La Rioja Road Trip The Best of the Region in 5 Days
La Rioja is a precious region found in northern Spain and is most famous for being one of Spain’s most beloved wine regions. Most visitors come to explore in depth the fabulous wines produced in this region and beyond.
The La Rioja wine region boasts over 600 wineries ranging from small family-owned producers to large-scale producers who ship internationally.
One of the best ways to experience the best of La Rioja is to take a road trip through the region.
While travelers are initially drawn to La Rioja for its wine, those who travel deeper into the region will discover that La Rioja is filled with delightful hilltop villages, historical sites, lovely hiking trails, interesting museums, and so much more. Of course, there is no shortage of wineries to indulge in the wine culture and delicious restaurants that showcase the regional cuisine.
This La Rioja road trip includes my favorite hikes, monasteries, villages, and hidden gems to discover over 5 days. I’ve also included some useful tips and an itinerary to help plan. If you have more than 5 days in the La Rioja region, I’ve also included noteworthy places to discover nearby.
Here’s how to make the most of a La Rioja road trip in 5 days.
Table of Contents
- Where to Start a Road Trip Through La Rioja Region
- Best Time to Plan a La Rioja Road Trip
- La Rioja Road Trip Itinerary Day by Day
- La Rioja Road Trip Add-Ons & More Places to Explore
- A Taste of La Rioja Region⎥Unique Road Trip Itinerary
Where to Start the La Rioja Road Trip
La Rioja is an autonomous community (region) in Spain and it is also a wine region. It’s worth noting that the La Rioja wine region spans across the La Rioja, Basque, and Navarre autonomous communities of Spain. That means that La Rioja (region) and La Rioja Wine Region are two separate entities. There are many ways to reach La Rioja Spain.
The capital of the La Rioja region is Logroño. This is the largest city in La Rioja making it an ideal starting point to begin a road trip. Logroño is well connected to the rest of Spain with a busy Estación de Autobuses de Logroño and train station. Near the station are also a handful of car rental agencies.
While La Rioja is an autonomous community in Spain, there are three sub-zones of the La Rioja Wine region. It would be easy to pick up a car from Pamplona (Navarre) or anywhere in the Basque Country.
My mom and I spent time in Bilbao and San Sebastian in the Basque Country before heading south to the underrated city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. We picked up a car in Vitoria-Gasteiz of the Basque region and then began our La Rioja road trip. Expect to pay tolls if driving south from Basque into the La Rioja wine region.
A Note About This Rioja Wine Region Road Trip
We had a hard time planning a road trip through La Rioja. Logroño sits in the very center of the region so you will probably have to backtrack on some section of the road trip if you wish to visit everything listed on this itinerary.
We only spent a few days in La Rioja so we didn’t get to experience everything. We also visited during the winter months, which meant that a lot of museums were closed and many of the small cellars were closed. While this road trip itinerary covers 5 days, it would be easy to spend even longer in the La Rioja region and beyond.
Another challenge of driving in the La Rioja region is that it is landlocked and protected by mountains. This is why the region has such unique soil.
The Sierra de Cantabria Mountains are found in the north of the region while the Sierra de la Demanda Mountains are found to the south. If driving throughout the whole region you may encounter some small and narrow mountain roads. We especially found this near Arnedillo.
Some quick notes on driving in Spain. I was asked for my International Driving Permit, so make sure you have one. Those who can drive a manual car will have much cheaper daily rates. Use a travel credit card that provides international car rental insurance, this can help reduce the high daily insurance costs.
Remember that Spain has a strict drinking and driving policy. The legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Driving limit for Spain is .5. Do not drive if you are impaired. There are numerous local tour guides and taxis. In some villages like Haro, there is a bus shuttle from the bodegas to the village.
Best Time to Plan a La Rioja Road Trip
La Rioja can be visited all year round, but by far the most popular times to visit is from May to October. Those who want to witness the harvest of the grapes should plan on visiting in September and October. On June 29th, Haro has its famous La Batalla del Vino.
May to October is the peak season or high season for La Rioja. During this time, the region can be busy with domestic and international tourism. This can equate to room rates being more expensive and larger crowds. It can also be harder to reserve things like wine tastings and tours.
In contrast, during the off-season, La Rioja is fairly quiet. Some are deterred by the weather and the fact that some attractions are closed or have limited hours.
My mom and I visited in January and had a great time. We were still able to take a wine tour (we were the only ones) and visit many different bodegas. Our car rental was more than reasonable and we found accommodation prices to be budget-friendly. For us, it was perfect!
La Rioja Road Trip Itinerary Day by Day
This 5-day La Rioja road trip focuses on not only the La Rioja autonomous community but the wine region as a whole. The Rioja Alta sub-climate is found in the La Rioja region. Rioja Alavesa is found in the southern area of the Basque Country. Rioja Oriental is the easternmost sub-climate of the La Rioja wine region and is part of the La Rioja region and the Navarre region.
I have visited La Rioja by car and walked through a large portion of it on the Camino Frances. This itinerary combines my favorite spots in one grand La Rioja road trip. Make sure to spend an extra night in Haro if you wish to tour and visit each Bodega in Haro.
- Day 1 | Basque Country to Haro
- Day 2 | Haro to Gems of the Camino Frances
- Day 3 | Logroño
- Day 4 | Explore Rioja Alavesa
- Day 5 | Eltziego to Vitoria-Gasteiz
Day 1 | Basque Country to Haro
It’s best to pick up a rental car as early as possible. We picked up our car from Vitoria-Gasteiz and headed straight towards Haro village. Haro is known as the official capital of the La Rioja Wine Region.
From Vitoria-Gastiez, Haro is less than 45 minutes away. Be advised you will be on a toll road for the majority of this drive.
Salt Valley of Añana Detour
If you have a few hours, the Salt Valley of Añana is worth a detour. The salt environment has existed here for over 7,000 years and dates back to the Roman Empire. Of course, the Romans left their influence on Spain in ancient cities like Numancia and environmentally at mining sites like Las Medulas.
Today, the salt is still harvested at the Salt Valley of Añana. There are also different salt spa options. This is a fantastic place to see something different and help restore the sustainability of the area. Make sure to book in advance if seeking an English-speaking tour.
Salt Valley of Añana | Find it here: Real Kalea, 32 | Hours: Year Round, Daily, 9:45 – 2:30 / 3:45 – 19:30 | Entrance Fee: €9 for a guided tour, 1 hour | There are guided tours like this one from the Basque Region
Haro
In my opinion, Haro is an unmissable stop on a La Rioja road trip. This small hilltop village is the official capital of the La Rioja Wine Region.
Try to arrive early and head straight for the El Barrio de la Estación, a small district near the Haro Train Station that boasts some of Spain’s top wine producers of La Rioja Alta. There are 7 major bodegas here, all of which offer guided tours or simply tastings at their wine bars.
Sampling wine at the bodegas is a perfect way to taste many different wines without driving.
There are the 7 Bodegas located within El Barrio de la Estación.
- R. López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia
- C.V.N.E.
- Bodegas Gómez Cruzado
- Bodegas La Rioja Alta, S.A.
- Bodegas Bilbaínas
- Bodegas Muga
- Bodegas Roda
While most visitors spend the majority of their time in Haro near the Train Station, there are plenty of things to do in Haro. The charming streets open to inviting plazas filled with culinary delights. Haro is also close to nearby villages making it a perfect place to sleep for a night or two.
Sleeping in Haro
Haro is a popular place to base for exploring the La Rioja wine region. There are numerous accommodation options from hostels to historical buildings that have been converted to luxury hotels.
➜ Tinto Dreams Hostel has modern and clean rooms, a simple breakfast included, and has everything you need to explore Haro on a budget.
➜ Hotel Alda Malvasía is outside the historical center of Haro but is a great budget-friendly hotel option within walking distance of all the main sites.
➜ Hotel Arrope is a lovely hotel with friendly staff and just steps away from the center of Haro.
➜ Hotel Plaza De La Paz is located right in the heart of historic Haro and offers modern rooms for a fair price.
➜ Eurostars Los Agustinos is a beautiful hotel that was originally a 14th-century convent.
➜ Browse all the best places to stay in Haro La Rioja Spain
La Rioja Road Trip Day 2 | Haro to Gems of the Camino Frances
After a night or two in Haro, head south to explore some small towns located along the historical Camino Frances. Spain’s most popular pilgrimage route cuts through the La Rioja region.
Pilgrims enter La Rioja from the Navarre region near Logroño and walk through La Rioja until Grañón where the way enters the Castilla y León region. The incredible journey takes pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, the supposed burial place of Saint James, the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela.
Some noteworthy towns in La Rioja on the Camino Frances include Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Najera, the short detour to San Millan de la Cogolla, and Navarette.
These are small towns so you could spend a few hours in each one or choose the ones that sound most interesting. Here are some highlights of these small towns on the Camino Frances.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a village deeply connected to the Camino de Santiago since the Middle Ages. The town boasts a towering cathedral, an old pilgrim hospital (now a Parador Hotel), and the legend of the rooster. (This legend can also be found on the Camino Portuguese and connected to the city of Barcelo).
Najera
Najeria is a memorable village located along the Najerillo River. There are plenty of things to see in Najera from visiting the Monastery of Santa María la Real, climbing up to the abandoned Alcazar ruins, or enjoying the green space along the river.
Najera is a fantastic town to stay in if looking to take the walk to San Millan de la Cogolla to visit the Yuso and Suso Monasteries. This was one of my favorite walking days on the Camino Frances.
🥾 Najera to San Millan de la Cogolla | Distance: 11.25 Miles | Duration: +/- 4 hours
San Millan de la Cogolla
A short detour off of the Camino Frances, find the small hamlet of San Millán de la Cogolla. This small town houses the Yuso and Suso Monasteries. These two monasteries are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla are one of the most beautiful places to see in La Rioja. They are also steeped in history and it is believed that the Castillian Language was first conceived here in the cave systems connected to the Suso Monastery.
The only way to visit the Yuso and Suso Monasteries is to join a guided tour. Be mindful that for now, there are no English tours, but English plaques and information packets are available. Both the Suso and Yuso Monasteries have separate entrance tickets, so make sure to book one for each site.
➜ Official Website Hours, Fees, and Information
The larger monastery is the Yuso Monastery, an impressive site with a breathtaking church, choir room, and important religious items. Perhaps the most significant treasure at the Yuso Monastery is the replicas of the Glosas Emilianenses, the first known writings in Castilian Spanish.
The Suso Monastery is a special hillside chapel that was said to be built during the mid-6th century. Some say that the monks lived in the cave systems here long before the chapel was built. Take time to savor the views of the Cardenas River and the stunning valley.
Navarrete
Another fantastic village on the Camino Frances is Navarrete. This small village has it all, including the 16th-century Church of La Asunción, hilltop viewpoint, and medieval streets. There are plenty of tapas bars to enjoy a glass of La Rioja wine and a nearby bodega.
Psst…. Feeling Called to Walk the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago is a life-changing journey. There are numerous Camino de Santiago routes, all of which start in different places, but all of them lead to Galicia and the incredible city of Santiago de Compostela.
Everyone walks for their own reasons and it’s important to pack light and follow the arrows. These are some of my top Camino de Santiago Tips for First Time Pilgrims and some of the most Frequently Asked Questions I get.
Where to Sleep on Day 2
As you can see, there are a handful of small villages to sleep in La Rioja along the Camino Frances.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada has lots of accommodation options along with Najera.
The Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda is a real treat (yes, there are two Parador Hotels in Santo Domingo) and the Pensión San Lorenzo in Najera is also an excellent option.
Those looking to experience the Yuso Monastery may feel called to stay there at the Hostería del Monasterio de San Millan.
We had a nice and quiet stay in Navarette at Hostal Villa de Navarrete. A bonus of sleeping in Navarrette is that it is less than a 20-minute drive to Logroño.
La Rioja Road Trip Day 3 | Logroño
On Day 3 of the La Rioja road trip, head to Logroño. It’s a straight shot to the historical city, or take a detour to the hilltop village of Entrena or the hike to the ruins of San Prudencio Monastery.
Detour to Clavijo
If looking for a unique hike to see the beauty of La Rioja, head to the village of Clavijo and hike to the ruins of San Prudencio Monastery. This detour will pass by the hilltop village of Entrena, so stop if you feel called.
Clavijo is a tiny village perched on the hillside and is most famous for its stunning hilltop castle that is connected to the legend of Saint James. From the village, you can see the sprawling views of Logroño city. It is also one of the access points to the hike to the ruins of the San Prudencio Monastery.
Although short, this hike is beautiful and provides incredible views of the landscape of the La Rioja region and the Leza River Valley. It ends at the remains of the Monastery of San Prudencio that is slowly being reclaimed by the Earth.
There are a few different places to access the San Prudencio Monastery ruins, but I choose to start from the medieval hilltop village of Clavijo and follow it as an out-and-back trail. As Clavijo is a little harder to reach this hike remains a hidden gem.
🥾 Clavijo to San Prudencio Monastery Ruins | Out & Back Distance: 1.85 Miles (3 Km) | Duration: +/- 1 hour depending on how much you want to explore
This hike won’t be for everyone as the trail can be steep. Stay on the path and hike at your OWN RISK near the Monastery Ruins as the ground around it is very unstable.
After this short hike, it’s a short drive to Logroño.
Logroño
Logroño is a must-visit for those visiting La Rioja region. The city is the capital of the La Rioja region and the most populous city in the autonomous community. As this is a bustling city, there are plenty of attractions to explore.
The Old Town in Logroño is charming and home to churches, markets, restaurants, pintxos bars, and more. The city has always been an important stop for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago French Way, so many a majority of the historical sites include churches and religious sites.
One of the best things to do in Logroño is to indulge in the culinary treasures found on Calle Laurel. This street is home to around 60 pinchos bars that all offer local wines of the La Rioja wine region. Additionally, the city has many bodegas located within walking distance of the historical city center.
Having a car in Logroño can be more of a drawback. Parking can be limited and expensive so consider this when including it as a stop on a road trip.
Where to Sleep in Logroño Spain
There are endless accommodation options in Logroño. As it is found on the Camino Frances, there are plenty of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay. There are also private apartments and luxury hotels.
- Pensión La Castellana
- EightRooms La Rioja Pension
- Hotel Condes de Haro
- Hotel Sercotel Portales
- Eurostars Marqués de Vallejo
➜ Discover the best places to stay in Logroño Spain
La Rioja Road Trip Day 4 | Explore Rioja Alavesa
On day 4 of this La Rioja road trip, travel from the La Rioja region back to the Basque Country. The Basque Country is home to the spectacular Rioja Alavesa, which is a sub-climate of the La Rioja wine region.
Two popular villages to see in the Rioja Alavesa zone are Laguardia and Eltziego. We arrived to Laguardia early in the morning and got to see the village with few people. I suggest stopping in Laguardia and then sleeping in Eltziego.
Laguardia
Laguardia is a fantastic medieval hilltop village and is included on the list of Spain’s most beautiful pueblos. The whole village is pedestrian-friendly, so you’ll need to park in one of the nearby parking lots and hop on an elevator to reach the top.
One of the main attractions of Laguardia is the many underground wine cellars owned by local families. There are nearly 20 small-batch wine cellars found throughout the town. Many of these cellars date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and have been passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, we visited during the winter and many of these small bodegas were shut during the off-season.
Even if you don’t have the opportunity to visit a local wine cellar, do take time to saunter through the medieval streets. The buildings of Laguadia boast Renaissance and Baroque-style architecture and highlight the wealth of the region. Another spectacular sight to see is the interactive clock tower that showcases traditional dancing figurines.
Eltziego
Eltziego is a short drive from Laguardia and is another worthwhile village to see in the Rioja Alavesa wine region. The Winery and Hotel Marques de Riscal on the outskirts of Eltziego was a highlight of our trip. We took a guided tour through the winery and ended up having a private tour! At the end of the tour, sample three different wine varietals from Marques de Riscal.
Eltziego has an untouched feeling and there are a few tapas bars to savor the regional cuisine and wine. We stayed at the family-run Agroturismo Valdelana. This is a great place to stay in Eltziego as a booking includes a free wine tasting and museum visit.
Eltziego is a great place to sleep as you can swing by a few more villages on the return to Vitoria-Gasteiz.
La Rioja Road Trip Day 5 | Eltziego to Vitoria-Gasteiz
On the final day of this La Rioja road trip, stop at the Vivanco Cultura de Vino. This informative museum is found near the village of Briones. The Museum of Wine Culture highlights the region and the history of wine traced back to nearly 8,000 years ago.
Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture | Find it Here: Carretera Nacional, 232 Briones, La Rioja Spain | Admission Fee: Museum (Unguided) €18 / Museum (Unguided) with Wine Tasting €26 | Reserve a Spot & Check Opening Hours Here
If returning the car to Vitoria-Gasteiz, you could also stop in the village of Bastida which is picturesque village included in the Rioja Alavesa.
La Rioja Road Trip Add-Ons & More Places to Explore
If looking for an extension on a La Rioja road trip, here are a few more idea.
Arnedillo
We included Arnedillo on our La Rioja road trip. This was a little tricky as it was quite out of the way and the route does cut through the narrow mountains. If adding Arnedillo, you will need more than 5 days in the La Rioja region and plan on back tracking at some point.
I’m so glad we visited little Arndeillo as it is part of the Rioja Oriental, so my mom and I got to explore all three sub-zones of the La Rioja Wine Region.
There are many different things to do in Arnedillo, but most activies focus on outdoor adventure. There is the popular Green Trail of Cidacos that connects the village of Arnedillo to Calahorra. Arnedillo also has many walking trails including the Ruta de las Ermitas. This route also passes by an Interpretation Center and viewpoint for Griffon Vultures.
Perhaps the biggest draw to Arnedillo is its natural hot springs. The Termas de Arnedillo are free to visit and sit picturesquely along the Cidacos River. Those looking for a more luxurious spa experience can opt to stay at the Balneario TermaEuropa Arnedillo Hotel.
Lost Roman Cities and Hidden Gems in Castile-La Mancha
Arnedillo is a great accessway to reach hidden gems from the Roman Empire. From Arnedillo we headed south to explore hidden-gem sites like the ancient Roman city of Numancia, the local city of Soria, and the picturesque village of Medinaceli.
After that, we dabbled in the Castile-La Mancha region and visited the historical city of Sigüenza. The Cathedral of Sigüenza was incredible and sleeping at the Parador Hotel of Sigüenza in the old castle was unforgettable.
Basque Country
Alternatively, if you haven’t spent much time in the Basque Country, it would be easy to spend a few days exploring the highlights of this unique region in Spain. However, in my opinion, you don’t need a car to see the best of the Basque Country.
Plan on spending a week between San Sebastian and Bilbao.
San Sebastian is a foodie haven and on top of the delicious food are beautiful mountains to hike, quaint fishing villages to see, and Basque cider houses to experience. One of the best things to do in San Sebastian is to explore the Old Town, savor some of the best viewpoints, relax at one of the beaches, and delve into the culinary scene.
There are tons of diverse day trips from San Sebastian that are easy to reach by public transportation.
Bilbao also warrants a few days. There is the lovely Bilbao Funicular to ride and the Guggenheim Museum filled with modern art. The Old Town of Bilbao is a delight to wander and is gaining traction in the Basque culinary scene. There is the port city of Getxo which is filled with historic mansions and the UNESCO Vizcaya Bridge.
A Taste of La Rioja Region | Unique Road Trip Itinerary
In short, this is a suggested La Rioja road trip itinerary. This road trip through the La Rioja region includes highlights of the La Rioja wine region in five days. In addition, there are bonus add-ons that include all three sub-climates of the La Rioja wine region.
This La Rioja road trip itinerary covers my favorite places to visit in the La Rioja wine region and beyond. This extensive guide also highlights some of my best tips for visiting the La Rioja region, where to stay, and hidden gems.
Is there any updates or tips you could add to this La Rioja road trip guide? I’d love to know if you follow this outline or found it useful in your own planning. Let me know in the comments below!
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