Navarra Wine Region

Stretching from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the banks of the Ebro River, Navarra is Spain’s most underrated wine destination. While its famous neighbour Rioja hogs the limelight, Navarra offers a more relaxed, affordable and varied wine experience, with a landscape of rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop villages and a vibrant capital, Pamplona. The region is particularly known for its Garnacha-based reds and rosés, but also produces excellent Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Beyond the bodegas, you’ll find a rich culinary scene, with Michelin-starred restaurants and rustic cider houses, as well as outdoor adventures in the Pyrenees. This is a place for travellers who want to taste authentic Spanish wines without the crowds.

Highlights & What to See

• Pamplona – The region’s lively capital, famous for the San Fermín running of the bulls, but also home to a beautiful old town, excellent pintxos bars and the impressive Ciudadela fortress.
• Bodegas of the Ribera de Navarra – The southern sub-region, around Olite and Tudela, is the heart of Navarra’s wine production. Visit family-run bodegas like Bodega Nekeas or the historic Bodegas Ochoa for tastings and tours.
• Olite – A stunning medieval town dominated by the fairy-tale Palacio Real de Olite, a former royal castle-palace. Its narrow streets are lined with wine bars and artisan shops.
• The Camino de Santiago – The French Way passes through Navarra, offering pilgrims and hikers a chance to explore the region’s Romanesque churches, rolling vineyards and the dramatic Pyrenean foothills.
• Bardenas Reales – A semi-desert natural park of eroded clay, sandstone and gypsum, creating a surreal lunar landscape. It’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a fantastic spot for hiking, cycling or photography.
• Javier Castle – A formidable 10th-century castle perched on a hilltop, birthplace of Saint Francis Xavier. The views over the surrounding countryside are spectacular.

Suggested Time to Spend

With a car, plan at least three days to experience Navarra’s wine region properly. Spend your first day exploring Pamplona and its pintxos bars. On day two, drive south to Olite and visit two or three bodegas in the Ribera de Navarra, taking time to wander Olite’s medieval streets. On day three, head to the Bardenas Reales for a morning hike, then return to Pamplona via the wine route, stopping at Javier Castle. If you have more time, add a day to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago or explore the Pyrenean valleys to the north.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Rioja Wine Region – Just west of Navarra, Spain’s most famous wine region is an easy day trip from Pamplona, offering world-class bodegas and the historic town of Haro.
• San Sebastián – A two-hour drive north brings you to this Basque Country culinary capital, with its Michelin-starred restaurants, stunning beaches and pintxos culture.
• Pyrenees & Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park – Head north into the Pyrenees for dramatic mountain scenery, hiking trails and the spectacular Ordesa Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Zaragoza – The capital of Aragon, about 90 minutes south, boasts a magnificent basilica, Roman ruins and a lively tapas scene.

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