Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre region in northern Spain, offers a wide range of cultural, historical and culinary attractions. This city has become famous among many visitors for its annual bull hunt (Sanfermines).
Pamplona is more than just the place where bulls are driven through the city every year and people try to flee from them (Sanfermines). Even though this theme is present everywhere in the city, there is so much more to discover that is not reminiscent of the imposing animals.
Explore the city’s impressive cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Stroll through the old town and discover medieval alleyways, magnificent palaces and fascinating museums. The old fortress with its mighty citadel has been preserved in the cityscape to this day and is one of the highlights of exploring the city.
Pamplona is not only a city of history, but also of nature. Visit the beautiful Taconera Park, the oldest park in the city, which impresses with its manicured gardens and majestic peacocks. For nature lovers, the surroundings of Pamplona offer numerous hiking and cycling trails that lead through the picturesque landscape of Navarre.
The entire region is a paradise for foodies. Enjoy pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, in one of the city’s many cozy bars. Try local specialties such as “txistorra”, a spicy sausage, or “pacharán”, a traditional sloe liqueur. Pamplona’s gastronomy is a feast for the senses and a must for every gourmet.
Tips for a stay in Pamplona
Discover Pamplona: the history and architecture of the fortified city
Everyone who talks about Pamplona talks about bulls and bullfighting. But that is only the smallest part of the city's history. Pamplona is a fortified city, much of which can still be seen in the cityscape today.
Hardly any other city is as synonymous with bullfighting as Pamplona. The world-famous Sanfermines, the running of the bulls, takes place here every year.
The Cathedral of Santa María la Real de Pamplona stands proudly in the narrow streets of the old town of Pamplona in the Navarra region. After entering through a gate, a few steps lead into the church building.
Pamplona is home to one of the most important museums dedicated to the cultural history of the Navarre region, the Museo de Navarra in Pamplona. It is located in the historic old town of Pamplona, in the street Cuesta de Santo Domingo.
By plane
South of Pamplona, about 6 kilometers away, there is the small airport Noain. There are several flights a day from Madrid and Barcelona. There is also a daily flight to Lisbon.
There is also a flight connection to Frankfurt (Main).
From the airport there is a bus (City bus line A) to the city’s train station and bus terminal.
By train
Pamplona’s main train station is about 30 minutes’ walk from the old town. Trains run here to Madrid, Barcelona, Vigo and Gijón, for example.
From the station there is a bus to the old town (line 9) or to the airport (line A).
By bus
The Pamplona bus station is located near the citadel. It is an underground bus station that can be reached via several entrances from the street.
In addition to a large waiting area, there is also a café, a small store, a toilet and a place to store luggage in lockers.
Various bus companies operate from the bus station to Spanish towns, but there are also routes to other countries.
By car
Pamplona is located in the north of Spain near the French border. Numerous roads connect the city with other Spanish cities and municipalities.
The journey by car from the neighboring cities of San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Logroño takes around an hour. San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz are connected via the AP-15 toll highway.
The journey by car from the neighboring cities of San Sebastian, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Logroño takes around an hour. San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz are connected to Pamplona via the AP-15 toll highway, while Logroño can be reached via the toll-free A-12 expressway.
Less than two hours away are Bilbao, which can be reached via the AP-15, and Zaragoza, which is connected to Pamplona via the AP-68 and AP-15 highways.
Visitors from France usually cross the border at Irun and take the N-121-A to Pamplona. The journey takes just over an hour.
On foot
The pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella passes through Pamplona.
On the way in...
On the road in Pamplona
On foot
The old town of Pamplona is located on a hilltop. Once you have arrived there, the old town can easily be explored on foot.
By car
It is forbidden to drive in the alleyways and streets of the old town at certain times of the day. It is advisable to park your car in one of the parking lots or in the parking garage.
With the inclined elevator
The way into the Old Town is steep. However, there is the option of using a free inclined elevator to cover most of the distance.
By bus
Pamplona has an extensive urban bus system, known as Villavesas. The network consists of 21 day bus lines and 9 night bus lines that cover the entire city
The night buses run from midnight to 4:00 am. On Fridays and all night on Saturdays.
By bike
Pamplona offers a wide range of bicycle rental options.
Parking
Parking in Pamplona
Parking garages offer a safe and convenient way to park your vehicle. One advantage of parking in a parking garage is that you can save a lot of time by reserving in advance instead of searching for a parking space.
Parking garages are located near the most important and busiest areas during the Sanfermines, such as the Plaza del Castillo or the route of the Bull Runs.
Recommended parking garages
PARKIA – Plaza de Toros Casco Viejo: This parking garage offers spacious parking spaces, security cameras and easy access for people with reduced mobility. It is open 24 hours a day and is located near the Plaza de Toros de Pamplona.
SABA Plaza del Castillo: Just a minute’s walk from the center of Pamplona, this covered parking lot offers an electric charging station and is open 24/7. Bookings of at least 3 days include unlimited entries and exits.
Street parking
Pamplona has various regulated on-street parking spaces in parking zones marked by colors and tariffs: the blue zone, green zone, orange zone and red zone. The times when parking is allowed in these zones are as follows:
Blue and orange zones: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. Free of charge on Sundays and public holidays.
Red and green zones: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Best time to travel
Best time to visit Pamplona
Spring (March – May)
Spring in Pamplona is a pleasant time of year with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall. Maximum temperatures average 15 °C in March and rise to 21-22 °C in May. There is between 60 and 70 mm of rainfall per month, spread over 8-10 rainy days
Summer (June – August)
Summer is the best time to visit Pamplona. The average daily highs are between 26-29 °C. July and August are the warmest months with temperatures of up to 30 °C. Summer is the driest season with rainfall between 30 and 60 mm per month and only 5-6 rainy days.
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn offers pleasant temperatures and a picturesque landscape, but is also the time with higher rainfall. In September, temperatures are still warm at around 25 °C, while they cool down to 13 °C in November. Rainfall varies between 50 and 90 mm per month, with 7-10 rainy days.
Winter (December – February)
Winter in Pamplona is cool and damp. The average maximum temperatures are between 9 and 11 °C. January and February are the coolest months with temperatures around 10 °C. There is 60-70 mm of rainfall per month, spread over 8-9 rainy days. January is particularly wet with around 131 mm of rainfall.
Language
Language
Both Spanish and Basque (Euskera) are official languages in Pamplona. This reflects the cultural and historical importance of both languages in the region.
Only a few of Pamplona’s 180,000 inhabitants speak English, which makes Spanish the most important language of communication. But don’t worry, communication in English is possible in the tourist areas of the city.
