Serving as the capital of La Rioja, Logroño lies along the banks of the Ebro River on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It’s long been a trade hub for Rioja wine and is rapidly garnering a reputation as a foodie hub due to its abundance of tapas bars.
Things to do in Logroño
Logroño is home to several beautiful churches, including the 12th-century Church of San Bartolomé. It’s elaborately decorated with stone carvings and is topped by a bell tower that offers sweeping views across the city. Two Baroque-style towers dominate the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda, which houses several paintings by the Flemish Renaissance painter Gillis Coignet.
Occupying an 18th-century Baroque palace is the Museo de la Rioja, which explores the rich history and culture of the region. Highlights of the collection include 5th-century BC Celtiberian stone carvings, tables from the San Millan monasteries and statues dating from the Roman period. In addition to its historical artefacts, the museum also boasts an impressive collection of portraits and landscape paintings inspired by La Rioja.
Surrounding Logroño are numerous wineries where you can learn about La Rioja’s winemaking traditions and its reputation as Spain’s centre of red wine production. Closer to the city is the Bodegas Marques de Murrieta where wine has been made since 1852. Guided tours of the winery offer insight into its history and give a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process, followed by a tasting and optional food pairing experience.
Getting around Logroño
Logroño is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Bilbao and Bilbao Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Logroño railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Cycling and walking are both convenient ways of exploring Logroño.