10 Beautiful La Rioja Villages Worth Visiting
The La Rioja Wine Region is Spain’s most prestigious wine region. One of the best ways to experience the charm of La Rioja is to explore its fantastic villages. Many La Rioja villages picturesquely sit on hilltops or are built on the slopes of spectacular river valleys.
Although many of these villages are quite small, each one boasts diverse activities from sipping wine in local cellars to spectacular hiking trails, and even natural hot springs. Some of these small pueblos are found along the epic Camino de Santiago French Way offering a chance to see historical buildings and sights.
These are some of the most charming La Rioja villages to visit and what to see and do in each one.
Table of Contents
- A Quick Overview of the La Rioja Wine Region
- 10 Beautiful La Rioja Villages
- More Noteworthy Villages in the La Rioja Region
- Conclusion | The Best Villages to Visit in La Rioja & Beyond
A Quick Overview of the La Rioja Wine Region
Over 600 diverse wineries span the three sub-zones of the La Rioja Wine Region. The La Rioja Wine Region goes beyond the autonomous community of La Rioja. The three sub-climates of the La Rioja Wine Region are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). The sub-zones are found throughout three different regions in Spain.
► Rioja Alavesa is located in the southern area of the Basque Country
► The Rioja Alta sub-climate is found completely in the La Rioja region
► Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja) is the easternmost sub-climate of the La Rioja wine region and is considered to be part of the La Rioja region and the Navarre region.
This is a great La Rioja Wine Region map that visually explains the three sub-zones of the wine region.
In this guide, I mention small villages in the La Rioja region found across all three sub-climates in addition to the La Rioja autonomous community. The most convenient way to see all that the La Rioja wine region offers is to rent a car and road trip through this incredible area of Spain.
10 Worthwhile Villages in La Rioja Wine Region & Beyond
These are some of the most enchanting La Rioja villages worth visiting.
1 | Haro (Rioja Alta)
One of the best La Rioja villages to visit is Haro. This small hilltop village is the official “Capital of La Rioja Wine Region” and is a must for those looking to sample wine from the Rioja Alta region.
In El Barrio de la Estación, an area close to the Haro Train Station, find seven large bodegas. These wineries offer detailed guided tours and have tasting rooms. Be mindful that most of these bodegas require a reservation to tour the facilities. However, it’s possible to just drop in and sample different varietals in the tasting room.
Besides the fantastic bodegas near the Train Station, Haro is a fantastic hilltop village to explore. As it is built on a hill, Haro has lovely viewpoints and plenty of nearby hiking trails. The main Plaza is a must-visit and the charming streets are fabulous to wander, especially at night. Haro has some delicious restaurants serving traditional cuisine and some fun tapas bars.
As the bodegas are so close to each other, Haro is an ideal place to base and spend a night or two sampling wine. Those visiting La Rioja on a budget can enjoy the Tinto Dreams Hostel while those looking to treat themselves to a luxury experience can opt to sleep in a restored 14th-century convent in the Eurostars Los Agustinos.
Haro is a top destination to see in La Rioja.
2 | Laguardia (Rioja Alavesa)
Laguardia is one of the most famous La Rioja villages. It is known for its handful of family-run bodegas with underground cellars that have been making wine for centuries. In Laguardia, there are close to 20 locally run wine cellars. Many of these small producers have been making wine since the 16th and 17th centuries.
On top of the local wine cellars, Laguardia is included on Spain’s most beautiful pueblos list. Perched on a hilltop, Laguardia is a well-preserved medieval city. Found within city walls, the pueblo has cobblestone streets lined with Renaissance and Baroque-style architecture buildings. A highlight of visiting is watching the town’s clock tower which sings on the hour and provides entertainment of dancers donning traditional clothing.
Laguardia is a popular village to stay in the Rioja Alavesa region. For something different stay at Hotel Castillo El Collado to sleep in a 12th-century stone castle. Another great option is Legado de Ugarte, a highly rated Casa Rural in a renovated country house.
3 | Briones (Rioja Alta)
Another hilltop village in La Rioja that is found on Spain’s Beautiful Pueblo list is Briones. The village sits along the slopes of the Elbo River and is home to Castle ruins, preserved city gates, small palaces, and the remains of an old abbey. As it is in the La Rioja Wine Region, Briones also has a few bodegas within the city walls.
On the outskirts of Briones is the Vivanco Cultura de Vino, which is a top attraction when visiting Briones. This large museum showcases over 8,000 years of wine history of the La Rioja Region from the growing process and the different grape varietals, to bottling and transportation logistics. In the museum there is also a section dedicated to wine and its influence in art.
Those looking to base in Briones can sleep at Hotel Los Calaos.
4 | Eltziego (Rioja Alavesa)
Another lovely village in the Rioja Alavesa region is Elciego (Eltziego). This small village is home to a few different kinds of bodegas from smaller family-run wineries to the famous Bodegas Marqués de Riscal.
Eltziego is a fantastic village to base and explore the La Rioja Wine region as it’s less than a 30-minute drive to Logroño and just a short distance from Laguardia.
Elciego boasts a beautiful plaza and a spectacular 16th-century church, the Church of San Andrés. The village is walkable and feels very lived-in. There is a flea market once a week and during the summer months, find a popular municipal pool to cool off in.
Perhaps the biggest draw to Eltziego is the Marqués de Riscal. This winery offers daily tours in English and Spanish. The Hotel Marqués de Riscal was designed by Frank Gehry (the same architect and creative mind of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao) and is one of the more luxurious places to stay in the La Rioja wine country. The Hotel design was inspired by the bottle made famous for its wire netting. In 2024, after 150 years of usage, the company has ceased using the wire netting to commit to more sustainable approach.
There are also a handful of smaller bodegas scattered throughout the village of Elciego. We opted to stay in Agroturismo Valdelana which included a free wine tasting and an onsite museum tour. This was a perfect contrast as the Valdelana Museum included an overall history of the area, not just a focus on the wines of the region.
5 | Clavijo (Rioja Alta)
Those seeking a sense of adventure will love the medieval village of Clavijo. This small village is nestled on the slopes of the Sistema Ibérico Mountains and is just south of Logroño.
The iconic Moorish Castle of Clavijo was thought to have been built around the 9th century. It plays a role in the mythical Battle of Clavijo that was said to take place in 844 A.D.
The legend goes that Saint James appeared before the battle, the famous saint that inspired all of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes). With his presence and guidance, the Christian army was able to defeat the Moorish forces. This battle is said to be a legend and there is no proof or record that this battle happened….. ever.
From the Clavijo Castle are some of the best views of Logroño and the countryside surrounding it.
Clavijo is also an ideal starting point to hike to the ruins of San Prudencio Monastery. This short trail boasts views of the beautiful Leza River Valley and leads to what is left of the abandoned hillside monastery.
🥾 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 | Trail Map
In the village itself, Casa Tila is a local restaurant that serves up a hearty menu and also offers wines by the glass. There are only a few different options if looking to sleep in Clavijo.
6 | Navarrete | Rioja Alta
Another fantastic village in the Rioja Alta is Navarrete. This pueblo built on a small hill is a popular stopping point for pilgrims walking the Camino Frances.
There are a few small bodegas found on the outskirts of the town. To get a sprawling view of the area, head to the hilltop viewpoint. Another iconic place to see in Navarrete is the 16th-century Church of La Asunción. Make sure to enjoy the main plaza right before the church with a fountain and sculpture with some nearby bar and cafe options.
As this is a popular town on the Camino Frances there are lots of accommodation options in Navarrete. We had a great night’s sleep at Hostal Villa de Navarrete and then spent the evening tapas hopping between the few restaurant options on the main road.
7 | Najera | Rioja Alta
Najera is another fantastic town on the Camino Frances located in the Rioja Alta region. This village is nestled along the shores of the Najerillo River and surrounded by beautiful cliffs with caves.
One of the best things to do in Najera is to join a guided tour to the Cueva el Castillo, or Cave Castle. Guided cave tours must be arranged with the Najera Tourist Information Center and are only available on the weekends.
If you can’t join a guided tour, there are still plenty of things to do in Najera. The Monastery of Santa María la Real is well worth the admission fee. The self-guided tour includes a visit to the Royal Pantheon where many Kings and Queens of the medieval Navarre Kingdom are buried under elaborate tombs.
Across the street from the monastery is the small but informative History and Archeology Museum of Najera.
Those looking for an adventure can climb up to the abandoned Alcazar ruins or savor the 360° views from the Cruz Malpica. Najera is the starting point to walk the Camino Real. This incredibly scenic path is one of my favorite Camino Frances detours that leads to the special the Yuso and Suso Monasteries.
Najera has a wide range of accommodation options scattered throughout the medieval village.
8 | Santo Domingo de la Calzada | La Rioja
Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a village that is found on the border of the Rioja Alta wine region. This town is deeply connected to the Camino Frances, so a majority of the sights are linked to the Way.
➜ Psst… Feeling called to walk the Camino de Santiago? These are my top tips for first-time pilgrims and my packing list for women.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada history with the Camino dates back to the 11th century. Santo Domingo de la Calzada has a towering cathedral, an old pilgrim hospital, and the legend of the rooster. There are nods to this Camino legend that can be seen throughout the town. It’s also worth noting that the legend of the rooster can also be seen on the Camino Portuguese in the medieval village of Barcelo.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada has two Parador Hotels. One is Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada located in the 12th century Pilgrims Hospital and the Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda which is now housed in the old convent.
9 | San Millan de la Cogolla | Rioja Alta
One of my favorite villages in the La Rioja region is San Millan de la Cogolla. This scenic pueblo is tucked into the Cárdenas River Valley.
The main draw to San Millan de la Cogolla is to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Yuso and Suso Monasteries. The larger monastery is the Yuso Monastery, an impressive site with a breathtaking church, choir room, and important religious items. This incredible site also has replicas of the Glosas Emilianenses, the first known writings in Castilian Spanish.
The Suso Monastery is located up on the hillside and was said to be where those first documents of Castilian Spanish were written. For this reason, the Suso and Yuso Monasteries are said to be the cradle of the modern Spanish language.
Some say the Suso chapel was built during the mid-6th century, but most speculate that the monks lived in the cave systems here long before the chapel was built.
The only way to visit the Yuso and Suso Monasteries is on a guided tour. For now, tours are only available in Spanish and each monastery requires a separate entrance ticket. It is still worth it to see this incredible and sacred site.
Those looking to sleep in San Millan de la Cogolla can spend the night at the Yuso Monastery in the Hostería del Monasterio de San Millan. If seeking a quiet retreat in a beautiful location, sleep outside the village at Casa Rural La Calera.
10 | Arnedillo | Rioja Oriental
Although off the beaten path in La Rioja, Arnedillo is a fantastic village to base and explore the less-visited Rioja Oriental wine region. This small pueblo offers lots of unique things to do as it’s tucked within the Hez and Peñalmonte mountain ranges. Arnedillo is located in the heart of the Arnedillo Biosphere Reserve with the Ciadcos River cutting through the hamlet and the valley.
Surrounded by so much natural beauty, there is a wide range of things to do in Arnedillo. The tiny town is probably most famous for its natural hot springs. The Termas de Arnedillo are free to enjoy and are quite rustic and sit along the Ciadcos River. If visiting and looking for a more spa-like experience, the Balneario TermaEuropa Arnedillo Hotel has rooms and day passes.
Do wander through the picturesque streets. The small town boasts numerous viewpoints and outdoor adventures from hiking and biking trails. This is also a fantastic place to observe Griffon Vultures or simply connect deeper with nature. There are also notable towns to visit nearby like Santa Eulalia Bajera with the Las Cuevas del Ajedrezado (Chess Caves).
More Noteworthy La Rioja Villages
There are so many picturesque villages found throughout the La Rioja autonomous community and the La Rioja wine region. I feel so fortunate that I have been able to visit so many, but these are a few I missed.
✔︎ Sajazarra is a lovely fortified village in the Rioja Alta region. The town boasts a castle, old city gates, bodegas, and a plethora of outdoor art exhibitions. This pueblo is also found on Spain’s most beautiful villages list.
✔︎ Viniegra de Abajo & Viniegra de Arriba are two towns found near the southern border of the La Rioja region. These two villages are found on the Las Pueblos Mas Bonita de España and boast beautiful stone homes and cobblestone streets. Both towns are tucked between the Sierra de la Demanda and the Sierra de Urbión Mountains and provide a variety of hiking trails.
Conclusion | Beautiful La Rioja Villages That Are Worth Visiting
In short, this is a list of must-see villages in the La Rioja region. This guide includes towns from both the La Rioja Wine Region and the autonomous community of La Rioja.
These La Rioja villages include picturesque hilltop towns, historical sites, and incredible vineyards. Besides the unique wine culture, these La Rioja villages offer activities like hiking trails, hot springs, and visiting sites connected to the Camino de Santiago French Way.
A few of these listed La Rioja villages are included on the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain list and are worth seeing. While some travelers may opt to base in Logroño, the bustling capital of La Rioja, it is worth taking day trips to experience these charming towns.
Spending time in these La Rioja villages was a highlight of my time in this region of Spain!
Have you visited any of these La Rioja villages? Is there a village you visited and loved that I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below!
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