Day trip to
La Rioja from Bilbao
Our day trip to La Rioja from Bilbao: a private driver picks you up in Bilbao in the morning, takes you to Logroño or Haro for a day of wineries and sightseeing, and brings you back to your accommodation in the evening. All in one day, with no need to book a hotel in La Rioja.
Who this day trip is for
Ideal if you're staying
in Bilbao
Short stays in Bilbao
If your main trip is to Bilbao and the Basque Country, this excursion lets you discover La Rioja without changing accommodation or losing hotel nights.
Long layovers or free days
If you have a free day in your travel plans, it's the most efficient way to see Logroño and the wineries of Haro without complicated planning.
Groups and families
For groups who want to discover La Rioja together without the logistics of coordinating cars or the problem of who drives on the winery route.
How the day trip works
A full day
with no hassle
Your driver picks you up from your hotel in Bilbao early in the morning. In 1 h 15-30 min you're in La Rioja, ready for a day of wineries, Logroño or both. The driver waits for you during the visits and takes you back to Bilbao in the evening.
Other services in La Rioja
More from Rioja Transfer
Plan your day in La Rioja
Day trip to La Rioja from Bilbao:
itineraries and tips
Quick answer
Yes, you can see La Rioja in a day from Bilbao. Haro is around 1 h 15 by car and Logroño close to 1 h 30. With a private driver you leave in the morning, visit one or two wineries, have lunch in the area, stroll around a village or Logroño and return to Bilbao in the evening without having to drive after the tastings.
The first question for anyone staying in Bilbao is usually which area to choose, because you can't do everything in one day. Rioja wine country is split between the Rioja Alta (with Haro as its capital), the Rioja Alavesa (Laguardia, Elciego) and the area around Logroño. Each has its own character and a different distance from Bilbao.
Which itinerary should you choose for your trip from Bilbao?
| Itinerary | What it includes | Approx. total driving (round trip) | Ideal if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Haro | Barrio de la Estación (Station District), Haro's historic centre and Briones | ~2 h 20 | You're interested in century-old wineries and want the shortest journey |
| Rioja Alavesa | Walled Laguardia and signature-architecture wineries in Elciego or Laguardia | ~2 h 30 – 3 h | You're looking for landscapes, medieval villages and designer wineries |
| Logroño and wine | A winery near Logroño, the old town and pintxos on Calle Laurel | ~3 h | You'd rather combine wine with a city atmosphere |
Approximate times from central Bilbao, depending on traffic. Winery visits are booked in advance on each winery's website, which sets its own times and prices.
To choose a winery, see our guides to Haro winery visits with a driver and Laguardia wineries with a private driver. If architecture appeals to you, the Marqués de Riscal visit with a driver fits perfectly into the Rioja Alavesa itinerary.
Sample day (for guidance only)
| Approx. time | What you do |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Pick-up from your hotel or apartment in Bilbao |
| Mid-morning | First winery visit, already in La Rioja |
| Midday | Second winery or a stroll around Haro, Laguardia or Briones |
| Lunchtime | Lunch in the area: a traditional grill house, a winery restaurant or pintxos |
| Afternoon | A relaxed walk around the village or Logroño's old town |
| Early evening | Return to Bilbao, arriving at your accommodation in the evening |
What does the fixed price for the day trip include?
The price we confirm before your trip covers the vehicle and driver for the whole day, pick-up from and return to your accommodation in Bilbao, and waiting time during the visits on the agreed itinerary. Winery visits and lunch are booked directly with each winery or restaurant; if you need it, we'll help you plan the day so the timings fit together.
Only a few hours in each place? What to see
- In Haro: the Barrio de la Estación, Plaza de la Paz and the Basilica of the Virgen de la Vega. For getting around town, see our private driver in Haro page.
- In Laguardia: the town walls, the church of Santa María de los Reyes and the wine cellars dug beneath the village.
- In Logroño: Calle Laurel, the Co-Cathedral of La Redonda and the Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge). To pair the city with a tasting, see our wine tasting in Logroño page.
Tips for a perfect day trip
- Book the wineries before the car: that way we can set the departure time around your first visit and you won't have to wait around.
- No more than two wineries: with a third the day gets long and you enjoy it less.
- Book lunch too in high season and during the harvest, when restaurants in the area fill up.
- Comfortable shoes and a warm layer: the underground cellars and barrel rooms are cool even in summer.
- If there are more than four of you, the 7-seat Rioja Group van lets you travel together for a single fixed price.
When is the best time of year to go?
The day trip works all year round, but each season changes the landscape. In spring the vines are budding and the days are long; in September and October the grape harvest arrives, with more buzz in the wineries and villages and also more demand, so it's worth booking early. In winter there are fewer visitors and you can enjoy the underground cellars and wineries at a relaxed pace. In summer, it's best to concentrate the visits in the morning and save the stroll for the early evening, when the heat eases.
Would you rather spend a night in La Rioja?
If your schedule allows, another option is a return transfer with a night in Logroño or Haro to enjoy the evening atmosphere at leisure. See our Bilbao to Logroño transfer. And if it's the other way round — you're staying in La Rioja and want to see Bilbao — we can also arrange a day trip to Bilbao and the Guggenheim from Logroño.
Frequently asked questions
All about the day trip from Bilbao
How long does the day trip to La Rioja from Bilbao last?
A full day usually lasts 10-12 hours, leaving Bilbao early in the morning (8-9 am) and returning in the evening (7-9 pm), depending on the itinerary chosen.
What can you see in La Rioja in a day from Bilbao?
A typical itinerary includes one or two wineries in Haro or the Rioja Alavesa in the morning, lunch in the area, and a visit to Logroño in the afternoon before returning to Bilbao.
How much does a day trip to La Rioja cost?
The price depends on the hours of service and the number of people. Rioja Transfer works with a fixed price for a full day. Request a quote telling us the itinerary you're interested in.
Is it better to do this day trip or spend a night in La Rioja?
It depends on your travel plans. If you're based in Bilbao and only have one free day, the day trip is the most efficient option. If you can spend more time, staying overnight in La Rioja lets you enjoy Calle Laurel in the evening at a more relaxed pace.
Can the day trip itinerary be customised?
Yes. You can choose between wineries in Haro, the Rioja Alavesa, Logroño or a combination, depending on what interests you most in the time available.
Is this day trip suitable for groups?
Yes, especially with the Rioja Group van for up to 7 people, ideal for groups who want to share the full day together.
Staying in Bilbao?
Book your day trip
to La Rioja
A full day in La Rioja without changing hotels. No commitment, quick reply.