Pamplona (Iruña), the capital of Navarre and an ancient Basque city, is universally known for its legendary San Fermín Festival (July 6th to 14th) and the adrenaline-fueled running of the bulls, the Encierro. However, its charm goes far beyond: it is a crucial point on the Camino de Santiago (the French Way) and boasts a historic center rich in history, dominated by the imposing Cathedral and the solid 16th-century walls. The blend of Basque and Navarran culture creates a unique atmosphere, especially in the excellence of its gastronomy, with the famous pintxos.

What Our Travel Designers Recommend to See and Experience: History, Faith, and Tradition

• The Cathedral of Santa María la Real – A Gothic masterpiece, with its cloister considered one of the most beautiful in Spain. We recommend a visit combined with the Diocesan Museum to appreciate its artistic richness.
• Plaza del Castillo – The true living room of the city, the heart of social life, and the ideal place to enjoy a coffee in one of its historic cafés, such as the famous Café Iruña, mentioned by Ernest Hemingway.
• The Encierro (The Route) – Walk the bull route on foot, outside of the festival days: from Calle de Santo Domingo up to the Plaza de Toros, to feel the history and tension of this ritual.
• The Citadel (Ciudadela) – Imposing star-shaped Renaissance fortress, now a large public park perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Gastronomy and Pintxos: An Experience to Savor

• Pintxos – Small culinary works of art, similar to tapas but more elaborate. The unmissable experience is the 'txikiteo', the bar crawl tasting a pintxo and a glass of wine in each establishment.
• Pimiento del Piquillo Relleno – Sweet stuffed red peppers, typical of Navarre.
• Navarra DO Wine – The region is known for its fresh rosé wines and robust reds.

How to Get There and Get Around

• Airport – Pamplona has an airport (PNA) with limited connections. Many arrive by high-speed train or bus from Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbao.
• Getting Around – The historic center is perfectly walkable. For the surrounding areas, the urban bus service (Villavesas) is efficient.

Institutional Links

• Official Website of the Municipality of Pamplona
• Official Tourism Website of Navarre

Top 3 Recommended Luxury Hotels

• Gran Hotel La Perla – Historic luxury hotel in Plaza del Castillo, where Ernest Hemingway stayed, an icon of charm.
• Hotel Tres Reyes – Modern structure with a central location and park views, ideal for a high-level stay.
• Hotel Alma Pamplona – Contemporary design and luxury, slightly outside the center but with exclusive amenities.

Top 5 Recommended Restaurants (including starred)

• Europa* – Michelin-starred restaurant, a benchmark for signature Navarran cuisine.
• Rodero* – Another starred establishment known for its innovative but tradition-rooted gastronomic proposal.
• Bodegón Sarría – Famous for traditional cuisine and quality meats.
• Baserriberri – Exceptional for its creative and modern pintxos.
• Bar Gaucho – Considered one of the best for its selection of classic and award-winning pintxos.