Viana: Culture, Hiking Trails and Holiday Apartments

In Viana, the Jardines de Serrat are a park created from the former cemetery of the Iglesia de San Pedro, offering views across the Ebro Valley as far as the Sierra de Cantabria.

Culture and History

In the historic town centre, there is a free outdoor escape room game called “El pacto de Viana”. The Iglesia de Santa María was built in the Gothic style at the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century and has been a listed national monument since 1931. Its Renaissance stone façade depicts scenes from the life of Jesus; the tombstone of César Borgia is located in front of the façade.

Of the Iglesia de San Pedro, a side aisle, parts of the choir area, the rear choir, the tower and the Baroque entrance portal have survived. The former Nuestra Señora de Gracia pilgrims’ hospital is a rare surviving Gothic secular building from the 15th century in Navarre and now houses the Casa de Cultura of Viana. The historic entrance gates include San Felices, Santa María or San Juan, Estella and La Solana. Parts of the fortifications have also been preserved, including the walls and barbicans of San Pedro and Santa María, underground remains of the castle, sections of the walls and the structures of the Tambor, Tahona and San Lorenzo towers.

The Ermita de la Virgen de Cuevas lies on the Camino de Santiago and was formerly the church of the pre-Roman settlement of Covas. Its surroundings include a wooded area, lawns, a spring, tables and fire pits.

The megalithic tomb Hipogeo de Longar in Viana has been dated to between 2650 and 2500 BC. The route to the Hipogeo de Longar runs for about four kilometres to a confluence of streams, where the car can be parked; the final kilometre is covered on foot.

Hiking Trails and Guided Tours

Viana has more than 65 kilometres of hiking trails on five marked circular routes starting from the town centre. The Ruta César Borgia is 9.1 kilometres long and ends at the Barranca Salada, where César Borgia died in battle in March 1507. A guided tour of Viana lasting around 60 minutes includes the Balcón de Toros, the Iglesia de Santa María, the ruins of the Iglesia de San Pedro and the town walls.

You can compare the different lengths and formats side by side when planning your day between a circular route, a historic site and a guided tour.

Nature and Birdwatching

The wetland of the Las Cañas reservoir is a nature reserve and a ZEPA, and is home to colonies of overwintering and breeding birds. The El Bordón birdwatching observatory has birdwatching equipment and is connected to a path of around 4.5 kilometres around the reservoir.

Wine and Local Tradition

Bodegas Ondarre produces wines under the DOCa Rioja designation of origin and Cava under the DO Cava designation of origin, and offers tours by prior appointment. Rioja Vega is a bodega in Viana with tours scheduled from Monday to Saturday.

The Fiesta de Vino y Patrimonio takes place every year in June and combines local wines with the cuisine of the town’s restaurants.

Accommodation

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Viana, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. You can align these details with your preferred focus—culture, trails, nature or wine—and with your own travel dates.

Other Destinations in the Area

Other destinations in the area include Zuaztoi, Ochagavía, Cintruénigo, Bizkarreta-Gerendiain, Oronoz-Mugaire, San Adrián, Riezu and Andosilla.

For the overarching travel overview: Navarre.