Navarre - The Southern tip of Navarre, desert and change of scenery

The desert south

Map of Navarre

A complete change of scenery awaits you there. Between the " western " type regions, the arid vegetation and the small baroque towns with a Tuscan feel, you are still in Navarre but at the same time elsewhere...

In Villafranca, take a break to see the pretty houses and the church of Santa Eufemia. In October, a Baroque Music Festival takes place in this town.

The Bardenas Reales

You are not far from the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a very unusual and surprising place not to be missed. Covering more than 40,000 hectares, this region with rare rainfall and the sun always high in the sky, can be explored by car. Still take a solid model, if possible a 4x4, because the roads are not all tarmacked.

Leave from Arguedas, the routes are the best defined. You can also choose a resort and explore these lunar landscapes on foot or by bike. The best thing is to be accompanied by a guide, to understand the geology, appreciate the unusual fauna and flora of the place. There are three distinct areas in this natural park: La Bardena Blanca, the Plano and the Bardena Negra.

Breathtaking rock formations (like the Catsil de Tierra or the La Pisquerra massif) will make you take out your camera many times, hills, steppes... Everything is designed to allow tourists not to get lost and enjoy the landscape. There are viewpoints and 700 km of marked paths. Follow them, respect the places because shepherds and farmers watch over these lands widely used to graze herds. Don't forget binoculars to see the many vultures and other wild animals that snoop around in the area!

Bardenas Reales Natural Park

Arguedas is an area of La Ribera, the nearest town, considered the gateway to the Bardenas (you will also see the Bardenas Interpretation Center there, to visit before your escapades). It is a cute village, surrounded by a cultivated plain (especially rice), there are the Arguedas caves which are worth the detour. These are not prehistoric caves, but dwellings dating from the 19th century. The penniless villagers took refuge in the mountains where the crumbling walls allowed them to dig crevices. There were more than 52 families living there until the middle of the 20th century, when social housing replaced the makeshift semi-troglodyte dwellings.

Nature and bird lovers will be delighted to go for a walk at the Biological Station, a nature interpretation space and a bird observation center.

Wine lovers will be happy to discover wine tourism in this region where the vineyards are full of sunshine. Doesn't that interest your children? Maybe they'll prefer a visit to Sendaviva, the largest leisure park in Spain: 120 hectares of games, rides, attractions, shows, animals (in a zoo), nature. At the top of the giant bobsleigh track, there is a magnificent view of the landscape. Fleeting, but magnificent!

Spectacular rock formations

Breathtaking landscapes

On the way to Tudela

Tudela is the second largest city in Navarre, about as important as Pamplona. It is a city of Islamic origin, and you only have to walk around to understand that a multitude of cultures have left their mark on the architecture and art of the city. It is a teeming and pleasant city to stay in for a few days, the gastronomy is only matched by the sweetness of life there.

Everything is green in the surroundings. The Ebro River waters the plain from which come wonderful vegetables to be tasted in the quality restaurants of the city. Artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, you will reconcile yourself with green! It is also towards the end of April that a big festival of gastronomy and vegetables takes place in Tudela. We also eat and drink good beer.

Admire the beautiful bridge over the Ebro and its 17 arches. Continue to discover the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the other great churches of the city. There are also 4 convents and chapels. Lovers of beautiful homes will stroll towards the Palace of the Marqués de San Adrian, the cultural center and the Muñoz Sola Museum of Modern Art.

The Tudela bridge over the Ebro river

Santa Maria Cathedral

If you like Baroque art, head to Corella, further west. Queen Maria Luisa found a cure for her tuberculosis here, thanks to the garlic and the fresh air of the region. Stroll to the parish church of San Miguel, the oldest in the city, as well as the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Villar. Mansions, mansions all clad in brick, wrought iron structures, look up and appreciate the rich civil and religious architecture of Corella.

In Fitero, in the Alhama Valley, there is a spa. It is not the most attractive in the area, but it has the merit of being fed by two relaxing springs. The facilities are pretty and tired travelers will find something to relax in. In the same town, go see the old listed monastery and its magnificent abbey church, its two cloisters and the pretty little hiking trails that leave from it. Climb up to the town's belvedere which offers a beautiful viewpoint.

Here we are at the end of our trip to Navarre. You have explored the 4 entities that make up this magnificent region and you are eager to continue your journey ? Let's continue together towards Guipùzcoà, starting with its sandy beaches full of history...

Fitero