La Rioja is small, but a delicious destination for motorhoming, especially if you love wine and good food. Vineyards to the horizon, wineries with spectacular architecture, medieval villages, nature and even dinosaur footprints. It's ideal for a calm, wine-tourism getaway. Here are some ideas for touring it.
Wine tourism
The star of La Rioja. Wineries for every taste, from centuries-old to cutting-edge architecture (Marqués de Riscal with its Gehry-designed building, in the neighbouring Rioja Alavesa). Many offer tours, tastings and, some, even motorhome overnight stays among the vines. Experiencing the grape harvest (autumn) is something else. We link it with wine tourism by motorhome.
The villages and towns
Logroño (with its famous Calle Laurel, full of tapas bars), Haro (the wine capital), Santo Domingo de la Calzada (on the Camino de Santiago), San Millán de la Cogolla (the birthplace of Castilian Spanish, a World Heritage Site), Briones... villages full of charm.
Nature and dinosaurs
The Sierra de Cameros, the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park, and the area's numerous dinosaur footprints (ichnites), a unique draw for families. Peaceful nature beyond the vineyards.
Practical tips
- Autumn is magical, with golden vineyards and the grape harvest.
- Book winery visits in advance.
- If you're tasting, don't drive: plan visits carefully or stay overnight at the winery.
- Combine with Navarra or the Basque Country, which are right next door.
In summary
La Rioja is a delicious destination for wine tourism, medieval villages and nature, perfect for a wine-and-calm getaway, especially in autumn. The step to take today: plan visits to a couple of wineries (some with overnight motorhome stays among the vines) and link them with Logroño and Haro; you'll have a well-rounded getaway of wine and good food. Combine it with routes through Spain.