Rioja Wine Tour Itinerary: 2-3 Days in Spain’s Most Famous Wine Region

Why Choose Rioja for Your Wine Trips?

Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region. It’s where Tempranillo shines. Classic reds. Elegant whites. Long-aged reservas. Rolling vineyards meet medieval hill towns. Wine lovers come here for world-class tastings, authentic bodegas, and landscapes that feel timeless.

If you have only 2-3 days, you can enjoy the best Rioja wine tours without rushing. The distances are short. The pace is relaxed. You’ll taste, explore, and sleep surrounded by vineyards.

Bookings

Always book tastings in advance. Popular bodegas fill up fast, especially the historic ones. With Winera, reservations are simple and secure, so you won’t miss a spot.

Day 1: Haro - Start Your Rioja Wine Tour in the Wine Capital

Morning Arrival in Haro: Begin Your Rioja Wine Trip

Haro is the heart of Rioja wine. Known as the wine capital, it’s home to legendary bodegas clustered around the train station district. Arrive by car or train. If you’re starting your Rioja wine trip from Bilbao or Logroño, you’ll be here in under 2 hours.

Start your morning at López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, one of Rioja’s oldest and most traditional wineries. Their cellars date back to the 19th century. Tastings here are slow, authentic, and focused on heritage. Compare their classic reservas with modern Rioja styles.

Then head to Bodegas Muga, just down the road. Muga mixes tradition with polish. They still use oak vats and in-house coopers, but the wines are elegant and balanced. It’s a perfect contrast to López de Heredia.

Lunch: Pintxos in Plaza de la Paz

Haro’s main square, Plaza de la Paz, is lively at lunchtime. Stop for pintxos, small Basque-style snacks, paired with a crianza or reserva by the glass. Think chorizo, tortilla, anchovies, all washed down with Rioja red. Light but satisfying.

Afternoon: Barrio de la Estación

In the afternoon, focus on the Barrio de la Estación (Train Station District). Here, famous names like La Rioja Alta and CVNE sit side by side. You can walk between them. Book tastings in advance. Each winery offers a different expression of Tempranillo, from bold and structured to smooth and aged.

This is where the best Rioja wine tours often begin: historic cellars, prestigious wines, and the largest concentration of iconic bodegas in the region.

Overnight Stay Among Vineyards - Enhance Your Rioja Wine Tour Experience

Stay overnight in Haro or nearby. Options range from boutique hotels in town to rural vineyard stays. A casa rural (farmhouse inn) puts you right in the middle of the vines. After a day of tastings, you’ll appreciate the quiet countryside.

Day 2: Laguardia - Scenic Highlights of Your Rioja Wine Trip

Morning: Drive to Laguardia

After breakfast, head southeast to Laguardia. This walled medieval town sits on a hilltop overlooking the Rioja Alavesa subregion. The drive is about 40 minutes and winds through vineyards and villages.

Inside Laguardia, the streets are narrow and pedestrian-only. Beneath them lies a network of underground wine caves. Many small wineries use these 15th-century cellars to age their wines. Join a guided visit to taste wines underground. It’s a unique Rioja wine trip highlight.

Lunch: Traditional Rioja

For lunch, try cordero al chilindrón (Riojan lamb stew) or slow-grilled chops with local Tempranillo. Restaurants in Laguardia pair every dish with Rioja wines, from crisp whites to bold gran reservas.

Afternoon: Architecture Meets Wine

After lunch, head just outside Laguardia to Bodegas Ysios, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The building looks like a wave of steel against the mountains. It’s modern, striking, and memorable. Their tasting includes premium wines with sweeping vineyard views. You can also stop at Bodegas Baigorri, another architectural landmark. Here, glass walls and gravity-fed winemaking create a clean, futuristic space. It’s a sharp contrast to the underground caves in town.

Sunset: Walk the Walls

Haro is the heart of Rioja wine. Known as the wine capital, it’s home to legendary bodegas clustered around the train station district. Arrive by car or train. If you’re starting your Rioja wine trip from Bilbao or Logroño, you’ll be here in under 2 hours.

Stay the night in Laguardia. Choose a hotel inside the old walls or a countryside inn nearby. Dinner is best kept light: tapas, local cheese, and a mellow glass of Rioja blanco.

Day 3: Logroño - Optional Wine Trip Extension in Rioja’s Capital

If you have an extra day, head to Logroño, Rioja’s lively capital. It’s a city that mixes wine culture with urban buzz.

Morning: Calle Laurel Tapas Crawl

Start with a tapas crawl on Calle Laurel. Each bar specializes in one dish: mushrooms, grilled prawns, jamón. Pair every bite with a different Rioja wine by the glass. It’s the best way to taste many styles quickly, from joven to reserva.

Afternoon: Family Wineries

Spend the afternoon visiting smaller family-run bodegas outside Logroño. These producers often welcome visitors with personal tours. You’ll hear family stories, walk the vineyards, and taste wines in a more intimate setting.

Evening: Departure

Return to Bilbao, Madrid, or Barcelona by evening. Your Rioja wine tour wraps up with memories of world-class tastings, vineyard sunsets, and flavors that stay with you long after.

Practical Tips for Rioja Wine Trips

• Transport: Rent a car. Wineries are spread out, and buses are limited.

• Bookings: Always book tastings in advance. Popular bodegas fill up fast.

• Pace: 2-3 wineries per day is enough. Tastings are generous. You want to enjoy, not rush.

• Balance: Blend iconic and family-run bodegas for a complete Rioja experience.

• Timing: September is harvesting season. Vineyards are busy but beautiful. Expect more energy, grape picking, and fresh must (unfermented juice).

• Stay Local: Sleep in vineyard hotels, casas rurales, or small-town inns. You’ll feel the region more deeply.

• Food Pairing: Rioja wines shine with lamb, pork, and mushrooms. Don’t miss traditional stews or a tapas crawl.

Why This Itinerary Features the Best Rioja Wine Tours

A great Rioja wine tour blends three elements: tradition, creativity, and setting.

• In Haro, you see tradition in century-old bodegas.

• In Logroño, you enjoy wine as part of daily life, paired with casual tapas.

• In Laguardia, you experience the medieval roots and underground caves.

This 2-3-day itinerary gives you all three. It’s short, focused, and covers the highlights without overloading you. For wine lovers planning Rioja wine trips, it’s the sweet spot.

Explore Rioja Wine Country - Winera’s Curated Wine Trips

Explore the best of Rioja’s wine country with these carefully curated winery visits and tastings. From guided tours and hands-on experiences to exquisite wine and food pairings, each stop offers a unique glimpse into the region’s rich winemaking heritage, all just a short drive from Logroño. 

Day 1 starts in Haro with Hacienda López de Haro and Bodegas Santalba, plus optional Amézola de la Mora, paired with pintxos and an overnight stay among the vines. Day 2 explores Laguardia’s underground wine caves, Finca Valpiedra, and Bodegas Olarra, ending with a sunset walk along the medieval walls. Day 3 (optional) highlights Logroño with the Vivanco Museum, Calle Laurel tapas crawl, Bodegas Marques de Caceres, and Corral Premium Experience, creating a perfect journey through Rioja’s iconic and boutique wineries.

Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture

If you love the mix of wine and culture, don’t miss the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones. Set among vineyards, this world-renowned museum showcases the history of wine through art, archaeology, and interactive exhibits. The visit also includes a winery tour and tasting, making it a perfect cultural and wine experience in Rioja.

Bodegas Solana De Ramirez - Wine Tasting

Where: Ábalos, Rioja Alta, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 40 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Highlights:

• Private or small group tours led by the winemaking family

• Guided visit through the winery facilities, from grape reception to bottling

• Tasting of 3 wines (young, crianza, and a special selection)

• Traditional Riojan appetizer pairing

• Insight into the surrounding vineyards and local culture

Price: Adults €27

Bodegas Lozano - Glass in Hand Tour

Where: La Rioja, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 35 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Highlights:

• Learn about the winery’s history and experimental vineyard

• Guided visit through vineyard, reception area, and fermentation facilities

• Discover vertical vs. horizontal tastings in the vintage wine cellar

• Tasting of 2 red wines (crianza and high expression) paired with local products

• Children’s welcome pack - design your own wine bottle with label, cork, and capsule

Price: Adults €23 | Children €10

Hacienda López de Haro - Visit and Tasting

Where: San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 30 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Highlights:

• Introduction to the Sonsierra region

• Guided tour of the winery

• Tasting wines directly from the tank

• Commented tasting of 3 wines with traditional Rioja appetizers

Price: Adults €25

Bodegas Santalba - Wine Tasting Experience at Santalba

Where: Rioja Alta, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 30 minutes by car

Duration: 2 hours

Highlights:

• Explore organic Tempranillo vineyards

• Guided visit to barrel and bottle rooms

• Taste 3 wines paired with 6 traditional tapas

• Option to explore the vineyards by bike or on foot

Price: Adults €60

Bodegas Amézola de la Mora - Make Your Own Wine

Where: Rioja Alta, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 30 minutes by car

Duration: 2 hours

Highlights:

• Exclusive visit with the owners to vineyards, cellars, and winery

• Tasting of 2 wines: Viña Amézola Crianza, Señorío Amézola Reserva

• Create your own coupage and bottle it with a personalized label

Price: Adults €70 | Children €9

Finca Valpiedra - ‘Cantos’ Visit

Where: La Rioja, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 40 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Highlights:

• Welcome wine and guided visit to vineyard and winery

• Tasting of 3 wines: Cantos de Valpiedra Crianza, Finca Valpiedra Reserva

• Exquisite pairing with Rioja sausage

• Discover the vineyard-to-glass journey in a sustainable setting

Price: Adults €20 | Children €8

Bodegas Olarra - Guided Tour of Bodega

Where: La Rioja, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 30 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Highlights:

• Guided tour of the winery, including architecture and winemaking process

• Tasting of 4-6 wines: Red, White, Rosé

• Snack pairing to complement the tasting

• Learn about winemaking traditions, techniques, and sensory experiences

Price: Adults €25

Vivanco - Unguided Museum Visit and Winery Tour

Where: Rioja Alta, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 35 minutes by car

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Highlights:

• Explore the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture at your own pace with audio guide

• Guided winery tour with tasting of 2 wines: Red and White

• Stroll through vineyards and enjoy panoramic views of Rioja

• Explore the rich history of wine, art, gastronomy, and hospitality

Price: Adults €29 | Children €24

Bodegas Marques de Caceres - VIP Visit

Where: Cenicero, La Rioja Alta, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 35 minutes by car

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Highlights:

• Guided tour of the winery, exploring tradition and great winemaking skills

• Tasting of 3 wines: ANTEA Barrel-Fermented White, Gran Reserva, Gaudium

• Pairing with artisanal cheeses from the Cameros region

• Learn about meticulous craftsmanship and winemaking secrets

Price: Adults €25 | Children €10

Bodegas Corral - Corral Premium Experience

Where: La Rioja, Spain

Distance from Logroño: Approximately 40 minutes by car

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

Highlights:

• Tasting of 5 select wines, including a surprise historic vintage

• Pairing with 5 gourmet pintxos by Fuegos y Vinos restaurant

• Adults-only experience with a complimentary souvenir wine glass

Price: Adults €48

You can discover Rioja at your own pace! Winera designed a 2-3 day itinerary featuring these great wineries.

Day 1: Haro & Tradition

• Morning: Hacienda López de Haro - Visit & Tasting (€25). Easy start, guided tour, classic Rioja style.

• Midday/Lunch: Pintxos in Haro’s Plaza de la Paz.

• Afternoon: Bodegas Santalba Experience (€60). Focus on authentic winemaking, 3 wines.

• Optional add-on: Bodegas Amézola de la Mora Private Visit if you prefer a quieter, private stop.

• Evening: Overnight in Haro or vineyard casa rural.

Day 2: Laguardia & Views

• Morning: Explore Laguardia’s underground caves.

• Midday/Lunch: Traditional lamb with Tempranillo in town.

• Afternoon:

• Finca Valpiedra “Cantos” Visit (€20). Beautiful riverside setting, 3 wines.

• Bodegas Olarra Guided Tour (€25). Larger, architectural bodega; wide tasting (4–6 wines).

• Evening: Sunset walk on Laguardia’s walls, stay overnight inside the village.

Day 3 (Optional): Logroño & Culture

• Morning: Vivanco Museum & Winery Tour (€29). Deep dive into Rioja’s wine history + tasting.

• Midday/Lunch: Calle Laurel tapas crawl in Logroño.

• Afternoon:

• Bodegas Marques de Caceres VIP Visit (€25). Big, prestigious name, VIP experience.

• Corral Premium Experience (€48) for a final, upscale tasting.

• Evening: Wrap up in Logroño or head back to Bilbao/Madrid.

The above plan spreads out 8 winery experiences across 3 days. Each day mixes heritage, modern design, and premium tastings. Distances stay efficient: Day 1 Haro cluster, Day 2 Laguardia area, Day 3 Logroño capital.

Final Thoughts

A Rioja wine tour is more than just tastings, it’s history, food, landscapes, and people. In just two to three days, you can explore Haro’s legendary bodegas, Laguardia’s underground caves, and Logroño’s vibrant tapas streets.

Whether you stick to iconic names like López de Heredia and Ysios or discover small family wineries, Rioja delivers. The wines are world-class, the settings breathtaking, and at harvest time, the air is filled with the scent of grapes while vineyards glow gold and red, it’s the perfect season to visit.

Winera makes booking Rioja wine tours effortless. With a few clicks, you can reserve curated tours that include vineyard visits, tastings, meals, and transportation. Detailed itineraries, pricing, and reviews help you choose the ideal experience, from comprehensive tours to specialized wine adventures.

This itinerary is simple, flexible, and packed with highlights, a perfect way to enjoy the best Rioja wine tours!