Alava - Southern Alava and La Rioja Alavesa

Map of Alava and its main cities

Izkiko Natural Park

To the south-east of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Okina (Oquina) is a pleasant little village at an altitude of 800 m. It is popular with cyclists, and you can also go for nature walks there. Further south-east still, Maeztu is another small rural village, at the entrance to an interesting natural area: the Izkiko (Izki) Natural Park. There are more than 9,000 ha of oak forests and valleys, with very beautiful flora and wild fauna. It is a place with few tourists, preserved but very rich. A treasure to discover before anyone else... through 15 marked trails, with on the paths, a multitude of small vernacular heritage, constructions resulting from pastoralism and other vestiges of life in these valleys. The Muela limestone massif, the Olandina lagoon, the Korres ravines (its medieval and historic centre), are all wonders to explore there. Go to the Maison du Parc to find out more. Guided tours with tour guides are regularly organised and are really worth it!

Izki Natural Park

The Sierra des Codes, Bernedo, Lagran

South of Kores, Santa Cruz de Campezo is located in the Sierra de los Codices. It is a peaceful place, with a rich history, dating back to our ancestors more than 2000 years ago. Discover its old quarter, host to many historical quarrels, its Gothic church, its sanctuary, but also its hikes, which touch Navarre, such as the escapades to Mount Ioar (1400 m), spectacular.

Santa Cruz de Compezo

Bernedo is a municipality made up of a multitude of small hamlets, as is often the case in the Basque Country, southern part. It is the ideal place for mountaineers and climbers, mountain lovers of all kinds. All year round, its geography allows you to enjoy hikes and beautiful walks. Hermitages follow belvederes and you are still in the heart of the Parque Natural de Izki.

In Lagrán, there are 3 churches and 2 hermitages, surrounded by mountains. It is a place where you can feast well, especially potatoes and black pudding. There is a small museum there, a sort of interpretation center, dedicated to the Wine and Fish Route, otherwise known as the GR38.

Enjoy your food !

Pained

Further west, Pañacerrada is a mecca for archaeological and paleontological research. Fossils of crustaceans estimated at 105 million years have been discovered there (which is very old and rare in such a state of preservation...). You will see a very interesting Interpretation Center on amber, a material in which fossils are best expressed. Also observe the remains of the walls. Not far away, in Faido, visit the cave dedicated to the Virgin of Pena, classified as a National Monument. There are also natural caves for speleology enthusiasts.

Rioja Alavesa

On the western edge of Alava, Labastida is at the heart of Rioja Alavesa and is a place that wine lovers will not fail to discover... Vineyards as far as the eye can see, cellar visits, tastings... This region lives mainly from wine tourism and the grape harvests around October/November are a lively and festive time! Visit the website dedicated to this region to organize your gourmet and wine getaway.

La Rioja Alavesa is the cradle of wine in Alava. There is a wine route, dotted with small family wineries and good vintages. The tourist offer is substantial, even if it is not abundant, you will always find a pleasant place to sleep between a few barrels of wine! In terms of gastronomy, this is the place to find good things to accompany your glasses. The bars and restaurants in the region serve a varied cuisine. Of course, there are the traditional pintxos, but also a range of quality gourmet cuisine, which you can enjoy in the middle of the vineyards in some places. The environment that surrounds you is exotic, after the forests and national parks, it is an undulating landscape covered with more than 13,000 ha of vines. The clay-limestone soil of the region offers red wines with bright colors, fine and fruity aromas. There is an increasing amount of white and rosé, due to tourist demand, but Rioja Alavesa used to produce mainly red. The region enjoys a microclimate, protected from the cold prevailing winds by a sierra. It is worth noting that in the region, the wineries are called Bodegas, which is the warehouse where the wine is stored.

The vineyards in La Rioja Alavesa

Continue your visit to Leza, a small municipality with a rather marked Renaissance style and punctuated by a beautiful San Martin church. Against a mountain backdrop, take a walk to Lombilla, the small hill that houses the majority of the wineries. After discovering the wines, treat yourself to a walk in this beautiful environment, to go and see the dolmens and why not a hike to the " Balcony of Rioja ", where a magnificent panorama awaits you.

Leza and its vines

Take the road back to the agricultural village of Elvillar (Bilar), discover its small center with some beautiful palaces (notably the House of the Indian), the central square the Plaza Mayor de Santa Maria. As in Leza, the village enjoys a diversity of prehistoric remains, in particular the superb dolmen "La Chabola de la Hechicera", there are also some natural caves.

Laguardia, Elciego

We arrive in Laguardia, the capital of Rioja Alavesa. It is a medieval city, people come here as much for the good wine as for its history and its remains (entrance gates, old ramparts). It is a very well preserved fortified city, which enjoys a large number of splendid palaces and buildings. Stroll around to appreciate the architecture that oscillates between medieval, baroque and neoclassical. Do not miss: the Church of Santa Maria de los Reyes (and its superb ornate portico), the town hall and its charming ballet of little figures whirling at noon, the Casa de la Primicia, the fortified church of San Juan Bautista and the Torre Abacial, the El Collao viewpoint… An astonishing thing in this city with a long wine-growing tradition is that each house has its own cellar, underground, forming a system of gigantic underground cellars under the city! Take advantage of it on a guided tour of the city or a bodega. Laguardia is a dynamic city that offers, apart from wine and heritage visits, sports tourist activities, such as canoeing on the Ebro, you can also go mountain biking. Fans of fauna and flora will discover with interest an attractive natural wetland protected area : the Lagunas de Laguardia. These are marshes with particularly interesting geology where you can see ducks, grebes, harriers, coots and other swifts and herons... Beautiful walks in perspective and for the most patient, beautiful ornithological photos!

Medieval town Laguardia

Bottles of wine

Further south, Elciego is another major tourist town in Rioja Alavesa. There are also many bodegas, wineries where you can taste high-quality wines. A visit to the town will not fail to please you, it is full of pretty buildings decorated with coats of arms and a church with 2 towers : the church of San Andrés. You will see an astonishing building, with very modern undulating shapes, it is a spa for wine therapy in a very luxurious setting. A word of advice: go there early in the morning to enjoy the view and beautiful lights, but also to avoid the crowds. Nearby is the village of Lapuebla on the banks of the Ebro River. There are lovely walks along the banks and of course: vineyards and bodegas, rather grouped on a small hill at the exit of the village.

Elciego

The Elciego Spa

In the extreme south of Alava, Oyón-Oion is a stop on the Santiago de Compostela route. It is a historic town, of medieval origin, with baroque houses and towers. Stroll through the Plaza Mayor, with its manor house.