A refined weekend of classical music and Rioja wines in the heart of the Camino de Santiago.
Join us in Logroño for the 5th edition of the La Rioja Festival, an annual event that brings leading classical musicians to Spain’s celebrated wine region. This weekend tour offers a thoughtful blend of performance, culture, and landscape, set within the rhythm of everyday life in La Rioja. Guests enjoy premium access to selected festival concerts, time in wine country, and the quiet charm of a historic city known for its connection to the Camino de Santiago.
The Festival Experience
The La Rioja Festival presents classical music in spaces that reflect the region’s heritage, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate and rooted in place. Under the artistic guidance of guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas, the program highlights Spanish and international repertoire through concerts held in Logroño and nearby cultural sites. The result is an elegant, relaxed setting where music, wine, and history meet—ideal for travelers seeking a short, high-quality cultural escape.
Legacy of Previous Editions
Since its founding, the La Rioja Festival has welcomed an impressive roster of artists and ensembles who reflect the depth of Spain’s classical tradition. Past editions have featured soloists, chamber groups, and orchestral performers from major cultural institutions, including appearances by musicians linked to the Spanish National Orchestra, rising international artists, and established figures from the Spanish classical–guitar world.
Artists such as Midori, Nikolai Lugansky, Cuarteto Quiroga, Orfeón Donostiarra, ADDA Simfònica, and festival director Pablo Sainz Villegas have all contributed to the festival’s growing artistic reputation. Concerts have taken place in historic churches, intimate halls, and vineyard settings, each creating a distinctive atmosphere that pairs naturally with the region’s wine culture. This growing artistic legacy has positioned the festival as one of northern Spain’s most compelling classical-music events.
Sample Weekend in La Rioja Itinerary
Exact concerts are selected once the festival releases the final schedule. Times and activities might shift based on the festival calendar.
Meet your tour leader at the charismatic city of Logroño. After settling into your accommodation, embark on a culinary and historical adventure along La Laurel Street, famous for its tapas.
The evening crescendos with a piano or guitar concert by a renowned artist, followed by a gastronomic delight at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Venture to the quaint town of Briones, where history and winemaking intertwine. At Bodega Vivanco, Europe’s largest wine cellar, explore the art of winemaking through an expert-led tour. Enjoy lunch at a renowned local Mesón, a paradise of traditional Riojan cuisine.
The evening’s highlight is a baroque music performance.
The journey continues to the enchanting town of Laguardia, renowned for its medieval walls and historic allure. A guided tour of the town and a visit to a family-owned winery provide insights into the local winemaking traditions.
The day concludes with an inspiring orchestral performance, followed by a dinner at a local restaurant known for its creative twist on regional dishes, including the celebrated “Cachopo.”
On your final morning in Logroño, relish a relaxed breakfast, soaking in the city’s charm one last time.
As you prepare to leave, memories of La Rioja’s beauty and the echoes of classical guitar remain vivid, capturing the essence of Spain’s vibrant culture.
You enjoy classical music, fine wine, and thoughtful cultural travel. You prefer boutique experiences over crowds, premium seating over general admission, and local insight over generic sightseeing.
You want a refined, short European escape with minimal logistics and maximum meaning. This weekend is ideal for couples, friends, or solo travelers who value music, comfort, and intimate access.
Small Group Tours Up to 12 People
Two weekend departures (choose one):
May 15th-18th, 2026 / May 22nd-25th, 2026
If you want to visit La Rioja with us on a different date, visit La Rioja Weekend Tour
La Rioja, Spain
Boutique, small-group wine and classical music immersion.
Official Collaboration with the La Rioja Festival
Musical Getaways is an official collaborator of the La Rioja Festival, giving our guests access that goes beyond the standard program. Through this partnership, we arrange private winery visits, guided tastings with local experts, and relaxed conversations with vintners who know the region best.
We also secure premium seating for selected festival concerts once the schedule is confirmed. The result is a weekend that feels personal, well-organized, and connected to the people and traditions that make La Rioja special.
What’s included
Entry into La Rioja Festival Music Events, including a welcoming dinner with great Rioja wine!
Daily breakfasts. Two curated lunches. One dinner featuring local pinchos or tapas with wine.
Private group transport for all scheduled activities. Some historic areas are walking only.
Guided tastings and vineyard visits in Rioja wine country.
A deluxe double room in a four- or five-star property in Logroño. Suite options available.
Musician and music Expert Tour Leaders, Spanish Music Specialists, and Local guides
What’s not Included
- Round-trip flights between your hometown and Spain.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
- Any recommended or required vaccinations or travel-related medications are the responsibility of the traveler.
- Lunches and dinners not specifically listed.
- Activities not included in the official itinerary as well as personal expenses.
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and musicians.
- Alcohol is only included where mentioned.
- Extra stays before or after the tour are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
“The La Rioja Festival is a unique and compelling experience as well. It features top tier musicians combined with magical locations spread around the La Rioja region. 80% of the concerts are in incredible historic villages, churches, and monasteries that date back many centuries. It is a very beautiful experience…“
SEAN
Dates And Pricing
Booking in advance ensures a wider selection of options and benefits from lower prices. Plus, flexibility is at your fingertips; feel free to switch to another trip without any fees before your final payment. For personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our travel specialists at info@musicalgetaways.com.
Two weekend departures:
May 15th-18th, 2026
May 22nd-25th, 2026
La Rioja, Spain
Early Bird Price Per Person
*Price increases by $500 on February 15th*
Donation Included
A $300 donation is made on behalf of each guest to
Asociación Cuerdas en Común (Strings in Common), the nonprofit behind the La Rioja Festival.
Make Your Music Tour Private
Important Itinerary Notes & Travel Pace
Find answers to the most common questions about our tours. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact us.
Itinerary Structure & Flexibility
The schedule provided serves as an outline for the tour flow and included experiences. Specific days and the order of activities may vary depending on the May departure dates, the official La Rioja Festival performance schedule, and local event availability. Spain is a dynamic environment where festival logistics and regional events can shift.
We plan meticulously and remain adaptable with multiple contingency options to ensure the creative and cultural quality of the trip remains intact. While minor adjustments may occur, the core components of the sample itinerary—including the historic exploration of Logroño and the medieval charm of Laguardia—reflect what we intend to deliver for every guest. Final date-specific itineraries are shared as the departure approaches.
Live Music Disclaimer
The music culture in the region, especially during the La Rioja Festival, is characterized by performances in unique, historic settings and regional landmarks. Because of the nature of the festival and the coordination with international artists under the artistic direction of Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, changes in set times, specific artist lineups, or designated venues are common.
When these shifts occur, we coordinate with our local partners and festival contacts to ensure you have access to equally compelling musical experiences. We remain committed to navigating these changes to maintain the creative integrity of the tour.
Travel Pace & Activity Level
This tour follows a deliberate, intentional pace that moves from the active city environment of Logroño to the historic surroundings of the wine region. In the first half of the trip, you should be comfortable walking through the city’s historic center and standing during social culinary experiences like the “pincho” crawl along Calle Laurel. The latter portion of the journey involves travel through the countryside and exploration of medieval villages and historic estates, which requires navigating uneven cobblestones and ancient wine cellars.
While this is not a high-intensity tour, it does require the mobility needed to get in and out of vehicles and the endurance to spend time outdoors in a spring climate. The tour is designed for those who value a slower, more reflective pace, but guests should be prepared for light physical activity during our walking tours of village centers and visits to sprawling winery grounds.
Accessibility & Private Tours
If you have mobility considerations, accessibility needs, or prefer a slower or more customized pace, we strongly recommend inquiring about a private tour. Given that many historic venues and traditional cellars include stairs and uneven surfaces, private tours allow us to tailor the itinerary, transportation, and activity level to best suit your needs while preserving the spirit of the experience.
Tour Gallery
La Rioja Festival Concert – Cuarteto Casals feat. Pablo Sainz-Villegas
La Rioja, Spain
Pincho and Fine-Dining Experiences
La Rioja, Spain
La Rioja Festival Concert – Eva Zalenga Teodora Oprisor in Navarrete
La Rioja, Spain
Nature & Art Experiences in Cervera de Rio Alhama
La Rioja, Spain
Learn more About la Rioja Festival
La Rioja Festival: Music, Wine, and the Spirit of Northern Spain
How a Classical Music Festival in the Heart of Rioja Became One of Spain’s Most Inspiring Cultural Stories
Pablo Sainz Villegas and the soul of spanish guitar
Interview
In an interview for Musical Getaways, Judy Cantor-Navas talked to Pablo about the sound and soul of Spanish guitar, La Rioja Festival, and how music’s impact on individuals can change the world.
La Rioja: The Best Place in Spain to Experience Wine and Music
Nestled in northern Spain, this region is world-renowned for its exceptional wines, breathtaking landscapes, and unique music scene.
