Located in the northern part of Spain and bordered by the Basque Country, Aragón, Navarra, and Castilla y León, La Rioja is a Spanish region. If you’re considering taking a short break there, here are ten essential things to keep in mind before you go.
It’s Spain’s best wine destination.
La Rioja, Spain’s largest and most prominent wine destination, produces between 280 and 300 million litres of wine annually across approximately 63,593 hectares of vineyards. Top wineries in the region offer the opportunity to sample the country’s finest red wines.
If you’re coming from abroad, it’s best reached from Bilbao.
If you’re traveling from another country, the most convenient way to reach La Rioja is through Bilbao. Although the region does have its own airport, it mostly caters to domestic flights, making Bilbao Airport the best option. From there, it’s just a 90-minute drive south.
The tapas are just as good as the wine.
In addition to its excellent wine, La Rioja boasts a unique style of tapas. The city of Logroño, in particular, is renowned for its Riojan tapas, with many bars specializing in a single ingredient such as mushrooms or spider crab fish cakes. Check out our list of The Best Tapas Bars in Logroño to discover more.
Its capital, Logroño, is well worth a visit.
Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, is a city that travelers often overlook, but it’s definitely worth a visit. While it may not have many well-known tourist attractions, it boasts a charming Old Town center with several museums, historic bridges, and churches.
It’s dotted with many important pieces of religious architecture.
In addition to its wineries, La Rioja is home to many magnificent religious architectural wonders. Among the most famous are the UNESCO World Heritage Suso and Yuso monasteries in the town of San Millán de la Cogolla and the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
It’s the birthplace of the first written words in the Spanish language.
La Rioja is also the birthplace of the first written words in the Spanish language. It’s said that the Glosas Emilianenses, the first texts in Spanish, were written down in the Yuso Monastery during the 11th century as part of the translation from Latin. The monastery was also where the first known Spanish poet, Gonzalo de Berceo, wrote his first verses.
It’s home to some amazing natural attractions.
La Rioja is not just known for its vineyards; it also boasts stunning natural attractions such as high mountain ranges, lunar-like landscapes, rolling hills, and winding rivers. To experience the region’s natural beauty, make sure to visit the Sierra de Cebollera Nature Reserve and the Arnedillo Biosphere Reserve.
It’s best to hire a car to explore it properly.
To explore La Rioja properly, especially its remote vineyards, it’s best to hire a car. Although there are buses that travel between some of the towns, having your own transportation provides the flexibility to go wherever you want.
The Camino de Santiago runs through the region.
The famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route runs through La Rioja, including the city of Logroño. The locals are used to hosting international travelers, and there are plenty of affordable places to stay and eat.
It’s an excellent place for adventure sports.
La Rioja is also an excellent place for adventure sports, such as horseback riding, hiking, hot-air ballooning over the vineyards, and driving 4x4s across its rocky landscapes. So, wine-tasting is not the only activity to enjoy here!
