Just a few kilometres from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir is Álava’s “inland sea”: beaches, water sports, cycling routes and large green spaces where you can spend a summer’s day by the water.
When the heat hits Vitoria-Gasteiz, many locals do not head for the coast. They only need to travel a few kilometres to the Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir, one of Álava’s most popular leisure spots during the summer months. Around 20 minutes from the city, this vast body of water surrounded by meadows and small wooded areas is perfect for swimming, getting active or simply settling into the shade with a picnic.
So yes, Vitoria has a beach too! There may be no waves or sea horizon, but there are three inland beaches with Blue Flag status, water for a refreshing swim and scenery that makes it very easy to forget, for a few hours, that you are far from the coast.
Landa or Garaio: which beach should you choose?
The reservoir’s two main swimming areas are Landa and Garaio, and both are ideal for spending a full day by the water.
Landa, on the north-western side of the reservoir, is probably the easiest option for anyone looking to combine swimming and relaxation. It has a large green area, picnic spots and tables, as well as a bar beside the beach. It is especially popular with families and groups of friends who arrive in the morning and use the reservoir as their base for the whole day.
In Garaio, the scenery takes more of a starring role. The park occupies a 116-hectare peninsula that stretches into the reservoir and is home to Garaio North and Garaio South beaches, surrounded by meadows and wooded areas. There are toilets, showers, car parks, signposted paths and viewpoints, making it particularly easy to alternate a swim with a walk or a short hike.
Which one should you choose? For a day mainly focused on the beach and a picnic, Landa is an easy bet. If you would rather combine swimming with walking, cycling and exploring a little more of the surrounding area, Garaio offers more possibilities.
There’s more to do than sunbathe
Ullíbarri-Gamboa is also one of the best places near Vitoria for an active summer’s day. Its waters are used for activities such as canoeing, rowing and windsurfing, while paths around the reservoir make it possible to explore the landscape on foot or by bike.
In fact, if you bring a bike, you can turn the outing into a fairly substantial ride. The circular route that runs around almost the entire reservoir is about 44 kilometres long and can be started from either Landa or Garaio. There are shorter alternatives too, so you do not need to complete the entire loop to enjoy cycling beside the water. You can also cycle there from Vitoria, connecting with the Vasco Navarro Greenway. It is a good option if you want the journey itself to be part of the plan and prefer not to travel by car. If you are particularly interested in discovering the cycling and natural side of Álava’s capital, you can complement your trip with our guide to Vitoria-Gasteiz as a green city.
A detour for birdwatching
If you prefer to slow things down, another of the reservoir’s most interesting spots lies at its southern end: the Mendixur Ornithological Park. Here it is worth swapping your swimming gear for binoculars. Two short routes of around 3.5 kilometres lead to hides from which you can spot the birds that use these wetlands as a refuge. It is a peaceful activity that is easy to combine with Garaio, especially early in the day or when you no longer feel like lying by the water.
How to plan a summer’s day from Vitoria
One of Ullíbarri-Gamboa’s great advantages is precisely how close it is, so you do not have to choose between visiting Vitoria and enjoying nature.
You can spend the morning at the reservoir, get to Landa or Garaio early and start with a walk, a bike ride or a water activity before going for a swim. Afterwards, set out your picnic —the recreation areas have tables and designated spaces— and use the middle of the day to relax beside the water. In the late afternoon, the short distance makes it easy to return to Vitoria and end the day in a much more urban way: strolling through the historic centre and finding a terrace or pintxo bar for dinner.
It is precisely this contrast that makes the reservoir one of the area’s best summer outings: in a single day you can go from central Vitoria to swimwear, a bike and an afternoon by the water, then back to the city in time for dinner.
Practical information for summer 2026
During the 2026 swimming season, the beaches of Landa, Salurriaga and Moskurio —the latter two in Garaio— once again hold Blue Flag status. The official season runs until 30 August, and assistance, lifeguard and rescue services operate from 12:00 to 20:00. If you come by car, both Landa and Garaio have parking. In addition, a new 288-space car park opened in Landa this summer and is free during the 2026 season. On fine-weather days, however, it is still best not to wait until midday before heading over: this is one of Álava locals’ favourite summer activities, and the reservoir’s peaceful setting does not necessarily mean you will have it all to yourself.
And perhaps that is also the best way to discover it: not as an attraction to visit from Vitoria, but as the people who live here do, setting aside a few hours to head to the water when summer arrives.
