Navarrete is located between Logroño and Nájera on the French Way, the most popular path on the Way of St. James, a medieval pilgrim route.

The municipality has an extension of 28,49 km², and it borders with Fuenmayor to the north, Logroño and Lardero to the east, Entrena, Medrano, Hornos de Moncalvillo, and Sotés to the south, and Huércanos and Cenicero to the west.

Navarrete was founded by the King of Castile as part of a plan to defend his borders and the name appears to have some relation to the neighbouring Kingdom of Navarre.

One theory notes that the word "Nafarrate" in Basque means "Door of Navarre"; the later castellanization of the name would give rise to the present spelling.

These fueros, or charter, gave rise to the use in common of river waters and the collective exploitation of grass lands and woods to the east of the town.