Car Hire Vitoria-Gasteiz

A quick guide to Vitoria-Gasteiz

Once you've visited Vitoria-Gasteiz you’ll wonder how the city has remained such a well-kept secret. Sitting in the heart of the Basque Country, the local vitorianos can proudly point to the fact that their city is routinely listed in the top five places to live in Spain.

Spend some time here and you’ll soon see why. The old town is home to some of the region’s best preserved medieval streets and plazas, as well as its pair of cathedrals. It’s the scene of a string of music festivals, while renowned wineries lie just outside.

Secrets of the city

Vitoria isn’t just a place with a list of sights to see, it’s a sight in itself. Wander to Plaza de la Virgen Blanca at the heart of this medieval city to find an ornate square encircled by elegant architecture and fabulous places to meet and eat.

Arrive on the right day and the lilting sounds of orchestral music fill the air. Feast your eyes on the airy arches and rainbow windows of the Catedral de Santa María, then soak up captivating experimental art at the nearby Artium Museum.

Discover the Basque Country

Vitoria is perfectly positioned for exploring the rest of the Basque Country. Head out of the city to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, less than an hour’s drive away.

Itself a masterpiece of 20^th century architectural design, the Guggenheim is an imposing, deconstructed titanium vessel, interconnected with impressive walkways and sleek glass curtain walls.

Once you’ve had your fill of Bilbao, explore more of the Bay of Biscay by taking a drive to San Sebastián, home of the International Film Festival. Here you can enjoy warm golden beaches and stroll down avenues lined with striking art nouveau buildings.

Enjoy a culinary adventure

The Basque Country is blessed with countless top-notch eateries, from delicious pintxos (the Basque’s take on tapas) bars to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Mouthwatering dishes incorporate all the favourite tastes of the Basque people – exotic hams, moreish cheeses and warm fresh breads are served with lively conversation and a friendly vibe.

In San Sebastian you can spend a long afternoon on a ‘tapas crawl’, savouring fresh oysters or brocheta de gambas at one of the many eateries.

Visit the capital

As capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria offers the perfect mix of fabulous places to eat and amazing sights to see. But if you fancy a trip to another bustling city filled with culture, hit the road and travel to Madrid.

Spain’s capital city boasts breathtaking architecture, a busy shopping scene and a nightlife to rival anywhere on Earth. It’s around a three-and-a-half hour drive via the A-1, with plenty of stop-off points along the way.

Check out medieval Burgos, or take a little detour to the incredibly grand Segovia, where you can lose hours exploring the fairytale palace and castle that rises from a rocky crag near the Guadarrama mountains.

Go from Spain to France

Vitoria sits close to the border with France, hence the frequent French influences that pop up throughout this multicultural city. Leave Vitoria via the A-1 and in just under two hours you’ll arrive in Bayonne, another enchanting medieval city with delicacies and sights all of its own.

Car hire in Vitoria is a great way to explore this fascinating city, as well as venture out into the wider Basque region and beyond, conveniently and at your own pace.

Driving in and around Vitoria-Gasteiz

Driving in Vitoria is pretty straightforward. The fact that it hasn’t been discovered by tourists in the same way as other cities in the Basque Country means roads move fairly freely. There is limited parking within the medieval city itself, but you’ll find a number of convenient park and ride car parks just outside.

It’s also the perfect starting point for a driving tour through the Basque Country, one of Spain’s most breathtaking road trips. Motorways connect the major cities and there usually isn’t too much traffic to contend with.

Take the AP-B to Bilbao, and in one hour you’ll drive through incredible landscapes that feel as much a part of the adventure as your destination. The winding roads only add to the exhilarating driving experience.

You can travel outside of the Basque Country and enjoy exploring the rest of Spain, visiting cities such as Zaragoza, with its turreted castles and amazing tapas scene. You can find this little explored treasure by following the A-1 and AP-68 out of the city.

Again, the roads are well maintained and the journey takes you through some incredible places. The main highways within Spain carry a limit of 120 km/h. Throughout the country you’ll find that radar speed guns are widely used, so be sure to monitor your speed closely to avoid a potential on the spot fine.

It’s compulsory to carry a number of things in the car, including spare bulbs and a high visibility vest, but don’t worry, we’ll make sure you have all you need to travel safety.