Camping in La Rioja

This charming region in the north of Spain is the perfect destination for extensive hikes through the vast mountain landscapes. Some of the best wines in the country grow on its slopes. Further down in the valley, picturesque rivers such as the Ebro characterise the region. Hiking and cycling trails lead along their banks through La Rioja. Campsites are mainly found around towns with easy access to nature, for example in municipalities such as Arnedillo and Haro.

Special features of camping in La Rioja

Camping in the Spanish Rioja is just the thing for active holidaymakers, but also for culture and wine lovers. The small but diverse region is known for its vineyards, which produce internationally recognised wines. Many campsites in La Rioja are located near picturesque small towns and villages such as Haro and Ezcaray. During a stay, you can enjoy the rural flair, first-class Spanish food and proximity to top hiking and excursion destinations. A real highlight on excursions are the many wineries called Bodega, which offer guided tours and tastings. There are also cultural treasures to discover near the campsites, such as various monasteries that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hikers appreciate the charm of the landscapes of the Ebro Valley and the mountains with their idyllic vineyards.

How to get there

To get to La Rioja by motorhome or car, you need to cross France to the north of Spain. You first cross the border along the Rhine in Baden-Württemberg and reach the Alsatian capital of Strasbourg shortly after Kehl. Here it is worth taking a short walk through the half-timbered Petite France district and to the Gothic cathedral.

Next, you can take the motorway towards Paris or Lyon. If you don't want to stop in the French capital and see sights such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, you can use the much less frequented routes past the Alps and into the Massif Central.

The A10 and A89 motorways lead directly to Bordeaux, which is known as the wine capital of France and is also an important traffic hub in the south-west. Here you change to the A63 motorway further into the Basque Country, more precisely to Biarritz, where the border to Spain is located. Between San Sebastian and Bilbao, take the junction to Vitoria-Gasteiz and into the Ebro Valley of La Rioja. From Germany, it is around 1,600 kilometres to northern Spain.

Destinations in Rioja

In many municipalities in La Rioja, the ancient cellar vaults of the bodegas and the baroque churches are well worth a visit. Wine culture, festivals and the proximity to nature also add to the charm of the Rioja region.

Logroño

The capital of the La Rioja region is located directly on the banks of the River Ebro and boasts a relaxed small-town flair. The baroque architecture is impressive, for example the cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda with its two richly decorated towers. The parks on the banks of the Ebro offer relaxation with a whole range of sports and entertainment facilities.

Haro

Haro is located in the north-west of La Rioja and is known as the wine capital of Rioja - and for its annual wine battle in June. The town centre is characterised by the historic facades of the town houses. A visit to the Basilica of Nuestra Senora de la Vega with its impressive dome is a must. In the evening, people meet in the main square for a chat, drinks and snacks.

Calahorra

The municipality is located in the Rioja Baja region and on the banks of the River Ebro. The atmosphere in the municipality is pleasantly quiet and invites you to stroll through the quaint old town streets. The surrounding area is ideal for leisurely cycle tours into the countryside. The cathedral is the landmark of Calahorra par excellence.

Top 5 sights

• Santa Maria la Real: The medieval monastery in the former capital of Nájera is a popular stopover on the Way of St James.
• Santo Domingo de la Calzada: The cathedral is located in the small town of the same name and impresses with stylistic elements from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.
• Logroño: The capital of La Rioja, whose origins date back to the Romans, is definitely worth a visit.
• Haro: Haro also confidently describes itself as the capital of La Rioja. It is rightly considered the "wine capital" of the region. The medieval town centre is perfect for a stroll.
• Thermal baths near Arnedillo: The warm thermal baths are freely accessible and were already appreciated by the Romans.

Top 2 insider tips

• Bodegas Ysios: The architecturally remarkable building of the winery near Laguardia was designed by Spanish star architect Santiago Calatrava. Around 8 million bottles are stored in this temple to wine. The building is connected to a hotel and can be visited on a guided tour including a tasting.
• Museo Vivanco de la Cultura de Vino: The museum in Briones houses a remarkable private collection on the history and production of wine. The exhibition is accompanied by artefacts such as wine jugs designed by Picasso. A guided tour with tasting can be booked at a very reasonable price in the adjoining restaurant.

Excursions and activities

The comparatively small region of La Rioja in the north of Spain offers an interesting mix of hiking areas in the mountains and beautiful rivers with picturesque vineyards.

Hiking

La Rioja fascinates with its picturesque mountain landscapes and rock formations: The impressive cliffs that frame the Ebro Canal called Conchas de Haro are a particular highlight. From the heights, you can enjoy marvellous views over the Ebro valley with its vineyards.

Cycling along the River Oja

Cycle along the course of the river, for example. One of the classic tours is the Ebroweg. The many side rivers are also recommended for an excursion. The River Oja is a good choice here.

Rafting

Away from the Oja and Ebro, there are several wild watercourses that can be followed by kayak. In the small towns of La Rioja, various providers will guide you to the best spots. White water tours in a rubber dinghy are recommended with a group or family.

Wineries

On excursions through the countryside, you can sample some of the best wines at traditional wineries that are very visitor-friendly. Some of the most renowned include Bodegas Muga, Palacio and Finca Valpiedra. They offer extremely favourable guided tours, tastings and workshops for those interested.

events

January

• ACTUAL: In the first week of January, the festival takes place in Logroño with live concerts, art, theatre and cinema performances.

April

• Easter in Logroño: One of the capital's favourite festivals is celebrated for a week with solemn processions depicting the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

June

• Fiesta de San Bernabé: At the beginning/middle of June, Logroño celebrates the victory over French troops in the 16th century with lots of good food, wine, concerts and fireworks - and a re-enactment of the medieval battle.
• Medieval Days of Briones: More than 50,000 people celebrate the popular spectacle in the small town, where events from the 14th century are retold with light shows. You can also attend knights' games, falconry displays and weddings.
• Wine battle in Haro: Every year, the famous wine battle takes place in the name of the saints San Juan, Felices and Pedro with buckets and spray guns.

September

• Fiesta de San Mateo: For a week, Logroño celebrates the grape harvest in honour of the saint of the same name with colourful parades, concerts and grape stomping.

Gastronomy

La Rioja is best known for its red wines. You can take part in a wine tasting in the traditional bodegas and learn more about winegrowing in Spain. The fine wines are usually served with tapas in the regional taverns. Classics include pickled olives, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked beef ham and fiery chorizo. Pepper sausage is a speciality from the Casalarreina region.

The cuisine of the Rioja region is very varied: typical dishes include vegetable stews and lamb. A very speciality are quails grilled over vine wood or the pickled peppers Pimientos del Piquillo, which are very popular as a side dish due to their mild and sweet spiciness.

Best time to visit

The climate in La Rioja is strongly continental and is therefore very hot in summer. Generally speaking, you can stay at one of the campsites in La Rioja all year round. From June to September, the average temperatures are between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperatures during the day reach between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Those who prefer milder conditions are best off travelling in spring between March and May. The thermometer then shows around 14 to 18 degrees Celsius. In October and November, the average temperatures are between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius. In winter, the average temperature is around 11 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures averaging around 7 degrees Celsius.