Haro Holidays: La Rioja Palaces, Day Trips and Flights
Provincia de La Rioja · La Rioja · Spain · 12,261 residents
Monasterio de Santa María de Herrera
Palacio de los Salazar
Bullring of Haro
Buradón Castle_1.jpg/500px-Haro_-_Centro_Municipal_de_Cultura_(Palacio_de_Benda%C3%B1a_o_Paternina)_1.jpg)
Palacio de Bendaña o PaterninaHaro is a town of around 12,000 people in the north-west of La Rioja, sitting inland at 478 metres above sea level. Its appeal is compact and cultural: three palaces, Palacio de los Salazar, Palacio de Bendaña o Paternina and Palacio de las Bezaras, stand within a couple of hundred metres of the centre, the bullring is a short walk away, and the Monasterio de Santa María de Herrera and Buradón Castle lie just outside town. Summers are hot and dry, winters cold, and Bilbao airport, with direct flights from the UK, is a little over an hour's drive away. It makes a sensible base for exploring small neighbouring villages across the Basque and Riojan border.
Why go
- Three historic palaces, including Palacio de los Salazar, sit within a few minutes' walk of the centre.
- July brings around 30°C afternoons and only about three rain days in the month.
- Bilbao airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly 50 miles and 70 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Haro
Palaces, a Monastery and a Castle
The best-known sight is the Monasterio de Santa María de Herrera, a monastery about 4 miles outside town and worth the short drive. Back in the centre, Palacio de los Salazar is a listed palace roughly 200 metres from the heart of Haro, and two further palaces, Palacio de Bendaña o Paternina and Palacio de las Bezaras, stand barely 100 metres away, so all three fit comfortably into a single morning's stroll.
The Bullring of Haro is about half a mile from the centre, and Buradón Castle lies around 3 miles out for those with a car. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, where you will find the current activity options.
Tours & tickets in Haro
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Haro can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Haro
Choosing a Base in Haro
Haro is inland and small, so the choice is less about coast versus town and more about how central you want to be. Staying close to the old centre puts the three palaces on your doorstep and the bullring within a short walk, which suits travellers without car hire.
If you plan to drive out to the monastery, Buradón Castle or the nearby villages, somewhere on the edge of town with easy parking makes sense, and the atmosphere will be quieter. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Haro and the villages around it is a hire car from Bilbao (BIO), about 1 h 11 min away.
Best time to visit Haro
When to Visit Haro
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- 12°CFeb61 mm
- 16°CMar54 mm
- 19°CApr32 mm
- 20°CMay71 mm
- 25°CJun51 mm
- 30°CJul7 mm
- 31°CAug33 mm
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- 21°COct107 mm
- 15°CNov68 mm
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Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the most reliable months. July averages highs of 30°C with just 7mm of rain over about three days, and August reaches 31°C with around four rain days. These are also the hottest months, so plan sightseeing for the morning.
Spring and early autumn are milder, with highs of 19°C in April and 24°C in September, though May is changeable with around 13 rain days. October is the wettest month at about 107mm. Winter is cold: highs of 10°C in December and January, with nights close to freezing. Haro is inland, so there is no sea to factor in.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10°C | 2°C | 66 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 12°C | 2°C | 61 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 5°C | 54 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 6°C | 32 mm | 10 h |
| May | 20°C | 9°C | 71 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 51 mm | 11 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 15°C | 7 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 16°C | 33 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 24°C | 13°C | 45 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 21°C | 11°C | 107 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 15°C | 7°C | 68 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 10°C | 3°C | 38 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Driving
Bilbao (BIO) is the closest airport, about 50 miles away, with direct flights from the UK and a drive of around 1 hour 10 minutes. Santander (SDR) also has direct UK flights and is about 76 miles away, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by car. Zaragoza (ZAZ), again with direct UK services, is around 112 miles and 2 hours 40 minutes away.
For those bringing their own car, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao (around 28 to 32 hours), about 54 miles from Haro, and from Portsmouth (around 24 to 32 hours) or Plymouth (around 20 hours) to Santander, about 78 miles away. Driving all the way from Calais takes roughly 14 and a half hours.
By air
- Bilbao (BIO)50 miles, about 1 h 11 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)76 miles, about 1 h 49 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)112 miles, about 2 h 39 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 24 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Bilbao (54 miles), Santander (78 miles).
Haro is good for
Around Haro
Villages and Cities Nearby
The closest outings are tiny: Bastida / Labastida, across the border in the Basque Country, is just 3 miles away, and Briones, a Riojan village of fewer than 900 people, about 4 miles. Elciego (12 miles) and Laguardia (14 miles) are further small Basque villages worth pairing in a single drive, while Badarán (14 miles) and Fuenmayor (16 miles) stay within La Rioja.
For something larger, Miranda de Ebro in Castile and León is about 9 miles away, and Gasteiz / Vitoria, the Basque city of more than 250,000 people, is around 21 miles from Haro.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
At 478 metres, Haro cools noticeably after dark. Even in July night-time lows drop to around 15°C, and in winter they sit near 2°C, so pack a warm layer whatever the season.
This is a town of about 12,000 people, so the centre is walkable, but the monastery, Buradón Castle and the neighbouring villages are far easier with car hire. If you are visiting in autumn, bring waterproofs: October is the wettest month of the year.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Haro?
Bilbao (BIO) is the nearest, about 50 miles away with a drive of around 1 hour 10 minutes. It has direct flights from the UK. Santander and Zaragoza also have direct UK flights but are further, at roughly 1 hour 50 minutes and 2 hours 40 minutes by car.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to Haro?
Yes, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao, around 54 miles from Haro, and from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander, around 78 miles away. Crossings take roughly 20 to 32 hours depending on the route, after which it is a straightforward drive.
What is the weather like in Haro in summer?
Summer is hot and mostly dry. July averages highs of 30°C with only about three rain days, and August reaches 31°C with around four. Nights are cooler thanks to the 478-metre elevation, with lows of about 15°C to 16°C.
Is Haro worth visiting in winter?
It is quiet and cold. December and January highs average just 10°C, with nights near freezing and rain on around 10 to 12 days a month. The palaces in the centre are close together, so short sightseeing walks remain easy if you dress warmly.
What are the main sights in Haro?
The Monasterio de Santa María de Herrera, about 4 miles out, is the best known. In town, Palacio de los Salazar, Palacio de Bendaña o Paternina and Palacio de las Bezaras sit close to the centre, with the bullring half a mile away and Buradón Castle about 3 miles out.
Do I need a car in Haro?
Not for the centre, where the palaces and bullring are within walking distance. Car hire is useful for the monastery, Buradón Castle and day trips to villages such as Labastida, Briones and Laguardia, or to Vitoria, about 21 miles away.