Vitoria-Gasteiz: we visit the first certified urban ecotourism destination in Spain
Vitoria-Gasteiz: we visit the first certified urban ecotourism destination in Spain
The importance of creating friendly urban environments through the integration of nature in cities is a priority on the European agenda. There are towns that are taking the lead in the application of environmental policies, and Vitoria-Gasteiz is a good example of one of them. The capital of the Basque Country has received numerous international awards that attest to its efforts to be a green city: European Green Capital 2012, Global Green City 2019, and the Biosphere Responsible Tourism Certification. After joining the Ecotourism Club in Spain, the city has also become the first certified urban ecotourism destination in our country.
The municipality has 42 m2 of green areas per inhabitant, among which the emblematic La Florida Park stands out, created in 1820 and inspired by the French Romantic gardens of the time, with an almost labyrinthine layout of paths. It is also quite an experience to visit the Green Belt that surrounds the city, a set of parks whose origin lies in an environmental restoration project started in 1993. This initiative transformed the once-degraded outskirts into a natural environment of high ecological value and the main recreational area of the town.
In addition to nature, culture is an important part of life for the citizens of Vitoria, with the Fine Arts Museum of Álava being one of the most visited art galleries. It is located in an eclectic style palace built in 1912 which features Baroque, Romanesque, and Neo-Basque decorative elements. The museum is dedicated to Spanish art from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and, more specifically, to Basque art from 1850-1950, with an outstanding selection of Basque Costumbrist works. The gallery exhibits paintings by Darío de Regoyos, Ignacio Díaz Olano, Francisco Iturrino, Josep María Sert, and Ángel Olarte, among others.
In a city where distances are non-existent, it is easy to hop over to one of the numerous areas where you can eat sophisticated “new Basque cuisine” dishes, taste traditional recipes prepared with seasonal products, and go for some delicious pintxos. As in other Basque municipalities, the tradition of going out for pintxos is deeply rooted among the local population. In fact, there are several routes throughout the city to try the best miniature delights from each establishment. With all this, Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a complete array of natural/cultural/gastronomic options for visitors to spend a few quite attractive days in the capital; a must-see stop for anyone planning to visit the Basque Country.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
