Vitoria and Añana salt valley small group tour, lunch included

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. One of the most important cultural, architectural, environmental, vlandscape and archaeological sites in the world. From our current perspective, it is almost impossible to understand how salt, such an abundant and low-cost product, could be so important historically. We must bear in mind that salt was and is essential in many industrial processes as well as in human food and animal feed; more so when industrial cooling systems had not been developed, as it was one of the most effective methods of preserving food. Salt has been the cause of many wars and enforced peace processes, of death and success, of wealth and poverty, of the creation and destruction of towns and cities and, of course, of greed but also a cause for joy among human beings. Valle Salado is one of the best examples worldwide of the history of salt, known since antiquity as "white gold". The natural emergence of the salt springs caused the establishment of a settlement in the surrounding area that has developed uninterruptedly for thousands of years and that, based on the production of salt, has learned to adapt to the conditions and specificities of each historical period.

   1.5 h

2. Vitoria-Gasteiz is located in Spain’s Basque Country, and although it may not be as well known as Bilbao or San Sebastian, it’s definitely worth a visit. From its own modern art museum to its magnificent cathedral

   2 h

3. The archaeological excavations which were carried out underneath the Old Cathedral in 2001 discovered the remains of an ancient city wall, which dates back to the latter half of the 11th century and a section of which can still be seen, along with one of its towers.

   20 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Bilbao

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 76 day trips we list in Bilbao.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Bilbao

Bilbao is a Basque city on the Nervión River, a former industrial port reborn around a titanium-clad art museum and an old quarter of pintxo bars.

Bilbao grew rich on iron ore and shipbuilding, and its industrial riverside has been turned to culture. The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry and covered in titanium, curves beside the river, with a giant flower-covered dog and a spider sculpture outside. The Fine Arts Museum, in a park nearby, and the Zubizuri footbridge by Santiago Calatrava are other stops.

Top-ranked sights in Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Casco Viejo, Bilbao's Santiago Cathedral.

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