44 Most Underrated Cities You Should Visit In Spain

By

Akanksha Sharma

February 23, 2026

39. Calahorra, La Rioja: Rome, Religion, and Riojan Flavors

Catedral de Calahorra (La Rioja. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Jose Luis Filpo Cabana

The second-largest city in La Rioja is often skipped—but shouldn’t be. Calahorra boasts an impressive Roman heritage, with excavated mosaics, forums, and an amphitheater anchoring its historical claim. The city also plays a pivotal role in Spain’s Christian tradition as the home of Saints Emeterius and Celedonius. But Calahorra isn’t stuck in the past—it’s also a hub for modern Riojan cuisine, particularly vegetable-based dishes grown in the fertile Ebro valley. Come for the ruins, stay for the roasted peppers and Rioja blanco.

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