Frank GehryOne MICHELIN Key
Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Elciego, Spain
from €530 / night
Where to stay in Rioja
Spain's first qualified wine region, from Haro's station to Laguardia's walls
Plan it better
Specific guides to Rioja
Focused comparisons to choose the right area and hotel for the trip you actually want.
Rioja: good to know
Where is the best place to stay in Rioja?
Rioja Alavesa, around Elciego and Laguardia, if you want architecture and a base among the vines; Haro, in Rioja Alta, if you want to walk between historic wineries in the station district. Our hotel, Marqués de Riscal, sits in Elciego and covers both easily by car.
Do you need a car in Rioja?
Yes. The wineries are spread across the valley, villages are small and public transport between them is thin. If you plan to taste properly, book a driver or a guided tour for the day rather than driving between cellars.
When is the grape harvest in Rioja?
From late September into October, depending on the year and the altitude. It is the liveliest and busiest time to visit; the weeks after it are quieter, cheaper and just as beautiful as the vines turn.
What is the difference between Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa?
Rioja Alta lies south of the Ebro in La Rioja, around Haro; Rioja Alavesa lies north of it in the Basque province of Álava, around Laguardia and Elciego. Both belong to the same DOCa Rioja, and they are a short drive apart.
How many days do you need in Rioja?
Two full days cover one winery visit a day, Laguardia and Haro's station district without hurrying. Three let you add Briones, with its wine museum, and an afternoon with nothing planned.