Much has been discovered and celebrated about Rioja’s wine over the last decade as the region has finally experienced the level of attention it deserves.
Less discussed is how breathtakingly beautiful a travel destination it is – Rioja has a home away from home for you.
You won’t find Rioja in the Thomas Cook package holiday directory, but if you’re a wine lover who also appreciates a great view, you’re certainly heading in the right direction.
From luxurious winery stays in a building designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry to humble B&Bs and even rustic campsites, there really is a way for every type of traveller to experience this iconic wine region.
The backpacker
You’re a bit old to spend your time in hostels now, but you haven’t lost your sense of adventure and desire for a more authentic, rugged experience.
Fortunately for you, Rioja is a vast expanse of rolling hills, windswept vineyards and hiking trails.
Whether you drive here or take some other form of transport from Madrid or Bilbao, there’s no need to spend a fortune to enjoy the region’s great outdoors.
Camping de Haro
Carretera Vieja de Miranda 1, Haro
Visitors at Dinastía Vivanco, home of Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, with the nearby village of Briones visible in the background
(Image credit: Gregorioa/Shutterstock)
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors, especially in the company of those who want to do the same.
For €30 a night, you can pitch a tent, park a car and have access to electricity, all barely 10 minutes’ walk from Haro. If the sound of rain hitting your tent isn’t your cup of tea, glamping bungalows are also available.
In the summer months, you can cool off after a long day of sightseeing with a swim in the vast outdoor swimming pool.
Typical peak season rates from around €30 a night camping, or €70 a night glamping. campingdeharo.com
The authentic traveller
You want to get into the heart of the region but you don’t necessarily require luxury or want to spend a lot of time in the hotel itself.
You’ll be visiting wineries during the day and need a base for operations, ideally out in the villages themselves.
Casa Robla
Calle Hornos 11, Elvillar
(Image credit: Casa Robla)
A charming B&B set in a former winery in the heart of Elvillar, Casa Robla is a quiet place to put your head down at night, with enough of the original exposed stonework to really connect with its productive past.
Better yet, the proprietor makes wine nearby in Lanciego, and recent vintages are readily available to try.
There’s no onsite dining here, but feel free to use the kitchen to whip up some sandwiches or cold snacks.
Typical peak season rates from around €100 per night.
- Insider tip For a more lively night out, head to nearby Laguardia (10-minute drive) for a vibrant social and tapas scene.
The upscale adventurer
Being out in the thick of it is important to you, but you also appreciate your home comforts.
Some days might be spent out exploring, while others will definitely be in the hotel, enjoying the finer things in life.
There’s no need for luxury, but a little space, privacy and understated beauty is appreciated.
Santa María Briones
Calle Concepción 37, Briones
The lounge room at Santa María Briones
(Image credit: Santa María Briones)
This charming boutique hotel is set in a 16th-century manor house in the heart of one of the region’s most important winemaking villages.
There are only 16 rooms, but each is carefully considered, with exposed stonework, wooden beams and individual views.
There are also two restaurants onsite: El Calado for traditional, rustic dishes and wine tastings in an informal setting, and Allegar for fine dining.
There’s also a gym, a well-appointed library and even local kennels for those travelling with pets.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t a good option for young families, as guests must be 12 years or older.
Typical peak season rates from around €250 per night. santamariabriones.com
- Insider tip The Berones Suite has a duplex layout and grants access to the largest balcony on the property. Alternatively, ask for room 33 – it has the property’s best views!
The luxury traveller
Needless to say, the hotel you choose will make or break your trip.
You may be in Rioja for the wine but that doesn’t mean that you can’t live it up while you’re here, and you’re likely to be spending a lot of time enjoying the facilities when not on the occasional foray into the region.
Fine dining is a must and there also has to be something going on at the hotel beyond the gym.
Marqués de Riscal
Calle Torrea 1, Elciego
The Frank Gehry-designed Marqués de Riscal hotel
(Image credit: Quim Roser)
An icon of the region for its wines, its history, its legend and its incredible, swooping winery and hotel.
Opened in 2006, this Frank Gehry-designed masterpiece is as eye-catching as it is unique. Multi-coloured ribbons of titanium ripple and twist across its surface, glinting in the sunshine.
For the luxury traveller in Rioja, welcome home!
There are 61 rooms, each with large windows from which to enjoy the view.
Beyond that, there’s a Caudalie Vinotherapy spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool and no fewer than three restaurants from which to choose.
You’re in the perfect location for day trips, but with so much going on, you may want to spend your time at the hotel instead.
Typical peak season rates from around €450 per night. marquesderiscal.com
- Insider tip Spend your evenings in the rooftop bar for spectacular sunset views. For something really special, ask them to show you their list of back vintages for a bottle to enjoy as the sun goes down.
The city breaker
You’re only here for a few days and you want to be somewhere that offers restaurants, nightlife and transport links.
You may do a day trip but you also want to experience wine bars, wine lists, coffee and conversation.
Your perfect city would, ideally, have a couple of wineries very close by so you can cram everything in and still have the energy to live it up in the evening.
Hotel Arrope
La Vega 31, Haro
In the heart of Haro, Arrope is a small, no-nonsense hotel ideal for a couple of days in the bustling little city. Its terrace is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
The rooms occupy the top floors above a restaurant known for its comprehensive wine list.
The small, passionate team is always happy to help and offer inside knowledge on where to go and who to meet. And the sommelier will eagerly recommend interesting, beyond-the-obvious bottles.
Typical peak season rates from around €90 per night.
- Insider tip If you’re on a short break, book your visits to the Muga and CVNE wineries before you arrive. Not only are they icons, but they’re located within the city walls, right near the train station – a mere 15 minutes’ walk from the hotel.
The foodie
Someone once told you that the best way to learn about a local culture was to eat the food and drink the wine, and that seemed like a great idea to you.
You’ve been practising just that for years now and you’ve found your place in the world.
It’s imperative to be in local places, eating real local food and enjoying the unique atmosphere that defines each village, town and city.
You’re happy in fine-dining locations as much as the pub down the street, so long as flavour is involved.
Sercotel Calle Mayor
Calle Marqués de San Nicolás 71, Logroño
Calle del Laurel, Logroño’s rightly famous tapas hotspot
(Image credit: Atlantide Phototravel Guido Cozzi/Getty Images)
This four-star boutique hotel is in the very heart of Rioja’s wine capital Logroño, making it a perfect location for those looking to experience not only the wine culture of Rioja, but its famous tapas scene.
It’s a five-minute walk to Calle del Laurel and its famous tapas crawl, yet also surrounded by excellent restaurants; there are few better places to be for those looking to discover the local cuisine.
The hotel itself also has a gym and, importantly for those looking for reservations, a 24-hour front desk and concierge service. ¡Buen provecho!
Typical peak season rates from around €145 per night. sercotelhoteles.com
- Insider tip If you’re looking for a wine experience close by, check out Javier Arizcuren’s urban winery – one of the region’s greatest producers, right in the heart of the city.
Arizcuren’s urban winery
(Image credit: Arizcuren Bodega y Viñedos)
