Aiaraldea is a region in the Basque Country, located in the northwest of the province of Álava, comprising five municipalities: Artziniega, Ayala/Aiara, Laudio/Llodio, Amurrio, and Okondo.
From the 14th century until the abolition of the fueros (chartered rights) at the end of the 19th century, the Cuadrilla de Aiaraldea had a different geographical area than it does today. It was a region administratively distinct from Álava and Biscay, and could therefore be considered a province of the Crown of Castile. This system remained in place until 1842, when it was fully integrated into the province of Álava.
The current Cuadrilla de Aiaraldea, as a new local entity of foral origin, was formally established on April 3, 1990.
It stands out for its excellent transport links with the capitals of both territories (Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz), as well as for being an attractive place that combines the tranquility of a beautiful natural environment, its unique culture and heritage, and its gastronomy and locally sourced products, among which txakoli, included within the Arabako Txakolina Designation of Origin, is particularly noteworthy.
| Joining the Smart Destinations project | Aiaraldea joined the Smart Destinations project in October 2024 and has obtained the Diagnostic Report and Action Plan for the transformation of Aiaraldea into a Smart Tourist Destination by the end of 2025. |
| Outstanding initiatives
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– Creation of the Aiaraldea Cycling tourism product, featuring five cycling routes that cross the region and promote sport and nature in the area.
– Organization of Txakoli Bizi, a leading food and wine event in the region. – Project to use VR headsets to view tourist attractions in the region, promoting accessibility. – Project to update the signage for the region’s hiking trails.
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