Pamplona – or Iruña" in Basque – is an excellent driving base from which to explore north-eastern Spain. France lies over the border to the north, while the Basque Country sits to the west. You’ll find the province of La Rioja to the south-west, and the Aragón region to the south-east.
The city is only a short drive away from the sandy beaches and fine restaurants of San Sebastián and the Pyrenees mountain range. While many will be familiar with Pamplona’s bull-running festival in July, the capital of the Navarre region is also a major destination on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The San Fermín festival
The Pamplona festival is otherwise known as The Running of the Bulls, and is held each year in early July. During the week-long event, bulls are released to charge down the town’s narrow medieval streets along a 1,000-yard-long course. It starts from Santo Domingo street until it reaches the cobbled streets of the Old Town, with participants scrambling to safety in between.
It’s a frantic spectacle and there many places to watch the runs, whether it's behind the fences or from the spectator stand, but the best place is from a private balcony high above the street.
If you want to take part in the run, you must be over 18 years old and speak to experienced runners, as the bulls charge at an incredible pace, so getting some safety tips in advance is absolutely essential.
Exploring the city center
f you’re not traveling to Pamplona for the bulls, then you’ll experience a beautiful city full of medieval charm. The old quarter is the main attraction for first-time visitors and has a maze-like quality with its long, narrow streets and different height buildings. Complementing the old quarter is the citadel, initially built by King Philip II in 1571 to guard against invasions from the French.
Protecting the citadel are Pamplona’s city walls, which are some of the best preserved in Spain, and a significant tourist attraction. From here, you can explore the parks of Media Luna and Taconera, from where you can see the walls’ bastions and defense structures.
Pintxo refreshments
Pamplona is the first major town on the Camino pilgrimage route and attracts lots of walkers, especially during the peak summer months.
Like most cities in the Basque Country, you’ll find Pamplona’s tapas bars serving mouthwatering dishes. One of those is pintxo, a Basque version of pincho, which is a slice of meat, fish or vegetable, skewered with a cocktail stick to a piece of crusty bread.
Day trips from Pamplona
Renting a car in Pamplona is an excellent way to explore the Basque country, with some of the most beautiful parts of Spain less than a two-hour drive away.
Bilbao is a major tourist draw, with its modernist art and great cuisine, and you can drive there in an hour and 45 minutes along the A1 highway. Neighboring gastronomical city San Sebastian, with its glittering beaches and bars, is an hour’s drive away, following the A15 expressway.
Whether you’re passionate about bulls, tapas or history, Pamplona is a superb base to explore northern Spain. Pick up the keys to your rental car from us at the airport, and waste no time on discovering the best of the city and beyond.