Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino
A royal palace in Olite, pilgrim bridges and a wine fountain, tapas in Logroño and the walled wine towns of the Rioja.
- Distance
- 231 km (143 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 11 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Spain
- Updated
- August 18, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 231 km (143 mi) with 8 stops, from Pamplona to San Millán de la Cogolla monasteries. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Spain · More road trips from Pamplona
Route description
From Pamplona, famous for the bull runs of San Fermín, drive south on the A-15 to Olite, where the turreted palace of the kings of Navarre is fun to explore from dungeons to rooftops. Then head west to Puente la Reina, where the Camino de Santiago crosses the Arga on a six-arched Romanesque bridge.
Follow the pilgrims west on the A-12 via Estella to the Monastery of Irache, where a fountain serves free wine to walkers; a small glass is enough. The road then enters La Rioja at Logroño, whose Calle Laurel is lined with tapas bars, busiest on weekend evenings.
North of the Ebro lies Rioja Alavesa, the Basque part of the region, with Laguardia, a walled hilltop town riddled with old wine cellars, under the wall of the Sierra de Cantabria. Continue west on the A-124 to Haro, whose historic wineries cluster around the railway station; many offer tours and tastings, most need booking.
End south of the Ebro at San Millán de la Cogolla, where the twin monasteries of Yuso and Suso guard some of the first written words in Spanish. September and October, during the harvest, are the best months; stay in the towns and do not drink and drive, as Spanish limits are strict.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Pamplona
Spain - 247 km
Royal Palace of Olite
HistoryOlite, SpainThe fairy-tale palace of the kings of Navarre, a maze of towers, stairways and battlements you can climb. Olite is also a good place to taste Navarre wines.
- 331 km
Puente la Reina
Spain - 424 km
Irache wine fountain
OdditiesAyegui, SpainBeside the Monastery of Irache on the Camino de Santiago, a fountain pours free red wine for pilgrims alongside a tap of water. A small glass is the custom, not a bottle.
- 548 km
Logroño
Spain - 619 km
Laguardia
Spain - 727 km
Haro
Spain - 835 km
San Millán de la Cogolla monasteries
HistorySan Millán de la Cogolla, SpainThe twin monasteries of Yuso and Suso, where some of the earliest written words in Castilian were found. Suso, high on the hillside, is reached only by a short shuttle bus from Yuso on guided visits.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Pamplona → Royal Palace of Olite · 47 km · 0 h 39 minOvernight nearby, for example: Olite / Erriberri (< 1 km); Camping Olite (2 km).
- Day 2: Royal Palace of Olite → Irache wine fountain · 55 km · 0 h 46 minOn the way: Puente la Reina.Overnight nearby, for example: Lizarra (2 km); Camping Aritzaleku (11 km).
- Day 3: Irache wine fountain → Laguardia · 67 km · 0 h 56 minOn the way: Logroño.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping La Playa (14 km); Área de autocaravanas de Viana (19 km).
- Day 4: Laguardia → San Millán de la Cogolla monasteries · 62 km · 0 h 51 minOn the way: Haro.Overnight nearby, for example: Área de Baños de Río Tobía (8 km); Camping Bañares (14 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino?
4-day road trip of about 231 km (143 mi) with 8 stops, from Pamplona to San Millán de la Cogolla monasteries. About 3 h 11 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 11 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino start and end?
It starts in Pamplona and ends in San Millán de la Cogolla monasteries.
Which countries does Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino pass through?
Spain.
Where can you camp along Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino?
OpenStreetMap lists 62 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Ezcaba, Camping El Real and Camping Errota-El Molino.
When is the best time for Navarre and La Rioja: the wine road of the Camino?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
