Tours & Activities in Vitoria-Gasteiz
Don't know Vitoria? This is the tour you need.
Why? Because you will feel the power emanating through buildings that belonged to powerful families, others that belong to the Church or political institutions…
We won't have fratricidal fights like in some famous television series, but I will tell you about the troublemakers who worked in the city, why Ken Follet has a statue in the Old Cathedral or why the Casa del Cordón has such a small door...
I will also tell you about the "bloody" machete in the Plaza del Machete , the stories surrounding the Virgen Blanca or why Álava "has a hole in the middle"....
And as a grand finale, we will visit one of the most stately and spectacular areas, where the majestic Ajuria Enea Palace is located, the current centre of democratic power.
Some of the stops included:
- Plaza de la Virgen Blanca (Battle of Vitoria Statue. Meeting point)
Ancient Power (Old Town):
- Burulleria Square
- Old Cathedral
- Escoriaza-Esquivel Palace
- Montehermoso Palace
- House of the Cordon
- Machete Square
- Church of St. Michael
Current power (New Zone. Expansion):
- City hall
- Deputation
- New Cathedral
- Ajuria Enea
If you want to learn these and other curiosities, culture and have a good time… don't hesitate, the “power” is waiting for you!
We will visit the most important points of interest in the medieval old town, where the ancient town of Gasteiz was located before the current city of Vitoria was founded.
We will start in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca , the scene of the mythical festivities at the beginning of August and known for its famous green letters that form the name of the city.
We will talk about the nearby Churches of San Miguel and San Vicente and the history of Celedón , that doll with an umbrella that is the symbol of the Vitoria festivities. Before reaching the remains of the wall , we will visit the historic Plaza del Machete and the peculiar Palace of Villa Suso and we will pass by a medieval refrigerator.
On the way to the Cathedral we will pass by some of the most important stately palaces in the old town, such as Montehermoso or Escoriaza-Esquivel .
Once we know all the stories that the cathedral contains, we will end our tour in the Plaza de la Burullería , which houses some of the oldest buildings preserved in Vitoria.
I suggest you discover Vitoria in a different way: by bike!! This two and a half hour bike route through the green belt is the best way to get to know the city considered the Green Capital by pedaling.
The meeting point is the local GUIARTU in calle cuchilleria number 74. From there we go to Salburua, the jewel of nature, we enter the park safely. VITORIA-GASTEIZ has more than 144 km of bicycle lanes. In Salburua we will visit the Ataria interpretation center and the bird observatories.
We return entering the Zaramaga neighborhood where we will see four of the city's murals.
-A 14 km guided tour suitable for all audiences.
FREE TOUR + a fixed price for the bike, helmet, padlock and saddlebag of €22
You can also come with your own bike!
Children under 13 €13
Babies and children up to 4 years old we have a pushchair/cart .. €7
A walk through one of the most beautiful and unknown cities in Spain, where you can see its neoclassical expansion and the old town , as well as its history, way of life and festivities. We will visit its most emblematic streets, squares and monuments , such as the New and Old Cathedrals , the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca , the Plaza del Machete , the medieval almond and more. All this with a guide who is an art historian, archivist and passionate local expert on the city.
It includes:
- Immaculate Mary Cathedral
- Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
- Old Town
- Cathedral of Santa Maria
- Machete Square
- San Miguel's Church
- Montehermoso Palace
- Escoriaza-Esquível Palace
- Burullerías Square
- Playing Card Museum
- Cordon House
- Cutlery Street
I wait for you!
The minimum to make the visit is 2 people, the tour is not done.
Get to know the most sinister side of Vitoria on this night tour with legends, black chronicle and ghosts!
On this night route through the city center we will stop in front of the Treasury Delegation building, where we will discover the paranormal episodes carried out by the ghost Andresito, who still terrifies the residents of Vitoria today.
Entering the Old Town, through the corners where a boy named Iker Jiménez ran around, we will learn the story of the fearsome “Sacamantecas”, a serial killer who terrified the Vitorian population in the 19th century .
You will discover these and other legends of Vitoria on this night tour. You can not lose this!
The most entertaining and closest tour to discover Vitoria!
Route through the Medieval Quarter and Ensanche, with history, legends and curiosities for its charming corners and most emblematic monuments, with recommendations and suggestions so that you make the most of your stay. Let yourself be guided by Koldo, the most experienced guide! And the nicest;)
We will start in the Plaza de España . It might seem like just another square, but no. It houses a peculiar detail that makes it very special ... Next to it we will see the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca , with its famous plant sculpture, where we celebrate the start of the festivities with the descent of Celedón, a popular Alava that comes flying from the sky. . Can you believe it?
We will walk the union streets of the Old Town and you will discover why we prefer to call it the medieval Almond, and between charming corners we will cross the old 11th century Wall , which ... does it seem to be the other way around? At the top of the city you will be surprised by the color of the impressive murals that make up this Painted City that is Vitoria-Gasteiz, and the Old Cathedral, restored but "open" by works and inspiration of the novelist Ken Follet for his saga "Los Pillars of the Earth ". Speaking of books, have you read "The Silence of the White City"? We will go through some of its scenarios!
In the Plaza del Machete , where the Attorney General saw his neck in danger if he did not fulfill his mission, we will admire the Renaissance palace of Villa Suso , whose owner the ambassador of Carlos V built his "madness of lime and stone." We will finish in front of the church of San Miguel , where the White Virgin will tell us that it snowed in Vitoria on August 5 ... Come and I'll tell you!
A pleasant and fun visit in which, in addition to historical data and curiosities, you will take a series of tips to enjoy the city. Do you dare to do this tour?
We will see all these places:
- Spain Square
- Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
- Monument to the Battle of Vitoria
- 11th century wall
- Santa Maria Cathedral
- Murals
- Escoriaza-Esquível Palace
- Montehermoso Palace
- Villasuso Palace
- 19th century fridge
- Machete Square
- San Miguel Church
and much more!
COVID-19 MEASURES
The tour complies with local legislation and health recommendations in terms of protection and security to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus:
- Safety distance of 1.5 m whenever possible.
- Use of mask.
- The delivery of printed material such as maps or brochures will be avoided.
- The guide's temperature and symptoms will be checked daily.
- It will be enough to have the voucher or reservation on your mobile and not print it.
The city will be shown from its founding beginnings to the present day. During the tour you will see the different transformations of the city.
We will see the extensions, since its foundation , the Middle Ages (guilds, Jews, towers, stately homes,...), the Renaissance, the Modern Age and the 21st century with the comprehensive modernization of Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Also, we will talk about the political, cultural, gastronomic and leisure environment, as well as a vision of the physical and demographic geography of the city and its Araba-Álava territory.
In short, a pleasant, simple, dynamic and fun visit to understand the evolution and feeling of the city and the citizens of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the framework to which it belongs, Alava and Basque.
The tour that I present to you is attractive for several reasons: I try to make a route that is close and enjoyable and above all, designed for the enjoyment of your stay in the Green Capital 2012. An itinerary designed from passion and vocation. A tour from a historical point of view with recommendations and anecdotes.
I like to remember the past but also talk about the current situation in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This city has become a reference point by recognizing it as EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL 2012 or WORLD GREEN CAPITAL in 2019 . In addition, Vitoria-Gasteiz has obtained the certificate as the first urban ecotourism destination nationwide.
We will travel to the year of its foundation without forgetting the years of expansion and development in the 20th century. El Celedón, the deck of cards, The White Virgin and the White City, the murals and the green ring ... I could tell you dozens of words but I don't want you to read them, I want you to live it, enjoy it and walk through it with me.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Some of the sites we will see during the tour:
Reading the itinerary by the traveler is essential so that they know the places we pass through.
- Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
- Spain Square
- Celedon
- Villa Suso Palace
- The Arquillos
- Machete Square
- Cuchillería Street (Casa del Cordón).
- Montehermoso Palace
- Plaza Burullería (buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries)
- Sometimes, depending on multiple factors, if the majority of the group wishes we enter The Memorial of the Victims of Terrorism.
- Literature/cinema two strokes.
I encourage you to visit the city with a Tourism Technician, Vitorian and lover of the city.
The tour will take place with a minimum of people.
I like that you value my work, so I encourage you to thank me with your contribution if you liked the tour. If you liked it, the recommended contribution is about €9 -€10 p/p.