Pamplona

Iruña

The vibrant capital of Navarre, famous worldwide for the Running of the Bulls during the San Fermín festival. Its atmospheric old town, Gothic cathedral, and lively tapas bars make it a rewarding stop year-round.

Things to do

• Walk the Running of the Bulls route — Trace the barricaded course from Santo Domingo up Estafeta to the bullring where thousands run before the bulls each July morning during San Fermín.
• Visit Catedral de Santa María la Real — Explore this Gothic cathedral with its cloister considered one of the finest in Europe and a small diocesan museum inside.
• Stroll the Old Town (Casco Antiguo) — Wander narrow medieval streets like Calle Estafeta and Calle San Nicolás lined with balconied houses, bars, and boutiques.
• Walk the Murallas de Pamplona ramparts — Follow the well-preserved 16th-century fortress walls and bastions overlooking the Arga River for sweeping views of the countryside.
• Relax in the Plaza del Castillo — Sit at a café terrace on this grand 19th-century square that serves as the social heart of the city.
• Tour the Plaza de Toros bullring — See the arena where the Running of the Bulls ends, including a statue of Ernest Hemingway who famously wrote about the festival.
• Visit the Museo de Navarra — Housed in a former hospital, this museum covers Navarre's history from Roman mosaics to Goya portraits.
• Explore the Ciudadela and Parque de la Vuelta del Castillo — Wander this star-shaped Renaissance fortress turned green park and cultural space on the edge of downtown.

Food to try

• Pintxos crawl on Calle Estafeta and Calle San Nicolás — Hop between packed bars sampling bite-sized pintxos like stuffed peppers, jamón skewers, and foie gras on toast.
• Chistorra — Try this thin, quick-fried Navarran sausage often served on bread or skewered as a pintxo.
• Cordero al chilindrón — Sample this hearty Navarran lamb stew simmered with tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
• Alcachofas de Tudela — Look for these prized Navarran artichokes, often served fried or braised as a seasonal delicacy.
• Queso de Roncal with quince paste — Taste this sheep's milk cheese from the Roncal valley, Spain's first cheese with a protected designation of origin.
• Pacharán — Finish a meal with this traditional Navarran anise-and-sloe-berry liqueur, often served as a digestif.

Local customs & good to know

• Book San Fermín accommodations far ahead — Hotels fill up and prices spike months in advance for the July 6-14 festival, so reserve early if visiting then.
• Wear the traditional white-and-red outfit — During San Fermín, locals and visitors alike dress in white clothing with a red scarf (pañuelo) and sash.
• Meal times run late — Lunch is typically eaten around 2pm and dinner rarely starts before 9pm, in keeping with Spanish custom.
• Basque and Spanish are both present — Navarre has a mixed cultural identity, and you'll see bilingual signage reflecting both Spanish and Basque influences.