Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz – often shortened to simply Vitoria – has a habit of falling off the radar, yet it’s actually the capital of not just the southern Basque province of Álava (Basque: Araba) but also the entire Basque Country. Maybe it was given this honour precisely because it is so forgotten, but if that’s the case, prepare for a pleasant surprise. With an art gallery whose contents frequently surpass those of the more famous Bilbao galleries, a delightful old quarter, dozens of great pintxo bars and restaurants, a large student contingent and a friendly local population, you have the makings of a lovely city.