Living in Vitoria with children: family-friendly neighborhoods and services

Living in Vitoria with children: a welcoming city

The capital of Álava is considered one of the cities with the highest quality of life in Spain. Multiple factors contribute to making it a welcoming city, with a daily life that moves between routine and various events that add color to it and blend wonderfully with family life.

Vitoria is a small city. Or a large town, depending on how you look at it. The distances that define it are short, so everyday journeys (to school, work, the gym…) are brief. This results in maximizing free time, which is crucial for a fulfilling life. Especially when living with children.

Known as Siberia-Gasteiz, Vitoria has, let’s say, a cool temperature throughout the year. Nevertheless, rising temperatures have given the city a moderate climate that largely avoids heatwaves or heavy snowfall.

Despite its reputation as a quiet city, we cannot overlook a relatively lively cultural life. In addition to the Jazz Festival and the Azkena Rock Festival, practically every day of the week you can see a concert, go to the theater, visit a museum...

The best schools in Vitoria

Vitoria can boast several renowned educational centers. And, in addition, the proximity mentioned earlier also applies to this aspect, with the convenience that this entails. Here are some examples of the best schools:

● Marianistas: with several schools throughout Spain, this is a school with extensive facilities located right in the city center.● Corazonistas: another of Vitoria’s most prestigious educational centers. It is located between the city center and the Mendizorroza area, one of the most sought-after.

● Olabide: although education is nowadays taught almost entirely in Basque, Olabide can boast a long-standing tradition in this respect, with excellent educational results.

● CEU Virgen Niña: the prestigious educational center originating in Madrid has a branch here. Bilingual education to strengthen these students’ future career prospects. 

● Aiurri Montessori: supporters of this, no longer so new, learning methodology also have an option in the Basque capital.

The best neighborhoods to live in Vitoria with children

As mentioned above, the Basque capital is an excellent lifestyle choice because of its tranquility and the quantity, proximity and accessibility of services. Living in Vitoria with children is a great option. There are several areas that can be an excellent alternative. All have excellent transport connections. 

Engel & Völkers recommends some of the most attractive and quietest neighborhoods in Vitoria: 

Lovaina/San Martín

These are two neighborhoods that are practically one. About a ten-minute walk from the most central area of the city. 

They offer advantages for living with children, such as proximity to a health center, good hospitality venues, good schools, and being just a step away from sports facilities such as El Estadio or Mendizorroza and green areas such as Parque del Prado. 

If you are interested in this area, with properties as attractive as these, you can get in touch with us. Here are some of the area’s highlights:

● Marianistas and Urkide: one opposite the other, two of the best schools in the city.

● San Martín Park: known as the Duck Park. A large green space right in the neighborhood.

● San Martín Health Center: your healthcare needs covered.

● Property price: between €2,996 (Lovaina) and €3,231 (San Martín).

Mendizorroza

Located close to Lovaina/San Martín, it is next to the green areas and sports facilities mentioned above. It is also ideal for living with children. It has good schools such as CEU Virgen Niña and high-quality residential areas that include detached houses.

● CEU Virgen Niña: bilingual education (English and Spanish) for your children.

● Parque del Prado: with a terrace, playgrounds and space for running.

● San Martín Health Center: shared with Lovaina and San Martín. Just a few minutes’ walk away.

● Property price: €3,027.

El Anglo/Desamparados/Ensanche (City Center)

If you like living in the city center, this is your option. Living in Vitoria with children is a convenient choice here despite being in the center. In addition to the services and usual leisure and hospitality offerings in these areas, the size of the city allows you to reach schools, hospitals, etc. quickly.

● Corazonistas, Marianistas and Urkide: the best schools in Vitoria are not in this area. Nevertheless, the city’s short distances mean they can be reached within minutes.

● La Florida Park: with two large terraces belonging to hospitality establishments and a beautiful kiosk where dances are held on Sundays when the weather permits.

● Santiago Hospital: the city’s largest healthcare center, together with Txagorritxu.

● Property price: between €2,674 (Ensanche), €3,421 (Desamparados) and €2,542 (El Anglo).

Zabalgana and Salburua

Despite being “far” from the city center, these young neighborhoods have the advantage of offering recently built apartments at affordable prices. There is also an ideal atmosphere for young families, green spaces… 

The fact that the neighborhood is full of young families with children makes it ideal for family life. In addition, the tram, bus or bike lane make this manageable distance much easier to cover.

● Zabalgana and Salburua Public School: the public option is the only one located in these neighborhoods. The tram, bus or bike lane also bring many students to other schools.

● Green Ring: being new neighborhoods places them farther from the center but closer to nature. The Green Ring is a great option for immersing yourself in nature.

● Zabalgana and Salburua Health Center: right in the neighborhood.

● Property price: between €2,431 (Salburua) and €2,781 (Zabalgana).

Armentia

Perhaps your choice is to live in a detached house like this one. In Armentia you can achieve this while being just a step away from the city. A thirty-minute walk takes you to the center. 

In return, you will have to give up the proximity of certain services, although you will have sports facilities, the occasional good restaurant and the tranquility of someone living in the countryside. 

● CEU Virgen Niña and Olabide: Armentia is located slightly away from the urban center. CEU Virgen Niña and Olabide are the closest options among the city’s best schools.

● Armentia Forest: the possibility of living practically immersed in nature is a reality here.

● Zabalgana Health Center: this is the closest center, although Txagorritxu Hospital is also about ten minutes away by car.

● Property price: €2,725.

Hospitals and various services in the city

The social aspect is one of the characteristics that defines Vitoria. There are multiple initiatives that create a framework through which citizens can access several highly valuable day-to-day services free of charge or at little cost.

Without a doubt, the civic centers are the jewel in the crown. There are fourteen. The idea is that every citizen has one nearby—we are talking minutes on foot. They offer sports facilities (including swimming pools in many of them), playrooms, libraries… In addition, there are courses at affordable prices ranging from mycology to gymnastics.

For living in Vitoria with children, nowadays, the help of grandparents is indispensable. The Basque capital also thinks about our elderly. Thus, the Bizan centers (there is also practically one in every neighborhood) offer our older residents different activities to brighten up their routines.

Green areas of Vitoria (to enjoy with children)

If there is one thing the Green Capital can boast about, it is, of course, its green areas. Gasteiz has 42 square meters of these spaces per inhabitant, which means that anyone is about two and a half minuteson foot from these surroundings. Here is a sample:

● Salburua Park: just a few minutes from the city center, its wetlands and natural surroundings give it flora and fauna worthy of the countryside. From the viewpoint you can see different species of birds or deer walking through the area. 

● La Florida Park: right in the city center. With a kiosk and two terraces belonging to hospitality establishments.

● Parque del Prado: five minutes from the center. A popular route for runners, it also has a large terrace.

● Armentia Meadows: on the outskirts but, given the size of the city, very accessible. Here, you are practically in the mountains. There is a route for a pleasant walk through nature. The meadows that give the area its name are perfect for spending a peaceful day having a picnic.

In addition, Vitoria is known for its extensive bike lane network. The city has 182.5 kilometers (one of the largest networks in Spain) of this infrastructure and 16,000 bicycle parking spaces. 

In this way, all these spaces are very close at hand and cycling these distances is the ideal way to enjoy a day in the countryside right in the city. You have no excuse not to get around on two wheels, both as a family and with the children.

Sports facilities and civic centers in Vitoria

Nowadays, children’s day-to-day lives should be made as easy as possible. The hustle and bustle inherent to a big city is reduced here for various reasons that we will describe below.

The size of Vitoria, as well as its transport network and bike lane network, greatly facilitate this. As mentioned above, there is practically a civic center in every neighborhood in the Álava capital. There, children can take part in both sports and various educational activities.

But if what you are looking for is simply to practice sports, there are three complexes with swimming pools, a gym, football fields, basketball, tennis… El Estadio and Mendizorroza, next to Parque del Prado, and BAKH, on the outskirts of the city but accessible by bike or bus, are excellent options.

Paddle tennis (at Padeleku and Pádel Norte) or golf at the Larrabea and Izki courses (outside Vitoria, although only a few minutes away) are other alternatives.

Living with children in Vitoria; a more than affordable option

After breaking down all these aspects concerning the possibility of living in Vitoria with children, you are probably wondering how to make it a reality.

Nearby parks and schools, the best neighborhoods, sports facilities, areas with more children and young families… The truth is that there are several possibilities. It all depends on your expectations.

If you are considering carrying out this life plan, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our consultants will help you choose the option that best fits your needs.

Frequently asked questions about Living in Vitoria with children: best neighborhoods, schools, family services, hospitals...

Is Vitoria a quiet city? Yes. Although it has grown considerably in recent years, it is still a peaceful city.

Is Vitoria a suitable city for living with children? Yes, its green areas, good schools, services, tranquility and good communications make it more than suitable.

Is Vitoria well connected? Yes. You can get there from Madrid in three to four hours by bus or car. There are also multiple train connections and some by plane.

Is Vitoria an affordable city? The cost of living is average. Affordable for those coming from major capitals.

Is it easy to get around the city? Yes, there is an extensive bus network, a tram and a huge bike lane network that allows you to travel throughout the city.