine.
Besides, over the last years new cellars have been erected. Some of them are really appealing for tourists due to their modernist architectural lines, such as Ysios and Baigorri by Santiago Calatrava and Iñaki Aspiazu, or Frank Gehry's Marques de Riscal. Undoubtedly, wine tasting and visits to cellars have turned into one of the main tourist demands in the area, along with the valuable artistic and architectural heritage hosted by the region in the shape of walled villages, ancestral houses and prehistoric remains.
Region with history
Laguardia is one of the 15 municipalities of the Rioja Alavesa that stands out. Located on a hillock, it was a village of enormous military and commercial importance in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it still offers the odd stretch of wall and the entrance gates to its fortified town, in addition to numerous stately homes dating fom the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Gothic doorway of Santa María de los Reyes is the only one in the State still perfectly to conserve its polychromy.
Many are the prehistoric remains that bear witness to the early human presence in the area. On the feet of Rioja Alavesa's capital we will find the prehistoric municipality of La Hoya, whereas in the municipality of El Villar we'll see the outstanding dolmens of "El Encinal" and "La Chabola de la hechicera."
Although Laguardia is the most important borough in the area, other including Leza, Elciego, Oyón-Oion, Lapuebla de Labarca or Labastida are also highly interesting for tourists. Labastida, sheltered by the Toloño Mountain, is a very frequented summit by mountaineers due to its attractive silhouette. On the top, the location gives an excellent view of the Ebro valley and its river flowing through the Rioja Alavesa. Smaller villages, such as Salinillas de Buradón, still house the originally walled village centres that witnessed the intensive history of its prosperous winemaking region of Alava.
Vitoria-GasteizCapital of Alava and the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz is located in the Llanada Alavesa (plains), in the middle of the historical territory. It is home for the most important Basque institutions: the Ajuria Palace (official home of the Lehendakari-Basque President-), the Basque Government headquarters in the neighbourhood of Lakua and the Basque Parliament.
However, Vitoria-Gasteiz is above all a city rich in heritage. In fact, its medieval Old Town, declared Monumental Complex in 1997, is the best preserved in the Basque Country with its gothic design and its narrow streets, as well as important medieval and Renaissance buildings. In the Old Town we can admire four towers, belonging to its four great temples: Santa María Cathedral or Old Cathedral, at the highest part of the Old Town; the church of San Pedro; the church of San Vicente or the parish church of San Miguel, where the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city, is venerated.
Not far away from this last church is the Virgen Blanca square. On the first days of August, the descent of Celedón, which takes places at this point, marks the beginning of the most important festivals in the city. Nearby we can visit the Plaza Nueva square, declared historic-artistic Monument in 1984, and where the Town Hall is situated. This arcaded square means the beginning of the neoclassical new neighbourhood, formed by pedestrian streets and high commercial activity.
Large green zones
These pedestrian areas together with its large green zones make the capital one of the cities with the best quality of life in Europe. Vitoria-Gasteiz offers 20m² of green zones per inhabitant, the highest rate in the whole country. Furthermore it is surrounded by a green ring formed by four huge parks of great ecological and landscape importance: Olarizu, Armentia, Salburua y Zabalgana, which separate the city of the countryside.
Likewise we must mention that Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. In fact it houses numerous museums and culture centres like the Artium, the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art. Some of the most important cultural events are the Basque Cinema Week, the Spring Craftwork Fair or the International Jazz Fetival, which takes palce at the end of July.
However, Vitoria-Gasteiz is above all a city rich in heritage. In fact, its medieval Old Town, declared Monumental Complex in 1997, is the best preserved in the Basque Country with its gothic design and its narrow streets, as well as important medieval and Renaissance buildings. In the Old Town we can admire four towers, belonging to its four great temples: Santa María Cathedral or Old Cathedral, at the highest part of the Old Town; the church of San Pedro; the church of San Vicente or the parish church of San Miguel, where the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city, is venerated.
Not far away from this last church is the Virgen Blanca square. On the first days of August, the descent of Celedón, which takes places at this point, marks the beginning of the most important festivals in the city. Nearby we can visit the Plaza Nueva square, declared historic-artistic Monument in 1984, and where the Town Hall is situated. This arcaded square means the beginning of the neoclassical new neighbourhood, formed by pedestrian streets and high commercial activity.
Large green zones
These pedestrian areas together with its large green zones make the capital one of the cities with the best quality of life in Europe. Vitoria-Gasteiz offers 20m² of green zones per inhabitant, the highest rate in the whole country. Furthermore it is surrounded by a green ring formed by four huge parks of great ecological and landscape importance: Olarizu, Armentia, Salburua y Zabalgana, which separate the city of the countryside.
Likewise we must mention that Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. In fact it houses numerous museums and culture centres like the Artium, the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art. Some of the most important cultural events are the Basque Cinema Week, the Spring Craftwork Fair or the International Jazz Fetival, which takes palce at the end of July.
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