Free walking tours in Haro and what to see

Must-sees

Haro is the wine capital of La Rioja. Its best-known spot is the Station Quarter, where several wineries, now over a century old, set up beside the railway in the late 19th century, because from here wine was shipped to France and the north. Many can be visited and some share the same street, so it is easy to see two in a morning.

The old town revolves around Plaza de la Paz, with the town hall and the bandstand. Climb to the church of Santo Tomás, with its Plateresque doorway, and visit the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Vega. For tapas, the La Herradura area is full of wine and pintxo bars. Every 29 June the Wine Battle takes place on the crags of Bilibio.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are not common in Haro. The usual option is guided winery visits, through underground cellars and barrel halls with a tasting at the end, which are the main reason to come. There are also guided visits to the historic centre, sometimes combined with the Station Quarter. From Haro, excursions are organised around Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa: Briones, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Laguardia or Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A little further away are the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, in San Millán de la Cogolla.

How long to spend

With one day you can see the old town and one or two wineries. Two days are more enjoyable: the first for the Station Quarter and the centre, with dinner in La Herradura; the second for nearby villages such as Briones or San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Book the wineries in advance, especially at weekends.

Where to stay

The old town, near Plaza de la Paz, is the best area to stay: bars and restaurants are close at hand and the Station Quarter is about fifteen minutes' walk away. If you are driving and want to explore the area, there are also hotels on the outskirts with easy parking. Another option is to sleep in a nearby village among the vineyards and come into Haro for visits.