PS Viana/Logroño

[scruffy1]

Logroño is a good sized city, bustling, with a big city center and park, plenty of banks, some of the best tapas on the CF, a marvelous marvelous Matamoro on the facade of the church leaving town. Last time I was there, the municipal albergue was strategically located, right in the middle, between, the Comisaría de Policía, that is the police station, on one side and the Casino to the other. I have met some rowdy pilgrims on my pilgrimages but none that ever required intervention by the los grises, throughout history they were probably very busy people setting down the law for us but not so much these times. Never been in a Casino in my life and I don't think there are many pilgrims patronizing the place. Perhaps just a misguided attempt by the Logroños to satisfy the what they think are the needs of those passing through while preserving a semblance of order? I can't remember now where but there are several other municipal albergues in other cities located in easy shouting distance from the local constabulary. Those early pilgrims must have been an unruly mob.

 

[Olivares]

I did not sleep a wink the night I spent in Logroño; Friday, 17 May 2013. There was a championship soccer game going on TV and the noise from the streets the WHOLE night was relentless. That said, I go back to Logrono in a heartbeat. I think it is one of the nicest cities on the Camino.

 

[GreatDane]

Maybe because I was in Logroño during the middle of their wine festival (and I love wine!!) or I didn't want to be in a big city, but I didn't enjoy my time there!!!! I loved my camino pod and if it wasn't for their excellent company I wouldn't have enjoyed myself at all. (oh well...)

 

[RENSHAW]

Hey Scruffy ! I too am a huge fan of Viana and loved your 'Viana' history post. I have just spent a two week holiday in Viana ( yes two weeks). A great place and cheap. I will post an accommodation thread soon as I now know the place well.
Getting back to Logrono as a stopover - well I have stayed at the Municipal albergue 3 or 4 times and although I'm greatful that it was there for me, it somewhere down the bottom of my list - Especially after discovering the Parroquial - what a great experience. A communal meal with the Padre who has a great sense of humour, hosvol hospitaleroes and beds , not mats. The Parroquial albergue changed my whole attitude towards Logrono - Now I just have to get over my hate for the speeding cyclists on their training runs between Logrono and Naverette!

 

[waveprof]

Logroño i...some of the best tapas on the CF,

Maybe, although I was a bit disappointed with Riojan food (I had been excited going in, maybe my expectations too high).

I will say this, Viana has some of the CF's best Pinxtos

 

[waveprof]

Given our Basque obsession, Viana was bittersweet. We were excited to be on the edge of La Rioja.....to be entering something new. But sad to be leaving Euskal Herria, especially because weather had robbed us of SJpDP-->Iruna/Pamplona. Then, just as we were about to leave the town, a once-a-year Basque heritage festival troupe marched by....... What a pleasant (and odd) surprise. Just before entering Spain, we got a warm goodbye from Euskal Herria. The camino provides.

 

[scruffy1]

Just north of Logroño is the town of Haro, a short walk or bus ride, the real center for Rioja and for pintxos. A sweet visit.

 

[jpflavin1]

Just north of Logroño is the town of Haro, a short walk or bus ride, the real center for Rioja and for pintxos. A sweet visit.

I agree with Scruffy here. Haro, the last stop on the Vasco (tunnel route) is a great city for wine and pintxos. I was there during Easter week. After the procession, a Basque gentleman told me it was customary to walk the Horseshoe shaped street outside the church and have a glass of wine and pintxos in three different bars. Who am I to argue with tradition^^.

Ultreya,
Joe