ÁLAVA TO DISCOVer

Our Territory

Álava is the most extensive and diverse of the three territories that make up the Basque Country. Its beauty is laid bare in its mountain ranges, majestic mountains and valleys, and dreamy forests with springs and rivers.

Balanced development

Álava’s impressive economic development has been combined with effective environmental management for the conservation and restoration of its biodiversity and ecosystems.

Protected nature

More than half of the Territory of Álava is made up of protected areas. 28.2% of its surface area is included in the European Natura 2000 Network.

Diverse and exceptional nature

Álava is home to the greatest number of diverse habitats and species of animals and plants in the Basque Country.

Rioja Alavesa

The wines of this region can be found at the best restaurants in the world. Visiting Rioja Alavesa is an unforgettable experience. The landscape, heritage, and ample wine tourism and gastronomy offer visitors a world of sensations.

Salt Valley

This is the first landscape in Europe to be recognised as one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. Located in Salinas de Añana, the salt which has been produced here for 6,500 years is today one of the most highly valued in haute cuisine.

Ayala Valley

Where an important historical legacy meets the magnificent gastronomy of this region—with its txakoli wine route and renowned cheese sellers—and the spectacular, one–of-a-kind landscapes such as the Maroño reservoir, the Sierra Salvada and the Salto del Nervión.

Green Route Network

Another unmissable experience is to discover Álava through its Green Route Network. More than a thousand kilometres of paths restored for hiking and cycling.

Vitoria, the hidden jewel

Vitoria-Gasteiz (population: 255,000) represents the ideal model for a medium-sized European city: a friendly and comfortable capital, designed for living, that stands out for its balanced presence and hidden charms, and for the accessibility and quality of its services. Vitoria: a discreetly seductive city.

Medieval Vitoria

The heart of the city, its medieval quarter, has received three ‘Europa Nostra’ awards, the EU’s highest award for Cultural Heritage. A peculiar layout in the form of a pointed arch presents a woven network of streets that, for several hundreds of years since the beginning of the 13th century, have harboured the daily rhythm of this beautiful and prosperous city.

Romantic Vitoria

The romantic expansion of the city, with its pedestrian streets, its stores, squares and gardens, makes it inviting to take an evocative stroll. It is worth walking along the Paseo de la Senda, with its early 20th century mansions, to the beautiful Romanesque temple of the Basilica of San Prudencio de Armentia, which dates back to the 12th century.

Modern and green Vitoria

The growth of the modern-day city has been executed in an exemplary manner; an urban planning model marked by its social cohesion criteria and a great commitment to the environment that has earned this city international recognition as the European Green Capital, along with the Global Green City Award.