Over more than 50 kilometres, the St James Way will lead you to discover some of the must-see places in this province. It’s a route that will take you through the beautiful landscapes of the Ebro Valley, through vineyards and wheat fields that seem to go on forever, and to captivating little villages. So come on, get those walking shoes out right away!
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Logroño
The first place you’ll come to is Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, and here you’ll be able to recharge your batteries with a good wine and a delicious taste of the local cuisine on Calle del Laurel. You could also take a break in the Espolón, the city’s largest green space, and check out some of the impressive architecture such as La Rioja parliament building, the Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge) and the Cathedral of Santa María La Redonda.
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Navarrete
The origins of this town are closely linked to the Camino. Here, you simply mustn’t miss the old quarter, its main street, the church of the Asunción and the remains of the old hospital.
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Nájera
Of pre-Romanesque origin, this little town has a rich past that can be seen in various unique spots that should definitely be on your itinerary. Like the 11th-century Monastery of Santa María La Real, the ruins of the Alcázar, where you'll discover caves that were inhabited way back in the 3rd century, and the Monastery of Santa Elena that dates from the 16th century.
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Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Since the 11th century pilgrims have been passing through this walled town with a clear aim in mind, to visit the impressive tower of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. You could also spend a night in the former Pilgrim’s Hospital, today a Parador Nacional.
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The Monasteries of Yuso
The final stage in the region of La Rioja, before the Camino arrives in Burgos, will take you to the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, which is actually made up of two monasteries, - Yuso and Suso. The complex has been a World Heritage Site since 1997 as it's the cradle of the Spanish language. It is here that you can see the "glosas emilianenses", the oldest known texts written in Castilian Spanish.
As you can see, stage by stage, St James' Way will bring you to discover some of the most beautiful places in La Rioja. Not to be missed.