Pamplona or Iruña (in Basque) is the capital of Navarre. Among tourists, Pamplona is especially famous for the San Fermín festivals. However, Pamplona is also a wonderful city to visit outside these busy festivities. Pamplona is rich in history, culture, and charm. A great way to really get to know Pamplona is by booking a tour. With an enthusiastic guide, you can discover the city's most emblematic buildings and learn about the stories behind this city.
Pamplona offers many beautiful places and buildings that can be visited in one day. Below you will see the things you must visit when you are in Pamplona.
Old Town district
A stroll through the Old Town is enough to experience the historical and cultural wealth of the capital of Navarre. Along the narrow medieval streets are many monumental buildings and iconic places of this city. Churches like San Nicolás, beautiful and characteristic parks such as the Jardines de la Taconera, the town hall, the cathedral of Santa Maria la Real, the square Plaza del Castillo and many more.
The Old Town of Pamplona is filled with bars where you can enjoy the diverse gastronomy of Navarre in small portions. These are the so-called pinchos/pintxos ("small bites"). It is recommended to pair these pintxos with a delicious local wine. Many of these bars are along the route of the encierro (bull running), which takes place during the San Fermín festivals. One of the most famous streets where the bulls run is Calle Estafeta.
City Hall
In the center and the old town of Pamplona is the town hall, with the square in front of it called Plaza Consistorial. During the San Fermín festivals, this location is of great importance, as the chupinazo takes place here. During the chupinazo, a firework rocket is set off from the town hall balcony, marking the start of the celebrations. Thousands of people gather in the square to celebrate this moment.
The current town hall was inaugurated in 1953, but retains the Baroque facade of the previous building from 1760.
Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real
The beautiful cathedral of Santa María la Real is just a 4-minute walk from the town hall Santa Maria la Real. This cathedral was built during the 14th and 15th centuries on the site of the ancient forum of Pompaelo, the name of the city during the Roman era. The northern tower of the cathedral houses María, the the largest church bell of Spain. Inside the cathedral is also one of the best Gothic cloisters in Europe.
Behind this cathedral stands Caballo Blanco (“White Horse”), one of the most charming spots in the city. From here, you’ll enjoy the best views of the city, where you can admire the neighborhoods of Rochapea, Chantrea, and San Jorge, with the mountain of San Cristóbal and its abandoned fort at the top in the background.
The San Fermín celebrations
The San Fermín celebrations, also known as the Sanfermines, are an annual festival that takes place in Pamplona. These festivities are held in honor of San Fermín (Saint Firminus of Amiens), one of the two patron saints of Navarre. The other patron saint is San Francisco Javier, whose birthplace, a beautiful castle in the village of Javier (40 minutes drive from Pamplona), which can be visited today.
The festivities begin every year on July 6 at 12 noon with the chupinazo. These continue until July 14, ending with the song Pobre de mí (“Poor me”) at midnight. At that moment everyone gathers on the square in front of the town hall, singing with a candle in their hands.
The San Fermín festivals are best known for the non-stop partying, where people party both during the night and during the day. It is traditional to wear white and red clothing during these parties, with most people wearing a white shirt and pants with red accessories.
Encierros
Besides partying, San Fermín is also known for its encierros (“running of the bulls”). These take place in the narrow streets of Pamplona and end in the Plaza de Toros (“the arena”), where the bullfighting takes place in the afternoon. The encierros are held every day except the first day, and start at 8am. Both locals and brave tourists take part in this bull running, but it is crucial to be well informed about the risks. Bull running is a serious matter and should only be practiced by those who are familiar with the dangers and are well prepared. A somewhat less dangerous experience is to learn the history of these encierros with the Running of the Bulls Tour.
In addition to the exciting encierros, the Sanfermines also offer a wide range of other, more relaxed activities. During the day, people often head to local bars with friends or family to enjoy the atmosphere, drinks, and delicious pintxos. There are various music concerts every day, and in the evening, around 11 p.m., a spectacular fireworks show is held. People often gather on a grass field near the Pamplona bus station, from where the best view of the show can be seen.
