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La Rioja is the most famous wine region in Spain. Tourists come here from around the world to visit unique wineries, go down to the cellars, and taste some of the world’s best vintage wines.
However, travelers should know that the autonomous community of La Rioja offers much more than just wine-related activities. For example, there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, fossilized dinosaur footprints, ancient castles, monasteries, medieval towns, and a ski resort.
One of the most famous and largest wine festivals takes place in the small town of Haro, and the pilgrimage Route of Santiago lies through the La Rioja region.
The Rioja wine region also offers many activities — hiking, horse riding, mountaineering, hot air ballooning, kayaking, and more.
Of course, one cannot fail to mention the cuisine of Rioja, because where there is good wine, there is excellent food. Enjoy!
Our La Rioja travel guide will help you effortlessly plan your trip to the wine region. You will learn what La Rioja is famous for, what to see and do here, and where to go with children. We will also tell you about popular tourist routes. Detailed information about Rioja wine, its wineries, hotels and cuisine, how to get around and transport will help you choose the best and make your visit as comfortable as possible.
La Rioja in Spain is one of the smallest and most sparsely populated autonomous communities. It is located in the center of the northern part of the country and borders the regions of the Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon and Castile and Leon. The capital and largest city of La Rioja is Logrono. Also among the largest settlements are Calahorra, Arnedo, Haro, and Lardaro.
The Ebro River flows through the lands of La Rioja. Vineyards grow on its banks, stretching for more than 100 km. The second largest waterway in the region is the Oja River (Rio Oja), and the wine was named after it. It flows through the Oja Valley and the town of Escaray, next to which is the famous ski resort Valdezcaray.
The mountains of the autonomous community of La Rioja are part of the Iberian system. The highest peak is Monte San Lorenzo (2271 m).
La Rioja offers tourists ample opportunities for entertainment and recreation. The towns in the Rioja wine region are attracted by their long history and medieval appearance. Some of them were formed a little later than the birth of Jesus Christ and bear traces of different cultures and peoples who inhabited these lands over the centuries. The region’s special pride is its ancient monasteries. In addition, there is an excellent ski resort and a nature reserve in the mountains. These locations are suitable for active recreation and entertainment. Your visit to La Rioja, Spain will be rich and exciting.
Logroño is the capital of La Rioja and a great location for exploring this wine region of Spain. Tourists come here to tour wineries and taste the famous Rioja wines. However, in addition to these entertainments, travelers have a lot of things to do in Logrono. Walk along its ancient bridges Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge) and Puente de Hierro (Iron Bridge). They connect the banks of the Ebro River and lead to the Logrono Old Town, famous for its ancient churches and the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda.
Be sure to visit the La Rioja Museum in an 18th-century palace. Some of the best things to do in Logrono include visiting the tapas bars for which it is famous. There are especially many of them on Calle Laurel. These cute eateries serve tiny pintxos and local red wine.
The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada (Spain) is one of the most famous landmarks in the La Rioja region. This religious building is a real work of art, richly decorated with paintings and sculptures. It is located in the village of the same name and is a key site on the route The Way of St. James (El Camino de Santiago) to the relics of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral has a free hostel for pilgrims. Its construction began in 1158, and the cathedral received its current appearance after reconstructions in the 14th and 16th centuries. The village itself is also of interest, especially its historical center with beautiful old churches, buildings and cobbled streets.
One of the main attractions of La Rioja is the unique monasteries in the village of San Millan de la Cogolla. They attract pilgrims on the Way of St. James — its Jacobean route passes here. The ancient monasteries of San Millan de Suso and San Millan de Yuso are a religious center and UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the “birthplace of modern written and spoken Spanish language.”
The position of abbot of one of the monasteries was abolished and now both monasteries are known under the common name — San Millan de Cogoglia. They were built on the left bank of the Cardenas River, and the names Suso and Yuso mean “upper” and “lower” respectively.
Suso is a more ancient monastery. It is believed that it was built in the 6th century on the site of the monastery in which Saint Emilian lived. Later it was expanded and rebuilt several times. Yuso was built in the 11th century. Throughout their long history, both monasteries were repeatedly attacked and looted. In the 19th century, Yuso was abandoned due to church strife, and in the present, the Research Center for the Castilian Language CILENGUA is located in one of its parts. There is also a hotel here.
Briones is a small town that has preserved medieval architecture. Since 2018, it has been included in the list of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. It is located on a hilltop on the right bank of the Ebro River, offering spectacular views of the valley and vineyards. Briones was founded around the 2nd century BC when the Romans conquered Spain. Here it is pleasant to stroll along the atmospheric stone streets that carefully preserve their history, taste delicious dishes in local restaurants, and visit ancient wine cellars — some of them are located under the city streets.
Be sure to see the 16th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the 18th-century Marquis of San Nicolás Palace, which now houses the town hall. Also worthy of the attention of travelers are the Ermita de los Santos Mártires, Ermita de Santa Lucía, Ermita de San Andrés and Ermita de San Bartolomé, La casa de los Gadea, the Palacio de los Quincoces and the Ethnographic Museum (it is called the “Haunted House”).
The underground cellars of the Vivanco winery deserve special mention. After the tour and tasting, buy a bottle for dinner as a souvenir, because Vivanco wines are known far beyond the Rioja region. In addition, it is interesting to visit the Vivanco Wine Culture Museum. It occupies 4000 m² and has several halls. Reservations are required to visit.
Medieval Haro is one of the best towns in Rioja, Spain, considered the wine capital of the region. It has the largest number of vineyards, wineries, and wine bars in the region, selling the famous wines of Rioja. It is located on the banks of the Ebro River and attracts with its atmosphere. Stroll through its Old Town, get lost in the labyrinth of streets, see ancient churches and palaces, disappear into the crowds at Plaza de la Paz, and try local food in tapas bars. The Barrio de la Estacion district (near the train station) has many wineries with luxury bars. They offer tastings and wine tours of their cellars. This is precisely why people come here — to try the famous wine made from Tempranillo grapes and, of course, from other popular varieties.
While traveling through La Rioja in Spain, visit the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio in the neighborhood of Haro. This is a very famous and picturesque place where one of the main cultural events of the Rioja region takes place — the Haro Wine Festival and the Haro Wine Battle. Also, annually in September, pilgrims flock here to remember the life and miracles of St. Felice.
Read more: Guide to Aro — city of wineries and wine festival
Escaray in Spain is one of the most beautiful villages. It is located in the upper Oja Valley, at the western end of the Sierra de la Demanda mountain range. This is a medieval settlement with a rich history and authentic architecture. Stroll through the ancient streets and relax in Plaza de la Verdura and Plaza del Chiosco. Be sure to see the Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María la Mayor from the 12th to 14th centuries — it is an example of the Gothic Aragonese style. Also worthy of attention are the Palace of the Angels (XVIII), the Barroeta Palace (XVII), the Crucero de San Lazaro (XVI), the Hermitage of Our Lady of Allende, the Hermitage of Santa Barbara and the royal cloth factory “El Fuerte” (XVIII).
The surrounding area of Escarai is attracted by its picturesque mountain landscape. This is a pleasant place for an active holiday.
Valdescarai is the most famous ski resort in La Rioja. It can be visited as a day trip from Logrono — it’s just an hour’s drive away and it is an ideal destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.
The station is located on the slopes of the San Lorenzo peak (2271 meters), which crowns the Sierra de la Demanda. More than 20 km of trails have been built here on 26 slopes of varying difficulty. Valdescarai has all the necessary infrastructure — ski lifts, artificial snow guns, ample parking, sports equipment rentals, skiing and snowboarding schools, shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Among the best attractions in Rioja are two of the largest museums that the region can be proud of:
Sierra de Cebollera is a nature reserve in the wine-producing mountains of Rioja, where you can spend active time with the whole family. It is located on the northern slope of the mountains of the Iberian system, in the upper valley of the Iregua River, in the Camero Nuevo region, about 50 kilometers from Logroño along the N-111 highway. The maximum height of the Sierra de Cebollera is 2262 meters. It impresses with its picturesque landscape and rich biodiversity. Some tourists consider it the most beautiful part of the region.
Pine, oak, and beech forests grow here. Next to them, you can see birch, linden, maple, rowan, yew, and ash trees. In autumn mushrooms are abundant in these places. Numerous streams and picturesque waterfalls flow down the slopes of the mountains of the reserve.
Najera is one of the oldest La Rioja towns, the former capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, which is located 28.5 km from Logrono along the A-12 highway. It grew out of the ancient settlement of Kesevan and was renamed by the Arabs to Najera, which means “city between the rocks.”
The village is located on the banks of the Najerilla River and is an important point on the French Route to Santiago. Pilgrims stay in local hotels and visit one of its main attractions — the monastery of Santa Maria la Real. It houses the medieval kings of Navarre, Castile and Leon, as well as the later counts and dukes of Najera. In addition, the city is worth visiting the 16th-century Monastery of St. Elena, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, the Alcazar fortress (currently under excavation), and the Najera Museum. Also of interest are the man-made caves on the red rock ledges across the river.
Sajazarra is a charming medieval village that is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. It is in the municipality of Haro and is located at the confluence of the Aguanal and Ea rivers. In addition to the stone streets and ancient buildings, it is worth seeing the 15th-century Sajazarra Castle. It is now privately owned. This fortified structure is well maintained and is one of the most beautiful and famous fortresses in the Rioja region. Also worth visiting in the town are the 12th-century Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción and the Hermitage of Santa Maria de Sillas, with its Baroque pulpit and neoclassical altar created by Leonardo Gurrea around 1804.
Calahorra is one of the major cities in La Rioja. It is interesting to visit the El Museo de la Romanización (The Museum of Romanization) and the Vegetable Museum (Museo de la Verdura). In the historical center, don’t miss the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, several churches, and the Bishop’s Palace, which houses various treasures — gold items, clothing, sculptures, and paintings. Dinosaur tracks can be seen around the city (especially in Enciso and Igea), and the first Wine Museum of La Rioja Baja, located in the Nuestra Señora del Portal Hermitage, is also worth a visit. When traveling around the region, choosing hotels in La Rioja, pay attention to the Parador de Calahorra — the conditions here are very comfortable.
Alfaro in La Rioja is the easternmost town in the region. It was founded in 179 and has retained its medieval atmosphere. Stroll along its streets to see ancient palaces and churches that preserve history. Don’t miss the main attraction of the city — the Collegiate of San Miguel Arcángel. This is the largest temple in La Rioja. It was declared a national monument in 1976. In addition to its unique architecture, it is known as a nesting place for storks. During their breeding season, about 500 birds live here — this is the largest colony in Europe. The storks feel crowded on the 914 m² roof, so they begin to build their nests in the vicinity of the temple. And then the sky is filled with birds looking for food and building material for nests.
Rioja is best known for its wines, so wine excursions are the most popular here. But you shouldn’t limit yourself to them — there are many other entertainments in this region.
La Rioja may be of interest not only to adults. There are also exciting activities for children here — see real dinosaur footprints, for example. About 120 million years ago, this area was marshy with a mild climate and dense vegetation. Sauropods, iguanodons, and other representatives of ancient reptiles lived here.
When planning where to go with children in La Rioja, be sure to visit Enciso, a small town and UNESCO biosphere reserve. The largest number of dinosaur tracks in the world have been discovered and documented here. There are more than 130 locations in the region where over 11,000 ichnites (fossilized traces) have been preserved.
In Enciso, there is a Paleontological Center of Enciso, with visit to which you should begin your adventures. In this small museum dedicated to dinosaurs, you can get a map of the locations where you can see their fossilized footprints. The most interesting of them are Virgen del Campo, Yacimiento de Valdecevillo, La Senoba, and Villar Poyales. There is also an interactive playground for children on the territory of the center. Here you can gain new experience and learn a lot of interesting things — what dinosaurs ate, what kind of life they led, why they became extinct, and more.
A 6-kilometer route starts from the Paleontological Center, which can be walked or driven by renting an ATV or car. There are signs along the way, so finding the right locations will not be difficult. There are explanatory signs next to the dinosaur tracks. In addition, here you can see life-size sculptures of ancient reptiles.
El Barranco Perdido is a paleo adventure theme park. It is located in the town of Enciso and is a great place to stay with children in La Rioja. On its territory, there are swimming pools, geysers, adventure trails, a climbing wall, and many other attractions. Visitors are invited to excavate fossils, and then catalog the remains in the laboratory and decipher what the dinosaurs that inhabited La Rioja more than a hundred million years ago were like.
El Barranco Perdido operates during the warm season — from March to October. To visit, book tickets in advance. The park has a hotel, free parking, a restaurant, a cafe, and a terrace.
Just a 15-minute drive from Logrono is a wonderful place for an active family holiday in Rioja — Campo Activo. There are splash pads, oak forest adventures, play and inflatable areas for kids, and much more. Guests are offered to have fun at more than 20 attractions for adults and children. For example, go rock climbing, jump on a trampoline, ride a giant swing, have fun at a foam party, and experience zorbing. Additional activities include river tubing, caving, and canyoning.
Tierra Rapaz is a bird of prey park in Calahorra, very interesting to visit with children in La Rioja, Spain. This is a rehabilitation center where biologists take care of birds that have been seriously injured and cannot return to the wild. Here you can see and interact with falcons, eagles, owls, and other day and night predators. Visitors are introduced to the fascinating world of embryonic development and egg incubation in the incubation department and are allowed to feed the park’s chickens in the breeding area. There is also a petting zoo where kids can treat dwarf goats, donkeys, chickens, sheep, and other farm animals with treats. In the African zone, you can see meerkats, porcupines, ostriches, zebras, and others.
In addition, Tierra Rapaz has a play area for children with swings, inflatables, go-karts, amusement rides, and mechanical animal rides. The park is very popular, and to be sure to get here, book your tickets.
Another tourist destination we recommend exploring is the La Rioja itinerary. You will have a wonderful experience and discover the real gems of the region. Here we will provide brief information, and for detailed information, a separate informative article has been written.
Read also: Things to do in Rioja — routes, walking trails and locations
Add the Camino de Santiago in Rioja to your travel plan. His final destination on this famous route is Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. And there are more than a dozen places across Europe to start. The route passes through Logroño, Najera, and Santo Domingo De La Casalda. Pilgrims also visit the monasteries of Suso and Yuso in San Millan de la Cogolla, although they are far from the main route.
The La Rioja region of Spain follows the Thermal Springs Route, for which it has been famous since Roman times. Here you should visit the balneological resort of Gravalos (Balneario de Grávalos) with a wide range of services. Don’t miss Arnedillo either — there are free outdoor springs and swimming pools on the banks of the Sidacos River. The Arnedillo Spa is also located here, offering a large selection of wellness, beauty, relaxation, and treatments.
History buffs will enjoy a fun and exciting experience on the Cloisters of La Rioja route. It includes:
In addition, we recommend not to miss the route Castles of Rioja — it is a real journey through time. It is worth noting that such an adventure is one of the best things to do in Rioja, which will bring pleasure and give a new experience. You will see:
La Rioja in Spain is one of the most famous wine regions. Its territory is home to the largest number of wineries, which are happy to offer tourists tours of their cellars and wine tastings. Every traveler, planning a trip here, thinks about which wineries to visit in Rioja because their choice is huge.
Read more: The best wineries and vineyards of La Rioja — tours and tastings
As you know, La Rioja is the wine region of Spain. It is therefore not surprising that this is where the largest and best wine festival in the country is held — the Battle of Haro Wine (Haro Wine Festival). This irresistibly fun Spanish fiesta takes place at the end of June and attracts thousands of tourists to La Rioja.
According to tradition, its participants, dressed in white clothes and with a scarlet scarf around their necks, stock up on flasks of red wine and march through the city, heading to the hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio (Cliffs of Bilibio). This is where the battle takes place. Its main rule is to pour wine on as many participants as possible and be doused yourself.
Very soon the white clothes turn purple and the fighters become drunk. Wine battles take place in an atmosphere of general fun accompanied by a brass band.
There is another wine festival in Rioja that deserves the attention of tourists — San Mateo in Logrono. It takes place in the third week of September and is dedicated to the grape harvest festival. At this time, folk festivals, wine tastings, dances, concerts, races with young cows, chariot processions, and fireworks are held. One of the most spectacular and beloved events in San Mateo is the pressing of grapes and the offering of the first must to the Our Lady of Valvanera.
In La Rioja, there is a wonderful opportunity to taste the best of food and wine, which complement and highlight each other. After all, Rioja is not only a wine region, it is also known for its agricultural traditions. Great produce is grown here — white asparagus, artichokes, red piquillo peppers, and other delicious vegetables. They open up ample opportunities for the development of excellent cooking.
Here you can visit the winery, where the tasting includes tapas.
The best time to visit La Rioja is from May to October. During this period, the number of sunny days and the duration of daylight hours are maximum; rain and bad weather are rare.
However, during the peak tourist season, it is quite crowded. Excursions, hotels, and restaurants should be booked in advance. To avoid crowds, and queues and get better prices, come here during the low season.
Since La Rioja is a wine region, it should be noted that in June the best wine festival is held here — the famous Wine Battle in Haro (La Batalla de Vino de Haro). In September, a San Mateo wine festival is held in Logrono, dedicated to the grape harvest. For several days, fun, dancing, parades, and fireworks continue in the capital of Rioja. On the third weekend of June in Briones, you can visit the Medieval Days Festival (Jornadas Medievales).
It is worth setting aside a few days for your trip to get to know La Rioja and not miss out on the most interesting things in this region. The tourism sector here is quite well developed, so there will be no problems with where to stay. There are excellent hotels in Logrono and Haro and the quiet countryside where vineyards and olive groves surround you.
Hotels in Logrono and its surroundings:
Hotels in Haro and its surroundings:
Hotels in other cities of La Rioja:
In this guide, we provide a summary of the best hotels in La Rioja. For more detailed information, we have written a separate article.
Read also: Where to stay in La Rioja: the best hotels in the region
Getting to La Rioja is not difficult — the region has a well-developed transport infrastructure. Cities and villages are connected by railway and bus routes. However, the best way to explore the region, its wineries, and attractions is by car.
La Rioja has one airport, Logroño Agoncillo, and it is used only for domestic flights.
Nearest international airports:
In the La Rioja region, you can travel by rail. The largest station is located in Logrono. It accepts long- and medium-distance routes and connects the locality with other cities in Spain.
The train station in Haro is of regional importance and allows you to travel within La Rioja.
To ensure the best possible experience while traveling around La Rioja, choose a car to get around. This gives you the freedom to plan your route without taking into account public transport schedules. Take advantage of the rental companies’ offers and choose the best option.
3-4 days is enough to travel around Rioja, depending on how many wineries and attractions you want to visit.
La Rioja is a wine region in Spain. It is famous for its red wines and their excellent quality. Wine from the Tempranillo grape variety is the most popular wine produced here.
The La Rioja region has over 41,505 hectares of vineyards and more than 600 wineries. About 250 million liters of wine are produced here every year.
The capital of La Rioja is the city of Logrono.
La Rioja has an area of 5045 km².
This is a wine from the Rioja region. Mostly red wines with rich color and deep aroma are produced here. Their flavor palette includes notes of berries, fruits, and spices.
This is a state-owned hotel located in a historical place or building — castles, monasteries, etc. In this way, the Kingdom wants to attract the attention of tourists to locations that are not very popular or little known.
Logroño celebrates the San Mateo Wine Festival every September. It is dedicated to the grape harvest and is accompanied by folk festivities.
Rioja is a wine region. In Spain, its name is synonymous with wine.
The Battle of Wine in Haro (La Batalla del Vino de Haro) is the largest and most popular wine festival in Spain. You can read more about it in another article.
Saint James aka Saint James, also known as James the Great or in Spanish — Santiago. He was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. His remains rest in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Logroño is worth adding to your La Rioja itinerary. It is famous for its Old Town, many wineries, and an entire area of tapas bars that specialize in one ingredient. Visiting Logrono will be a fascinating experience.
Some of Spain’s most famous wines can be tasted in Logrono, and there are many wineries in the surrounding area. The capital of La Rioja is also famous for its pintxos bars and the tradition of going from establishment to establishment to try many different snacks. Architecture lovers will appreciate the churches of Santiago el Real from the 16th century, Santa Maria la Redonda from the 15th-17th centuries, and Santa Maria del Palacio from the 11th century.
Rioja-style potatoes and chops on grape shoots. These are the most famous and popular dishes in La Rioja.
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