Located in the northern Spanish region of La Rioja, Logroño is a city known for its wine production, historic old town and for being a city on the famous northern Spanish pilgrimage route, Camino de Santiago.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend in the heart of Spain’s Rioja wine region, or enjoying an extended break while undertaking the Camino de Santiago, a weekend in Logroño is the perfect choice for a couple of days of great food, quality wine and relaxation.
A Weekend in Logroño
Where is Logroño?
Logroño is the capital of the autonomous region of La Rioja, in northern Spain. It’s located on the Ebro River, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Bilbao and 335 kilometers (210 miles) north of the Spanish capital, Madrid.
The famous Camino de Santiago stretches from the France-Spain border to Santiago de Compostela, and Logroño is one of the bigger cities on the route, offering visitors a place to rest about a third of the way into the 491-mile pilgrimage.
Top Sights to See in Logroño
Logroño is a beautiful city with plenty to fill a weekend. Some of the top sights to see in Logroño are:
- Calle del Laurel: This famous street in the old town area of Logroño is known for its numerous tapas bars and restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine.
- Be sure to fit in a night jumping from tapas bar to tapas bar for a foodie take on a bar crawl!
- Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda: The 16th-century cathedral is located in the heart of the city’s historic centre, and features a stunning Gothic facade.
- Puente de Piedra: Spanning the Ebro River, this historic bridge offers great views of the city and surrounding countryside.
- Bodegas Franco-Españolas: When in wine country, a visit to this winery is a must. It’s one of the oldest in Logroño and offers guided tours and wine tastings just a short walk from the city centre.
Day One
Spend the morning exploring the city
Start your day with a visit to Mercado San Blas, a small local market with fresh produce and meats on offer. It’s in the centre of the city, and a great starting point for exploring Logroño.
Once you’ve had your fill – it’s not a huge market – you can explore the other sights in the area like Parque Espolón, Muralla del Revellín and Logroño Parliament. They’re all within easy walking distance of each other, and offer an insight into the history of the city.
If you’re a fan of churches, there are several in the city that are worth checking out. Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda de Logroño stands proudly in the city centre Plaza del Mercado, and is home to a Michelangelo painting. The opening times can vary, but if you ask a local they’ll let you know when it’ll be open. Despite what the Google reviews say, you can’t get beer there.
Other options for church fans are the Church of San Bartolomé which dates back to the 12th century, and Church of Santiago el Real which holds a pilgrim mass every day for those undertaking the Camino de Santiago. Of course, if you’re not undertaking the epic walk from France to Santiago de Compostela, you’re still welcome to visit the church.
As it nears midday you’ll start to notice the people undertaking the Camino de Santiago start to arrive in the city. They’re quite easy to spot as they’ll often have proper hiking boots on, a backpack of some sort and a look of relief on their faces at finally reaching the end of the day’s walk.
A prime spot to grab a bite for lunch and have the chance to chat to some of the people undertaking the camino is Plaza del Mercado. There are plenty of cafes in the area to choose from, and you’ll see the groups of hikers arriving and settling in for a drink and a snack to rest. The people I spoke to who walked the camino were so interesting and had amazing stories to share, it’s worth a chat if you can!
An afternoon in the wine cellars
A visit to the capital of the Spanish wine region isn’t complete without a visit to a bodega or two. With plenty of wineries in Logroño, you’ll have your pick of places. The easiest one to get to is Bodega Franco Españolas, it’s just over the bridge from the city centre and is among the best of the wineries in Logroño. Another option for a winery within walking distance of Logroño is Viña Ijalba.
There are tours run to wineries further afield but they get quite expensive and often it’s a ‘meet at the vineyard’ type tour which can prove difficult if you don’t have your own car.
Foodies and non-foodies alike will love exploring Calle del Laurel, Logroño’s tapas street. The perfect place to jump from bar to bar sampling the pintxos and drinks. You can try just a few before dinner or spend the evening trying a bit of everything from each bar – it’ll soon fill you up. This is the place for food and drinks in Logroño!
What’s the difference between tapas and pintxos?
Tapas are small dishes of food brought to your table to share with friends, whereas pintxos are usually displayed on top of the bar, and made up of a slice of baguette with a topping such as tortilla española, meat, fish or vegetables.
Day Two
Riverside walks and yes, more wine!
The slow travel style of Logroño gives you the perfect opportunity to explore at your own pace. Your second morning in the city is the ideal time to see the sights that there wasn’t time for yesterday.
Depending how late you were out exploring Calle del Laurel and Logroño’s night scene, a slow morning checking out the quiet and relaxing river scene might be on the cards. The museum there, Casa de la Ciencias, is marketed towards families, but the outdoor section is fun for families, adults and solo travellers alike.
With interactive science activities dotted along the riverside, you can enjoy jumping on the musical plates, finding out how sound travels or manipulating water. The activities outside are open all day and free to try, but check opening times for the museum if you’re planning to visit inside too.
There are also a number of parks on either side of the river, perfect to check out some artwork and enjoy the peace and quiet of a riverside walk.
If you’re visiting Logroño on a Sunday, there are two Sunday markets to check out; Mercadillo de Las Norias and Mercadillo del Rastro de Logroño. They’re open-air markets, with a range of stalls that you’d typically find at a flea market.
Many people who spent their first day in Logroño on a winery tour will head back on their second day to buy more wine. If you enjoyed yourself, why not check out a different winery tasting experience or venture a little further out to tour the olive groves and visit the mill?
A Spanish kind of afternoon
Logroño is a city best explored with good weather to really indulge in the Spanish culture, enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and afternoons spent socialising in cafes. In your last hours in the city, do as the Spaniards do and enjoy a leisurely lunch or coffee, hopefully sat outside basking in the sunshine.
If you’re visiting during the camino season – spring to autumn – then come afternoon you can watch the pilgrims make their way into the city. They’re easy to spot with the hiking poles, walking gear and a general aura of needing to rest for a bit.
For the best choice of cafes where you’ll be able to watch people bustling by, head to Av. de La Rioja, Calle Portales or my personal favourite for seeing the pilgrims arrive, Plaza del Mercado. Thankfully Logroño is a city brimming with cafes, so no matter where you choose you’ll likely find something to your taste.
If an afternoon checking out cafes isn’t your kind of thing, why not get in the camino spirit and follow the route through the city? It’s easy to pick up with the yellow arrows spread across the city, but if you don’t spot any as you wander the city, head to Muralla del Revellín for your first yellow arrow.
Be aware that the arrows are quite informal, and not always in-your-face obvious. It’s fun to follow the route, and you can either take it to the edge of town or to the next town along, Navarette, which is about 12km away and then catch a bus or taxi back to Logroño.
How to Get to Logroño
Car
The easiest way to get to Logroño is by car, and there are plenty of parking places to leave a car in the city centre.
From Madrid to Logroño by car it’s about 4 hours, and if you’re coming to Logroño from nearby Bilbao it’s about 90 minutes to drive.
By Foot
As a city on the Camino de Santiago trail, a lot of visitors arrive in Logroño by foot. It’s 17 miles/ 27.6km from the previous stop of Los Arcos, so it’s definitely a welcome sight for them to finally arrive in the city.
Train
If you’re not undertaking the El Camino de Santiago Frances – the French / St James route that passes through the city – Logroño is easily accessible by train from Barcelona, Bilbao and Salamanca. Surprisingly, it’s not the quickest ride if you’re coming from Madrid, but thankfully ALSA buses have an extensive network and can get you from Madrid to Logroño by bus in under 5 hours.
Once you arrive in Logroño by train, most of the city is walkable but if you’ve got heavy bags then a taxi might be a wise choice to your accommodation.
Plane
Logroño doesn’t have an airport, but the closest airports to fly into with decent connections to Logroño are Bilbao or San Sebastián. From there it’s either a drive or bus ride to Logroño.
Where to Stay in Logroño
As a stop on the Camino de Santiago route, Logroño has a range of accommodation to fit all kinds of budget. From super budget friendly albergues to well-located hotels, all types of visitor to Logroño is catered for.
Albergues are essentially hostels – albergue is just the Spanish word for hostel – but in reality there is a bit of distinction between the two. Albergues are generally used by pilgrims on the Camino De Santiago, and are pretty basic, often sleeping a lot of people in one room. You can usually get a bed the same day you turn up, and it’s real no frills accommodation. In some, you’ll need to take a sleeping bag with you.
Hostels are a little nicer than albergues, and still budget friendly. Usually you’ll have the option of a dorm or for a bit extra can enjoy a private room.
During my time in Logroño, I stayed in Winederful Hostel & Cafe. It has a great location, friendly staff and the dorm rooms were very comfortable, with lockers and curtains on the bunks. Private rooms are also available, offering hotel standard accommodation with the benefit of a hostel environment.
When to Visit Logroño
With most of Logroño’s biggest attractions and sights being outside, the city is best explored with good weather. It may be Spain, but the north of the country isn’t glorious sunshine and warmth all year round like the south.
May to October will offer the best weather, giving plenty of opportunities to soak up the sunshine, explore the wineries and enjoy the al fresco dining. If you’re not a fan of heat, skip the peak summer months or be prepared to enjoy the cafes while the temperature peaks.
How to Say Logroño
It’s really fun to explore places that people don’t often frequent for city breaks, but if you don’t know anyone who has been there often we’re not sure how to pronounce the name of the place. Fear not, I’ve got you!
Logroño is pronounced log-ron-yo. Spanish names typically give equal emphasis to all letters unless they have an accent (á), and the ñ sound in Spanish is similar to ‘ny’ as in canyon in English.
Is Logroño Worth Visiting?
If you’re limited on time and want to fit as much sightseeing into your day as possible, then Logroño might not be the best choice for you. But, if you’re more relaxed about how you spend your weekend and love to indulge in slow travel and cafe culture, then Logroño is absolutely worth a visit! It’s a charming insight to Spanish life away from the bit cities like Madrid and Bilbao, but not so small that there’s absolutely nothing to do. Plus, if you like wine or would like to learn more about it, it’s an excellent choice for you.
Visiting Logroño as a Solo Traveller
I’d heard about Logroño from a Spanish friend who visited for the weekend with friends, but I stopped by on my own, living my best solo female traveller life. There are sights to see in the city but it’s not the kind of place where you’ll be rushed off your feet all day visiting the sights. If you’re happy to take a slower day and enjoy the odd café then you’ll enjoy the city.
Calle del Laurel is more fun to enjoy with people, but it’s really easy to meet people if you’re staying in a hostel. You’ll find the brave people undertaking the camino everywhere and they’re often super friendly so chances are you’ll find people to enjoy a tapas or two with!
Don’t have someone to go with? Don’t let that mean you miss out, still go for it!
Leave a Reply