Landscapes of vineyards in La Rioja
1. A MONASTERY VISIT: SAN MILLÁN DE LA COGOLLA
If there is a town in La Rioja that can boast of having an extraordinary wealth of monuments, that is San Millán de la Cogolla. In this small town in the valley of the Cárdenas River, there are two very important monasteries: Suso and Yuso, both declared World Heritage Sites . San Millán de Yuso is one of the oldest in Europe and is considered the cradle of Castilian. It houses the Emilian glosses , the first texts in the Castilian language. The monastery of Suso, somewhat smaller, is equally beautiful. Both monastic ensembles are a sight for sore eyes. In addition, during May and June, the Yuso Monastery organizes dramatized visits.
San Millán de la Cogolla, the monastic town
two. OF TAPAS IN LOGROÑO
Logroño cannot be conceived without its wine or pinchos. and the street Laurel It is the place of pilgrimage for those who seek to enjoy this combination. It is difficult to visit the city and not go through this historic street, where there are dozens of bars and they fill their bars with delicious tapas. Among the essentials are the Champi de El Soriano –the most historic in Laurel-; the Txangurrito at La Taberna del Pato or the anchovy at Rincón de Alberto. Logroñeses looking for a quieter tapas go to Calle San Juan, smaller and traditional, also with good pinchos and somewhat cheaper.
Calle Laurel, the indispensable street for wine and tapas in Logroño
3. THE BEST WINE TASTINGS, IN HARO
A mandatory visit to understand the history of the best wines in Spain is Haro and its famous neighborhood of the Station. The largest number of wineries in the region are concentrated here. And it is that in Haro wine is more than a product, it is the vital and cultural expression of an entire people. To discover it, the best thing is to walk through its stately old town and enjoy a tasting in one of its wineries. Among the most famous and touristic we find López de Heredia, the oldest in the city with impressive vineyards and extraordinary architecture; the Muga wineries, traditional and artisanal; or those of the Rioja Alta, with a spectacular restaurant. For those looking for quieter tastings, people from La Rioja recommend visiting smaller wineries such as Bodegas Roda or Gómez Cruzado.
'La Frasca', by López de Heredia
Four. A DAY OF NATURE: THE SIERRA CEBOLLERA
The Sierra Cebollera is one of the natural environments preferred by the people of La Rioja. Reasons are not lacking. This Natural Park full of beech, oak and Scots pine forests is the perfect getaway to breathe fresh air and enjoy nature. Among its great attractions, the “Tierras Altas de Lomas de Oro” Sculpture Park stands out, an open-air museum of sculptures made with natural materials; the hermitages of Lomos de Orios and the Virgen de la Luz, Hoyos de Iregua and the route to the Puente Ra Waterfalls . Visiting its small towns such as San Andrés or El Horcajo is a real joy.
5. AN AFTERNOON AT THE MUSEUM
La Rioja houses large collections of archaeology, art and painting in its numerous museums and interpretation centers scattered throughout the region. Museums like the famous Würth in Logroño, avant-garde international contemporary art scene , deserve by themselves a visit to La Rioja. Also interesting are the Calahorra Vegetable Museum, the Tower Clock Museum of San Vicente de la Sonsierra -a benchmark of monumental watchmaking-; or the Archaeological History of Nájera. And for wine lovers, don't miss the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, in Briones. More than 4,000 square meters and six rooms (one outside) dedicated to highlighting the relationship between man and wine during 8,000 years of history. Possibly the best wine museum in the world.
The Würth Museum: exhibitions, cinema and children's activities
6. A RELAXING BATH IN ARNEDILLO
In the town of Arnedillo, next to the course of the river Cidacos , we find the famous thermal pools that the people of La Rioja like so much. A natural and free spa with beautiful views all around. The springs that sprout from the ground feed these natural pools of waters rich in minerals with a medicinal character. The temperature is always maintained at about 40 degrees . A few steps away, the Arnedillo Spa is another key point to enjoy a relaxing bath just as the Romans did in ancient times. In this case, the spa is more exclusive and the water temperature exceeds 50 degrees in some areas.
7. VILLAGES THAT BREATH HISTORY: NÁJERA
Located 27 kilometers from Logroño, Nájera is included in the Camino de Santiago thanks to King Sancho III who modified the route in the 11th century so that the town would be one of the places of passage for pilgrims. Nájera is a town full of charm where all eyes are focused on the Monastery of Santa María la Real and its collection of royal tombs . History is breathed in every corner of the town, in its cobbled streets, in the stone walls of the Alcázar and even in the ruins of the Castillo de la Mota. Nájera is a destination that captivates from the first moment.
Nájera, a town to get lost
8. SUPREME GASTRONOMY
La Rioja is a destination that does not disappoint the most exquisite palates . An example of them are its splendid restaurants where a unique and delicious gastronomy is created. The essentials: Casa Toni (San Vicente de la Sonsierra), where they mix traditional cuisine with creativity; the Portal de Echaurren (Ezcaray), the first restaurant in the history of La Rioja to obtain a star from the Michelin guide; the Alameda (Fuenmayor), where the best meats are cooked, the Venta Mocalvillo (Daroca de Rioja), where the Echapresto brothers collect the latest culinary trends to interpret traditional cuisine ; and in Logroño, Tondeluna , a gastrobar with a modern design with a single open space with six tables and chefs in sight. His letter includes a good selection of wines in addition to some great granny croquettes.
Essential: Casa Toni
9. A JOURNEY TO THE JURASSIC
Just 72 kilometers from Logroño, in the town of enciso , we embark on a journey back in time over 150 million years to discover how the dinosaurs lived. Here we find more than 40 deposits spread throughout the area : Valdecillo, one of the easiest to interpret; the one at Conargo, with important footprints, or the one at Igea, whose number of traces make it the first site in Europe. Don't miss the Igea Paleontological Center and, if you go with children, come to the Barraco Perdido theme park. The whole family will have a great time while learning.
10. SLEEP BETWEEN VINEYARDS
Can you imagine sleeping among barrels and surrounded by impressive landscapes of vineyards? In La Rioja you can discover and he pleasure of staying in authentic wineries or in hotels that promote wine tourism as a philosophy of life. The essentials: El Señorío de Briñas (Briñas), in whose cellar we can enjoy a fantastic wine therapy session; the Villa de Ábalos (Ábalos), a place of pilgrimage for all good oenologists; the Casa del Cofrade (Albelda de Iregua), with a restaurant dug into the mountain. Each of these accommodations promises a unique and charming experience among vineyards.
La Rioja, the best wine in the world