Navarre - The Pamplona Region

Pamplona, lively and festive

Map of Navarre

Pamplona (Pamplona or Iruña), is the largest city and the capital of Navarre. Its name probably brings to mind, first of all, the Festivities of San Fermin, also called the Pamplona Festival. This highly anticipated and appreciated event, which takes place from July 6 to 14, is a very large Feria (a festival with bulls) that turns the city upside down for 1 week.

Pamplona also has a rich historical past, dating back to 74 BC, which you will discover during a pleasant walk along the ramparts (Paseo de Ronda) to admire the city's ancient fortifications and visit the Pamplona Fortifications Interpretation Centre.

The ancient fortifications of the city

The city has beautiful churches and monuments, in itself it is not particularly remarkable, but warm.

Start your visit in the old town (mostly pedestrian), the most attractive historic district that surrounds the Castle Square (La Plaza del Castillo), bright and open. All around, there are many places to eat and enjoy life. Sit comfortably on a terrace, it's pleasant and you're following in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway when he wrote his novel " The Sun Also Rises ". It is on this square that events such as concerts and parties take place, as well as the market.

The Plaza del Castillo

From the square, take part of Estafeta Street and reach the Santa Maria la Real Cathedral (Pamplona Cathedral). It dates from the 13th century, and was built on the same site where the Romanesque cathedral was located. It was not until the 16th century that it was completed. Built in a Gothic style, with neoclassical touches, it is as beautiful inside (enjoy its cloister) as it is outside. It houses the Cathedral Museum.

Continue your walk through the historic quarter to the Museum of Navarre, which will present you with a collection of objects from prehistory to today. Pass in front of the neoclassical baroque City Hall and in this district, the churches of San Saturnino and San Lorenzo are also worth noting as remarkable.

Estafeta Street

The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real

Fancy walking? Discover Pamplona thanks to the urban trail that starts at several points in the city and allows you to walk for 3 hours, guided by signs and route indications.

Do you prefer greenery ? Go for a walk along the Arga River Park, an oasis of freshness close to the city. Pamplona is rich in green spaces.

• The Taconera Park, which covers 90,000m2, close to the old town, is in a French garden style. An animal park where you can easily see deer, peacocks, swans... will amaze children.
• The citadel is a green park nestled in a vestige of military architecture built in the 16th century. Very large, it hosts cultural events. It is stormed during the Pamplona Festival, fireworks are launched there every evening and it must be admitted, it is a place where many people stay during the festivals!
• For a little Asian touch, visit the Japanese park of Yamaguchi (twinned city with Pamplona): waterfalls, small bridges, geysers, well-trimmed and multi-colored trees will inspire you with a lot of zen…
• There is also the Medialuna park and its viewpoint.

Also to do in Pamplona:

• The Planetarium, a cultural center with an auditorium and projection room, to get closer to the stars through conferences, exhibitions, etc.
• On rainy days, Pamplona has several Escape Rooms, these small group puzzle games.
• To discover bullfighting , go to the Pamplona Bullring, in the Plaza de Toros, which offers guided tours.
• In the city center, enjoy the pedestrian area of Zapateria Street, with nice shops and beautiful houses.

The party in Pamplona

Let us now talk about the festivals of Pamplona (the Sanfermines) which take place in honor of Saint Fermin.

If you like partying, excitement, hustle and bustle, joyful chaos, dancing, drinking a lot, eating and having fun, this is the perfect time to visit Pamplona. These celebrations last 9 days, at all hours of the day and night starting on July 6th at 12:00 sharp. Some come from far away, dressed in white with a red scarf around their neck. Thousands of people of all ages gather in the city and its surroundings, occupying parks, gardens and all the spaces offering a little nap between two events. What happens there? Concerts, bullfights, dances, theater and street shows, noise, noise, noise… Parades, parades, balls, big heads and other giant costumes… The most incredible spectacle is the encierro : a chase of bulls, oxen and spectators. Yes, you read that right. Every morning at 8 o'clock sharp, the bulls, who are the kings of the afternoon bullfighting show, gallop up the streets at a triple gallop, from the city center to the arenas. In front of them, brave (crazy?) people run at full speed in white with their red scarves, to accompany the bulls while trying not to get gored or trampled. This happens quite often because it is a perilous exercise where the excitement of the public, the fear of the runners, galvanize the animals. The best thing is to watch videos to understand the scale of this event and its completely improbable nature...

Statue of Encierros of Pamplona

The Pamplona Arena

San Fermines Festival in Pampelona © Public Domain

© Public Domain

Pamplona is a pleasant and well-located city: to the north, a few dozen minutes away, are the Pyrenean valleys and their pretty little villages; to the south, medieval villages and wine-growing regions open their doors to you.