Our most recommended things to do in La Rioja, Spain

From Bilbao: Vitoria & Rioja Region Tour with Wine Tasting

1. From Bilbao: Vitoria & Rioja Region Tour with Wine Tasting

We will explore Vitoria-Gasteiz, with a walking part into the heart of the city. We will learn about its history and modern-day importance as the Capital of the Basque Country. During the tour we will taste some quality local chocolates. We will visit as well La Rioja region, the heartland of Spain's most famous wine industry. On the way we will admire the views of a sea of vineyards set on rolling hills. We will stop at the charming medieval village of Laguardia for a walking tour around the historic quarter. We will enjoy as well a visit to a traditional winery, learn about the production of wine in this region and enjoy a tasting of wines at the end. We will have as well free time for lunch in Laguardia.

From Bilbao: Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour

2. From Bilbao: Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour

Discover both the ancient and modern beauty of Bilbao's surrounding towns on an insightful excursion. Visit the Marques de Riscal and Ysios wineries to gaze at the innovative architecture and taste some Rioja wines. Explore the medieval town of LaGuardia and enjoy a traditional pintxos lunch. Depart from Bilbao to tour the Marques de Riscal winery, designed by one of today's leading architects, Franck Gehry. Admire the breathtaking structure made of titanium, stainless steel, wood, and sandstone. Taste their white wine, their Crianza red wine, and their award-winning Rioja Reserva. Move on to the Ysios cellar and observe a structure with many architectural features, such as the roof, meant to resemble the Sierra Cantabria. Enjoy a brief introduction to the winery and their winemaking process, followed by a guided tasting of two of their exceptional wines with an apéritif. Take a walk through the walled medieval city of LaGuardia, one of the most beautiful towns in the Rioja Alavesa region. Look at the fortified walls and winding cobblestone streets surrounded by vineyards and mountains. Finally, enjoy a Riojano lunch of 3 traditional 'pintxos' with Rioja wine.

From San Sebastian/Bilbao/Vitoria: La Rioja Wineries Tour

3. From San Sebastian/Bilbao/Vitoria: La Rioja Wineries Tour

Explore two beautiful wineries of the La Rioja region from San Sebastian on a guided tour. Enjoy the Rioja wines, walk through the vineyards, and learn about the wine-making process on a guided tour. After being picked up from your accommodation enjoy a drive through the beautiful landscapes. Have a relaxing walk through the vineyards, learning the wine-making process from the grape harvest to the maturation, and finish the experience with Rioja wine tasting in each winery. During the tour, you will also visit a charming medieval village, Laguardia.

From Bilbao: Vitoria and Rioja Day Tour

4. From Bilbao: Vitoria and Rioja Day Tour

The famous Rioja Wine region is a must for wine lovers visiting Spain. Located in the south of the Basque country, you will visit the village of Haro, the unique medieval village of Laguardia. Of course, you will visit a traditional wine cellar for a wine tasting, and a guided walking tour of Vitoria. Follow the highway towards the south, until you arrive at Vitoria, the capital city of the Basque Country, where you will have a panoramic tour through the city. It is considered to be one of the best cities in Spain for quality of life, and is the city in Europe with the most green square meters per inhabitant. You will do a walking tour through the old part of the city where you will see such sights as the old Inn 'el Portalon' from the XV century, the Virgen Blanca square, the Machete square and the Cathedral of Santa Maria among others. After your walking tour, you will head towards the south and arrive finally into the land of Wine, to Rioja.You will stop at Laguardia, a unique medieval village that still keeps the real atmosphere of the old times, with the two churches, the walls, the house shields and the narrow medieval streets among others. You will visit in this village, a traditional underground Rioja wine cellar, carbonic maceration with open pools and do a wine tasting at the end of the visit. Afterwards, there will be free time for lunch and your guide will suggest a selection of recommended local restaurants. Finally you will return directly back to arrive to Bilbao in the evening

Rioja: Private Wine Tasting Tour

5. Rioja: Private Wine Tasting Tour

This tour is designed to guide you into one of the oldest traditional "cave-cellars" in the area, dug 7-8 meters (23-26 feet) deep under the houses. This is a fabulous experience not to be missed! This activity also includes top wines in a boutique winery, after we take you to admire the architecture of one of the most famous local wineries, 'Marques del Riscal' winery cellar/hotel, which was designed by Frank Gehry, the architect who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. You will also walk along the medieval streets of Laguardia, one of the most charming towns in La Rioja area, before discovering local home-made food for lunch in an off the beaten track, non touristy restaurant.

From San Sebastian/Bilbao/Vitoria: Rioja Wine Tour w/ Lunch

6. From San Sebastian/Bilbao/Vitoria: Rioja Wine Tour w/ Lunch

Enjoy a complete winery experience in the famous region of La Rioja. Be picked up from your hotel in San Sebastian, Bilbao, or Vitoria and embark on a guided tour to La Rioja Alavesa area, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Visit a traditional vineyard and enjoy a tasting session. Learn how wine is made, explore a beautiful vineyard and take a tour through a bodega. Refine your palette with a wine tasting session, then indulge in a delicious lunch with local produce, desserts and a range of wines carefully selected from the vineyard's cellar. Relax as you are driven back to your accommodation later in the afternoon, gastronomically satisfied and equipped with your newly found connoisseur's knowledge.

From Pamplona or Logroño: Rioja Wineries Day Trip w/ Tasting

7. From Pamplona or Logroño: Rioja Wineries Day Trip w/ Tasting

The neighboring region of La Rioja is characterized by its millenary tradition in the production of wine, which some say comes from Roman times. In any case, it is known that at the end of the 19th century Bordeaux winemakers came to the area, identifying suitable characteristics in its terrain and climate, to begin an extensive production that has made the DO Rioja the most important in the country today in day. Take advantage of the opportunity offered by this tour to visit two medium-sized wineries in the area (we always try to stay away from crowded groups) and learn the secrets of winemaking. We will also visit the medieval village of Laguardia, on top of a hill, to enjoy a panoramic view of the great plain of vineyards. Approximate itinerary from Pamplona: 9:15 Pick up and departure from Pamplona 10:15 Pick up and departure from Logroño 11:00 Visit to the first winery and wine tasting 1:00 Visit to the second winery and wine tasting 2:00 Arrival in Laguardia and light meal 3:00 Departure from Laguardia 3:15 Drop off in Logroño 4:15 Drop off in Pamplona

From Bilbao: Day trip to Laguardia, Briones and Murua

8. From Bilbao: Day trip to Laguardia, Briones and Murua

We will be waiting for you at the main entrance of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, where Puppy will witness your departure to the most beautiful villages of Spain. Places where Laguardia is a mandatory stop. This is precisely where we will stop first. The welcoming door to the Rioja Alavesa with a classic medieval touch in which an intense aroma of wine is released. We will walk through the historic area of Laguardia while we briefly tell you the history of this town and the Rioja Alavesa. We will go up to the Casa de la Primicia, the most outstanding example of medieval and Renaissance architecture that rises above its cobblestone streets. And at the ends of this population you will not miss the churches of Santa Maria de los Reyes and San Juan Bautista. Between steps, and with the best daylight, you can discover how Laguardia is a town full of wineries -not for less because of its location-. On the first floor of many commercial establishments you will see places where delicious wines are made, although your oenological moment will come after the visit to this town, when you arrive at the Murua Masaveu Winery, a few minutes from here. Getting off the bus in front of the manor house in the village of Elciego is like breathing in the smell of 100% Rioja wines. The quality, the treatment of the product and its detailed and careful elaboration result in a delicious product. More than 80 hectares of vineyards will welcome us just before entering the interior of the Bodegas Murua building. A space divided into several areas, which houses works of art from the sixteenth century and contains a library with copies of several centuries ago. And where, of course, you will discover the secrets of winemaking. It will be a great experience to learn about the cult of wine that takes place in some wineries halfway between Laguardia and Briones, where we will go. A short drive will take us to the most beautiful village in the north of La Rioja. Medieval architecture, cobblestone streets and buildings and a square that is the envy of many. But before you start touring this town, how about a break to recharge your batteries? We will give you the best recommendations to taste the best of its local gastronomy. After lunch, we will meet again to visit the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which presides over Briones and the Plaza de España thanks to the height of its bell tower. From there we will go to the Briones Town Hall in the Casa-Palacio de los Marqueses de San Nicolás to also see the Old Abbey, the Palacio de los Quincoces or the famous Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower). After visiting Briones we will return to Bilbao after discovering a vision as rural as it is beautiful of the Rioja Alavesa.

La Rioja: Group Winery Tour and Tasting

9. La Rioja: Group Winery Tour and Tasting

Experience La Rioja's wines with this small group tour. Travel to a winery in Alfaro to tour a local winery and try two wines paired with some small dishes. Head to a a winery in Alfaro that has been set up in what was once an old hanger. Be welcomed by your sommelier and guide. Learn about the tradition of winemaking in the area. Gain insight into centuries-old traditions. Follow your around this unique space. Stop to save 2 fine red wines which are complimented by a carefully selected snack. Let the flavors like coconut-scented American oak and the plush red tempranillo grape roll over your tongue. Discover well-aged wines with the best values in the world, when compared with comparably aged wine from France or Italy.

From La Rioja: Tour Olive Groves and Mill with Tasting

10. From La Rioja: Tour Olive Groves and Mill with Tasting

Visit a small, family-owned olive mill in Galilea, a small town in the Ocón Valley with this tour from La Rioja. See the olive groves and mill, before sampling some olives and olive oil. Discover the olive groves surrounding the mill and the different olive harvesting processes. Uncover the secrets transforming fresh olives into world-famous extra virgin olive oil. Head to the farmhouse to taste olive oil and olives. Let you knowledgeable guide reveal how to properly appreciate the olive oil.

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What people are saying about La Rioja, Spain

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 90 reviews

I loved Stefan, he is a great guide, he explained absolutely everything in two languages and also provided small details such as the final store of a winery that was not included or a couple of stops to see the grapes or take extra photos, which is very much appreciated.

Very nice wine tour with visits to 2 beautiful towns. Quality of the wine in the cellar is excellent and highly value for money. Highly recommended to buy a few bottles if you have spare space in your luggage

So grateful we didn't decide to drive ourselves, the wine region was beautiful. The village of Laguardia was an unexpected treat. Thank you for our experience.

Our trip with Stefan was brilliant. He went out of his way to give us little extra chances to see the region. He was very entertaining and interesting

Very enjoyable day with witty and funny Stefan. Never a boring moment , a lot of facts and info about local history, architecture, trafitions