Traditions, wine tourism and gastronomy: enjoy Easter Week in Rioja Alta

Easter is one of those times of the year when you feel like taking a getaway, breaking with routine and immersing yourself in new experiences. On the Rioja Alta Wine Route, we have everything you need for a few unforgettable days: history, gastronomy, nature, wine tourism and traditions that will leave you open-mouthed.

If there is a place where Easter is lived with intensity, it is in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. There, the emotional procession of the Disciplinantes, better known as ‘Los Picaos’, is celebrated, a penitential ritual that has been maintained since the 16th century and has survived the passing of the centuries, being carried out today with the same fervor, silence and recollection. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, this tradition is unique in the world and, undoubtedly, an experience that leaves its mark when contemplating the disciplinantes, dressed in white tunics and hood, flagellating their backs with a skein of cotton.

In addition, in Logroño, the processions are a spectacle of solemnity and devotion. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, eleven brotherhoods in sixteen processions take to the streets, recalling in twenty processional steps the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord. In recognition of its emotionality and quality, Logroño’s Holy Week was declared in September 2015 as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, consolidating the capital of La Rioja as a key destination for religious and cultural tourism.

But not only of the processions we can enjoy during the festive bridge, also nature has a few plans in store for us. Here there are also adventure activities for all tastes. From cycling routes through vineyards to horseback riding, kayaking, quad biking or even balloon flights to see the landscapes from above. In addition, the Camino de Santiago crosses our region, offering the opportunity to walk part of this historic route in a privileged environment.

Among vineyards and wineries

In spring the vineyards of the Rioja Alta awaken and nature comes alive. This is the time of the weeping of the vine, a phenomenon that marks the beginning of the new vegetative cycle and which, if you get to see it up close, is a magical moment for wine tourism lovers. The vines begin to sprout, the fields are dyed green and the almond blossoms decorate the landscape, creating a perfect setting to get lost in.

Of course, if you visit the Rioja Alta Wine Route at Easter, the wineries will be an obligatory stop. Did you know that here you will find the largest concentration of century-old wineries in the world? You will be able to tour from small family wineries to impressive avant-garde facilities, learn about the different winemaking methods and discover how wine has evolved over the years.

Of course, if you want to ensure a visit, we recommend you to book in advance, because these dates are in high demand.

And along with wine, we can not fail to mention another of our great treasures: gastronomy. We are not the only ones to say it, but the prestigious National Geographic magazine has recognized us as the Best Gastronomic Route in Spain in the II National Geographic Travel Readers Awards 2024.

On the Rioja Alta Wine Route you will find first-class restaurants where you can taste everything from the most traditional dishes, such as Rioja-style potatoes or vine-shoot chops, to innovative proposals that fuse the best of our land with the creativity of leading chefs.

If you are passionate about history, here you have a lot to discover. Our land hides an impressive legacy with castles, medieval bridges, hermitages and necropolises that have stood the test of time. You can follow the Route of the Castles or the Route of the Bridges and transport yourself to another era while traveling through unforgettable landscapes.

Don’t run out of accommodation

Easter is one of the most popular times of the year, so we recommend you to book your accommodation in advance. From cozy rural houses to charming boutique hotels, here you will find the perfect option to enjoy your getaway with friends, family or as a couple.

We also recommend you to take a look at the Calendar section of our website because at this time of the year, activities multiply: special tastings, dramatized visits, gastronomic menus and much more.

This Easter, come to the Rioja Alta Wine Route and live an experience that has it all: culture, wine tourism, gastronomy and unforgettable landscapes.