Guide to Haro — the city of wineries and wine festivals
Visit Haro in Rioja and you will fall in love with it! This small city in Spain is considered the capital of wine. It is located on an elevated plateau at the confluence of the Ebro River and its tributary Tirona. It is here that the greatest density of wineries in the region is concentrated and the largest and most famous cellars are located.
Tourists come to Haro to take a vineyard tour and tasting and taste the best Rioja wines, but many pleasant surprises await them along the way. Guests are offered a large selection of active entertainment, exciting gastronomic experiences, participation in cultural events, visits to historical and religious buildings, and much more. However, it is worth recognizing that Haro in Spain is famous primarily for the production of Rioja red wine and the annual wine festival, the main event of which is wine battles.
Our guide to Haro will help you effortlessly plan your winery visits and tastings, choose hotels, where to stay and restaurants, where to eat, what to see, and what to do.
Top attractions in Haro
Haro is a beautiful medieval town with a wide range of attractions to enjoy your time here.
Barrio de la Estacion
If you don’t have things to do in Haro, start with Barrio de la Estacion. This area adjacent to the train station is home to the largest concentration of wineries in the world. Its construction was carried out in the mid-19th century around the railway station — from here Rioja wine was sent to France to make up for the losses of local farmers after the defeat of their vineyards by phylloxera epidemics.
Now Barrio de la Estacion is a popular tourist destination, where the largest wineries in the region are located. It is here that travelers come on Haro winery tour to wine tasting and visit the largest bodegas in Rioja. They are located just a few minutes walk away from each other and offer booked tours. In addition, local wineries are known for their luxury bars, where you can buy a glass of wine without visiting the tasting or the winery itself — it is much cheaper and does not require a reservation.
Basilica of Our Lady of La Vega (Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Vega)
The Basilica of Our Lady of La Vega is one of the most important and best-preserved religious buildings in Haro. It is believed that it was built in the 10th century. However, the building acquired its modern appearance later as a result of several reconstructions. The building attracts attention with a baroque doorway in the form of a semicircular arch with images of Saints Peter and Paul. The main accent of the interior decoration is the gilded altar in the Baroque style. It contains the figure of the Virgin of La Vega and frescoes with angels and scenes from the life of the Virgin. The image of the Virgin of La Vega in the Gothic style (XIV century) also attracts attention. She is represented seated on a throne with a baby in her left hand and a bouquet of ears of barley in her right. One of the miracles attributed to the Virgin of La Vega is turning barley into wheat so that a poor family could pay off their debts.
Every year a big festival is held in Haro dedicated to its patroness, the Virgin of La Vega. The church can be visited for free during opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Church of Santo Tomás (Iglesia Colegiata de Santo Tomás)
The 16th-century Church of Santo Tomas (also known as the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle) is one of Haro’s most beautiful sights. It stands on the second-highest hill in the city, called La Mota or La Atalaya, which makes it visible from almost anywhere in Haro. In 1931 it was declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument. The church has impressive architecture and rich decoration. Note its three naves with fifteen star-finned vaults and various geometric arches with columns and pilasters. The church organ deserves special mention. It is known that intervention in its structure was carried out in 1739, after which it acquired its modern appearance.
Town Hall
The Town Hall is a beautiful historical building and is a famous landmark in Haro. It was built in the 18th century in a neoclassical style from cut stone. Its facade depicts the city’s coat of arms in the Baroque style, and also has the inscription “During the reign of Charles III / 1769.” The façade is crowned by a clock installed in 1857. The most eye-catching architectural element of the first level of the building is the semicircular arches that form the arcades. Sometimes wine barrels are placed here, and then this place becomes especially popular for photos.
Bendaña Palace
The unusual historical building of Bendaña Palasis, built from cut stone, boasts two facades — the 16th and 18th centuries. Particularly noteworthy is the 15th-century Mudejar gallery, unique to La Rioja, with intertwined stars and flowers. Currently, this building houses the Aro Tourist Office.
Palace of the Counts of Haro
The Palace of the Counts of Haro is a beautiful old building. It was erected at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, which was reflected in its architectural appearance. It clearly shows the trends of the early Renaissance with its strict restraint, as well as Baroque features with a characteristic passion for rich decor. The decoration of the building was Solomon columns, a broken pediment and spherical-pyramidal acroteria in the style of El Escorial.
Palacio de las Bezaras
Palacio de las Bezaras is an ancient building of the 18th century in the Baroque style. It is also known as the “Stork Palace” because these beautiful birds have built a large nest on it. The building is remarkable for its architecture and beautiful decorations. Also here you can see a pillory, rare for Haro, which was used for justice.
How to book a wine tasting in Haro
Traditionally, the main purpose of a visit to Haro (La Rioja Spain) is wine tasting and visiting wineries. Tourists should keep in mind that both require prior reservation. The easiest way how to get there is to book a hotel and use the tour and entertainment service, if available.
To sign up for a wine tasting, go to the winery’s official website and use the tour booking form. In addition, most often tourists are provided with a telephone number where they can get additional information.
Keep in mind that during the high season, the number of available places for tasting is limited. Therefore, planning a visit to wineries should be done no later than a week before the intended visit.
The best wineries in Haro
If you are looking for the best winery tours in Spain, then come to Haro. It is in this city that the largest number of the most famous wineries in Rioja are located. Here you can learn about wine culture and history, see centuries-old underground cellars, famous production facilities, and, of course, taste the best wines.
Tourists who do not speak Spanish can book a tour in English.
So, some of the best wineries in Haro include.
Bodegas La Rioja Alta
This is one of the 5 oldest wineries in the region. Here you are guaranteed to have a wonderful experience. In addition to the tour, you can also book a picnic at the vineyard.
- Address: Av. Vizcaya, 8, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 31 03 46
Bodegas Roda
One of the well-known wineries in Haro, which offers several excursions, including wine tastings and tours of the vineyard, is located in a bend of the Ebro River. Bodegas Roda also produces excellent extra virgin olive oil. Its tasting is also included in some programs.
- Address: Av. Vizcaya, 5, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 30 30 01
Bodegas Muga
Bodegas Muga always provides the best experience on a wine tour in Haro. Here you will find a deep dive into the rich history and culture of the winery. To produce its magnificent wines, barrels are made in its workshops, which can be seen during the tour. Guests can also enjoy a vineyard tour on a Segway and a hot air balloon ride.
- Address: Av. Vizcaya, 2, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 30 60 60
Bodegas Bilbainas
One of the best wineries in Rioja with a century-old history. It is located in a historical building and has the largest underground cellar in La Rioja (3400 m²) — it was built at the end of the 19th century. Tourists are especially impressed by the long ancient tunnels, large cellars, and wine aging rooms. Guests are also shown the garden, where an exhibition of different grape varieties is displayed.
- Address: C. Estación, s/n, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 31 01 47
Bodegas Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia
This is an old winery with a rich family history. A visit to it ranks among the best wine tours in Rioja. The atmosphere of an old winery has been preserved here. Tourists are especially impressed by the 140-meter basement. Guests are fascinatingly told about the secrets of production, shown a cooperage workshop, and invited to wine tasting.
- Address: Av. Vizcaya, 3, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 31 02 44
Bodegas Gomez Cruzado
Bodegas Gómez Cruzado is a boutique winery worth visiting for a fine wine tasting in Haro. An interesting excursion is held here, after which you are treated to the best wines and excellent tapas.
- Address: Av. Vizcaya, 6, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 31 25 02
Bodegas Ramon Bilbao
Bodegas Ramon Bilbao is an atmospheric winery where the guide shares his love of grapes and wine with guests during a tour. Tourists are told about the evolution of the wine-making process and then invited to a tasting.
- Address: Av. Santo Domingo de la Calzada, 34, 26200 Haro, La Rioja, Spain
- Phone: +34 941 310 316
Read also: The best wineries and vineyards of Rioja – tours and wine tasting
What should a tourist do in Aro?
We offer a list of things that need to be done in Haro, to make your visit to the city complete and memorable:
- Take a tour of the vineyards — on foot, horseback, bike, ATV, or even a hot air balloon – to experience the atmosphere of a city that lives on wine.
- Spend time at Plaza de la Paz, the central square of Haro, and a favorite meeting place for townspeople. It is always lively here, there are many restaurants, cafes, and bars.
- Walk through the Old Town of Haro, see medieval churches and palaces, and be carried away by its atmosphere.
- Go on a Rioja wine-tasting tour in the famous bodegas of Haro, Spain.
- Try as many pintxos as possible — these small snacks are served in many local tapas bars.
- Climb to the La Atalaya observation deck — from here you can see the most breathtaking views of the vineyards, wineries, the Tirone and Ebro rivers, as well as the Sierra de Cantabria.
- Take a beautiful photo among the vineyards of Haro, La Rioja.
- Embark on a gastronomic journey along the La Herradura route. It is shaped like a horseshoe and runs through Plaza San Martín and onto a parallel street. Here you can find the largest number of tapas bars in the city, where you can try local pintxos and the best Haro wines.
- Enjoy the magnificent view that opens from the top of Mount Bilibio, where the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio (Ermita de San Felices de Bilibio) stands. This is a cult place, 6 km from Haro, which is often visited by pilgrims. The Wine Battle (Batalla del Vino de Haro) also takes place here. However, most tourists come here for the observation deck.
Free things to do in Haro
Haro has many interesting places and activities that are available for free. Check out our list:
- The streets of Haro are an open-air museum. Here you can see many sculptures dedicated to the traditional crafts that the locals practiced. For example, there is a sculpture of a musician in front of the Bank of Spain, a boatman in Plaza de la Cruz, a winemaker in front of the Torreon Museum, and images of a cooper and a shoe shiner in Plaza de La Paz. There is also a monument to the famous Wine Battle. It is located at the beginning of La Herradura Street.
- Pay attention to the walls of the houses, many of them are decorated with frescoes with wine motifs.
- The Torreon Museum (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Haro El Torreón) not only offers free admission — there is an observation deck on its top floor. It offers views of Plaza de La Paz, City Hall, and Bendaña Palace. In the museum, you can see an exhibition of contemporary art. Its building is part of a surviving fragment of the fortress wall that protected Haro since the 12th century. Museum opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (in summer from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Where to eat and what to try in Haro
Rioja is a wine region, but its gastronomic delights should not be ignored either. Haro has excellent restaurants and bars where enjoying food has become a tradition. Try white asparagus, cod, Riojan chicken and potatoes, calderet (lamb stew), Iberian acorn-fed ham, pintxo moruna (pork skewers), charbroiled grape shoots, Riojan chorizo, lamb and tenderloin Grilled.
Restaurante El Rincón del Noble is a family restaurant where culinary secrets and recipes are passed down from generation to generation. It is famous for its excellent cuisine, cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff. The menu contains appetizers, salads, meat, fish, and desserts. The restaurant is open from Monday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday is a day off.
Restaurante Arrope is one of the best places in Haro for good food and wine. They cook here using the freshest ingredients, which are bought daily at the farmers market. Try excellent grilled fish and meat, as well as traditional desserts made from improved recipes. Guests will be offered aged wines from their century-old winery. To be sure to get into the restaurant, make sure to make a reservation.
Beethoven is a restaurant complex. It includes:
- A bar typical of Rioja, with a large selection of pintxos and tapas, including the famous peppers stuffed with mushrooms, cod eclairs with truffles, tomato jam and seeds, and a mushroom bag with different sauces.
- Beethoven I is a restaurant designed in a rustic style. Its menu includes classic Riojan cuisine: stew, fresh cod log with roasted vegetables, rib-eye steak, and the very popular roasted suckling lamb.
- Beethoven II is a gastronomic restaurant with a classic atmosphere and the most complete menu, which is based on seasonal products. They offer appetizers, fish, meat, and desserts (Idiazabal eclairs with quince, strawberries filled with sherry cream, and grandma’s torrijas).
- Evening bar where you can enjoy wine, beer, soft drinks, and tapas. Guests are recommended sandwiches with anchovies and green peppers, as well as cod marinated in garlic and chili oil.
- Beethoven Grill is the best place to go for dinner. Here you can taste chorizo in white wine, grilled blood sausage, delicious piquillo peppers, and excellent chops cooked on grape shoots.
El Claustro de Los Agustinos is the luxurious restaurant of the Eurostars Los Agustinos, which is located in a historical building from the 14th century. It serves traditional Riojan cuisine using local farm produce, without compromising on innovation. The restaurant is open from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Restaurante Terete is a family restaurant that has been operating since 1877. It’s always crowded here, so be sure to book a table. It offers high-quality gastronomy and excellent La Rioja wines from its winery. The signature lamb dish will make you remember it for a very long time.
Also in Haro, Spain, it is worth visiting the best bars in the city:
How to get to Haro
Getting to Haro is not difficult. The nearest international airport is Bilbao, from where you can arrive by bus in about an hour.
Haro also has a train station, so it can be easily reached by train from cities with direct connections:
- Logroño;
- Burgos;
- Barcelona;
- Bilbao;
- Zaragoza.
You can get to Haro by car from:
- Logrono – 47 km along A-68;
- Vitoria – 50 km along A-1 and N-124;
- Burgos – 91 km along AP-1;
- Bilbao – 91 km along AP-68 (there is a toll section of the road);
- Pamplona – 127 km along Autovía Camino de Santiago/A-12;
- Zaragoza – 215 km along AP-68 (there is a toll section of the road);
- Madrid – 336 km along A-1;
- Barcelona – 516 km along AP-7, AP-2, and AP-68 (there is a toll section of the road).
A direct bus service connects Haro with Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Madrid.
Haro is a small town and can be easily explored on foot. All attractions and wineries are very close to each other. But for traveling outside the city, it makes sense to rent a car.
Where to stay in Haro
When planning a trip to Haro, Rioja, take care of booking a hotel or apartment — most of them are not easy to get to on the required dates.
Hotel Eurostars Los Agustinos is one of the best hotels to stay in Haro, Spain. It is located in an ancient building of the 14th century, which previously belonged to the monastery. It also served as a military garrison, prison, and hospital at various times. Guests are offered comfortable spacious rooms. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, El Claustro de Los Agustinos, with its wine cellar, and paid off-site parking.
Hotel Plaza De La Paz is located in Plaza de la Paz, in the center of Haro. This is a small, cozy hotel with only 16 rooms. Its visitors note hospitality, comfort, and reasonable prices. Paid parking is available.
Wine & Soul Suites are apartments in the center of Haro, whose guests appreciate the beautiful interior, attention to detail, and high level of comfort. You can separately order breakfast, a romantic package, and a gourmet package. They offer massage services and wine therapy, a healing procedure that uses grapes.
Holidays and festivals in Aro
The Haro Wine Festival is the largest in Spain. He is well known in every corner of the kingdom and beyond. The key event of the holiday is the Haro Wine Battle (Batalla del Vino de Haro). About 5,000 people take part each year, pouring more than 40,000 liters of red wine on each other.
Read also: Wine battle in Haro — the most interesting events of the wine festival in Spain
The wine festival takes place annually on June 29. At 07:00 a cheerful procession heads to the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio (Cliffs of Bilibio), which is located on the top of a cliff, 6 km from Haro. There the mayor of the city celebrates mass and gives the signal for the start of the Haro wine fight. Its participants uncontrollably and cheerfully douse themselves with the famous red wine of Rioja, Spain. After the battle, everyone returns to the city, where the fun continues with dancing and folk festivities. In the middle of the day, there is a bullfight with young cows instead of bulls. In this case, not a single animal suffers, but the atmosphere and tradition are preserved.
Also on September 8, Haro celebrates the feast of Our Lady of La Vega, who is the patroness of the city. In the morning, townspeople participate in a competition of poems and compliments to the Mother of God and arrange an offering of flowers and the first wort. When darkness falls, a procession with torches marches through the streets, and it all ends with festive fireworks.
Day trip from Haro
If you’re visiting Haro, Spain for a wine festival or as part of a Rioja wine tour, which is most often the case, don’t miss out on the other locations nearby. This region offers tourists a large selection of cultural, historical, and religious attractions. In order not to miss the most interesting things and not to depend on public transport, it is worth renting a car.
Read also: Guide to La Rioja — the wine region of Spain
Logrono
Logroño (48 km from Haro) is the capital of the La Rioja region and its largest population center. It’s worth strolling through the Old Town to see the magnificent churches and palaces, tour the local single-ingredient tapas bars, and tour the vineyards in the surrounding area.
Briones
Briones (8.2 km from Haro) is a small medieval town that is included in the list of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. It is located on a hilltop on the banks of the Ebro River, offering breathtaking views of the valley and the picturesque vineyards of Rioja. In Briones, be sure to stroll through its Old Town and admire the ancient churches and medieval palaces.
Winery Vivanco & Museum of Wine Culture Vivanco
The Vivanco winery is one of the largest and most famous in the Rioja region, Spain. It is located near Briones, 8.5 km from Haro. Its wines are also popular outside of Spain. The winery has a Museum of Wine Culture — one of the best wine museums in the world. It covers an area of 4000 m², and its exhibits are displayed in several rooms. The exhibition immerses visitors in the culture and history of wine, which has evolved over more than 8,000 years.
Brinas
Brignas is a tiny medieval town on the banks of the Ebro River. It is located just 5 km from Haro and is famous for its ancient stone bridge built in the 13th century. Brighas has many beautiful buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries and the Palacio Tondón hotel, which is located in a 16th-century palace. It has a wonderful restaurant with a terrace, a cellar, and excellent wine.
Monastery of Santa Maria de la Piedad (Casalarreina)
The Nuestra Señora de la Piedad Monastery (6.6 km) is one of the must-see attractions in La Rioja when visiting Haro. This large and beautiful monastery is located in the town of Casalarreina. It was built between 1514 and 1524 in the Gothic-Renaissance style. One of the significant features of the building is the sculptural decoration of the facade. The tour usually takes about 40 minutes and leaves a pleasant impression. The tourist office is located inside the building, on the right. Before visiting, it makes sense to check the opening hours.
Castle of Sajazarra (Castillo de Sajazarra)
The castle of Sajazarra (Castillo de Sajazarra) is located 14 km from Haro in the city of the same name. It was built in the 14th-15th centuries and is privately owned and well preserved. The castle is accessible from the city center. At night, the grandiose structure is beautifully illuminated. It is worth noting that the medieval Sahasarra itself is worthy of attention. It’s nice to stroll here, looking at the architectural monuments.
Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada
The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a real pearl of La Rioja, which is located near Haro (20 km). This majestic building of the 12th century, richly decorated with paintings and sculptures, received its modern appearance as a result of reconstructions of the 14th and 16th centuries. The cathedral is a must-see for pilgrims and is included in the route of the Way of St. James to the relics of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela.
Najera
Najera is an ancient city of La Rioja, the former capital of the Kingdom of Navarre. It is located 26 km from Haro, on the banks of the Najerilla River, and is a must-see for pilgrims along the French Way of Santiago. Here they head to one of the main local attractions — the monastery of Santa Maria la Real. Within its ancient walls rest the medieval kings of Navarre, Castile, and Leon, as well as the later counts and dukes of Najera. In addition, there are many other beautiful old buildings in the city. For example, it is worth visiting the 16th-century Monastery of Saint Helena, the Alcazar Fortress, and the Najera Museum.
Best time to visit Aro
The best time to visit Haro, Rioja is from May to October. During this period, the greatest number of sunny days, long daylight hours, walks through the vineyards are available, and wine cellars are open longer. However, it is worth considering that in the warm season, it is high season and many tourists come, and prices are higher than in winter.
A visit to Aro can be timed to coincide with cultural events. In summer, the most famous Haro wine festival takes place here with the Haro Wine Battle (Batalla del Vino de Haro). And on September 8th they celebrate the day of the city’s patroness — Our Lady of La Vega.
FAQ about Aro
What is Haro famous for?
Haro in Rioja is famous for the Wine Festival and the wine battle Batalla de Vino. And also the Barrio de la Estacion, an area of wineries where all tourists flock for tasting, and tapas bars where they serve pintxos, Haro’s unique food.
Haro, Rioja on the map
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