
Weekend Tapas from La Rioja Logrono to Barcelona

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RouteXpert Jordi honrubia (RouteXpert)
Last edit: 23-04-2025
After an unforgettable night immersed in the tapas culture of Logroño's famous Calle Laurel, our return route to Barcelona becomes a captivating journey that delights all the senses.
We begin by exploring the historic heart of Logroño, where the imposing Revellín Wall transports us back to medieval times. The majestic Co-Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda, with its iconic twin towers, invites us to discover artistic treasures within. The ancient Church of San Bartolomé, a testament to the transition from Romanesque to Gothic, marvels with its sculpted doorway. And the iconic Stone Bridge offers an unforgettable view over the Ebro River, the gateway to the Camino de Santiago. For culture lovers, a visit to the Museum of La Rioja reveals the rich history and art of the region, while an immersion in the local wineries will allow us to savor the winemaking tradition for which these lands are famous.
Leaving the joy of La Rioja behind, we enter Aragon and further on, embrace nature in the Serra de Montsant Natural Park. This natural sanctuary welcomes us with rugged landscapes and an atmosphere of serenity, preparing us for our journey.
We arrive in Gandesa, the vibrant capital of Terra Alta, where wine culture is palpable. Here, a visit to its iconic modernist cooperative winery is a must, as is savoring authentic Mediterranean cuisine at the highly recommended Sibaritas Restaurant.
Our route then takes us to Ascó, a picturesque town on the banks of the majestic Ebro River, whose Neolithic past and Moorish legacy permeate its narrow streets.
From here, the road becomes an exciting adventure along the scenic route between Montsant and the Prades Mountains. Countless winding curves offer spectacular views and unique mountain landscapes, an unforgettable experience for driving and nature lovers. We'll pass through charming villages such as La Torre del Español, Cabaces, La Vilella Baixa y Alta, Escaladei, Poboleda, and Mont-ral, each with its own unique charm.
Finally, the route takes us through Valls and Igualada before taking the highway to Barcelona, leaving behind a tapestry of cultural, gastronomic, and scenic experiences.
I give this return route 5 stars. It's much more than a simple return transfer; it's the sum of an immersion in the rich culture of La Rioja, an encounter with the imposing nature of the Aragonese and Catalan regions, a delight for the senses at every turn. An experience that, combined with the outward journey, will create unforgettable memories!
Animation
Verdict
Duration
11h 29m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
576.32 km
Countries


Logroño Paisaje de Viñedo
In this city, apart from the bar and restaurant district on its famous Laurel Street, you have several places and options to see and explore the city's history. One of them would be the Revellín Wall, and you could start your visit to the historic center from there.
Among the best-preserved sections of the old medieval wall that surrounded the city are the Revellín Wall, a solid fortification built between 1522 and 1524, and the Revellín Gate, the only original entrance still standing.
At the end of Portales Street, you'll pass the Co-Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda, located in the beautiful Market Square and another must-see in Logroño.
Although its origins date back to a round Romanesque church from the 9th century, hence its name, the current architectural structure was built throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and is notable for its imposing Baroque towers, popularly known as the "twin towers."
It is also worth going inside to see the Main Altarpiece, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace and, above all, a small oil painting known as "El Calvario de la Rioja", attributed to the master Michelangelo and located in the ambulatory, behind the main altarpiece.
After visiting the Co-Cathedral, you can leave the Market Square along Caballerías Street, which will take you to the Gothic-style Church of San Bartolomé, the oldest religious temple to see in Logroño.
This church, which dates back to the second half of the 12th century and was declared a National Monument in 1956, was begun in the Romanesque style, which blends harmoniously with the Gothic style that was used later.
Its most impressive elements are the Romanesque-style bell tower and the magnificent Gothic portal, which consists of 19 vignettes depicting the martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew and the discovery of his remains.
Crossing the 198 meters of the Stone Bridge or San Juan de Ortega Bridge, one of the four bridges in the city that span the Ebro River, is another of the best things to do in Logroño.
The current bridge, built at the end of the 19th century after the previous one dating back to the 12th century collapsed, is one of the symbols of the city, appearing on its coat of arms and being the entry point of the Camino de Santiago into the city.
The La Rioja Museum, located in the Espartero Palace, a beautiful 18th-century Baroque building, is the most important museum to visit in Logroño.
This museum offers an in-depth look at the history, art, and culture of La Rioja, from prehistory to the modern age, through archaeological remains, painting collections, documents, audiovisual materials, and interactive exhibits.
Our last recommendation on this list of must-see places in Logroño is to visit one of the wineries to learn about the winemaking process and also buy a bottle of La Rioja wine, which will undoubtedly be another perfect gift to take home as a souvenir of your trip to the city.
Our recommended accommodation in Logroño is the Hotel Murrieta, located 10 minutes from the Cathedral and next to a free parking lot perfect for leaving your vehicle. In addition to its excellent location, the hotel offers a 24-hour reception and friendly staff.
Serra de Montsant Natural Park:
The Montsant mountain range is part of the Pre-coastal mountain range between the Prades mountains, the Llena mountain range and the Figuera-Tormo mountain range. It has an approximately elliptical shape aligned from east northeast to west southwest with a length of about 20 km and a maximum width of 10 km.
The Peligs ravine runs through the interior of Montsant and divides it into two main ridges that form an asymmetrical V, tilted to the left.
The Sierra Mayor, the culminating ridge, is the southern and longest arm, and remains above 1000 m for about 9 km, fading to the west into secondary ridges that descend gently towards the Montsant River (Western Slope landscape unit).
The northern arm, with hills over 1000 m high, falls spectacularly onto the northern stretch of the same river (Fraguerau Gorge) – Northern Slope Landscape Unit.
Both arms join at the eastern end, where the mountain reaches its highest point (Roca Corbatera, 1163 m) in the Sierra Mayor.
We have a very relaxing road ahead of us towards the Zaragoza area in the province of Aragon that will take us to Gandesa.
Gandesa:
Situated in a privileged location, on a plateau surrounded by mountainous terrain where the Cavalls and Pàndols mountain ranges stand out, Gandesa is the capital of Terra Alta and the most industrialized town in the region.
Gandesa's most international economic activity is wine, with half a dozen wineries that bottle under the seal of the Terra Alta Designation of Origin Regulatory Council, which is also based in the town.
Wine has also fostered the existence of the town's most emblematic building, the modernist cooperative winery. From other perspectives, the Romanesque-Gothic Church of the Mare de Déu de l'Assumpció and the Center for the Study of the Battle of the Ebro are also notable.
If you are planning to visit Gandesa, we recommend a unique and authentic restaurant,
Sibaritas Restaurant,
People who come to this restaurant do so for its cuisine. It's located in the city of Gandesa. Don't be afraid of getting lost; the restaurant is easy to find.
The breadth of their menu will make you want to come back to try each and every one of them. At this restaurant, guests will enjoy Mediterranean cuisine; they do tuna very well.
This restaurant's positive reviews have given it a score of 8.54. Its good prices will surprise you. It's a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion, as prices per person are usually €20-€30. The restaurant accepts card and cash payments.
We recommend booking in advance.
They've created a homey atmosphere. Here, you'll find an indoor terrace where you can eat peacefully. The food and facilities make it perfect for coming with the little ones. We have no doubt you'll want to come back.
Disgust:
Ascó is one of the fourteen towns in the Ribera d'Ebre region. Its municipal area covers 74 square kilometers and is located in the northern half of the Ribera d'Ebre.
Most of its territory is on the right side of the Ebro, but it also includes a section on the left side of the river, known as "Les Illes".
The northern boundary of the municipality, a foothill of the Fatarella mountain range, separates the municipality of Ascó from the Terra Alta region. To the southwest, the municipality borders Les Camposines. The town of Ascó is located at an altitude of 82 meters, on the slopes and at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of a castle.
The town dates back to the Neolithic period. Several Iberian settlements are listed within its municipal area. The Classicist-style parish church of San Juan Bautista is crowned by a Romanesque bell tower. The ever-present Ebro River transforms Ascó into the Ebro Lookout. The town is made up of narrow streets, replete with elements of its Moorish past.
After passing through Asco, we will cross several small towns such as, it will be 80 kms, Vinebre, Torre del Español, Cabaces, Vilella Baixa and Alta, Escaladei, Poboleda, Mont-ral, until we reach Alcover which will be the end of a beautiful road with beautiful landscapes and mountains with winding curves that we can enjoy, all that mountainous area that we cross is made up of Montsant and Prades and is a nature reserve.
Our route continues from Valls to Igualada, concluding with a stretch of highway and motorway to Barcelona.

Concatedral de Logroño

Montañas Del Montsant
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La Rioja
About this region
La Rioja (UK: , US: , Spanish: [la ˈrjoxa]) is an autonomous community and province in Spain, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Nájera. It has an estimated population of 315,675 inhabitants (INE 2018), making it the least populated region of Spain.
It covers part of the Ebro valley towards its north and the Iberian Range in the south. The community is a single province, so there is no County Council, and it is organized into 174 municipalities. It borders the Basque Country (province of Álava) to the north, Navarre to the northeast, Aragón to the southeast (province of Zaragoza), and Castilla y León to the west and south (provinces of Burgos and Soria).
The area was once occupied by pre-Roman Berones, Pellendones and Vascones. After partial recapture from the Muslims in the early tenth century, the region became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona, later being incorporated into Castile after a century and a half of disputes. From the eighteenth century the Rioja region remained divided between the provinces of Burgos and Soria, until in 1833 the province of Logroño was created, changing the name of the province to La Rioja in 1980 as a prelude to its constitution under a single provincial autonomous community in 1982. The name "Rioja" (from Río Oja) is first attested in 1099.
The region is well known for its wines under the brand Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja.
Read more on Wikipedia
It covers part of the Ebro valley towards its north and the Iberian Range in the south. The community is a single province, so there is no County Council, and it is organized into 174 municipalities. It borders the Basque Country (province of Álava) to the north, Navarre to the northeast, Aragón to the southeast (province of Zaragoza), and Castilla y León to the west and south (provinces of Burgos and Soria).
The area was once occupied by pre-Roman Berones, Pellendones and Vascones. After partial recapture from the Muslims in the early tenth century, the region became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona, later being incorporated into Castile after a century and a half of disputes. From the eighteenth century the Rioja region remained divided between the provinces of Burgos and Soria, until in 1833 the province of Logroño was created, changing the name of the province to La Rioja in 1980 as a prelude to its constitution under a single provincial autonomous community in 1982. The name "Rioja" (from Río Oja) is first attested in 1099.
The region is well known for its wines under the brand Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja.
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