Cultural, foodie or nature, what is your Pilgrim profile?

There are many ways to follow the Camino de Santiago. There are those who take the opportunity to discover the artistic and cultural heritage they pass through on their way; others stop to admire the peculiarities of the natural landscape or those who choose to delight in the local gastronomy.

Which of the three types do you identify with?

If you are not quite sure, or if you think you are a perfect combination of all of them, you are in the right place, because the Way of St. James as it passes through the Rioja Alta Wine Route will exceed all your expectations. It is said that if the Way of St. James did not pass through La Rioja, it would have to be diverted, because the hospitality of this land is a reference for visitors and pilgrims who are willing to get to know it.

Logroño is the end of the 6th stage of the French Way from Roncesvalles, Los Arcos-Logroño. The Way of St. James enters La Rioja from the Navarrese town of Viana and pilgrims enter the old part of the city via the stone bridge over the Ebro.

The route runs along Calle Ruavieja, where the oldest houses in the city are located and, in one of them, the Pilgrims’ Hostel.

This street is also home to the old “calados”, now restored, such as this restored 16th century one, which you can visit in the heart of Logroño. The street leads to a square next to the church of Santiago, where the so-called Pilgrims’ Fountain is located. Calle Ruavieja gives way to Calle Barriocepo, and along this street you leave the limits of the old city, next to the Puerta del Revellín.

But before leaving the city, you must stop off at some of the most famous streets for pinchos and tapas: La Laurel, La San Juan and its surroundings and, of course, to frequent some of the wineries in the capital of La Rioja.

What to see in Logroño: In addition to all these ideas from our partners, don’t miss Calle Laurel, Calle San Juan, Concatedral de la Redonda, Iglesia de San Bartolomé, Muralla del Revellín, Revellín Histórico, Plaza de Abastos, Calado, Iglesia Santa María de Palacio.

We will leave Logroño and continue our route like the thousands of pilgrims who pass through every year, visiting the pottery town of Navarrete, a milestone on the Way of St. James and also on the Ignatian Way. Before reaching this town, you will find the ruins of the Hospital of San Juan de Acre. A curiosity: in the cemetery of Navarrete the doorway and windows of this hospital are preserved, as they were dismantled stone by stone at the end of the 19th century to be reused as a doorway.

What to see in Navarrete? In addition to these ideas from our partners for eating, sleeping or resting in Navarrete, we recommend visiting the Church of Santa María de la Asunción, the Romanesque doorway of the cemetery and the ruins of the Hospital San Juan de Acre mentioned above, as well as the Ignatian Way.

From here, we will move on to Fuenmayor, a municipality of great wine-growing importance due to its dense vineyard surface area, which is key to its economy, and the wineries it houses, which are not to be missed.

What to see in Fuenmayor? You’ll find several wineries on the Rioja Alta Wine Route. Don’t miss a visit to the Church of Santa María, Puente del Cristo, Casa de los Navajas and Ermita del Cristo.

We will continue on to Nájera, popularly known as the ‘Capital of Furniture’, due to its business and commercial links with the manufacture and sale of furniture. The activity of this town and its region is also based on agriculture, especially vineyards. In terms of heritage, the monastery of Santa María la Real stands out, which was ordered to be built by King García Sánchez III in the 10th century and became the Episcopal see and royal pantheon.

From here the route runs parallel to the N-120 towards Nájera until it reaches an elevated area known as Alto de San Antón. From this point there are good views of the La Rioja Iberian mountain range with the Sierra de La Demanda and its highest peak, San Lorenzo, in the background. The 7th stage Logroño-Nájera (32.5 kilometres) ends in Nájera.

What to see in Nájera? Visit the Tourist Office, where they will give you detailed information on what to see. Don’t miss the Historic Quarter, the Najerillense Museum, the Santa Cruz Church and the Santa María La Real Monastery.

As we explained, there are a thousand ways to do the Camino de Santiago, and now that you have seen some of them, it’s your turn to choose. We are waiting for you on the Rioja Alta Wine Route.