Free walking tours in Navarrete and what to see

Must-sees

Navarrete is in the Rioja Media, about eleven kilometres from Logroño, and is one of the classic stages of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, which crosses the village along Calle Mayor. Its protected historic centre keeps houses with coats of arms and arcades along the old walled layout of the hill. The big visit is the Renaissance church of La Asunción, with three naves, a stone tower that was very influential in the area and a large late 17th-century Baroque main altarpiece.

The sacristy holds a triptych of the Assumption attributed to the Flemish painter Ambrosius Benson. On the outskirts, next to the cemetery, you can see the doorway of the old San Juan de Acre pilgrims' hospital, whose remains are at the entrance to the village. Navarrete also has a long pottery tradition, with workshops still working clay and an annual pottery and ceramics fair, and it is surrounded by DOCa Rioja vineyards.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Navarrete. The most common activity is a visit to a local winery with a Rioja wine tasting, best booked ahead. You can do the rest on your own following the route of the Camino de Santiago. If you want guided visits, Logroño has free walking tours of the old town and tapas routes along Calle Laurel.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the historic centre, the church of La Asunción and the cemetery doorway. If you add a winery visit and a pottery shop or two, allow a full day. With two days you can combine Navarrete with Logroño or with other wine villages in La Rioja Alta, such as Haro or Briones, less than an hour away by car.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay in the historic centre, where old houses have been restored as small hotels and pilgrim hostels. From there you do everything on foot and enjoy the village once the day visitors have gone. There are also rural houses and winery stays in the surroundings. If you cannot find a room, Logroño is fifteen minutes away and has far more choice.