Website of the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council - Near the city

This is an enormous lake surrounded by forests and meadows with picnic zones and designated swimming areas. It has three beaches which have been awarded the Blue Flag for quality located in the Parks of Garaio and Landa. The lake is surrounded by a greenway which enables going around the reservoir by foot or bike. This is the perfect spot in summer for water sports.

If you have more time...

Añana

We recommend a stroll through the Valderejo Nature Park and Santa Catalina Botanical Gardens. The Salt Valley, Europa Nostra Award, is well worth a stop: 5500 lots arranged in terraces from where salt is extracted in the traditional manner. Here you may also admire the best preserved fortified complex in Álava, the tower house of the Varona Family (in the town of Villanañe). And don't forget to visit the Roman city of Iruña-Veleia.

Rioja Alavesa

You should visit some of the wonderful medieval villages surrounded by vineyards, such as Laguardia (the capital of the region), Elciego, Labastida, Samaniego or Labraza (whose walls were awarded the International Prize for Walled Cities). We would like to encourage you to discover the Wine Route, where you may descend into medieval caves excavated to a depth of many feet, or taste the most sophisticated wines in cellars and buildings designed by renowned internacional architects such as Frank O. Gehry, Santiago Calatrava and Philippe Mazières.

Montaña Alavesa

You will be impressed by the Entzia Mountains and the Izki Nature Park, where there is a public golf course and a mountain bikini centre. The Wine and Fish Route (GR-38), runs through this area, an ideal route for hikers. Another option is to rent a bicycle in Antoñana and follow the old vasco-navarro railway line, which has been transformed into a green route. Here, you may also stumble across Romanesque chapels and medieval villages, such as Antoñana, Santa Cruz de Campezo or Peñacerrada-Urizaharra.

Gorbeialdea

The legendary peak of Basque mountaineering awaits you, Mount Gorbea and its nature park (the interpretation centre is in Sarría). In the surrounding area you may visit the Oro Sanctuary (which provides splendid views), the Gujuli waterfall or the Urkiola park as well as the reservoirs (Ullibarri Gamboa and Urrunaga). You should also explore the Aramaio Valley, our 'little Switzerland', where you will find traditional dwellings.

Ayala

Discover the impressive monumental complex of Quejana and the medieval village of Artziniega (home to the museum of the sculptor Xabier Santxotena). Try the Álava txakoli, a mild, light and fruity wine that is easy to drink. And take a look at the Nervión Waterfall, where you may enjoy a natural area of special interest.

Llanada alavesa

Do not miss Salvatierra-Agurain, a walled medieval village that offers interesting guided tours. We also recommend viewing the mural paintings in the churches of Gazeo and Alaiza. And please allow us to recommend a visit to the Sorginetxe Dolmen (the witch's dwelling), Neolithic monument.