Blog - arabaturismo
Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Euskadi, is not only known for its urban charm, but also for the natural beauty surrounding it. In this blog post, we propose five hiking routes that will take you to spectacular landscapes near the city. Whether you’re planning a family adventure, a romantic couple’s getaway or a trip with friends, these routes provide a unique opportunity to discover the city’s hidden treasures.
1. The Mountains of Vitoria Route: An Unforgettable Family Adventure
This route is perfect for families. The Mountains of Vitoria offer a variety of easy, well-marked trails taking you through forests, meadows and creeks. Kids will love exploring nature and discovering local animals. The route offers incredible panoramic views of the city and great spots for a picnic like the Olarizu Natural Lookout Point and Esquibel Tower.
2. Izki Cliff Route: Adventure Among Rocks and Nature
If you’re looking for a challenging and exciting hiking experience, the Izki Cliff Route is perfect for you. Explore the trails through impressive rock formations and lush forests, immersing you in the region’s wilderness.
3. Salburua Wetland Route: A Peaceful Stroll
The Salburua Wetland Route is perfect for solo hikers and groups. Walk along the serene wetlands and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Watch the fauna and admire the space's natural beauty. At the Los Fresnos observatory you’ll be able to watch the different birds that live in the wetlands and admire the natural beauty of the park with views Mount Gorbea in the background. Reservation required.
4. Green Way Route
The Green Way Route follows a trail encircling the city allowing you to explore a wide variety of natural landscapes ranging from hills to rivers and forests. Enjoy some peace and quiet as you disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and delight in the diversity offered by this small urban oasis.
5. Routes in the Mountains of Iturrieta: Push Your Limits
If you love adventure, the Mountains of Iturrieta Route is perfect for you. Climb and push your limits on some of the region's most challenging trails. From amazing summits to lush valleys, this route rewards with spectacular views and a sense of achievement.
The hiking routes in and around Vitoria-Gasteiz offer a wide variety of possibilities for any kind of explorer. Whether you’re looking to connect with nature with your family, experience history and art with your partner or take some time to reflect on your own, these routes offer a unique way to explore the natural beauty of Vitoria-Gasteiz and discover the natural gems the city has to offer.
Dust off your hiking boots and enjoy an unforgettable adventure surrounded by nature!
On Monday 11 September, Vitoria-Gasteiz will hold the traditional Olarizu pilgrimage. The event is held on the first Monday of September after the 8th, and has been celebrated since the 19th century in the fields of Olarizu, where the tradition is to climb to the cross at the top of the mountain.
The festival programme starts at 9:00 am with the sounds of the Municipal Txistularis Band in the Plaza de España, where the 9.9 kilometre milestone route begins.
Meanwhile, residents of Alava flock to the fields of Olarizu where they can enjoy traditional pastries like doughnuts and Basque pies commonly eaten on this occasion. There are also booths with craft charcuterie, natural cosmetics, nuts and, of course, txosna bars where you can have a drink and try the traditional talo, a corn flatbread similar to an arepa.
At midday, the traditional bean stew feast begins and there are a number of activities planned for all audiences in the afternoon. These include bounce houses, concerts, Gargantúa (a huge figure through whose mouth children crawl and slide down the back) and Basque dance. The festival ends at 8:45 pm in Plaza de España with the traditional running of the toro de fuego, a metal structure shaped like a bull with fireworks attached to it.
See the full programme here.
From 4 to 10 September, Vitoria-Gasteiz will hold one of the most highly anticipated events of the year: FesTVal 2023. Since 2009, this TV festival has conquered the hearts of small screen lovers and become a renowned event throughout Spain. This year, FesTVal promises to surprise and delight attendees with a varied programme, exclusive premiers and the opportunity to see their favourite stars up close.
FesTVal 2023 Programme
From 4 September on, attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of stars and premiers in the city, including: David Bisbal, ‘El Conquistador‘, ‘La Que Se Avecina‘, ‘Amar es para siempre‘, ‘MasterChef Celebrity‘ and ‘You Shall Not Lie‘.
Plaza de España, Teatro Principal, Palacio Europa and Fundación Vital Hall will be home to this year’s premiers and events.
The traditional Closing Ceremony will be held on Saturday 9 September at 8:00 pm. There, hosts like Carlos Sobera, David Broncano, Sonsoles Onega and José Mota will receive the Joan Ramón Mainat 2023 award, while José María García will receive the Constantino Romero award in recognition for his extensive audiovisual career. Iñaki Gabilondo will also be the Honorary President.
Check out the FesTVal 2023 Programme.
ProFesTVal
If you’re an AV fanatic, ProFesTVal offers a wide variety of free training activities for professionals and students in the industry to gain practical know-how in a selection of specialities.
Check out the requirements and sign up.
If you love street art, Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a unique and unforgettable experience: a route of the large-scale murals brightening the streets of the city's medieval almond. Here’s the story…
In 2007, the city began to amass an impressive collection of street art spread all over town, vivaciously filling its nooks and crannies with colour. This collection has only grown over time.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz mural route is an open-air museum inviting all who wander it to delve into the city's historic centre and discover the brilliant street art on display. Notable artists, including Verónica Werckmeister, Christina Werckmeister and Brenan Duarte, leveraged their talent and creativity to leave their mark on the city’s facades.
The route boasts more than 40 murals spread across multiple neighbourhoods of the city, each one with its own story and meaning. Along this route you’ll find artwork reflecting the everyday lives of the people living around it, as well as art inviting you to reflect.
Here are some highlights that you can't miss:
Al Hilo del Tiempo (On the Thread of Time) (Txikitxo, 9)
This mural marked the start of the city’s street art movement. The title refers to the history of the square where it is located, as it was home to a textile market in the Middle Ages.
Eskuz Esku (Hand in Hand) (Herrería, 86)
This is one of three murals including two facades and a mosaic at the base, all joined by the symbol of the hand (eskua means hand in Basque), an homage to working the land.
Cubierto de Cielo y Estrellas (Covered by the Sky and Stars) (Cantón de Santa Ana and Pintorería)
Inspired by the work of 14th century artist Giotto, this mural shows a love story where, in addition to the couple, the sky and its elements are paramount.
¿Que haremos con lo que sabemos? (What Will We Do with What We Know?) (Colegio de San Prudencio)
Inspired by the “Green Capital 2012” award received by the city, this mural shows the importance of the environment and what it means to be a green city.
La luz de la esperanza (The Light of Hope) (Zapatería, 76)
Playing with a captivating colour palette, this 2011 mural shows a path from inequality and stereotypes to education, justice and hope.
Usted está aquí (You Are Here) (Mendoza, 1)
One of the most recent in the city, created in 2016, this mural pays tribute to everyone who has left their birthplace to settle in Vitoria.
This is just a handful of the tremendous variety of murals that await while you wander the streets of the medieval quarter. The Vitoria-Gasteiz street art route is a testament to the city's commitment to art and taking it to the streets so that everyone can enjoy it.
Get ready to explore and discover the artistic gems hidden around town.
Explora tus intereses en Álava
No hay dos viajeros iguales. Unos buscan naturaleza, otros festivales… Sea lo que sea lo que te interese, descubre tu plan perfecto.
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