Seven destinations less than two hours by car from Logroño, without traffic, open up a range that goes from the mountains to thermal waters. The closest is the Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Nájera, 25 minutes away, and the furthest is the Sierra de Urbasa, 1 hour and 7 minutes away. In between, you have a village in Rioja Alta, a cave, a mountain range with waterfalls, a greenway, and some pools by the river. Here you have each one with everything you need to organise your day.
Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Nájera: royal pantheon and night visits
In Nájera, one of the most important monasteries in the region and a milestone in Spanish history awaits you. Many kings of the ancient kingdom of Nájera-Pamplona, which was the origin of the kingdom of Navarra, are buried there. Its Gothic-Plateresque cloister and its royal pantheon are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and night visits add another incentive to the day.
Getting there is simple: 29.3 km and 25 minutes by car to the Monasterio de Santa María la Real from Logroño, without traffic. Keep in mind that the time indicated for the visit is the last entry, and that after the last access you can stay in the monastery for another 30 minutes. You can consult the Monasterio de Santa María la Real de Nájera file to prepare your visit.
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Briones: village in Rioja Alta with visit and tasting at the Vivanco Museum
Briones is located in the northwest of La Rioja, in Rioja Alta and within the Haro region, at 502 m altitude. It is part of the Association of the most beautiful villages in Spain, so a stroll through its streets already justifies the trip. And if you are interested in wine, Picuco organises the Guided visit with tasting at the Vivanco Museum in Briones.
The journey is short: 38.2 km and 32 minutes by car to Briones from Logroño, without traffic. It is a comfortable getaway for half a day or to combine with the Haro region.
Cuevas de Ortigosa: guided speleology in Ortigosa de Cameros
The caves of Ortigosa are in Ortigosa de Cameros, La Rioja, and are the only natural caves of karst origin prepared for tourist visits in the community. They were formed about 160 million years ago, so walking through them is looking into a timescale that is hard to imagine. Picuco organises Guided speleology in Lóbrega and Peña Miel caves, La Rioja there.
To Cuevas de Ortigosa, there are 48.6 km and 45 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic. It is advisable to call to book the visit, and keep in mind that the caves are not accessible with a baby buggy.
Sierra de Cebollera: waterfall and lagoon routes, and snowshoeing in winter
The Sierra de Cebollera exceeds 2,000 metres in altitude and offers routes for different levels. The Cascadas de Puente Ra route is circular and covers 6.9 km, while the Laguna de Cebollera route is linear, out and back, with 13.8 km. In autumn, the landscape is dressed in intense colours, and in winter Picuco organises Snowshoeing in Sierra Cebollera, La Rioja.
To the Centro de interpretación Sierra Cebollera, there are 51.2 km and 47 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic. Calculate the time according to the route you choose and bring suitable footwear for mountain terrain.
Vía Verde del Oja: 26.3 km by bike along the old route from Haro to Ezcaray
The Vía Verde del Oja Natural Path follows, for much of its route, the old narrow-gauge railway line that connected Haro with Ezcaray. It is 26.3 km over asphalt and compacted earth, a comfortable surface for cycling. The route passes through Ezcaray, Ojacastro, Santurde, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Bañares, Castañares de Rioja and Casalarreina. Picuco organises the Bicycle hire on the Vía Verde del Río Oja, La Rioja.
To Casalarreina, the northern end of the greenway, it is 49.3 km and 38 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic; to Ezcaray, the other end, 1 hour and 5 minutes. Calculate your return trip according to the section you want to do.
Termas de Arnedillo: thermal water pools by the Cidacos river
In Arnedillo, the stone pools line the bank of the Cidacos river and offer thermal waters with medicinal properties. The water flows at 52 °C and cools down as it passes through the three pools until it stays between 35 and 40 °C, so there is a temperature to choose from. Access is free and there are several public car parks nearby, making arrival easy. You can find more details in the Termas de Arnedillo factsheet.
To Termas de Arnedillo it is 67.4 km and 59 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic. Bring a swimsuit and a towel, and keep in mind that it is an outdoor water activity: choose the day and time according to the weather.
Sierra de Urbasa: beech forests, springs and the Balcón de Pilatos
Urbasa is a large karst plateau of centennial beech forests, high-altitude pastures and abrupt rocky walls. Its name in Basque alludes to a water forest or humid forest, and the mountain range is marked by innumerable springs. Among its cliffs, the Balcón de Pilatos stands out, with walls of more than 200 metres in altitude. In winter, Picuco organises Snowshoeing in the Entzia and Urbasa mountains.
To Urbasa it is 82.3 km and 1 hour and 7 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic. It is the furthest getaway on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What to see near Logroño in one day?
In one day you can visit the Monasterio de Santa María la Real, 29.3 km and 25 minutes by car from Logroño without traffic. Other options are Briones, 38.2 km and 32 minutes, and the Cuevas de Ortigosa, 48.6 km and 45 minutes. If you are looking for thermal water, the Termas de Arnedillo are 67.4 km and 59 minutes away.
How long does it take to get from Logroño to each getaway?
The driving times without traffic from Logroño are these: 25 minutes to the Monasterio de Santa María la Real, 32 minutes to Briones, 45 minutes to the Cuevas de Ortigosa and 47 minutes to the Centro de interpretación Sierra Cebollera. To the Vía Verde del río Oja it takes 38 minutes, via Casalarreina; to the Termas de Arnedillo 59 minutes and to Urbasa 1 hour and 7 minutes.
What nature getaways are there near Logroño?
The Sierra de Cebollera is 51.2 km and 47 minutes by car from Logroño, without traffic. Urbasa is a large karst plateau of beech forests, high-altitude pastures and rocky walls. In Arnedillo, the stone pools by the Cidacos river offer thermal waters with medicinal properties. The Vía Verde del Oja follows the old narrow-gauge railway line that connected Haro with Ezcaray.