New Logroño City Hall

Notable Building in Logroño

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Zarateman

New Logroño City Hall feels like a quiet but confident statement about the city's modern identity. Just a few minutes' walk from the old town hall and historic streets, this contemporary complex opens onto a broad plaza framed by clean lines and generous spaces, inviting people to gather rather than simply pass by. It marks the point where medieval Logroño gives way to a more spacious, modern city, and it is easy to appreciate the contrast if you arrive on foot from the Old Town.

The story behind the building is closely tied to Spain's political transition. In 1973 the mayor wrote to architect Rafael Moneo to tell him he had been chosen to design a new city hall that would reflect the spirit of a renewed democracy. Construction began in 1976 and finished in 1981, giving Logroño a seat of local government that matched the country's new era: open, accessible, and firmly rooted in the everyday life of its citizens. For architecture lovers, this mix of history, politics, and design makes New Logroño City Hall one of the must-see places in Logroño, and a highlight of any walking tour of Logroño that looks beyond churches and wine bars.

History and Significance of New Logroño City Hall
Things to See and Do in New Logroño City Hall
How to Get to New Logroño City Hall
Practical Tips on Visiting New Logroño City Hall
Where to Stay close to New Logroño City Hall
Is New Logroño City Hall Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting New Logroño City Hall
Nearby Attractions to New Logroño City Hall

History and Significance of New Logroño City Hall

Before the new building was conceived, city government was housed entirely in the old town hall in the historic centre. By the 1970s, Logroño had grown in size and ambition, and the existing facilities no longer matched its role as the capital of La Rioja. Against the backdrop of Spain's political changes, the decision to build a new city hall was as symbolic as it was practical: the city needed more space, but it also wanted a building that spoke of transparency, civic pride, and a new relationship between citizens and their institutions.

In 1973, the mayor formally invited Rafael Moneo, who would later become one of Spain’s most celebrated architects, to take on the project. Moneo’s design, begun in 1976 and completed in 1981, responded by creating not just an office block, but a civic ensemble centred on a public square. The architecture emphasises open fronts and arcaded spaces, encouraging people to move freely through and around the building rather than treating it as a closed fortress of power.

The result is a structure that carries clear political and cultural weight. New Logroño City Hall became a physical expression of Spain's young democracy at a local scale, giving the people of Logroño a building that belonged as much to them as to their representatives. Over the decades, it has hosted official ceremonies, public events, and everyday administrative life, quietly reinforcing its role as one of the top attractions in Logroño for visitors interested in modern Spanish architecture and urban design.

Things to See and Do in New Logroño City Hall

Begin your visit in the plaza in front of the building. This open space is deliberately generous, acting as an outdoor foyer where people can meet, rest, or watch the ebb and flow of city life. From here, you can appreciate how the city hall mediates between the historic core and newer neighbourhoods, standing slightly apart from the Old Town while remaining within easy walking distance. It is a good spot to take a moment and notice the change in scale and style compared to the narrow streets behind you.

Walk around the exterior to see how the building’s volumes step and shift, creating sheltered corners and broad façades that change character as the light moves. The rhythm of windows, columns, and arcades gives the city hall a sense of order without feeling cold or forbidding. On weekdays, you’ll likely see residents coming and going for administrative tasks, reminding you that this is very much a working building rather than a museum piece.

If access is allowed during your visit, step inside the public areas to get a feel for the interior spaces, with their emphasis on clarity and circulation. Even a brief look can help you understand how Moneo organised the building to be legible and navigable for citizens using city services. Afterwards, you can loop back toward the Old Town via nearby streets, linking the new civic centre with older sights such as the cathedral, Museo de La Rioja, and Calle Laurel's pintxos bars.

How to Get to New Logroño City Hall

New Logroño City Hall is located just a few minutes' walk from the Old Town and the historic town hall, making it very easy to reach on foot once you are in the city centre. From key landmarks like the cathedral or Parque del Espolón, simply follow local signs or a map toward the modern civic quarter; the city hall complex and its open plaza stand out among the surrounding buildings.

If you are arriving by air, you may land at Logroño-Agoncillo Airport or fly into larger airports such as Bilbao or Zaragoza before continuing to Logroño by road or public transport. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Logroño on Booking.com. From central Logroño, most hotels close to the Old Town or main avenues are within walking distance of the new city hall.

Travelling by train brings you into Logroño's main railway station, with regular connections to cities like Madrid and Zaragoza.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, it typically takes about 15-20 minutes to walk into the city centre; buses and taxis are also available if you prefer to arrive more quickly and then continue on foot to the city hall.

If you are driving, motorways and major roads link Logroño with the rest of La Rioja and northern Spain.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Park in one of the public car parks near the centre, as many streets around the Old Town and civic buildings have restricted access; from the car park, it is an easy walk to the new city hall and other central sights.

Practical Tips on Visiting New Logroño City Hall

Suggested tips: Combine a quick visit to the new city hall with a wider architectural walk that also takes in the Old Town hall, cathedral, and nearby parks to see how the city has grown over time.
Best time to visit: Weekdays during working hours are ideal if you want to see the building in use; early evening is good for exterior photos in softer light and a quieter atmosphere.
Entrance fee: Free to view from outside; access to interior public areas is usually free during official opening hours, though some spaces may be restricted.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Official website: https://logrono.es/
How long to spend: Allow 20-40 minutes to explore the exterior, plaza, and any accessible interior spaces, plus extra time if you are photographing or sketching.
Accessibility: The surrounding streets and plaza are generally level and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers; the building itself is designed with public access in mind, but some administrative areas may be restricted.
Facilities: As a working city hall, the building includes restrooms and waiting areas for visitors, though these are primarily geared toward people using municipal services rather than tourists.
Photography tip: Step back across the plaza to capture the full façade and its relationship with the open space; different corners of the square offer varied angles on the building’s geometry.
Guided tours: Occasionally, architectural or civic tours may include the city hall; otherwise, it is best appreciated as part of a self-guided walk linking historic and modern parts of the city.
Nearby food options: The streets between the new city hall and the Old Town are lined with cafés and bars, and it's only a short walk to Calle Laurel and Calle San Juan for classic pintxos and Rioja wine.

Where to Stay close to New Logroño City Hall

Staying near New Logroño City Hall gives you quick access to both the modern civic quarter and the Old Town. For a stylish base in a beautifully restored historic building, Hotel Calle Mayor is a comfortable choice within walking distance of the city hall, cathedral, and pintxos streets. If you prefer a modern hotel close to main avenues and shopping streets, NH Logroño Herencia Rioja offers a convenient location for exploring both the civic buildings and the historic centre. For a practical, central option, Hotel Condes de Haro places you within easy reach of the new city hall, Parque del Espolón, and the Old Town on foot.

Is New Logroño City Hall Worth Visiting?

New Logroño City Hall is well worth a short detour, especially if you are interested in architecture, urban design, or Spain's recent history. While it may not have the immediate visual drama of a medieval church or ancient bridge, its significance lies in what it represents: a city stepping into a new democratic era and choosing to express that through an open, modern civic building. Seen in combination with the older town hall and nearby historic streets, it gives you a fuller, more nuanced picture of Logroño as a place that honours its past while embracing the present.

FAQs for Visiting New Logroño City Hall

Where is New Logroño City Hall in relation to the Old Town?
It is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre and the old town hall, in a more modern part of the city.

Can visitors go inside the building?
You can usually access public areas during normal administrative hours, though some offices and meeting spaces are restricted to staff and official business.

How long should I plan for a visit?
Around 20-40 minutes is enough to appreciate the architecture, explore the plaza, and take a few photos before continuing to other sights.

Is it suitable for children to visit?
Yes, children can safely enjoy the open plaza and surrounding streets, though the building itself is mainly functional rather than interactive.

Do I need a guided tour to appreciate the city hall?
A guided tour can add context, but is not essential; simply walking around the exterior and through the plaza gives a good sense of the building’s role and design.

Nearby Attractions to New Logroño City Hall

Parque del Espolón - Elegant central promenade and gardens with the Monument to General Espartero, ideal for a relaxed stroll between civic and historic areas.
Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda - Co-cathedral with twin Baroque towers, located in the nearby Old Town.
Museo de La Rioja - Regional museum in the Palacio de Espartero, tracing the history of La Rioja from prehistory to the 19th century.
Calle Laurel - Famous pintxos street offering some of the best tapas and Rioja wine in the city, a short walk from the civic quarter.
Puente de Piedra - Historic stone bridge over the River Ebro, marking the traditional Camino de Santiago entrance to Logroño.

The New Logroño City Hall appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Logroño!

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