Álava is one of the historic territories of Spain, it is a beautiful region filled with incredible landscapes, ancient structures, and villages from the medieval era. This region draws the attention of thousands of tourists every year, its sites of interest are truly impressive.
Álava is a Spanish province located in the autonomous community of Euskadi, whose capital is the city of Vitoria. All the beautiful places that we are going to discuss in this article are relatively close to the Victorian capital, beautiful villas and localities that if you visit the Alavese capital we advise you to visit.
It’s time to know what are the most charming villages in the entire Alavese province in [year]. Travel with us on this tourist route and discover the most charming villages of Álava in the Alavese region.
This is a selection of 7 Alavese villages that you will love to visit, but if you have the chance do not stop visiting many more, this Spanish province also keeps many other beautiful villages that have been left off this list. Ready to discover What to see in Álava?
Laguardia
What to see near Vitoria? This village is located in the south of the province of Álava. Laguardia is an old walled place from the medieval era with stone roads, it is a charm for the traveler. Around this town are the remains of the walls that protected the village in its medieval era. The whole set makes it a medieval historical center worth visiting.
Its biggest point of interest is the Church of Santa María de los Reyes, built in the 12th century, the Church of San Juan, next to its town hall and the Convent of the Capuchins. Less well known but no less important is to see in Laguardia its underground of medieval layout, used today as wine cellars, as this wine-growing municipality has prestigious wines with D.O. Qualified Rioja. In the surroundings, you can contemplate beautiful natural landscapes as attractive as the Lagoons and Reservoir of El Prao, the Celtic Barbican Pond, originating from the Iron Age.
In many internet lists and magazines, Laguardia is famous for being one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and of La Rioja Alavesa itself. Are you going to miss it?
Labastida
What to visit in Alava? This village stands out for the town hall of Labastida, the Basque villa is also full of monuments full of fascinating stories that will gradually immerse the traveler in its great history.
Personally, I invite you to know the historic center of Labastida, where you can see different stately houses and centuries-old palaces, among which stand out the Palace of the Garaizábal, Monastery of Santa María de Toloño, Hermitage of the Santo Cristo or the Palace of the Paternina.
Its natural landscapes are also a plus for the locality when planning a visit. Near this municipality, you will find the San Ginés Recreational Area, a perfect natural space to spend a pleasant day, with trees, outdoor tables and even barbecues. One of those beautiful villages near Vitoria worth visiting on your trip through Euskadi and that reminds a lot of the villages of neighboring Vizcaya.
What do you think of these villages near Vitoria? If you have any doubts or experiences visiting these places, leave it in a comment.
Salvatierra
This town is located in the northeastern part of Álava and its beginnings date back to the mid-13th century. Salvatierra appears to be a place that has stopped in the medieval era.
Its beautiful monuments capture all the attention of visitors and it has been declared a Historic Site. Some of the monuments with a great artistic heritage are the Church-fortress of San Juan and Santa María, the Begoña’s house (and another set of manor houses built between the 16th and 17th centuries), the widows’ house, the Azkarraga house, the Old Pilgrims’ Hospital among others.
In the surroundings of this beautiful Basque town, we find natural places like La Cañada. Or its two attractive parks, Galzar and Oriamendi. This is one of those towns in Álava that you must visit, one of those small towns in Álava near Vitoria that will not disappoint.
Amurrio
In this town of Álava, the outdoor museums, the bicycle museum, the famous Txakolineria, the Liquor Museum, among others, stand out. This Alava town is also full of beautiful landscapes around it and fascinating architecture. This place is visited by hundreds of tourists in the summer season.
It also has a great historical heritage, among which the Church of Santa Maria, the Church of the Assumption or the Ugarte Tower House stand out. In addition to beautiful natural places such as the Nervión waterfall, the Délica canyon or the Maroño reservoir.
Rioja Alavesa
The Rioja Alavesa has long been one of the jewels of Álava. Modern sites have been built in recent times to welcome tourists, its historical richness, its medieval sites and its protected places are unforgettable. One of those places to visit in Alava where you will meet the real Spain.
Salinas de Añana
This town has been founded centuries ago. Very close to Salinas de Añana is the Valderejo Natural Park, with a huge colony of griffon vultures, one of the points of interest in this town that I highly recommend visiting.
Among its cultural heritage, the atypical Templar Convent of San Juan de Arce, the famous Ozpinas Palace House, the beautiful Baroque Herrán Palace or the Church of Santa María de Villacones stand out.
The curious name of this town comes from the salt pans, which for thousands of years, thanks to the spring waters that cross salt sediments, a geological feature that occurs in few parts of Spain, which also makes it a tourist attraction with the qualification of World Agricultural Heritage.
The natural landscapes are also worth admiring in this place, definitely this town is another jewel of Álava. If you like this style of traditional villages you might be interested in the towns of Gipuzkoa.
Urturi
Undoubtedly one of the things to do in Vitoria is to visit its nearby towns… this village is located in the Izki Natural Park (Alavesa Mountain), a beautiful place full of incredible landscapes among valleys formed by the Ega and Ayuda rivers. If you visit this town, take a look at the Hermitage of San Juan, a beautiful Romanesque-style construction declared a Cultural Interest Site.
This vast relief area is surrounded by mountains. Its ancient structures also captivate all visitors who decide to go to Urturi, one of the villages of Vitoria that you have to visit on your route through the Basque Country.
Antoñana
And finally, and not least importantly, I want to recommend you to also visit the town of Antoñana. We’re talking about a medieval town that has managed to preserve its heritage spectacularly. You can verify this by walking through its narrow streets among its stone houses and typical reddish roofs, many of which used the old town wall as a facade.
Worth seeing are the Parish Church of San Vicente Mártir, or the impressive Tower House of Los Arquillos de Abajo, from the 13th century, yes it’s over 700 years old.
What do you think about the most beautiful villages in Álava in [year]? If you liked these Alavés towns, don’t forget to share them with your friends on social networks! That’s all about the beautiful villages of Álava in 2024 – 2025.
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¡Qué maravilla! Me encantaría perderme por esos pueblos y disfrutar de su encanto.
¡Qué preciosidad de pueblos en Álava! Me encantaría perderme en sus calles empedradas y disfrutar de su encanto.
¡Totalmente de acuerdo contigo! Los pueblos de Álava son realmente hermosos. Es un lugar perfecto para desconectar y disfrutar de su encanto. No puedo esperar para visitarlos y perderme en sus calles empedradas. ¡Gracias por compartir tu opinión!
¡Vaya! Estoy sorprendido de que no mencionen a mi querido pueblo, Nanclares de Oca. Es hermoso también, ¿sabes?