Hostal Villa de Navarrete, your accommodation near Logroño (La Rioja)

Yuso and Suso Monasteries

About 35 km from Hostal Villa de Navarrete, in San Millán de la Cogolla, you will find the monasteries of Yuso and Suso, considered the place of origin of the Spanish and Basque languages. And, among other heritage pieces of great value, there are the so-called Glosas Emilianenses, considered the first written reference of the Spanish language.

Historically, the Suso Monastery (“the one above”) was built first in the 6^th century, and gradually expanded, after which it became too small and the Yuso Monastery (“the one below”) started to be built.

The grouping that includes both monasteries was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 because of its great value.

We recommend booking your visit to the Yuso and Suso Monasteries in advance, and they offer night visits in summer too.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Santo Domingo de la Calzada is one of the gems we can find during the Camino de Santiago, just 30 km from Hostal Villa de Navarrete.

What to visit in Santo Domingo de la Calzada:

• Old Pilgrims Hospital, now a Parador Nacional de Turismo.
• Cathedral of Santo Domingo, with a Damián Forment altarpiece and the famous chicken coop. You can also see Torre Exdenta, the only one still standing out of the 3 towers that the cathedral had in the past.
• Churches: San Francisco Church, Bernardas Church.
• Walls.
• Old Town: Plaza de España, City Hall, palaces and mansions.
• Abejas and Santo Hermitages.
• To practice snow sports and mountain sports: Valdezcaray and Sierra de la Demanda.
• Also, very close to the Botanical Garden of La Rioja.

Nájera

Located only 17 km from our accommodation, in its architecture you will find the living reflection of the historical and cultural greatness, of the times when it used to be the capital of the Najera Kingdom.

Some places of interest:

• Monastery of Santa María La Real (11th century). Romanesque origin, with Gothic and Renaissance extensions.
• Royal Chapel and La Santa Cruz Church.
• Caves of Nájera.
• Convent of Santa Elena.
• Najerillense Archaeological Museum.

Logroño

10 km from our accommodation is the capital of La Rioja, Logroño, a unique town because of its gastronomy and wine culture.

Two dates on the calendar when Logroño is a must visit place:

• June 11, San Bernabé. Logroño’s resistance against the French is commemorated.
• September 21, San Mateo. Logroño’s greatest Festival, also called Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival).

What can’t be missed in Logroño:

• The co-cathedral of La Redonda.
• A walk on Portales.
• A tapas route through La Laurel, and / or San Juan.
• Approach to see the Ebro River and its beautiful bridges.
• The Imperial Gothic Palace Church.
• The Romanesque church of San Bartolomé.
• And have a coffee on Paseo del Espolón!

On the north: Laguardia

At 17 km from our accommodation, in the middle of Rioja Alavesa, is Laguardia, a fortified medieval city.

Its old town, its walls, its parks, the views of the vineyards and wineries, its gastronomy, its famous polychrome Gothic porch… All of them are well worth a visit!

Laguardia receives many visitors, so if you consider having lunch there (perhaps in one of its traditional wineries) it is highly recommended to book in advance.

If you want to go for a walk, descent to the lagoon complex of Laguardia: there are routes for mountain biking and for a walk. The starting point is the surrounding countryside near the “Prao de la Paúl” lagoon, where there is a recreation area and an information panel.

Los Cameros

The region of Los Cameros has a cultural, natural and gastronomic richness… What to do in Los Cameros? Some great plans:

• Shepherding: discover the shepherds’ way of life by visiting Museo de la Transhumancia (Museum of Transhumance), in Venta de Piqueras: musical instruments, amulets, clothing…
• Gastronomy: villages where bread is baked in wood ovens, where truffles, mushrooms and game abound. And, of course: Soto village and its delicious marzipans.
• Charming villages: stroll through the old villages of Laguna de Cameros, San Román or Soto, with streets covered by stone and flowers.
• Nature: the Leza River Canyon is a 7-kilometer gorge that you can reach by car or walking from the hermitage of Virgen del Cortijo… looking for dinosaur tracks!
• Sierra Cebollera Natural Park: beech trees in autumn, with their red colours that compete with the vineyards. The waterfalls of Puente Ra are worth paying a visit.
• Torrecilla in Cameros: mother village of Sagasta, you will love its traditional streets. We recommend trying the “cucos”, beans that are only grown in Torrecilla.