La Rioja: Wine, Trails and Heritage
Accommodation in La Rioja
La Rioja can be discovered through a wide range of themes: an extensive biosphere reserve, routes through vineyards and landscapes, and historic buildings. There is also local food and wine experiences. The aspect that interests you most can give your stay its own focus.
Biosphere and Landscape
The Biosphere Reserve of the Leza, Jubera, Cidacos and Alhama Valleys was recognized by UNESCO in 2003. It covers 122,811 hectares, equivalent to 24 percent of La Rioja’s area, and extends across 40 municipalities. This scale gives the protected area a broad regional scope.
Its landscape includes rocky cliffs and river gorges, as well as land shaped by people, with old terraces and mosaics of cultivated fields. Natural landforms and shaped landscapes stand side by side here. The area also includes the Celtiberian settlement of Contrebia Leukade, considered one of the largest Celtiberian settlements in Spain.
Trails Through La Rioja
The 200-kilometer GR-93 “Sierras de La Rioja” long-distance trail crosses the entire mountain region in the south of the biosphere reserve. Another route connection: the GR-93 “Sierras Riojanas” passes through Ezcaray, while the GR-190 “Altos Valles Ibéricos” runs entirely through La Rioja.
The VĂa Verde del Cidacos follows a former railway line. Its 34 kilometers are divided into two stages, with an additional four-kilometer alternative route. The trail passes through landscapes transitioning from valley to mountains, along the river slopes of the Cidacos and past the Peñas de Arnedillo. A significant colony of vultures and cliff-dwelling birds lives there.
The Camino de Santiago also passes through La Rioja. Its landscapes include the Ebro Valley, vineyards and grain fields, as well as small, picturesque villages. The different descriptions offer a sense of how the routes here each bring landscapes, river slopes or settlements to the fore.
Wine Experiences and Local Cuisine
More than 80 of the region’s over 500 wineries can be visited as part of a tourism visit. Wine tourism also includes vineyard visits, sports activities among the vines, grape treading and insights into the work of winegrowers. If you are planning a winery visit, check in advance what visiting options are available.
La Rioja’s cuisine includes Bacalao a la Riojana, made with tomatoes and peppers. Crayfish, trout, snails and mushrooms are also among the local dishes. For desserts and baked specialties, you can try Hormigos, Soto marzipan and Molletes de Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Fardelejo is filled with almonds.
Buildings and History
The Monasterio de Santa MarĂa La Real was founded in 1052 at the behest of King GarcĂa Sánchez III and his wife, EstefanĂa de Foix. The present-day church dates from 1516. It has three naves and a transept.
At the Monasterio de San José, the church is the part currently open to visitors. It was consecrated in 1642 and has a cruciform floor plan, in keeping with Carmelite tradition. Check local visiting arrangements before your visit.
The BasĂlica de Santa MarĂa de los Arcos was originally built as a Roman mausoleum in the 3rd century and converted into a Christian basilica in the 5th century. Beneath its floor, early Christian graves from the 5th and 6th centuries, reused Roman sarcophagi from the 1st to 3rd centuries, medieval sarcophagi, and Roman and early Christian grave steles have been discovered.
In Logroño, the Concatedral de Santa MarĂa de la Redonda lies in the heart of the old town, between Portales and CaballerĂas streets and Plaza del Mercado. Its specific location makes it a distinct stop if you are interested in the buildings of the old town.
Fossil Traces and Special Natural Sites
Dinosaur discoveries in La Rioja date back to the Early Cretaceous, about 120 million years ago. They include Prejanopterus curvirostris, the first pterosaur species to be defined in Spain. In total, the region has around 140 sites with fossilized dinosaur tracks, spread across 20 municipalities; Enciso is one of the most notable sites.
The Pozas de Arnedillo are located on the banks of the Cidacos and are freely accessible. Mineral-rich, medicinal hyperthermal springs emerge there at a temperature of 52.5°C. Check local access conditions before visiting.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: San Millán De La Cogolla, Navarrete, Logroño, Ezcaray, Cervera Del RĂo Alhama, Cenicero, Calahorra, Badarán, Azofra, Arnedo, Arnedillo, Alfaro, Alesanco, Albelda De Iregua, Casalarreina, Villalobar De Rioja, Santo Domingo De La Calzada, Galilea, ZorraquĂn, Nájera, Briñas, Abalos, Almarza De Cameros, Daroca De Rioja, Tirgo, San Asensio, JalĂłn De Cameros, Nalda, Castañares De Rioja, Gallinero De Cameros, Entrena, ZarratĂłn, Sajazarra, Cuzcurrita De RĂo TirĂłn, Aguilar Del RĂo Alhama, Castroviejo, Laguna De Cameros, Bergasa, Las Ruedas De OcĂłn, Muro De Aguas, Bobadilla, Aldeanueva De Ebro, Azarrulla, Santurde De Rioja, Briones, Zaldierna, Sorzano, Sojuela, Arenzana De Abajo, Fuenmayor, Torremontalbo, Grávalos, AlesĂłn, San Vicente De La Sonsierra, Ausejo, Villalba De Rioja, Alcanadre, Ollauri, El Cortijo, Anguiano, Panzares, Munilla, Cirueña, Enciso, Navalsaz, HuĂ©rcanos, Villarroya, Tricio, Villarejo, Clavijo, Torrecilla En Cameros, Valgañón, Grañón, Ojacastro, San Román De Cameros, Peciña, Ventosa, Hornos de Moncalvillo, El Rasillo de Cameros, Baños de RĂo TobĂa, Lardero, Villamediana de Iregua, Pradillo, Treviana, Lagunilla del Jubera, Lumbreras, ArrĂşbal, Igea, Villoslada de Cameros, Aldeanueva de Cameros, Viniegra de Abajo, Los Molinos de OcĂłn, Agoncillo, El Horcajo, SotĂ©s, Berceo, Haro.
For the broader travel overview: Spain.
