More in the background than large Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid and Seville, Pamplona is actually a beautiful urban centre, capital of the autonomous community of Navarre. Located just 50 km from the border with France, the city lies close to the Pyrenees, along the famous French route that leads thousands of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela every year. This makes it one of the most lively and multi-ethnic places in Spain, as well as a very interesting tourist destination.
To help you discover this town and its surroundings in the best possible way, we have collected for you all the useful info to organise a trip to Pamplona, Spain: where it is located, when to go and what to see!
Informed travel: useful info
Inhabitants: around 200,000
Language: Spanish and Basque
Local currency: euro (€)
Climate: slightly continental and quite rainy. Winter is cold with average temperatures of 5°, while in summer there are considerable variations between day and night, averaging 28° during the day and 13° at night.
Time zone: GMT+1, the same time zone that also applies in Italy
Entry requirements: valid identity card for expatriation or valid passport
Security info: it is a quiet and safe place. The only event where care should be taken is the San Firmino Festival, the second week of July, when the city becomes overcrowded for the fateful Running of the Bulls. Visit the section on the Farnesina website
Nearest airports: Pamplona Airport (6 km from the centre, no direct flights from Italy), Bilbao Airport (155 km from Pamplona, 1 h 45 min by car)
Where it is located
Pamplona is located in the northernmost part of Spain, specifically in the heart of the Navarre region, in a natural basin surrounded by mountainous relief. While the Pyrenees lie to the north, La Rioja lies to the south of the region, Aragon to the east and the Basque Country to the west.
SEE ALSO: Navarre, Spain: where it is, when to go and what to see
How to get there
FromMilan or Rome: there are no direct flights to Pamplona from Italy. A possible solution is therefore to land in Bilbao, with connections guaranteed by Vueling, Easyjet and Volotea (2-hour flight), and from there continue overland to Pamplona thanks to the DO50B bus first and the direct train to Pamplona later. Flights from €72.00 - see offers
From the main European capitals: among the airlines that provide direct connections with Pamplona, we recommend Iberia and Lufthansa, which connect the main European capitals with the small city airport.
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Precipitation (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | 1 / 9° | 10 days / 60 mm |
February | 2 / 11° | 9 days / 50 mm |
March | 4 / 15° | 8 days / 55 mm |
April | 5 / 16° | 10 days / 75 mm |
May | 9 / 21° | 10 days / 60 mm |
June | 12 / 25° | 6 days / 45 mm |
July | 14 / 28° | 4 days / 35 mm |
August | 15 / 28° | 5 days / 40 mm |
September | 12 / 25° | 6 days / 45 mm |
October | 9 / 19° | 9 days / 75 mm |
November | 5 / 13° | 10 days / 75 mm |
December | 2 / 10° | 11 days / 75 mm |
Climate: continental, with cold winters and hot summers, but not too hot. Between December and February, average temperatures min 2° and max 10°, due to cold air from the Pyrenees. In summer min 12° and max 28°, with a considerable temperature range between day and night. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, especially in winter
Best period: the summer months, especially June, because they are the sunniest and temperatures are never too high
Period to avoid: late autumn, winter and early spring, due to unstable weather. If you do not like events involving the exploitation of animals, avoid the second week of July when the Running of the Bulls is performed
Tips: pack both light and heavier clothes so that you are prepared for the rather large temperature range between day and night. Bring light, breathable clothes, sweatshirts and warmer clothes, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sun cream, camera and sunglasses. If you are travelling in winter, don't forget a heavy jacket and waterproof shoes
10 things to see in and around Pamplona
Plaza del Castillo: the city's main square, once considered a meeting place and still the beating heart of life in Pamplona. Where bullfights were once held (a practice that lasted until the end of the 19th century), palaces of inestimable historical and artistic value have now been built
Palacio de l'Ayuntamiento: one of the most important 15th-century buildings in the city, a symbol of a newfound peace after continuous city clashes in the first decades of the 15th century. It combines the Baroque style with neoclassical contaminations
City Walls: one of the most exposed cities of the Kingdom of Navarre, Pamplona equipped itself from the very beginning with a substantial city wall, which has remained practically intact to this day
Pamplona Cathedral: made up of a multitude of different architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to neoclassical to typically Renaissance, it is a majestic building whose construction lasted no less than 150 years
Palace of Navarre: currently the seat of the province of Navarre, this neoclassical palace is located right in the city centre. Among the most beautiful rooms inside, we recommend visiting the Throne Room with its precious marbles
Riverside Park: with almost one million square metres, it is the city's true green lung, ideal for long walks, running or resting in the shade of large trees
Monumento al Encierro: considered by many to be the most significant monument in Pamplona and Navarre as a whole, this sculpture is dedicated to the Running of the Bulls and represents the most tense moment of the event, the chase through the streets of the city
Citadel: an impressive military fortification with a pentagonal layout, it served as a centre for defence and enemy sighting. Today, it houses the Palace of Congresses and the Navarra Auditorium
Planetarium: built in 1993, it has become a first-class cultural centre, ideal for studying the stars, but also for showing films and organising educational activities for children
Excursion in Navarre: outside of Pamplona, the region of Navarre has many things to offer tourists. That is why we recommend that you take part in an organised tour lasting several days, so that you can discover all the attractions in the surrounding area.
What to do in Pamplona: excursions and tours
How much does it cost to visit Pamplona? Prices, offers and advice
Pamplona and, in general, the region of Navarre are not very expensive places and it is quite easy to find ways to save a little on accommodation and food.
As far as accommodation is concerned, in fact, the facilities are many and can vary from the cheapest hostels (from €7.00 per person in a mixed dormitory) to traditional hotels (double room from €40.00 per night), and even religious accommodation, which is very popular since the city is located along the French pilgrimage route to Santiago.
During a trip to Pamplona, the main expense will undoubtedly be for transport, not so much those within the city, which can be visited perfectly well on foot, as those that will take you from the city to the region's main attractions: in fact, it is advisable to travel by private transport or by renting a car at the airport (from €130.00 per week). If you want to get to Spain by plane, however, bear in mind that there are no direct connections from Italy and that flights are still quite expensive. If you land at Bilbao Airport, you can opt for a private transfer to Pamplona.
Where to stay: Hotels and b&b from €20.00 per room - see offers
Cheap flights: to Bilbao (155 km) from €108.00 - look at the offers
