Old Logroño City Hall (Plaza del Mercado)

Notable Building and Square in Logroño

Plaza Del Mercado En Logrono
Plaza del Mercado en Logrono
CC BY-SA 2.0 / comakut

Old City Hall, facing Plaza del Mercado, is where Logroño's civic story has played out for centuries. Just steps from Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda and Calle Portales, this handsome square is a natural magnet for locals and visitors who come to sit on café terraces, meet friends, or simply soak up the atmosphere. With the cathedral on one side, arcaded façades on the other, and the old city hall framing the scene, it feels like the classic Spanish plaza mayor-compact, lively, and full of layered history.

The site has been at the centre of Logroño's public life since the 16th century. On 22 December 1573 the City Council bought houses and corrals from the Cabildo de La Redonda for 900 ducats, clearing the way to create the town's “Plaza Mayor” and build its civic buildings. Over time the square has changed names and faces, but it has always remained a place where power, trade, and everyday life intersect. Today, with Calle Laurel and its pintxos bars only a few steps away, Old City Hall and Plaza del Mercado form a perfect link between historic architecture and the city's famously sociable food culture, and are often visited on walking tours of Logroño.

History and Significance of Old City Hall, Logroño

For centuries, Plaza del Mercado has been the beating heart of Logroño's civic and commercial life. The decision in 1573 to purchase land from the cathedral chapter of La Redonda was a turning point, allowing the council to clear space and create a true “Plaza Mayor” right in the middle of town. The square and its surrounding buildings, including the Old City Hall, became the stage for proclamations, markets, religious celebrations, and political debates-everything that gave shape to the identity of La Rioja's capital.

The square has carried many names that reflect Spain's shifting history and politics: Plaza de la Redonda, de la Constitución, de San Bernabé, de la República, Héroes del Alcázar de Toledo, and, since 4 October 1979, the current Plaza del Mercado. Each name marks a specific era, from royalist to republican to post-war, turning the square into a kind of open-air history book. While the façades have been renovated and modernised over time, the sense of a central, ceremonial space remains. Today's Old City Hall is part of that continuum, a symbol of civic authority surrounded by the hum of everyday life.

Urban changes in the 19th and 20th centuries further shaped the area. Architect Martín Antonio de Jáuregui designed the buildings along the northern side, known as the “Portalillos,” which later evolved into the famous Calle Portales. The level difference between the square and Calle Sagasta led to the construction of the “Escalerillas,” short flights of steps that became iconic in their own right. Guilds gave parts of the area the names “Pastelería” and “Mercería,” a nod to pastry and hosiery trades that once dominated the streets. Together, these layers of architecture, commerce, and memory make Old City Hall and Plaza del Mercado one of the best places to visit in Logroño if you want to understand how the city has grown and reinvented itself over time.

Things to See and Do in Old City Hall, Logroño

Start by standing in the middle of Plaza del Mercado and slowly turning a full circle. On one side rises the façade of Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda, with its twin towers framing the square; on another, you'll see the arcades and buildings that house the Old City Hall and surrounding cafés. This is where the city feels most “Spanish plaza”-stone underfoot, ringing bells, clinking glasses, and people crossing the square in all directions.

Take a closer look at the façades around you, particularly the arcaded ground floors and traditional balconies above. These buildings trace the evolution from early houses and corrals to more formal, Castilian-style architecture, especially after the 1933 reform that aimed to give the square a distinctly Castilian character. Imagine earlier phases: the landscaped “San Bernabé” garden square of 1872, the large pond and gardens of 1889 celebrating the arrival of drinking water from the Iregua River, and the transformation from cereal market to flea market to car park before the modern square you see today.

Then do what locals do best here: sit down for a drink or snack. Terraces around the square are perfect for a morning coffee, midday vermut, or an evening glass of Rioja. From here, it's an easy stroll into Calle Portales for a shaded paseo under the arcades or down to Calle Laurel and its surrounding streets for pintxos and wine. Old City Hall and Plaza del Mercado are less about ticking off a single “sight” and more about enjoying a lived-in, historic setting that still anchors daily life in Logroño.

How to Get to Old City Hall, Logroño

Old City Hall is located in Plaza del Mercado, right in the historic centre of Logroño, next to Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda and just off Calle Portales. Once you are in the Old Town, reaching it is simply a matter of following the streets toward the cathedral towers; the square opens up directly in front of the church, with the city hall and terraces framing the space.

If you arrive by air, you may land at Logroño-Agoncillo Airport or at larger airports such as Bilbao or Zaragoza before continuing by road or public transport to Logroño. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Logroño on Booking.com. From central hotels, Plaza del Mercado is usually only a few minutes' walk through the Old Town streets.

By train, you will come into Logroño's main railway station, which has regular services from cities like Madrid and Zaragoza.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, it is about 15-20 minutes on foot to the cathedral and Plaza del Mercado, or a short bus or taxi ride if you prefer.

If you are driving, major roads and motorways connect 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 the streets around Plaza del Mercado are largely pedestrian or restricted access; from the car park, follow signs to the cathedral, and you'll find Old City Hall overlooking the square.

Practical Tips on Visiting Old City Hall, Logroño

  • Suggested tips: Use Plaza del Mercado as a base point-visit the cathedral, pause for a drink by Old City Hall, then wander out along Calle Portales and toward Calle Laurel.
  • Best time to visit: Late morning and early evening are ideal, when terraces are lively but not yet packed, and the light on the façades is especially flattering.
  • Entrance fee: There is no fee to enjoy Plaza del Mercado and the exterior of Old City Hall; any administrative areas are for official business only.
  • Opening hours: The square is accessible 24 hours a day; the functioning offices of Old City Hall follow normal weekday administrative hours.
  • How long to spend: Plan 30-60 minutes to explore the square, visit the cathedral, and enjoy a drink or snack; longer if you stay for lunch or use it as a base between other sights.
  • Accessibility: The square and surrounding streets are mostly flat and paved, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though some nearby alleys have cobbles and minor unevenness.
  • Facilities: Café terraces, bars, and restaurants line the square and nearby streets, providing seating, restrooms, and plenty of options for food and drink.
  • Photography tip: For classic shots, capture the cathedral façade and Old City Hall in the same frame, or photograph the square from one of the corners to show the arcades, terraces, and daily activity.
  • Guided tours: Many city tours include Plaza del Mercado and Old City Hall, using them as a key stop to explain Logroño's civic history and changing square names.
  • Nearby food options: Calle Laurel, Calle San Juan, Calle Portales, and Calle Marqués de San Nicolás (Calle Mayor) are all within a short walk, offering everything from pintxos bars to sit-down restaurants and wine terraces.

Where to Stay close to Old City Hall, Logroño

Staying near Old City Hall and Plaza del Mercado puts you at the very heart of Logroño's Old Town. For a boutique-style base in a beautifully restored historic building, Hotel Calle Mayor offers calm, elegant rooms just a short stroll from the square and cathedral. If you prefer a modern hotel with easy access to both the historic centre and shopping avenues, NH Logroño Herencia Rioja is a convenient choice within walking distance of Plaza del Mercado. For a practical and central option, Hotel Condes de Haro places you close to Old City Hall, Parque del Espolón, and the famous pintxos streets.

Is Old City Hall in Logroño Worth Visiting?

Old City Hall in Logroño is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy historic squares that still feel lived-in rather than museum-like. Plaza del Mercado combines civic architecture, cathedral views, and café culture in a compact space that captures the city's character in one glance. Add in its rich history-from 16th-century land purchases to name changes reflecting different political eras-and you have a place that rewards both casual wandering and closer attention. As a setting rather than a single monument, it is one of the best places to visit in Logroño for anyone who wants to feel the city's everyday heartbeat.

FAQs for Visiting Old City Hall in Logroño

Where exactly is Old City Hall located in Logroño?
It stands on Plaza del Mercado, right beside Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda and just off Calle Portales in the historic centre.

Can visitors go inside Old City Hall?
The building functions as a civic space, so some interior areas are reserved for official business; you can enjoy its façade and the square freely, and access any public areas that may be open during working hours.

Is Plaza del Mercado a good place to sit and relax?
Yes, it's one of the most pleasant squares in Logroño, with plenty of terraces where you can sit for coffee, wine, or a simple snack while watching daily life unfold.

How close is Old City Hall to Calle Laurel?
Calle Laurel and its surrounding pintxos streets are only a short walk away, making it easy to move from sightseeing in the square to an evening of tapas.

Is Old City Hall suitable to visit with children?
Absolutely-the open square is easy to navigate with children, and there are nearby cafés and ice-cream spots; just keep an eye on little ones near traffic at the perimeter streets.

Nearby Attractions to Old City Hall in Logroño

  • Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda - Co-cathedral with twin Baroque towers directly beside Plaza del Mercado.
  • Calle Portales - Arcaded main street of the Old Town, perfect for a shaded stroll and café terraces.
  • Calle Laurel - Famous pintxos street offering some of the best tapas and Rioja wine in the city, just a few minutes' walk away.
  • Museo de La Rioja - Regional museum housed in the Palacio de Espartero, charting La Rioja's history from prehistory to the 19th century.
  • Parque del Espolón - Central promenade and gardens with the Monument to General Espartero, ideal for a relaxed walk before or after visiting Plaza del Mercado.

The Old Logroño City Hall (Plaza del Mercado) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Logroño!

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Visiting Old Logroño City Hall (Plaza del Mercado)

Hours:

The square is accessible 24 hours a day; the functioning offices of Old City Hall follow normal weekday administrative hours.

Price:

There is no fee to enjoy Plaza del Mercado and the exterior of Old City Hall; any administrative areas are for official business only.

Logroño: 1 km

Nearby Attractions

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