La Rioja is a particularly interesting region for photography lovers. In just a few kilometres it has heritage, charming villages, vineyard landscapes, wild nature and an endless number of places of interest. that you will want to immortalise with your camera.
The problem is that sometimes we do not know what these unique sites are where you can enjoy shooting the camera over and over again without looking at the clock, or we only know the most typical and touristy ones where everyone takes the same pictures.
That's why, in this post we reveal 20 places, some of them unknown, where you can let your creativity run free and take photos to frame.
Take note.
1. Photograph the historic centre of Logroño
OK, this is no secret, but it is important to name it for 3 reasons.
The first is that in a very small space it brings together a large number of historic buildings These include the Cathedral of La Redonda, the Church of Santa María de Palacio, the Church of Santiago el Real and the Church of San Bartolomé.
The second is because there are such photogenic streets such as Calle Portales, Calle Laurel or Calle San Juan.
And the third is because the Ebro River offers beautiful panoramic views and is another spot you will enjoy photographing.
So, yes, strolling through the historic centre of the capital of La Rioja with camera in hand is well worth the effort.
2. Vineyards in La Rioja Alta a photo landscape
La Rioja is full of vineyards, as the designation of origin occupies the entire strip of the Ebro valley with more than 100km of vineyards.
However, given that historically the area of La Rioja Alta was more wine-producing than the rest, it has an important visually rich concentration of vineyards.
This landscape is a spectacle in autumn, but any time of the year offers a beautiful picture to immortalise.
3. Photogenic villages of Cameros in La Rioja
From the Ebro Valley we move on to the mountains of La Rioja to enjoy its picturesque villages. Any of them is worth a visit. San Román de Cameros, Laguna de Cameros or Soto en Cameros are good examples of the Camero Viejo. While El Rasillo, with its reservoir, Villoslada de Cameros and Ortigosa de Cameros are good options in the Camero Nuevo.
The Sierra Riojana is part of the hollowed out Spain with villages that, due to their location, make it difficult to live the comfortable life we are used to today. However, the beauty of these places impresses the visitor.
4. Reddish rocks of La Rioja Oriental to photograph
We have talked about La Rioja Alta and now we move to the other side, La Rioja Oriental, traditionally known as La Rioja Baja.
This area offers a very different landscape from that of La Rioja Alta with reddish colours, natural stone walls and caves that arouse anyone's curiosity.
The most famous are the Picuezos de Autol.
5. Briñas Bridge and the meanders of the Ebro River
The Ebro is a meandering river that creates incredible meanders in their journey.
The environment of the Briñas Bridge offers a landscape of great beauty that transmits peace and serenity to anyone who visits it.
Known is the meander that the Ebro draws at this point between Haro and Briñas, giving rise to the saying that "The Ebro passes through Haro twice".
This very peculiar route along the river offers interesting views to be photographed throughout La Rioja.
6. Taking photos in the Sierra Cebollera
What can you say to a photographer about a natural park?
The Sierra Cebollera has an area of 23,640 hectaresHowever, if we take into account the entire extension of the Sierra de Cebollera, its surface area is 106,934 hectares.
The Sierra de Cebollera is a privileged geological enclave within the Iberian System, due to the glacial formations, the "pits", at altitudes above 2,000 metres, such as the peak of Peña Cebollera.
Here you will find the perfect setting for your photographs of forest, streams, trees and animals.
In Villoslada de Cameros, you will find the Interpretation Centre of the natural park.
7. El Chorrón de Viguera 60 metres photography
The Chorrón de Viguera has 60 metres high being the highest waterfall in La Rioja.
Leaving the village of Viguera on the left, take a track that leads you to a parking area. The walking route starts next to a picnic area.
The stream lives up more to its name in winter and spring, although in summer there is usually a small trickle of water that invites you to cool off, as can be seen in the photograph.
8. Briones, Sajazarra and Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón
La Rioja has many villages worthy of being photographed, many.
Here we name 3 of them quite a lot close to each other.
Briones and Sajazarra belong to the association of the most beautiful villages of Spain, whereas Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón belongs to the Association of Magical Towns.
Your visit, camera in hand, is more than justified.
9. Cellorigo, one of the most photogenic villages in La Rioja.
Cellorigo is a joy for any photographer because it offers you the opportunity to photograph it from a distance, as it offers a spectacular view with the cliffs behind, and once you reach the village you have a beautiful and extensive panoramic view of the whole of La Rioja Alta from its church viewpoint.
If you like ruined buildings, just before reaching the village of Cellorigo, on the left hand side, you will find the ruins of the Romanesque chapel of Santa María del Barrio.
10. Santa María de la Piscina and its necropolis
The Hermitage of St. Mary of the Pool is located on a small hill overlooking the Ebro Valley one km before arriving at the village of Peciña.
It is the The best preserved Romanesque building in La Rioja, built in the 12th century.
The archaeological ensemble consists of the Hermitage of Santa María de la Piscina, a repopulated necropolis, a settlement with semi-rural dwellings and the remains of fortifications or watchtowers.
Just 300 metres from the hermitage in the direction of Peciña is the access to the dolmen of La Cascaja in a good state of preservation.
11. Sotos de Alfaro Nature Reserve
The Sotos de Alfaro are a privileged natural ecosystem from riverine forests poplars, poplars, willows, ashes and alders, and birds The stork predominates, but you can also see herons, cormorants, blackbirds, blackbirds, kites, hoopoes and kingfishers.
The Ebro River runs through this area creating meanders, islands and beaches from which to observe all the beauty of the place.
You can enjoy these spots by exploring their nooks and crannies and relaxing in their recreational area.
12. The Collegiate Church of Alfaro and its colony of storks.
With 3.000m² it is the largest sanctuary in La Rioja.
Built in brick and of classicist style has two 50-metre twin towers. Its construction began in 1562, but took more than 100 years to complete.
The Collegiate Church of San Miguel has the world's largest stork colony on a building.
13. Pilgrims on the French Way of Saint James
The Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela runs through La Rioja from Logroño to the village of Grañón. It passes through several towns, including Nájera and Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
During the spring, summer and autumn months it is common to see pilgrims walking this ancient route. armed with backpacks, hats and walking sticks.
14. The Monastery of Valvanera the Patron Saint of La Rioja
The Monastery of Valvanera is located in in the middle of nature at an altitude of 1000 metres above sea level.
A a mix of nature and heritage which results in spectacular photographs.
15. San Millán de la Cogolla the cradle of Castilian Spanish
The Monasteries of Suso and Yuso have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997, for historical, artistic, religious, linguistic and literary reasons.
The Monastery of Suso is the older of the two, built at the end of the 6th century from the cave where the the hermit Saint Millan died in 574.
It was in this monastery where a monk wrote the Emilian GlossesThe first annotations in the margins of the pages are written in Latin. These annotations were written in the Romance language and the first annotations written in Basque also appear, which is why they are considered to be in the Basque language. cradle of Castilian and Basque.
Gonzalo de Berceo, the first poet to be known in Castilian, also lived in this monastery.
In the "portaliello" of the Monastery of Suso you can find the sarcophagi of the Seven Infantes de Lara.
Both the Monastery of Suso and the Monastery of Yuso, as well as the surrounding area, invite you to shooting the camera non-stop.
16. The picaos of San Vicente de la Sonsierra
If there is one thing that attracts attention nowadays, it is the ancient traditions that are so far removed from the contemporary mentality and lifestyle.
A clear example of this is the St. Vincent's picaos a penance whereby the disciplinantes whip their backs during the processions of Semana Santa, Cruz de Mayo and Cruz de Septiembre.
Photographing this rite takes you fully into the Middle Ages.
17. The Leza River Canyon, one of the most photographed places in La Rioja.
The viewpoint of the Leza river canyon offers some of the best views of the breathtaking views of the river Leza with vertical walls of up to 200 metres.
It is located on the banks of the LR-250 between the towns of Leza de Río Leza and Soto en Cameros.
18. Abandoned Villages of Turruncún and Ambas Aguas
The beauty of Turruncún captivates the eyes of those who cross the LR-123 by car, being one of the abandoned villages with the highest number of inhabitants. the most beautiful panoramic view.
A few kilometres from Turruncún we find ourselves another abandoned village: Both Waters.
Before arriving at the village of Ambas Aguas you will come across the hermitage of the Christ place of pilgrimage in the past where people used to go to before the the Tied Christ The sick and those who had sick livestock reading incantations in Latin and carrying objects of their own or of the sick animals.
If you like photographing abandoned places you will enjoy your visit to these abandoned villages in La Rioja.
19. The town of Ezcaray and its villages
Ezcaray has one of the most interesting examples of popular architecture in La Rioja.
Around Ezcaray you can find several villages many of them depopulated.
In addition, Ezcaray has a large natural heritage being the first municipality in La Rioja in terms of forested area.
20. The Ocón Valley Windmill
The Ocón mill is located in the Ocón Valley and is a replica of the original mill that was located in the same place and of which the ruins can be seen.
It has become an icon of the valley, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
20+1. Your own route to take photos in La Rioja
At this point, we only hope that you have found some places where you can enjoy photographing La Rioja, but believe us if we tell you that there are many more, many more places that will captivate you in this land.
So don't stop exploring and create your own map, a personal one with the most incredible spots you can find.
Then La Rioja will be your musewill inspire you and pose for you in all its splendour.
