Here’s a practical 3-day itinerary for anyone planning a long weekend in La Rioja and Navarra. While I’ve visited both regions before, this was my first time exploring Northern Spain with the kids – and I was genuinely surprised by how fun and family-friendly the trip turned out to be.
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A Weekend in La Rioja and Navarra with the Kids
Visiting La Rioja and Navarra with the kids
I had been dreaming of revisiting La Rioja for years, but somehow, the timing never quite worked out. Originally, I’d planned a romantic getaway with my husband to explore a few new bodegas and soak in the region’s wine culture. But, as any parent knows, travel plans often take unexpected turns when you have small children. Just before the trip, my mother-in-law – who was going to watch the kids – fell ill. So, with a quick change of plans, the romantic escape turned into a spontaneous family road trip.
Let’s be honest – La Rioja isn’t exactly marketed as a kid-friendly destination in Spain. It’s typically seen as a haven for wine lovers and couples. But to my own surprise, we had a fantastic time exploring the region with our little ones. Adding a few stops in neighboring Navarra definitely helped create a more interesting and family-focused itinerary.
We still made it a priority to visit at least one winery. While many bodegas understandably don’t cater to families, I believe there’s value in introducing children to local traditions – like the cultural significance of winemaking in Spain – as a meaningful and educational experience in its own right.
You can catch some highlights from our La Rioja and Navarra weekend on my Instagram @at_lifestyle_crossroads under this IG Highlights section!
Where are La Rioja and Navarra
La Rioja and Navarra are two small autonomous communities in northern Spain, located close together on the Iberian Peninsula. Thanks to their proximity, they can easily be explored on the same itinerary.
For our weekend in La Rioja and Navarra, we traveled from Zaragoza. The nearest international airports are in Zaragoza and Bilbao, though Santander and Madrid are also viable options depending on your route. These regions pair well with most Northern Spain itineraries and make for excellent weekend getaways from cities like San Sebastián or Bilbao.
For planning a longer itinerary, I recommend you check out my articles A Quick Guide to La Rioja, Top Places to See in Navarra, and Best Places to visit in Northern Spain.
Where to stay in La Rioja and Navarra
For this trip, we stayed at Apartamentos Amaiur 2 in Estella. If you’re looking for other highly rated hotels or vacation rentals in the area, take a look at the map below for more options.
Our 3-day Itinerary for La Rioja and Navarra
Weekend in La Rioja and Navarra – Day 1
Bardenas Reales
Our first stop on the drive from Zaragoza to Estella was the breathtaking landscape of Bardenas Reales, one of the most iconic Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain. With its dramatic, desert-like terrain, Bardenas Reales feels like something straight out of a classic Hollywood Western – similar to Almería’s Tabernas Desert. It’s almost surreal to think that these arid, lunar-like formations lie just 70 km from the lush greenery of the Pyrenees.
Composed of clay, chalk, and sandstone, the terrain has been sculpted over time by wind and erosion into striking shapes, deep canyons, and unique rock formations. We accessed the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve by car, making a few scenic stops where parking was available. While you could easily spend an entire day exploring this otherworldly landscape, we had more on our itinerary and could only devote about an hour to this unforgettable stop.
Arnedo
Our next stop was the small town of Arnedo, known for its long-standing shoe industry and unique cave systems. To learn more about its shoemaking heritage, you can visit the Footwear Museum of Arnedo, which showcases the town’s craftsmanship dating back to the 16th century. The well-known Spanish footwear brand Callaghan also features an exhibition space within its Arnedo store, offering additional insight into local production.
At the Arnedo Tourist Office, we learned that the Cuevas de los Cien Pilares (Caves of the Hundred Pillars) can only be visited via a guided tour, which must be booked in advance. As we hadn’t made a reservation, we had to save this experience for a future trip. For those planning ahead, here’s the contact information to book a tour – Address: Paseo Constitución 38; Email: arnedo@lariojaturismo.com.
Instead of the caves, we explored the town on foot and made our way to the Castle of Arnedo, believed to have been inhabited since Roman times. In 714, the Moors built a fortress here for the influential Banu Qasi family. Throughout the 10th century, it was contested during the frontier wars between Muslims and Christians. By the 11th century, following the Reconquista, it became part of the Kingdom of Navarra. Visiting the interior requires a guided tour, but if you’re limited on time, I’d recommend prioritizing the caves for a more distinctive experience.
Arnedo is also home to several noteworthy churches, including Iglesia de Santo Tomás, Iglesia de San Cosme y San Damián, and Iglesia de Santa Eulalia, each reflecting different layers of the town’s religious and architectural history.
Estella
The small town of Estella is best known for its place along the famous Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James). One of its most iconic landmarks is the Weevil Bridge, a striking medieval structure that spans the Ega River.
To my surprise, Estella also offers a selection of cafes and restaurants serving international cuisine, like Bar Restaurant Mundo, – likely a reflection of the many pilgrims from around the world who pass through on their journey to Santiago.
Weekend in La Rioja and Navarra – Day 2
Breakfast in Estella
We started the second day of this weekend in La Rioja and Navarra with a nice breakfast at Namaste cafe in Estella.
La Rioja Wineries
Bodegas Franco Españolas was the only family-friendly winery in La Rioja I could find on short notice, and booking a guided tour just a few days in advance turned out to be a great decision. The visit was a pleasant surprise – even the kids genuinely enjoyed learning about the winemaking process.
With more than 130 years of history, this bodega has hosted some remarkable guests, including one of my favorite writers, Ernest Hemingway, who visited in 1956, and King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Fittingly, after his visit, Hemingway reportedly quipped one of his most memorable lines: “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more wine.”
The winery was originally founded in 1890 by Frederick Anglade Saurat, a Frenchman from Bordeaux, and later acquired in 1984 by local businessman Marcos Eguizabal. Today, its most renowned wine is Bordón.
The tour itself was both engaging and educational. The kids especially loved the tasting at the end – they were served mosto, a delicious homemade grape juice. For months afterward, my daughters proudly told everyone how much they enjoyed the “wine tasting” in La Rioja. It took some explaining to clarify that they were actually drinking grape juice!
The Castle of Xavier
After our wine tour, we made our way to the Castle of Xavier (also known as Javier Castle).
Right in front of the castle, we spotted a charming spot for lunch – Hotel Restaurant Xabier. I ordered Navarrese asparagus with shrimp, and while it might not look especially appetizing in the photo, it was absolutely delicious.
After lunch, we explored the castle, which, to my surprise, turned out to be one of the most impressive I’ve seen in Spain. Originally built in the 10th century as a watchtower, the structure evolved over time into a full-fledged fortress. By the 14th century, it belonged to the noble Azpilicueta family.
Today, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with beautifully preserved medieval artifacts and artwork displayed throughout its stylish interiors. One of its most striking features is the chapel – Capilla del Santo Cristo – which is adorned with rare Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) frescoes. This artistic motif, popular in late medieval Europe, served as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. Remarkably, very few examples of this genre have survived in modern Spain, making the chapel especially unique.
The Leyre Monastery
Our final stop of the day was the Monastery of Leyre, one of the most significant historical monuments in Navarra. Set against the peaceful backdrop of the Sierra de Leyre, the monastery combines stunning architecture with a deep sense of tranquility.
The highlight of the complex is its 11th-century crypt, located beneath the Romanesque church. Originally built to compensate for the steep slopes of the mountain terrain, the crypt is both an architectural marvel and a deeply atmospheric space – silent, solemn, and almost surreal.
This is exactly why I love exploring monasteries and cathedrals in Spain. Despite centuries of wars and revolutions, the Catholic Church has managed to preserve an extraordinary wealth of architecture, sacred art, ancient manuscripts, and hidden treasures – each place telling a story far beyond what first meets the eye.
Sos del Rey Catolico
Not far from the Castle of Xavier and the Monastery of Leyre lies one of the most beautiful medieval villages in all of Spain – Sos del Rey Católico. Although it technically belongs to the Autonomous Community of Aragón, the village is situated right on the border with Navarra.
We didn’t make it to Sos del Rey Católico during our weekend exploring La Rioja and Navarra – and I honestly regret skipping it. I’m mentioning it here so that anyone planning a similar itinerary can learn from my mistake.
A few months later, we ended up adding a four-hour detour during a road trip through Aragón just to visit this village. Ironically, although it’s officially part of Aragón, Sos del Rey Católico is much closer – and more easily accessible – from Navarra. In fact, the roads from the Navarra side are in much better condition than those coming from Aragón. So if you’re planning a road trip through Navarra and love medieval villages, I highly recommend including Sos del Rey Católico.
You can check out this TikTok video for a closer look at the village’s charm and history.
Weekend in La Rioja and Navarra – Day 3
Pamplona
On the final day of our weekend in La Rioja and Navarra, we headed to Pamplona for breakfast. I lived in the city nearly a decade ago while studying, and returning always brings back fond memories – especially when it involves enjoying a few pintxos (small snacks) at one of the local bars.
Pamplona is internationally known for hosting one of Spain’s most iconic festivals – San Fermín. Don’t miss a walk through the historic city center, especially Plaza del Castillo and the Monumento al Encierro. Be sure to stroll along Calle de la Estafeta, the famous route of the running of the bulls. It’s also lined with lively bars where you can sample local wines and tapas.
Other must-see landmarks include the Catedral de Santa María la Real and the Ciudadela de Pamplona, a 16th-century fortress surrounded by green spaces. If you have extra time and enjoy museums, consider visiting the Museo de Navarra, Pamplona Planetarium, Museo Catedral de Pamplona, or the Fundación Museo Jorge Oteiza — all offer fascinating insights into the region’s culture, history, and art.
Ujue
After a quick coffee stop in Pamplona, we set off for Ujué – one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. I honestly didn’t expect it to be so utterly charming. Perched on a hilltop, Ujué is a tiny medieval village filled with winding cobblestone streets, centuries-old houses, and stunning viewpoints that stretch across the surrounding countryside. The town’s recorded history dates back to the 11th century, when its castle and church were built – though archaeological excavations have uncovered traces of Roman structures even earlier.
We spent hours wandering through its quiet lanes and scenic corners, and by the end of the day, Ujué had become one of my absolute favorite stops from our weekend in La Rioja and Navarra.
Artajona
The final stop on our La Rioja and Navarra itinerary was Artajona, another charming medieval village nestled in the Navarra region.
This quaint town is encircled by impressive 11th-century medieval walls, originally known as Cerco de Artajona. The fortification once featured 14 towers, though only nine have survived to this day. These walls were built to protect the local cathedral, Iglesia-Fortaleza de San Saturnino, a fortress-church constructed atop the remains of a Romanesque church by the canons from Toulouse, France.
Olite
One extra recommendation to consider adding to this itinerary is Palacio Real de Olite – an iconic spot we didn’t visit this time because I had already been on a previous trip. Although we skipped it during our weekend in La Rioja and Navarra, Olite is an absolute must-see in the region and home to one of the most unique castles in Spain.
Years ago, I was truly captivated by Olite Castle. Once the royal residence of the Court of Navarra until the kingdom’s union with Castile in 1512, the castle’s interiors remain remarkably stunning and distinctive even today.
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Rioja looks like it has so many wonderful things to do! I love Rioja wine, so I would love to visit this region someday. I love all the medieval villages too – they look so picturesque!
This sounds like a great long weekend itinerary. The wine tours in La Rioja sounds very appealing. I like that the kids were even involved with their grape juice.
Such a great post! I always try to incorporate a winery or wine tasting in my travels and love that you went to Bodegas Franco where Hemingway also toured and tasted. This will be a must for me on my trip to Spain!
What a great guide on La Rioja and Navarr! La Rioja and Navarr look absolutely beautiful!