La Rioja

Introduction

Tapa heaven, street of Longrono, La Rioja

© Rish_n_Ben

La Rioja is a province and is one of the 17 autonomous regions within Spain. Measured in seize is one of the smallest regions (only the Balearic islands are smaller). When it comes to population it is the smallest in Spain. Around 317,000 people call La Rioja home, which is about 0.7% of the total population of Spain. The capital and biggest city of the region is Logroño. The most famous is this region for the wines that it produces, under the same name as the region.

Geography

La Rioja is bordered by the Basque Country, Navarre, Aragon, and Castile and León. The Río Ebro and the Rio Oja flow through the region. The Rio Oja is the reason why the region is named La Rioja. The region is a mountainous area, with a fertile valley in the north, where all the major places can be found. The Rio Ebra is the border with the Basque Country.

The province can be divided into three smaller regions Rioja Alto, Rioja Media and Rioja Bajo. For elections La Rioja is devided into 12 regions or Comarcas.

Cities

• Logroño

Weather

As opposed to the other smaller regions in the north of Spain, the climate of La Rioja is of a Mediterranean nature, rather than Atlantic. Average temperatures are around 11.8 °C - 31.8 °C.

Getting There

By Plane

Logroño-Agoncillo Airport (IATA: RJL, ICAO: LELO) is located near Logroño, and has domestic flights by Air Nostrum from Madrid.

By Train

The railway that is passing through La Rioja passes through the central valley. From the station in Logroño there are medium-distance trains going to Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valladolid, and Vitoria.
Have a look at the RENFE, Spain's national railway company, website for more information regarding schedules.

By Car

In the valley along the River Elbo lies the A-68, which connects La Rioja, to Bilbao in the north-west, and Zaragoza in the east. Coming from Pamplona you can use the A-12 to get to Logroño.

Sleep