Piskerra, Bardenas Reales, Navarre

What to do in Navarre: wine, heritage and rural landscapes

Autonomous Community of Navarre

From north to south you will find dense forests alongside desert landscapes, cutting edge architecture by Renaissance churches and wind turbines next to medieval villages. This is Navarre, where wines from the local D.O. (Designation of Origin) complement the region’s rich heritage.

If you travel to Navarre you could visit a winery in Olite or the Ribera area, taste some wines or attend a wine tourism event such as the Grape Harvest Festival in Lerga or Corella.  But if you’d like to enrich your experience with some urban and rural tourist activities, these plans could be a useful travel guide for you:

- Nature: one of the top rural sites in Navarre is the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, a rocky, arid landscape that was a filming location for Game of Thrones. If you prefer lush vegetation, you could visit the Irati Forest or the Roncal Valley.- Pamplona: its walls, the Plaza del Castillo, the Gothic cathedral, the Taconera Gardens and the Caballo Blanco lookout point (perfect for taking panoramic photos) are just some of the places you should visit in the capital of Navarre.- The French St James’ Way: this pilgrimage path to Galicia traditionally begins in Roncesvalles, Navarre. Following this route through the region you can discover Zubiri, cross the Romanesque bridge in Puente la Reina after leaving Pamplona, explore Estella-Lizarra and marvel at the Baroque architecture of the church of Santa María de Los Arcos.

Above: Palacio de la Capitanía in Pamplona, winter © Ayuntamiento de Pamplona. Below: Estella-Lizarra

Rural hiking routes, towns where you can try the local cuisine, historic buildings such as the monastery of San Salvador de Leyre or the Royal Palace of Olite... The variety of activities on offer in Navarre will ensure that you remember the character of this region forever, long after you return home. 

Monastery of San Salvador de Leyre, Navarre
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