Vitoria, the green city: a guide to exploring it

Vitoria, the green city: some facts that explain its sustainability

In the following lines we will discover why the city is so green and sustainable. 

As the City Council points out on its website, Vitoria has 171 kilometres of cycle lanes. Furthermore, no one is ever more than a 2.5-minute walk from a green area.

The Basque capital has more than 115,000 trees in its streets and urban parks,

to which we must add those in the other parks that make up the city’s Green Belt, which covers 833 hectares. 

Also according to this institution, it is worth highlighting the participatory planting (by citizens, businesses and community groups) of 250,000 trees and shrubs between 2012 and 2016 as part of the Roots of the Future campaign, which sought to weave the infrastructure of Vitoria as agreen city.

The municipal website also states that, beyond its green credentials and its own flora, Vitoria is a refuge for globally threatened species such as the European mink and the aquatic warbler. 

Best areas of Vitoria, the green city: the most popular spaces

As we mentioned above, Vitoria is a city that stands out for its many large green spaces. Here are some of the most significant: 

La Florida Park

One of its great virtues is its location: right in the city centre. With a large bandstand inside, where some musical performances take place, the park was designed in the style of 19th-century Frenchgardens. 

There are two cafés with several tables on their terraces. It also has century-old trees of 95 different species.

El Prado Park

Like La Florida, its location, while not as central, is very urban. Situated in the Mendizorroza area, El Prado is one of the favourite spots for running enthusiasts. It has a café-restaurant with a large terrace.

Arriaga Park

It is the largest park in the city, covering 18 hectares. In addition to a huge pond (4,600 m2), this space is home to more than 30 bird species and a wide variety of trees, including elms, magnolias, beeches, sequoias, poplars and various fruit trees.

San Martín Park

Known as the duck park because of the flocks of these birds that live on its pond, this 85,000-square-metre green space is sheltered by eleven different species of conifers, 66 species of broadleaf trees and countless rose bushes.

San Martín Park has two basketball hoops, combining one of the city’s most popular sports with outdoor life.

The Green Belt, the jewel in the crown of sustainable Vitoria

Without a doubt, the most striking space when talking about a green city like Vitoria is the Belt whose name it shares. We are talking about no less than 90 kilometres of pedestrian and cycling paths encircling the city. Within them there are several areas well worth a visit:

Salburua Wetlands

It gets its name because it is a wetland, suited to the life and development of a diverse fauna and flora. There are several routes; here are some of the most popular:

● Arcaute Pond: the best known because, in addition to a wide variety of birdlife, you can spot herds of deer.

● Betoño Pond: an aquatic ecosystem full of life, with birds, fauna and flora of great natural value.

● Green Belt loop: a route designed to be done by bike. It passes through places of environmental and cultural interest, rest areas and viewpoints.  

Olarizu Botanical Garden

As well as offering a large green area for walking and enjoying outdoor life, the botanical garden is home to the Casa de la Dehesa. 

This building houses a citizen service point, technical offices, laboratories, a herbarium and the Botanical Garden’s Germplasm Bank. It also has a permanent exhibition space on the plant world, several classrooms for environmental education activities and an auditorium.

You can also enjoy walks through a Mediterranean forest, as well as sub-Mediterranean, temperate, boreal and high-mountain forests. There is a picnic area, an off-leash dog area, various gardens...

Armentia Forest

It is worth noting the 70% tree density of this site on the outskirts of the city. The Portuguese oak is the dominant species.

As well as enjoying a pleasant walk through the forest, you can visit the nearby Basilica of San Prudencio before setting off. Along the route you may come across a wide range of wildlife, from wild boar, squirrels and birds of prey to some thirty species of small birds such as goldfinches, chaffinches, robins and great tits.

The best neighbourhoods to enjoy a green city like Vitoria  

Throughout this post we have been outlining some of the key features of green Vitoria, but is it possible to live in these surroundings? Or, at least, right next to them? It is a concept closely linked, for example, to city life with children. 

Our consultants can advise you on the best neighbourhoods in this regard:

Armentia

This neighbourhood is mostly made up of detached houses. It is undoubtedly one of the best areas of Vitoria, as its impressive villas show. Here you can live right on a green route.

As for the price per square metre, flats average €3,465, while detached houses stand at €2,627. The prices in this post come from a 2026 study by EV and Idealista.

Mendizorroza

Just a stone’s throw from Armentia but already part of the city. Properties range from detached houses to dream flats like this one. The latter are often located in highly sought-after residential developments.

Property prices stand at €3,302/m2.

Salburua

Living in Salburua means living practically within the wetlands. What’s more, the city centre is within easy reach by bus, bike, tram or on foot. 

Although it is a young neighbourhood, it offers a range of services such as schools, health centres, parks and shops. Here, property prices range between €2,659 and €3,617/m2.

City centre

If you don’t want to give up the convenience of the centre but miss green surroundings, Vitoria is the perfect city. Homes like this one, right on La Florida Park, naturally combine both concepts.

Gasteiz’s city centre is divided into smaller areas but, to give an idea of prices, we could talk about €3,324–€3,381 (Ensanche), €3,146–€3,533 (Desamparados) and €2,930–€3,362 (El Anglo).

The best restaurants in Vitoria’s green area

Of course, gastronomy is always present in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Used as we are to the more central eateries, we should not lose sight of other options that bring together the environment and gastronomy.

If we head to Armentia, there is La sidre, a classic grill restaurant serving traditional food such as steak, cod omelette and black pudding… 

On the other side of the city, in Salburua, the Elorriaga hotel is home to a great restaurant. Al alba gastronómico offers traditional cuisine with an avant-garde touch in an idyllic setting.    

Frequently asked questions about green Vitoria: best areas, routes, neighbourhoods...

What are the best green areas in Vitoria? La Florida, El Prado, Arriaga and San Martín parks, the Green Belt...

And if we leave the city? On the outskirts you can visit Armentia Forest, Olarizu Botanical Garden or the Salburua Wetlands.

Is there a green route through the city? Yes. The Green Belt route encircles the city and can be done on foot or by bike.

Are there neighbourhoods in the city with green surroundings? Yes. Mendizorroza, Armentia and Salburua are probably the best options.

Is it easy to get around Vitoria by bike? Yes, Vitoria has 171 kilometres of cycle lanes as well as plenty of bike parking.