Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Country, in Alava, Spain, about 115 km south of San Sebastian. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes by car on the AP-1, which has tolls, or by Alsa or PESA coach from the San Sebastian bus station, with timetables at alsa.com and pesa.net. A slower Renfe rail option runs via Alsasua. The city combines a medieval walled core with modern museums and large green spaces, and it has been recognised for its urban planning and parks. A suggested day begins with a morning walk through the medieval old town, built on a hill in concentric oval streets, starting at the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, the central square with its glassed balconies. The Santa Maria Cathedral is a Gothic church that has been under long restoration and offers guided visits where visitors wear hard hats and see the restoration works; bookings are advised. Late morning can be spent at the Artium Museum, which holds contemporary art, or on a walk along the old walls. Lunch suits the pintxo bars of Calle Cuchilleria and nearby streets, and the city is known for good local produce. In the afternoon, visitors can walk or cycle in the Green Belt, a ring of parks around the city with wetlands and woodland, including the Salburua wetlands, which are good for birdwatching. April to June and September to October bring mild weather and good light, while summer afternoons can be hot and winter can be cold and grey. Arriving on a morning coach gives enough time to see the main sights at an easy pace. The city is largely flat and compact, so the day is easy, and tourism information is available at vitoria-gasteiz.org.