Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community and is located in Northern Spain. It has a population of around 250,000.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is very easy to get around as it has an excellent tram system. The town itself is fairly flat making it very easy to walk. There also many pedestrian walkways and parks.
The main festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz is the Virgin Blanca or White Virgin festival. The festival takes place over 6 days in August. During the week there are loads of events including parades, markets and a carnival. On the final day, the festival ends with the “Descent of Celedon” which takes place in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca.
A huge crowd cheers as Celedon descends across the Plaza on a cable. Eventually the crowd erupts with water and wine thrown anywhere and everywhere. The atmosphere of the whole festival period is very relaxed and is great fun.
The rest of the week is packed with events for everyone in the family. These include concerts, fireworks and activities for the kids. These are held at various locations around the city.
One of the other big events is a carnival with rides, sideshow games, activities and food tents from across the region.
The 17th-century Plaza de la Virgen Blanca has a monument to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. This was a major defeat for Napoleon’s forces and an important moment in the Penninsula War. The Plaza and surrounding areas are well worth exploring as there are many interesting and historical things to see.
Shopping is easy with many stores ranging from chain boutiques to smaller artisan shops.
The Vitoria-Gasteiz Cathedral is a beautiful building and the nearby park is an excellent place to wind down and relax. The park is full of events during the festival. These include recitals, eating, music and dancing to bands playing in the pavilion. It is also a popular venue for events throughout the year.
Vitoria-Gasteiz has a very relaxed atmosphere that is very easy to get used to.
“My number one tip for Vitoria-Gasteiz is to try and visit during the White Virgin festival and especially the final day”
It’s a lot of fun and but unlike some Spanish festivals, it doesn’t become too crowded with an invasion of tourists.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is about 1 hour 15 minutes drive from San Sebastian. 3 hours 30 minutes from Madrid and 1 hour from Pamplona.
By rail it is almost 4 hours from Madrid and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Pamplona.
By bus about 1 hour 20 from San Sebastian