Mention La Rioja to almost anyone and the first thing they’ll say is wine.

And they’re right.

La Rioja produces some of the finest red wines in the world, with vineyards stretching across the landscape as far as the eye can see. In some areas, especially where our cycling tours take place, it almost feels as though every field is either planted with vines or cereal crops.

Wine is undoubtedly the engine of the region.

But Rioja is so much more than that.

If you only come for the wine, you’ll leave without discovering half of what makes this small corner of Spain so special.

A Food Lover’s Paradise

One of Rioja’s greatest treasures is its cuisine: simple, honest, seasonal, and incredibly healthy.

Much of what you’ll eat comes directly from the huerta—the fertile vegetable gardens that have supplied local kitchens for generations. Fresh artichokes, asparagus, peppers, beans, tomatoes and countless other vegetables are celebrated here rather than treated as side dishes.

Traditional Rioja cooking is deeply rooted in the land and has remained remarkably authentic. Some of the dishes you simply have to try include:

• Caparrones – a hearty local bean stew.

• Patatas a la Riojana – potatoes slowly cooked with chorizo and paprika.

• Menestra de verduras – perhaps Spain’s finest vegetable stew, showcasing the best seasonal produce.

• Chuletillas al sarmiento – tender lamb chops grilled over dried vine cuttings, giving the meat a wonderfully distinctive smoky flavour unique to Rioja.

• Bacalao a la Riojana – salted cod cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce.

• Fresh river trout from the region’s mountain streams.

After a day on the bike, these meals become more than just dinner—they become part of the experience.

A Land Proud of Its Traditions

Rioja’s culture is alive and well.

Throughout the year, towns and villages celebrate local festivals that have changed little over the centuries. Traditional music fills the streets, people dance the Jota Riojana, and village squares become gathering places for neighbours and visitors alike.

These aren’t performances put on for tourists—they’re genuine celebrations of local identity. If you’re lucky enough to visit during one, you’ll experience Rioja at its most authentic.

The Birthplace of the Spanish Language

Here’s a fact that surprises almost everyone.

The Spanish language was born in La Rioja.

Hidden in the peaceful valley of San Millán de la Cogolla, at the foot of the Sierra de la Demanda, are the monasteries where the first written words in Castilian Spanish were recorded more than a thousand years ago.

The famous Glosas Emilianenses, written by monks in the 10th and 11th centuries, are widely regarded as the earliest surviving written examples of the Spanish language.

It’s one of Spain’s most important cultural sites, yet remarkably few international visitors know about it.

Even better, our cycling route takes you there.

You’ll ride through this beautiful valley before spending the night in a unique hotel integrated into the monastery complex. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the museum, explore the monasteries and stand in the very place where one of the world’s most widely spoken languages first began to take shape.

It’s an unforgettable experience that few travellers ever discover.

Mountains… and Even Skiing

Many people imagine Rioja as nothing but vineyards.

They’re in for a surprise.

Towering above the region is San Lorenzo, the highest mountain in La Rioja at over 2,200 metres. During the winter months, it even has its own ski resort.

Yes—there is skiing in Rioja.

The surrounding mountains provide spectacular scenery for our cycling routes, creating the perfect contrast between lush vineyards, forests and dramatic alpine landscapes.

It’s another reminder that Rioja is far more diverse than most people expect.

Logroño: Spain’s Capital of Tapas

No visit to Rioja would be complete without spending time in Logroño, the region’s welcoming capital.

Compact, flat and wonderfully easy to explore on foot, Logroño combines history, culture and gastronomy in equal measure. The magnificent Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda dominates the old town and reflects centuries of religious and artistic heritage.

But ask most locals where to go in the evening and they’ll all give you the same answer: Calle Laurel.

Along with neighbouring Calle San Juan, these lively streets are packed with traditional bars serving some of the finest pintxos in Spain. Each bar specialises in just one or two signature dishes, perfected over decades.

The best way to enjoy them is simple: order a glass of Rioja wine, sample a pintxo, then move on to the next bar.

Repeat.

It’s one of Spain’s greatest culinary traditions.

Nájera: The Medieval Capital That Shaped a Kingdom

Just a short ride from Logroño lies one of Rioja’s most historically significant towns—Nájera.

Long before Madrid became Spain’s capital, Nájera was the heart of the Kingdom of Nájera-Pamplona, one of the most powerful Christian kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula during the early Middle Ages. Its strategic location made it a political, cultural and religious centre, leaving behind a remarkable historical legacy that can still be explored today.

At the centre of the town stands the magnificent Monastery of Santa María la Real. Founded in the 11th century, it became the royal pantheon where many kings and queens of the Kingdom of Nájera-Pamplona were laid to rest.

Beyond its historical importance, Nájera is simply a beautiful place to explore. The town is divided in two by the crystal-clear Najerilla River, creating two very different atmospheres. One side preserves its charming historic centre, with narrow streets, traditional houses and centuries-old monuments, while the other reflects the quieter rhythm of modern local life.

Towering red sandstone cliffs rise dramatically behind the monastery, giving Nájera one of the most striking settings of any town in La Rioja.

Cycling into Nájera is unforgettable. As you follow peaceful roads through vineyards and farmland, the town suddenly appears beneath its impressive cliffs—a sight that has welcomed pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago for nearly a thousand years.

It’s yet another reminder that Rioja isn’t just a land of wine.

It’s a land where history comes alive around every corner.

Discover the Rioja That Most Visitors Never See

Wine may bring people to Rioja.

But it’s the food, the history, the mountains, the language, the traditions, the welcoming people, and the quiet roads winding through vineyards and medieval villages that make them fall in love with it.

At Vamos Bike Tours, we believe the best way to discover Rioja is from the saddle of a bicycle, because travelling by bike allows you to slow down, take in the scenery, meet the locals and experience every side of this remarkable region.

Come for the wine.

Stay for everything else.