Bilbao & Rioja 5-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Bilbao & the Rioja Wine Region – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Website >
Overview >Bucket list experience:
Rioja Wine Region
La Rioja, Spain
Last updated: 03 November, 2022
Rioja’s people have been making wine for over 2,000 years, and in recent decades it has become one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Rolling hills and lovely landscapes make an ideal setting for winery-hopping, and estates welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Recently, estate owners have started to commission some of the world’s greatest architects to build new bodegas (wineries), and the region has become renowned for its striking avant-garde architecture. Look out for the spectacular Bodegas Ysios in Laguardia by Santiago Calatrava, Tondonia in Haro, with a pavilion by Zaha Hadid, and Frank Gehry’s undulating Hotel Marques de Riscal in Elciego.
Stop by the Vivanco family’s wine museum for an insight into the history of winemaking in the region.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
San Sebastian & Rioja 5-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in San Sebastian & the Rioja Wine Region – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Website >
Overview >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
There are many options for organised Rioja tours leaving from Bilbao or San Sebastián – or you can tour the wine regions yourself by car. This is simple and fun, but it does require planning. Most estates are happy to give you a tour, but you’ll need to call or email in advance. The regional tourist office has details of vineyards that offer tours and tastings.
When to do it
Surprisingly, many vineyards welcome visitors during the grape harvest in September – October, when they’re busiest; this is the best period to come and learn about wine in Rioja – though the weather isn’t always at its finest. Avoid winter, when the vines are bare and the wines are stored away in vats.
Experience
Bodegas Finca Valpiedra
Fuenmayor, La Rioja, Spain
Near the banks of the Ebro River, this beautiful, historic vineyard offers 4×4 tours, cellar tours and tastings.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Bodegas Gomez Cruzado
Haro, La Rioja, Spain
Excellent guided tours and tastings can be booked seven days a week in this historic boutique winery in Haro.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Bodegas Javier San Pedro Ortega
Laguardia, La Rioja, Spain
Now in the hands of the fifth generation, this bodega has an extremely cosy wine bar and delicious lunches.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Bodegas Jilaba
Araba, La Rioja, Spain
This very friendly and welcoming vineyard has beautiful views to go with its informative guided tour and tastings.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From San Sebastian
San Sebastian
Spain is widely famous for its wines' high quality, and the cradle of these wines, the land that provides its name to the apellation of La R...
€220 | Rating 4.74 / 5 [39 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao
Bilbao
"The Rioja region is one of the most specials in the whole country due to its climate and terrain, suitable for wine production since R...
€220 | Rating 5 / 5 [32 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa Wine Tour
Pamplona
In this tour we will go to the principal wine areas in Rioja, Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa, where you will enjoy the experience of learning ab...
€300 | Rating 4.98 / 5 [82 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
PRIVATE La Rioja Tour of 3 wineries from your hotel in Bilbao
Bilbao
This PRIVATE Rioja Wine Tour Experience is a completely private wine tour to the famous La Rioja wine-making region. Transport in a comforta...
€325 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [68 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Hotel Marques de Riscal
Eltziego, Basque Country, Spain[9.5 miles]
Frank Gehry’s ultimate wine lover’s hotel by a famous Rioja bodega, with a wine bar, wine therapy spa and restaurants.
Official star rating:
Eurostars Los Agustinos
Haro, La Rioja, Spain[13.9 miles]
A medieval monastery in Haro, converted into an evocative hotel and restaurant; perfect for oenophiles nosing around La Rioja.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Basque Country
Basque Country, Spain
Fascinating ancient traditions, world-famous gourmet treats, Spain’s finest wine region and a gorgeous golden coastline.
Website >
Overview >
Bilbao
Basque Country, Spain
Renowned for its Guggenheim Museum and edgy arts scene, this northern Spanish city has delicious Basque food and nearby golden beaches.
Website >
Overview >
Pamplona
Navarra, Spain
A vibrant Basque city on the Camino de Santiago, home to Spain’s most famous festival (San Fermin), a gorgeous cathedral and a lively bar and tapas scene.
Website >
Overview >
San Sebastian
Basque Country, Spain
A grand but charming beach resort in northern Spain famous for its glut of Michelin-recognised restaurants and superb pintxos.
Website >
Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
La Rioja, Spain[19.2 miles]
A charmingly aristocratic town in La Rioja, chock-full of stunning Medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, and an important stop on the Camino de Santiago.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Website >
Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Monastery of Santa Maria la Real
Najera, La Rioja, Spain[8.1 miles]
The fortress-like 15th-century Monastery of Santa Maria la Real was founded on the site of a miracle. It houses a lace-like Plateresque Cloister of the Knights, rare medieval royal tombs, and an exquisite Isabelline Gothic choir in the holy cave.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Website >
Overview >
Round-ups that include this experience
13 Best wine regions
Multiple countries
The world’s greatest wine regions – where you can sip the world’s greatest wines at source, and tour the vineyards to learn how they’re made.
Website >
Overview >