7 Reasons to Visit Olite Spain, A Charming Medieval Wine Town
- Maria DiCicco
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
One of my favorite towns to visit in Spain near my part-time home in Zaragoza is the adorable town of Olite, Spain. It has wine, medieval architecture, and one of the most impressive castles that I have ever visited.
Whether you visit as a day trip or to spend the night in the Olite Parador, the small and charming town is perfect for families, couples and road trippers seeking a pleasant day out.
Read on for a preview of this beautiful village in Spain's northeast region between Tudela and Pamplona, and discover why Olite is worth a side trip on your vacation to Spain.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy.
The Royal Palace of Olite (Palacio Real de Olite)
The number one reason to visit Olite, Spain is for the palace, which resembles a fairy tale castle. I've visited in both the blistering heat of summer and in the raw nip of winter, and it's a great place to escape the weather.
Wander the halls on your own (recommended), or take a guided tour.
Tickets can be purchased onsite at the ticket booth with no prior reservation necessary.
Plan for about a 1 hour visit, depending how long you like to climb or take castle photos and selfies.
It's kind of a photographer's dream, so it could take you all day if you're not careful!
And, don't worry - if you don't have good knees, there IS an elevator on site that takes visitors to the upper ramparts. Be aware though that most folks will take spiral staircases (quite a few of them).
It is up to you if you want to continue up some of the other towers for a better view of town.
Olite's Magnificent Churches and Streets
Wandering the town, you don't necessarily need to go into these places, but seeing the architecture and facades of attractions like the Santa MarÃa la Real or the Iglesica de San Pedro, visitors can snap a lot of photos and enjoy the scenery.
You can purchase admission to visit the Santa Maria la Real, or just wander the gorgeous outer courtyard area.
Behind this area is a nice park and some shops to poke your nose into.
Be sure to head up and down the alley ways to view life being lived - small storefronts, homes and the occasional tourist hotel.
You'll be able to snap shots of the castle at every angle, and it's just a joy to see. You may be surprised how quiet the town is as you explore!
The Navarra Wine Region Bodegas (Wineries)
Known to locals for their rose varietals, Navarra produces a large amount of light-bodied wines to be discovered.
Navarre wines in honesty are not my favorite, but visiting some of the bodegas (wineries) can be an enjoyable reason to check out the area.
In town, visit the free wine museum at Museo del Vino where you can do blind taste testing classes or just sample at the counter.
Sample wines by visiting one of the many area operations including:
We took the tour and tasting at Bodegas Ochoa, which I recommend for Americans and English-speakers. They were well used to catering to that audience, so it is a comfortable and not too intimate experience.
It is important to always book your wine tour and tasting in advance, typically through a web form or you can contact the establishment by phone or email.
If you're serious about your wine tasting, be sure to bring a proper wine suitcase along with you for the trip - I have the VinGardeValise 12-bottle case, which is a godsend for bringing home my favorites from a winery vacation.
Not familiar with the world of wine suitcases? I wrote up a review here.
Pro Tip: By the Royal Palace of Olite entrance, find this little wine shop (below) for samples of local wine!
The Medieval-Themed Restaurants
Part of the fun of visiting Olite Spain is getting to step back into the times of knights and princesses, where medieval trappings line stone wall facades, tapestries hang in velvety reds and blues, and cobbled streets glisten in the reflection of a light rain from the day before. It's magical.
And to add to the magic, there are plenty of great restaurants to experience that ambiance. Try some of these out for your next trip, and be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Restaurante Parador de Olite (Principe de Viana)
Restaurante Merindad de Olite (ask for the medieval dining room, shown above!)
The food below is from Merindad de Olite (yummm!).
Pro tip: If you do show up in town without a reservation, try getting into a restaurant right when they open at 1pm for lunch.
On one such occasion that we had no reservation in town, we did find a good cafeteria-style restaurant that lacked ambiance but had a nice and affordable menu of the day, so there are places like that available last minute.
It's better to book though if you want one of the charming places above!
It's an Easy Day Trip From Zaragoza or Pamplona
Less than two hours from Zaragoza, Olite is one of my recommended day trips in Aragon for travelers seeking an eventful day out.
An ideal day includes an early morning start, a visit to the castle, wandering about the shops, and finally having lunch around 2pm.
If you plan on wine tasting, many places only offer them in the 11 or 12 o'clock hour, so you'll have to rearrange for your castle visit to be after lunch in the afternoon.
In any case, Olite makes for an excellent road trip stop on the way north to the Basque region and the French and Spanish border, or en route to Pamplona or Zaragoza.
Olite is a Perfect Overnight Stop
Prefer to visit Olite at a slower pace? There are several cute hotels in the area, including the Parador de Olite.
This outstanding hotel offers castle-like interiors and a charming modern-esque interpretation of a castle dining room at its restaurant, Principe de Viana.
Lodging is affordable and worth the stay, but note that the Parador de Olite does temporarily close during the winter months.
As a plan B, I can also recommend the equally charming boutique Hotel Ducay, located in the center of the main square.
Don't worry - it's a quiet town, so you shouldn't have to contend with any central noise.
Another great choice is where my family dined (above with the amazing medieval dining room) at Hotel Merindad de Olite. It's a beautiful choice, has an excellent restaurant, and it is not far from the town public parking lot on foot.
Lastly, Kids Love Olite, Spain!
If you are traveling with the family and need a good road trip stop - Olite is perfect for a stop with kids!
My daughter loved climbing the castle steps to the top of every terrifyingly tall tower, and galloping about as if she were a young princess living there in the castle interiors.
The town has a well, which always seems to intrigue the young ones, and several little shops and boutiques to pop in and out of for souvenirs.
It's not an outrageously large town, but there is just enough to keep the family entertained for a day.
If you are heading to Spain with children, be sure to check out the fun activity book I created called Scavenger Hunt Spain.  It's full of trivia, coloring pages and journal prompts to keep kiddos educated and entertained in their travels! |
Before you go, be sure to consult my many other Spain guides such as:
11 Picture Perfect Places to Visit on the French and Spanish Border
Northern Spain Road Trip Planning Guide
7 Reasons Why Ainsa Spain is a Great Road Trip Stop
Wine Tasting Along Spain's Somontano Wine Route
Unique Day Trips From Zaragoza (Under 2 Hours Drive)
Where To Stay In Zaragoza's Historic Center (From A Local)
6 Best Ways to Travel Around Spain
