First things first: Alavés isn't a city in itself, you have to go to the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, a little south of Bilbao. Do you like cycling and basketball as well? Then there's a lot to discover in this region in the north of Spain.
The Estadio Mendizorrotza of Deportivo Alavés will not really shock your world, but it is still quite nice. In 1999, it was renovated into a compact and modern stadium with 20,000 seats. It looks a bit like the King Power Stadium of Leicester City.
You wouldn't say so at first glance, but the ground is very historical. Football has been played here since 1924 already. In Spain, only El Molinón (Gijón) and Mestalla (Valencia) are older.
When visiting a match of Deportivo Alaves, your partner and the kids can amuse themselves in the open pool next to the stadium.
Bonus tip: In the basement of the stadium is a nice club museum since 2005.
The name says it all: ‘Bar Deportivo Alaves’. But where you might expect an obscure, raw fan café close to the stadium, this is a perfect place to eat tapas in one of the most beautiful locations of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Under the galleries of the historical Espaina Plaza, you'll find this charming diner, perfect for a 'pulpo' or a 'tortilla' with a beer. Plus, the bar, obviously, has a football vibe. The club flag hangs proudly on the white wooden facade.
In the centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, there's an 'Experience Store' on General Alava Kalea 1. A giant fan store with lots of souvenirs of Deportivo Alaves, but also of the local basketball club. Saski Baskonia is one of the best basketball clubs in Spain: Both sports clubs are under the ownership of the sports marketing company Baskonia Alaves. The shop is worth a visit and is, in a way, a club museum in itself.
Deportivo Alaves is a solid, typical province club with a familial character. Even though they reached the historical final of the UEFA Cup in 2001 (5-4 loss against Liverpool), historically they are a modest Spanish club. The club is very accessible for fans: The training ground Ciudad Deportiva José Luis Compañón (Ibaia), a little west of the town is regularly open for the fans.
Bonus tip: The old training complex of Alavés, the Complejo Deportivo de Betoño, is also worth a visit. It's currently used by a lot of local teams and has a small old stand.
In Basque Country, they're naturally fond of football and cycling. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also a very popular start and finish city in the Vuelta. Not strange, because this part of the province Alava is wonderful to cycle in, for pro's and amateurs. When you leave the city, you're immediately in a beautiful hilly landscape.
On the website of Alavés, you can buy tickets for most matches. Create an account, and don't be frightened of the many fields you have to fill in: most of them aren't mandatory.
In Vitoria-Gasteiz, everything is within walking distance. Estadio Mendizorrotza is just outside the city centre. Bus line 2 is a circular line around the city and stops in front of the stadium, at stop Mendizorrotza. It doesn't matter which direction you take, you'll always end up at the stadium.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
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