Alfaro

Alfaro is located in Rioja Oriental within the La Rioja region of northern Spain and is surrounded by the Ebro and Alhama Rivers.

Discover churches and palaces with centuries of history as you stroll through the town’s centre. These include the historic Abbey and Abbey Palace (18th century) and the San Miguel Collegiate Church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture from the latter part of the 17th century. The archaeological site at Eras de San Martn and the Ninfeo Romano, a Roman water system designated as a Cultural Property, are well worth visiting.

It is well-known for the ‘Storks of Alfaro’ annual migration and nesting – the town hosts the largest stork colony in the world, which is nesting on just one building. More than 400 of these birds choose to build their nests at the San Miguel Collegiate Church. If you are forunate to see these storks flying through the air at once, it is a breathtaking sight that will stay with you forever.

Reserva Natural de Sotos del Ebro en Alfaro

Location: The Ebro groves are located a short distance from the Alfaro, halfway between Logroño and Zaragoza . The AP-68 and N-232 highways pass near it.

The Sotos del Ebro Nature Reserve is one of the best preserved riverside forests in La Rioja. As the Ebro river passes through Alfaro it runs through a wide alluvial plain forming a landscape of groves, meanders and river beaches. They are a reflection of the forests that previously populated these areas of the middle channel of the river. There are endless walks along the river, surrounded by fruit trees and groves. The White Stork stands out among all the birds that call this wetland home; occasionally, you might spot hundreds of them. Green Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Common Nightingale, Cirl Bunting, Grey Wagtail, European Bee-eater, and Golden Oriole are some additional birds that can be found in the nature reserve.

The reserve has several parking areas from which trails such as the Soto del Estajo start, which allow visitors to explore the hidden corners of the nature reserve on foot or by bicycle. It’s an ideal location to spend a day if you are keen on photography and ornithology.

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