Alava Between Salt History and Nature

In Alava, protected landscapes meet evidence of a long cultural history. Wetlands and birdwatching, salt production, wine-growing landscapes and museums each give a trip its own focus. You can plan your time around whether you want to experience nature or explore historic sites and regional traditions.

Nature, Water and Birdwatching

Gorbeia Natural Park covers 20,016 hectares and extends across Álava and Bizkaia. In Valderejo, you can discover its rich ornithological heritage along trails, at observation points and in equipped areas. Izki Natural Park is specially protected for its ecological value and beauty. Its diverse flora and fauna, as well as features associated with human activity over time, shape an ecological and cultural heritage.

The Laguardia lagoons offer a different experience of nature: they form a protected biotope in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, near Laguardia’s fortified old town. The 2.5-kilometre Prao de la Paul trail runs alongside the wetland and is accessible to people with disabilities. However, it is not recommended in the rain. There is also a birdwatching centre along the trail, with capacity for around 18 to 20 people. Keys can be requested from the tourist information office; check how to collect them before your visit.

The beaches on the Ullibarri-Gamboa Reservoir are also part of Alava’s natural and waterside landscape. Since 2016, Landa in Arratzua-Ubarrundia, Moskurio (Garaio Norte) in Barrundia and Salurriaga (Garaio Sur) in Elburgo have held Blue Flag status. This status may change, so check before your trip. Bikes can be rented at the Garaio information centre’s camp store. As availability may be seasonal, check in advance.

Salt Landscapes and the Wine Route

Guided tours are available at the Valle Salado. The landscape includes more than four kilometres of wooden channels and more than 2,000 restored salt pans that are still in operation. Valle Salado markets four natural salt products: mineral salt from the spring, fleur de sel flakes, liquid spring salt and salt sticks. The combination of channels, pans and products makes salt production a distinctive part of a trip here. Valle Salado is 30 kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz. You can get there via the A-2622 or via the AP-1 and A-2622; check road conditions before setting off.

The GR 38, the Wine and Fish Route, begins in Oyón and passes through Laguardia and Lagrán. Near Estíbaliz, it reaches the Llanada Alavesa and continues towards the Ullibarri-Gamboa Reservoir. In Rioja Alavesa, wine tourism brings together small family-run wineries, avant-garde winery buildings, vineyards and monumental sites such as Laguardia. The wine landscape and salt-making craft offer different perspectives: one is about vineyards and wineries, the other about channels, salt pans and the varieties produced from them.

Cultural Sites and History

The Torre de los Varona dates back to the late 14th or early 15th century. Historian Micaela Portilla describes it as the best-preserved fortified complex in Álava. The Chabola de la Hechicera dolmen is considered one of the most important dolmens in the Basque Country, and probably the largest and best-preserved in the area.

In Vitoria-Gasteiz, BIBAT brings together the Álava Archaeology Museum and the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards. The Iruña-Veleia archaeological site spans more than 1,500 years of history, from the first millennium BC to the 5th century AD. The greater part of the wall and the south gate of the fortified site remain visible. The Museo de Armería de Álava has a section dedicated to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. Its collection consists mainly of offensive and defensive weapons, along with related equipment, from prehistoric times to the beginning of the 20th century.

When looking for a hotel for your trip to Alava, you could start by considering which of these interests matter most to you: wetlands and birdwatching, salt history, wine landscapes or museums. The experiences that appeal to you most can help shape your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Araia, Labastida, Rivabellosa, Izarra, Guereña, Villanañe, Lagran, Molinilla, Campezo / Kanpezu, Agurain, Aprikano, Guinea, Barrón, Pobes, Viñaspre, Manurga, Lalastra, Moreta, Navaridas, Elburgo/Burgelu, Lapuebla Labarka, Páganos, Bilar, Laserna, Lukiano, Sobrón, Ibarguren, Murga, Añes, Lezama, Urturi, Maturana, Arkaia, Leza, Gorbeia Inguruak, Artziniega, Alaiza, Castillo-Sopeña, El Campillar, Hereña, Caicedo-Sopeña, Gopegi, Laguardia, Elciego, Bernedo, Murgia, Añana, Amurrio, Quejana, Lasarte, Eskuernaga, Samaniego, Zambrana, Legutio, Apodaka, Goiuri-Ondona, Pinedo, Hueto Arriba, Bujanda, Abornikano, Maestu, Corro, Oion, Urizaharra, Gurendes, Vitoria-Gasteiz

For the overarching travel guide: Basque Country.