Vitoria-Gasteiz serves as the capital city of the Basque Country and the province of Álava in northern Spain. It functions as the seat of government for the autonomous community, housing the House of Parliament, the Government headquarters, and the Lehendakari's official residency. The municipality encompasses not only the urban center but also the agricultural lands of sixty-three surrounding villages, covering a total area of 276.96 square kilometers. This makes it the largest municipality in the Basque Country by land area.

The city's origins trace back to 581 AD when Visigoth king Liuvigild founded Victoriacum, though its exact location remains debated among historians. The current settlement was established in 1181 by Sancho the Wise of Navarre as Nova Victoria on a hill near the earlier village of Gasteiz. It was captured by Alfonso VIII of Castile in 1199 and granted city charter status in 1431. The Battle of Vitoria in 1813, where Wellington defeated French forces, is a pivotal historical event commemorated by a monument in Virgen Blanca Square.

The old town features some of the best-preserved medieval streets and plazas in the region and is one of very few cities with two cathedrals. Notable heritage sites include the Neolithic remains at Aizkomendi and Sorginetxe, Iron Age settlements, and medieval fortresses like the Tower of Mendoza. The vicinity hosts acclaimed wineries such as Ysios and Marqués de Riscal. Historically, a Jewish cemetery known as Judizmendi was maintained from 1492 to 1952, now marked by the Coexistence monument.

Vitoria-Gasteiz is recognized for its cultural festivals, including the Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. It was the first Spanish municipality awarded the title of European Green Capital in 2012 and received the Global Green City Award from the UN in 2019. The city is often ranked highly for its standard of living, green areas, and cultural places per capita. Its dynamic economy includes strengths in health-care, aeronautics, the automotive industry, and viticulture.

The population was 260,699 as of 2025, making it the second most populous city in the Basque Country and the seventeenth-largest in Spain. It is located 66 kilometers south of Bilbao and 114 kilometers from San Sebastian, with Vitoria Airport situated eight kilometers north of the town center. The city experiences an oceanic climate with cool winters and summers influenced by Mediterranean precipitation patterns, offering a distinct seasonal character for visitors.