Rioja Valley Spain

Day 25, Friday 29 May 2026

Today we drove around the Rioja wine region, stopping to see a few villages. Some we had been to before. The region is one of the most famous wine regions in Spain and is home to over 600 bodegas which range from large producers to small local family-run cellars. 

As temperatures sore up into the late 30° we end the day in the shade just out of Haro.

As per our usual routine, we had our coffee and set off early in the cooler part of the day. We used the dump point and filled up with fuel. It’s a lot cheaper in Spain @ €1.65 in comparison to France €2.19.

The first village for the day was FUENMAYOR, located in the Ebro valley, it is a historical village made up of palaces and mansions that reflects its past and present wealth, based on the production of grapes and wine.

Impressive coat of arms on some of the buildings

Next we popped in to ELCIEGO (visited 2022).It  has a large number of stately homes and palaces with coats of arms and sumptuous iron balconies. 

Lovely shaded square

Church is closed.

There are also many wine cellars. Among them Marqués de Riscal, designed by Frank Gehry, stands out.  The metallic structure of titanium, twisted and colored in pink, gold and silver reflects the reddish tones of the red wine, the gold of the mesh and the silver of the bottle cap of their wine.

On a high natural hill and surrounded by thick walls stands LAGUARDIA (2014), the main town of the Rioja Alavesa.  Its position was an important military post, It's palaces and churches denote its historical importance. All around, and as far as the eye can see, a wide tapestry of vineyards surrounds the village.

We strolled around.  

Sculpture of shoes and bags pay tribute to the traveler

Pretty narrow streets

A grand entrance

View of Ysios winery famous building

Large puppets for festivals

We were just in time to see  the Town Halls clock that has three automated figurines that occasionally dance to mark the hour.

Before we left we enjoy a refreshing beer and a bit to eat.

Ham croquettes and sardines and pepper fritters

We thought this was our favourite village visited today.

Not far we managed to find an unusual remains of a burial site that had carved coffins in the solid rock.

Labastida was a medieval fortress that became a prosperous village for wine producers. We have a walk into the main square and to the church but like the others, we are disappointed to find it closed. 

The village of Haro is officially named the capital of the La Rioja wine region of Spain. Last time we where here in 2014 the wine throwing festival was in full swing. We walked up into the lovely main square.

 Then through the small alley ways dotted with bars. Not quite the same atmosphere as Logrono but pretty close. We choose a bar and have a drink and something to eat.

Pulpos Galicia 

Mushies and a burger

Then it’s time to search for a shady spot and just out of town is a lovely picnic area. The locals come and go to cool off in the river… we had contemplated having a dip but declined after seeing a dead fish float by! So contented ourselves with dipping our toes in the little brook just next to us.

69km today