Ioar rural guesthouse, the palace of Sorlada.

Rest in the Ioar rural guesthouse, a charming accommodation located in Tierra Estella – Lizarraldea.

The Ioar Rural Hostel, our last home in Estella – Lizarraldea, has turned out to be a success. An accommodation, which, strategically located in the west of Navarra, offers us to enjoy the culture, history, nature and gastronomy, from the tranquility of this stunning rural setting. The Ioar hostel is located in a palace of the eighteenth century, a small architectural and historical jewel, which has been restored by our host, Iosu, using criteria of sustainability and bio-construction. The result, a rural guesthouse with 4 rooms and 2 apartments with lots of charm. A rural house to enjoy and relax. The gastronomy and nature, are 2 of the many attractions of Ioar, 2 aspects that caught our attention and ended up winning us over. And the fact that the raw materials for breakfast and dinner are local and organic, make it more desirable if possible to stay in this rural hostel in Sorlada. On the other hand, the environment that surrounds him, with the Natural Park of Urbasa and Andia to the head, it gives us spaces as impressive as the nacedero of the Urederra. Nature in its purest form. The common areas of Hostal Rural Ioar make guests feel at home. An example of this is the fireplace and the games room that we find inside, or the barbecue and the terrace that we find outside. In other words, a very complete hotel establishment. If you are looking for a rural lodging to know Estella – Lizarra and all the enchantments that surround this urban nucleus, the Rural Hostel Ioar is a great option. It will not disappoint you.

Although we have presented Ioar as a rural hostel, you should know that it can also be considered a rural house. And, although most of the time the rooms and apartments are booked individually, there are many groups that reserve the entire palace for themselves. Can you imagine spending your vacations in an authentic 18th century palace? Remember that Ioar can accommodate up to 21 people simultaneously, a number that invites large families and large groups of friends to enjoy this area of Navarra.

The gastronomy is of vital importance in the Ioar Rural Hostel. And its manager, Iosu Martinez, a lover of local and organic products, offers a nice range of homemade dishes based on seasonal products. In this section, it is impossible to overlook the organic breakfast of Ioar, and is that everyone who passes through this accommodation ends up in love with juices, jams, cakes and homemade cookies and organic sourdough bread that Iosu has prepared for them. We loved them. Culinary delights based on local and seasonal products. A great breakfast to get strength before an intense day getting to know Tierra Estella – Lizarraldea. Undoubtedly, one of the strong points of this Navarrese establishment. As you can see, the small restaurant of this Navarrese hostel is one of the most demanded spaces, remember to book, places are limited. We must mention that the menus are closed, with no opportunity to choose from a menu of dishes. We strongly recommend you to try their culinary creations, we are sure you will love them. We look forward to hearing from you.

The quiet village of Sorlada and the impressive valley of Berrueza is an ideal destination to get to know the Middle Zone of Navarra. A perfect location for people who want to rest from the hustle and bustle of the big cities without refusing to enjoy areas of great beauty such as Urederra, Estella – Lizarra or the Natural Park of Urbasa and Andia. Within a radius of about 30 minutes by car, we find more than a dozen places to visit and enjoy. A great opportunity to get to know the special charm of this mountainous area of Navarra. The proximity to the Camino de Santiago, is another of the great attractions of the location of this rural hostel, thus becoming home to many of the pilgrims who enter the northern road. Finally, the famous Circuito de Los Arcos, the circuit of Navarra, a totally different space to the rest of the attractions mentioned so far. Besides being a very interesting area to know all Navarra, its proximity to Araba, makes it also a clear option to visit the small and pleasant villages of the Rioja Alavesa along with some of the best wineries in Euskadi.

Both Iosu and Susana, the two people who attended us at the Hostal Rural Ioar, gave us a personalized, close and pleasant attention. A very important aspect to take into account in family hostels like this one. They were the ones who acted as local guides helping us to plan our stay in Estella – Lizarraldea. It is very remarkable, the fact that, after dinner, sitting at a table, dressed with a map and a pen, Iosu, showed all the guests of the house the different spaces that surround his small rural guesthouse, a joy! Eskerrik asko! We must highlight the collaboration network they have created with local artisan producers, giving us the possibility to visit them and meet them personally. We recommend you to follow Iosu’s indications, he helped us to plan a very attractive tour.

The exterior of Hostal Ioar is a nice representation of what we find inside. A careful and cozy space, in which all the rooms follow the same line of design and comfort. Rooms and rural apartments, in which wood and stone form a perfect combination to make us go back in time without having to give up the comfort offered by the elements of today. We loved them. A place of rest with a pleasant aesthetic. All the rooms, both the apartments for 2 and 4 people, as well as the double, single and triple rooms, have wifi, great natural light, private bathroom and other details that make them perfect spaces to rest. In short, rustic decoration with all the comforts of a modern hotel. Art is also present in the Hostal Rural Ioar through the different works that we find in their cellars, pieces of art, which, designed and crafted by Iosu, provide added value to this accommodation.

This small Navarrese lodging gives us many spaces to know in its surroundings. An example of this are the more than 10 areas listed below, some of the most emblematic places of Tierra Estella – Lizarraldea.

Sorlada: Sorlada, welcomes us with typical smells of the villages of the Navarrese mountain, and it is these small sensations, which make great this small rural town. This small town keeps in its interior a great collection of attractions to visit. Among them, the Basilica of San Gregorio Ostiense, the Monolith of San Gregorio, the washing place, the church or the different emblazoned buildings that we find among its small and narrow streets. Strolling among the monoliths, the basilica and the streets of Sorlada is a must during any stay at Hostal Rural Ioar.

Estella – Lizarra: This urban center represents the transition between the so-called mountain and the Navarrese riverside. A monumental city, which, thanks to its rich historical and natural heritage, surprises visitors in every possible way. The Camino de Santiago, is partly to blame for the atmosphere that permeates this urban center. A Romanesque city that thanks to its emblazoned palaces, convents and bridges, makes us travel back in time to past eras. On the other hand, the fact that the Jewish and Catholic cultures coexisted for years, has given the city a rich cultural heritage. An essential place to visit.

Natural Park of Urbasa and Andia: This Natural Park separates the Atlantic and Mediterranean slopes of Navarre by means of intense beech forests and meadows. An area of great natural wealth that has its origin in an earth movement caused by a tectonic subsidence between the mountains of Urbasa and Andia. Nowadays, it is one of the most beautiful areas in the west of Navarre, offering viewpoints from which to contemplate the immensity of a land of history and great beauty.

Source of Urederra: The source of Urederra is one of the most visited areas of Navarre along with the Castle of Olite or the Garden of the Señorío de Bertiz. A space in which the crystalline color of the water is of special interest. This route is perfect to do with the family, in fact, we have catalogued it as one of the best plans to do with the family. Highly recommended.

Truffle Museum: The truffle, one of the most desired mushrooms in the world, has an interpretation center in the Middle Zone of Navarra. A museum, where we are shown all the secrets of the truffle in a dynamic and fun way. This center reminded us of our visit to the truffle cooperative of Araba, a visit that complements the truffle museum of Metauten. You should know that, at present, it is the only museum of this subject in the whole peninsula. A very significant fact, which shows us the great truffle tradition of our environment. It is worth mentioning that, thanks to the collaboration between the Ioar Rural Hostel and the Truffle Museum, the entrance is totally free for all the guests of Ioar, a nice detail on the part of Iosu and his family.

Cultivated fields: The Ioar rural guesthouse is surrounded by large fields of crops. Among all of them, wheat, barley, asparagus or rapeseed fields stand out. A series of elements that create a colorful landscape. We strongly recommend you to enjoy this spring show from the heights, from the Basilica of San Gregorio, the views are simply breathtaking. Colors of all kinds that fill the valley of Berrueza with life. The spaces described above are just a small representation of the many attractions that can be found in the vicinity of Ioar Rural Hostel. We leave you a short video in which you can appreciate some of the many attractions of this list. We hope it will help you to check the incredible experience that this land has to offer.

In Sorlada and its surroundings we find an endless number of experiences to carry out and enjoy. Plans of all kinds, that respond to the most demanding demands. Here are some of the most representative plans of the middle zone of Navarra.

Routes: The impressive geography of Tierra Estella – Lizarraldea, invites us to enjoy it, both on foot and by bicycle. Witness to this are the Basque-Navarre greenway or the BTT space that we find in the vicinity. Hiking and mountain biking routes are currently one of the most popular activities for travelers.

Camino de Santiago: This area of Navarra is an active part of the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims mingle with tourists, creating a great atmosphere.

Los Arcos Circuit: This circuit is one of the most important in the north of the peninsula. A space, in which besides being able to enjoy motor shows, we can also get started in the incredible world of karting. If you want more information about this circuit, we recommend you to read our article: “Karting track of the Navarra circuit, one of the best karting circuits in the north“.

Visits to wineries or cheese factories: Gastronomy and local producers are another of the great protagonists of this section. Farms where you can buy local products such as asparagus, truffles, wine or cheese. Undoubtedly a great souvenir of Navarra to surprise those who are waiting for us back home.

There are many other activities to do around the Ioar Rural Hostel, but these are, in our humble opinion, a nice sample of what we can do during our stay in Tierra Estella Lizarraldea.

As you have seen, breakfasts and homemade dinners, the charm of an eighteenth century palace and the nature that surrounds this establishment, make Ioar Rural Hostel, one of the best places to discover and enjoy this little paradise called Tierra Estella – Lizarraldea. In case you want to leave us your doubts or suggestions we recommend you to use the comment system of this article, we will try to answer you as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!