Logroño
13 places in and around Logroño, 2 of them among my favourite picks.
Chapter One
The story of Logroño
“La Rioja”, land of vineyards on the Ebro, where the monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla stand and the Glosas Emilianenses, the oldest texts in Castilian, were written; they are listed as World Heritage. Logroño is a stop on the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Figures of Logroño
- Around 1190–1264
Gonzalo de Berceo
The first Castilian poet known by name; he lived in San Millán de la Cogolla.
- 1755–1833
Fausto Elhuyar
A chemist born in Logroño, who together with his brother discovered the element tungsten in 1783.
- 1793–1879
Baldomero Espartero
A military commander and regent of the throne, who lived and died in Logroño, where he has an equestrian statue.
Chapter Two
Places in Logroño
13 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Heritage and monuments
4Monasterio de San Millán de Yuso
· San Millán de la Cogolla
Together with the older Suso monastery carved into the rock, the cradle of the Spanish language: it is where the Glosas Emilianenses, the oldest written text in Castilian, were written (10th–11th century). A UNESCO World Heritage site, known as “the Escorial of La Rioja”.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- By car only (an hour from Logroño); parking in front of the monastery. The tour takes about an hour, with no notable climbing. Access to Suso monastery is by a small bus belonging to the monastery, with the ticket. A few restaurants in the village.
My tip
Visits are by guided tour only (in Spanish); book in advance, especially for Suso monastery (small bus). Closed on Mondays. An hour from Logroño. Fascinating for lovers of the history of language.
Catedral de Santo Domingo de la Calzada
· Santo Domingo de la Calzada
A Romanesque-Gothic cathedral on the Camino to Santiago, famous for a cage holding a live rooster and hen for centuries, commemorating the legend of the “innocent hanged man” and the miracle of the roast chicken. The ticket includes the tower climb.
- Easy to reach
- 40 minutes from Logroño by car or bus. Flat; suitable for everyone.
My tip
The story appeals to children; the visit takes 45 minutes. Combine it with Ezcaray and Nájera.
Monasterio de Santa María la Real (Nájera)
· Nájera
A Gothic royal monastery nestled in red cliffs, housing the burial place of the early kings of Navarra and Castilla, and a cave where, according to legend, King García found the statue of the Virgin, and a magnificent carved wooden choir.
- Easy to reach
- 30 minutes from Logroño by car or bus. Flat inside the monastery; one hour.
My tip
The audio guide is good and multilingual; closed on Mondays. Afterwards, climb the hill behind the monastery for the viewpoint.
Castillo de Clavijo
· Clavijo
Ruins of a castle on a sharp rock above the Ebro valley near Logroño, linked to the famous legend of the battle of “Clavijo” in Spanish tradition; from its top there is a wide view over the three valleys.
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- 25 minutes from Logroño by car. A short climb over uneven rock; 45 minutes.
My tip
The road to the castle is paved, but inside it is rocky and rough; not suitable for very young children. Go to the viewpoint at sunset.
Restaurants and cafés
6Echaurren Tradición
The traditional restaurant of the historic Echaurren house in Ezcaray (more than a century old), sibling of “El Portal”, the two-Michelin-star restaurant, with the recipes of grandmother Marisa.
- Home-style Riojan cooking at its finest; the daily menu includes the house's famous dishes at a reasonable price.
Signature dishEchaurren croquettes (Croquetas de Echaurren)
Booking essential · Suits families and children, couples and business meetings
Venta Moncalvillo
The restaurant of the Echapresto brothers in the village of Daroca de Rioja, holder of a Michelin star and the Michelin Green Star for sustainability; the experience begins with a tour of its garden.
- A full tasting experience from the restaurant's garden and the surrounding nature; lunch only, Tuesday to Saturday.
Signature dishTasting menu (Menú degustación)
Booking essential · Suits couples and business meetings
Bar Soriano
A small bar in a passage off Calle Laurel that serves only mushrooms.
- An icon of Calle Laurel for decades: one dish only, three grilled mushrooms with garlic and parsley topped with a prawn on a slice of bread — and that is the secret of its fame.
- Among the best tapas
Signature dish“Champi”, grilled mushroom with prawn on bread — and nothing else is served.
Suits friends and groups, couples and families and children
Bar Ángel
A famous mushroom bar on Calle Laurel since the sixties.
- The historic rival of Bar Soriano for the title of “best mushrooms in Logroño”; visitors compare the two on the same night.
- Among the best tapas
Signature dish“Champi”, grilled mushroom with prawn on bread.
Suits friends and groups, couples and families and children
Torrecilla
An upmarket pinchos bar on Calle Laurel.
- Known for having the best fresh goose liver pincho on the street; it is grilled in front of you and sprinkled with pink salt on crispy bread.
- Among the best tapas
TryGrilled fresh goose liver (foie fresco a la plancha) with pink salt.
Suits couples and friends and groups
Juan y Pinchame
A popular pinchos bar on Calle Laurel.
- Like most Laurel bars, it does a few dishes well; the most famous is the prawn and pineapple skewer, which you will not find elsewhere.
- Among the best tapas
TryPrawn and pineapple skewer (brocheta de langostino y piña), spinach croquettes, and cod tortilla.
Suits friends and groups, couples and families and children
Nature and walks
2Briones – Mirador del Paisaje del Ebro
· Briones
A medieval village on a hill above a wide bend of the Ebro in Rioja Alta, one of “Spain's most beautiful villages”, with its walls, palaces, a huge church and a superb view over the valley.
What to see
Viewpoint over the Ebro valley · remains of the walls and castle · palaces on the main street · the great square · the old hermitage on the plain
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 35 minutes from Logroño by car. Gentle slopes; one hour.
My tip
The area is famous for its vineyards and a wine museum; skip it and stick to the village and the viewpoint. A medieval market is held here in June.
Icnitas de Enciso (huellas de dinosaurio)
· Enciso
Sites in the Cidacos valley in La Rioja preserving hundreds of dinosaur footprints in the rock, dating back 120 million years, with life-size models, playgrounds for children and an interpretation centre called “Jurassic Park”.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 50 minutes from Logroño by car. Easy dirt tracks; two hours.
My tip
The circular trail is free and very enjoyable for children; the interpretation centre requires a ticket. Combine it with the nearby Virgen del Campo site.
Day trips
1Ezcaray – Plaza de la Verdura
· Ezcaray
A mountain town in the Oja valley in La Rioja, with stone houses, timber arcades and a towel and wool blanket factory famous since the 18th century. A base for the Valdezcaray ski station and for the Sierra de la Demanda trails.
What to see
Plaza de la Verdura and its arcades · the fortified church of “Santa María la Mayor” · the old royal blanket factory · the Oja river trails · the Valdezcaray ski station
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- 50 minutes from Logroño or an hour from Burgos by car. The town is fairly flat; two hours.
My tip
Local wool blankets and shawls make a distinctive gift. Combine it with the San Millán monastery (30 minutes).
Chapter Three
When to go to Logroño
Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holiday
January
No events listed in January. A quiet month, and prices are often lower.
Chapter Four
What to bring home
What deserves to come home with you from Logroño: the genuine article, and what carries a protected origin.
- IGP
Riojan pepper
Pimiento Riojano IGPRed pepper grilled over wood and peeled by hand, bought canned in autumn.
- DOP
Rioja pear
Peras de Rincón de Soto DOPJuicy, sweet “Conference” pear from the town of Rincón de Soto.
- IGP
Calahorra cauliflower
Coliflor de Calahorra IGPFirm white cauliflower from the banks of the Ebro; in season in winter.
- DOP
La Rioja olive oil
Aceite de La Rioja DOPOil from the local variety “Redondilla” with “Arbequina” and “Empeltre”, smooth and well balanced.
Soto en Cameros marzipan
Mazapán de SotoMarzipan in the shape of baked biscuits, a tradition of the town of Soto en Cameros.
Arnedo fardelejos
Fardelejos de ArnedoA sweet of thin dough filled with almond paste, an Andalusi-Morisco tradition in Arnedo; check the type of fat in the dough.
Chapter Five
Getting around Logroño
- Radio Taxi Rioja+34 941 222 122
- Unitaxi+34 941 505 050
Last reviewed1 October 2026