Grávalos between the spa, almond groves and the Sierra de Cameros

Grávalos lies on the northeastern edge of the Sierra de Cameros, in a depression between the Sierra de Yerga and the Sierra de Peñalosa. At the Balneario de Grávalos, a Roman-Irish circuit offers views over the olive grove. Water can also be bottled there. The sulphurous spring of Grávalos has been in operation since at least the 16th century; it has been used as a spa since at least 1843. After six years of closure, the Hotel Balneario de Grávalos reopened in August 2026, initially for three months. When choosing a holiday apartment in Grávalos, the spa, landscape, paths and local history can be considered as different focal points alongside one another.

Nature and routes

From the Mirador de los Almendros, you can look out over more than 300 hectares of almond trees. Blossoming usually takes place in February. A 10-kilometre tourist route through the natural surroundings of Grávalos is signposted and can be followed on foot or by vehicle along unpaved tracks. From the Mirador de los Almendros, the Mirador de Peña Redonda can be reached on foot.

An approximately 50-kilometre route through the Alhama-Linares region begins at kilometre 0 in Grávalos. Along the road from Grávalos, this route passes one of La Rioja’s largest truffle oak plantations. The landscape unit “Campos de almendros de Grávalos” is considered one of La Rioja’s distinctive landscapes. The surrounding landscapes can be viewed from the Mirador de Peña Herrera. The routes vary in length and offer different options for planning your day, without requiring the viewpoints and landscape areas to be explored in the same way.

History and culture

The Nevera is a communal ice house believed to date from the early 19th century. Its original stone arches, which supported the weight of the dome, are still preserved. The Nevera was renovated in 2008; its surroundings were designed as a recreational area and can be reached on foot or by vehicle via an unpaved track.

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María de la Antigua was built at the beginning of the 16th century from rubble and ashlar masonry. In the 18th century, it was extensively remodelled into a three-nave church. Inside is a 13th-century image of Our Lady of Antigua, regarded as a transitional form of Romanesque art. A Roman funerary inscription from the 2nd century is affixed to the façade of Grávalos Town Hall.

The Lavadero de Fonsorda was built between 1911 and 1914. It has been preserved as a former social meeting place and was rehabilitated recently. The Ermita de Santa Bárbara was the town’s first parish church and stood where the villa’s first settlers lived, in what is now the Barrio Bodegas. The Ermita del Humilladero contains a small, restored altarpiece with a life-size depiction of the Pietà; the ensemble appears to be a Baroque work from the 18th century.

Customs and wine

The Barrio de las Bodegas comprises 128 private wine cellars dug into the ground. Every resident made or makes their own wine there. The Christmas celebration Fiesta de los Brindis lasts eight days and features gaita and tamboril music. On New Year’s Day, the brotherhood’s Mayordomo performs a dance of good wishes.

Other places

For the regional selection, you can also find the town pages for Sotés, Cervera Del Río Alhama, Briñas, Alcanadre, Navalsaz, El Rasillo de Cameros, Bobadilla and Zarratón.

For the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.