CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jean-Christophe BENOIST

Pamplona, the capital of Navarra, is by far the largest and most noteworthy city of the area. The city is well known for its tourists who flock to Pamplona to experience the famous Running of the Bulls event, during the San Fermín Festival in July. Pamplona owes some of its fame to its adopted son, Ernest Hemingway, who spent a considerable amount of time in Navarra during the Spanish Civil War and wrote about the  San Fermín Festival and the “Running of the Bulls” (“Encierro” in Spanish) in his book, “The Sun Also Rises.”

However Pamplona has much more to offer with its medieval walls and architectural gems like its Gothic cathedral, 16th-century citadel, and Baroque town hall. The Old Town’s quaint, narrow streets and spacious squares, where locals gather to socialize with friends and family, have an inviting ambience with many outdoor cafés.

History of Pamplona

Early History of Pamplona

This charming historic town was founded by Pompey in 75-74BC, while he was fighting the against Quintus Sertorius, the leader of a revolt against Rome. The city’s first name was Pompeiopolis or Pompaelo –  the city of Pompey. In the 5th century, the Visigoths establish a bishopric here and called the city Iruña. It fell and was occupied by the Moors in 711. In 778, Charlemagne razed the walls of Pamplona, which lead to Basque forcing him to retreat at the Battle of Roncesvalles, an event interpreted as the beginnings of the small Kingdom of Pamplona.

The Christian Reconquest of Pamplona

Its first king was Eneko Aritza. Pamplona was made capital of the kingdom of Navarre by Sancho III of Navarre (1000–35), and his new foundation was known as the Ciudad de la Navarrería.

The Kingdom of Navarre and Pamplona

Throughout the Middle Ages, Pamplona remained the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre. The city flourished as a political and cultural center, experiencing growth in trade and the arts. The construction of notable buildings, including the new Gothic cathedral, marked this era of prosperity. In 1512 the armies of King Ferdinand of Aragon-Castile entered Pamplona, and the portion of Navarre south of the Pyrenees was incorporated into Spain.  The citadel built by Philip II of Spain in 1571 made Pamplona the most strongly fortified town of the north.

Pamplona in the Early Modern Period

The 16th century brought significant changes to Pamplona when the Kingdom of Navarre was annexed by Spain in 1512. The city became a key military outpost for the Spanish Crown, leading to the construction of extensive fortifications, including the famous citadel, to defend against potential invasions.

The San Fermín Festival

One of the most iconic aspects of Pamplona’s history is the San Fermín Festival, which dates back to the medieval period. The festival, held annually in July, features the famous “Running of the Bulls” (Encierro) and attracts visitors from around the world. The event has deep cultural and religious significance, celebrating the city’s patron saint, Saint Fermin.

Pamplona in the 19th and 20th Centuries

The 19th and early 20th centuries were periods of modernization and growth for Pamplona. The city expanded beyond its medieval walls, developing new neighborhoods and modern infrastructure. Industrialization brought economic development, while cultural and educational institutions flourished.

Pamplona in Contemporary Times

Today, Pamplona is a vibrant city that blends its rich historical heritage with modern amenities. It remains an important cultural and economic center in the region of Navarre. The city’s historical sites, such as its well-preserved medieval walls, the Gothic cathedral, and the bustling Plaza del Castillo, attract tourists and reflect its storied past.

Pamplona’s Cultural and Educational Contributions

Pamplona is also known for its contributions to education and culture. The University of Navarre, established in the mid-20th century, is a prestigious institution that attracts students from around the world. The city hosts various cultural festivals, exhibitions, and performances, maintaining its status as a cultural hub.

Visiting Pamplona for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Pamplona on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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This complete guide to Pamplona not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Pamplona and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Museo Universidad de Navarra

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jialxv

Museo Universidad de Navarra is the contemporary art museum of the University of Navarra, which has been compared to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. It was inaugurated on January 22, 2015 by King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia Ortiz. The daughter of a Spanish impresario, María Josefa Huarte, in 2008 made a generous donation […]

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Location: calle Cuesta de Santo Domingo 47 | Hours: 9.30am-2pm & 5-7pm Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun | Website | Distance: 0.3km

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Visiting Museo Universidad de Navarra

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La Taconera

Public Domain / Luzaide

La Taconera is the most magnificent park located in the centre of Pamplona near the old quarter of the city. It was created in the year 1830 and occupies 90,000 sq meters. The park is rich with tree plantation, a variety of flowers and beautiful and intricate sculptures. The mini zoo comprises of deer, ducks, […]

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Visiting La Taconera

Explore Pamplona yourself with our self-guided walking tour!

Museum Of Navarre

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Joanbanjo

The Museum of Navarra is the art museum of Navarre, located  in Pamplona, Spain. The Museo de Navarra is housed in an old pilgrims’ hospital that dates to 1556. Navarre is a fascinating part of Spain with a long, complex history. The Museum of Navarre has a stunning collection of remarkable art work from the […]

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Location: Calle Cuesta de Santo Domingo, Pamplona | Hours: 9.30am-2pm & 5-7pm Tue-Sat, 11am-2pm Sun | Price: Saturday afternoon: €1 Sunday: free entry Other days: €2 | Website | Distance: 0.3km

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Visiting Museum Of Navarre

Parroquia San Lorenzo

GNU 1.2 / José Luis Filpo Cabana

Parroquia San Lorenzo commonly known as the church of San Lorenzo is an ancient church in Pamplona located at one end of the main street of Calle Taconer. The church was a part of the defense system of Pamplona in early times. The front facade of the church was once bombed and dismantled. The highlight […]

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Location: Iglesia de - San Lorenzo - Eliza, Calle Mayor, 74, 31001 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain | Distance: 0.4km

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Visiting Parroquia San Lorenzo

Ayuntamiento de Pamplona

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Michael Newman

This ornate town hall building is located in the old town square. The iconic building built in 1423 is where a rocket gets launched every July 6th at noon, announcing the beginning of the famous San Fermin festival. The origin of the building dates to 1423 and the Privilegio de la Unión  charter that united […]

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Location: Ayuntamiento de Pamplona Plaza Consistorial, s/n 31001 Pamplona Navarra Spain | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting Ayuntamiento de Pamplona

San Fermín de Aldapa

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Séamus McPálás

There is evidence of the existence of this church since medieval times, built in the place where, according to tradition, was the birthplace of San Fermín. It is located in the old part of Pamplonçes, between Calle Dos de Mayo and Calle Aldapa, on the esplanade that extends in front of the Palacio de los […]

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Location: San Fermin De Aldapa, Calle Dos de Mayo, Pamplona, Spain | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting San Fermín de Aldapa

Royal and General Archive of Navarra (Palacio de los Virreyes)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jialxv

The Royal and General Archive of Navarra (AGN) is the archive of the institutions of the Kingdom of Navarra and the province of Navarra, as well as the historical archive of the Administration of the Foral Community of Navarra. It is located in the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra in Pamplona – Palacio de […]

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Location: Royal and General Archive of Navarra Calle Dos de Mayo, s/n 31001 Pamplona Navarra Spain | Hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 11:00 to 14:00. Closed Monday. | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting Royal and General Archive of Navarra (Palacio de los Virreyes)

Iglesia de San Saturnino (San Cernin)

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Clauuuvlc

The church of San Saturnino , more commonly called San Cernin, is a Catholic church in the Old Quarter of the city of Pamplona. The building dates from the 13th century, but archaeological work shows there were at least two other churches on the same site previously. It was not only the religious centre of […]

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Location: Iglesia de San Saturnino Calle San Saturnino, S/N 31001 Pamplona Navarra Spain | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 0.5km

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Visiting Iglesia de San Saturnino (San Cernin)

Portal de Francia, Pamplona

The gateway of France, was built in 1553 by the Viceroy of Alburquerque, is the best preserved of the six belonging to the ancient city walls. Travellers from the neighbouring country entered and exited the city through this gate, hence its name. Of the two main doors making the portal, the one on the inside […]

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Location: Calle Carmen, 35, 31001 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 0.6km

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Visiting Portal de Francia, Pamplona

Iglesia De San Nicolas

CC BY-SA 4.0 / José Luis Filpo Cabana

Iglesia de San Nicolás de Pamplona is a Catholic church located in the Old Quarter of Pamplona. Iglesia de San Nicolas was built in the 12th century with Gothic interiors. The historic church was built in the city of Pamplona not only for the purpose of religious functions but also as a defensive bastion of […]

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Visiting Iglesia De San Nicolas

Mirador de Caballo Blanco

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Zarateman

Mirador de Caballo Blanco (White Horse Lookout), you’ll get incredible views of the old city walls, the Arga River, and the Great Pyrenees Mountains. It constitutes the highest part of the Bastion of Redín, where a palace formerly stood, of which only the Cruz del Mentidero remains, a place of executions dating from 1500. The […]

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Visiting Mirador de Caballo Blanco

Albergue de Jesús y María

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Zarateman

The Jesús y María hostel is located in the historic centre of Pamplona , next to the Cathedral. It is a public hostel for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, and also for tourists, one of the largest and most impressive of the entire French Camino de Santiago . It is an old church, the […]

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Location: Calle Compañía, 4, Pamplona, Spain | Distance: 0.7km

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Visiting Albergue de Jesús y María

Plaza del Castillo

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jean-Christophe BENOIST

The Plaza del Castillo is a public square located in the centre of the city of Pamplona. One of the best things to do in Pamplona and a must is a visit to Plaza del Castillo. It is the main square of the town and the centre of local life. The people of Pamplona affectionately […]

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Location: Plaza del Castillo, Pamplona | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.7km

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Visiting Plaza del Castillo

Catedral de Pamplona

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Yiorsito

The Pamplona Cathedral (Santa María la Real) is  a 15th century Roman Catholic Gothic church of Pamplona, Spain. It is located in the Casco Viejo or old town near the Plaza del Castillo. The current 15th century Gothic church replaced an older Romanesque one, dating back to the 6th century and has retained the Romanesque […]

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Location: Calle Dormitalería | Hours: 10.30am-7pm Mon-Sat Apr-Oct, to 5pm Nov-Mar, tower climb 11.15am | Price: Adult/child €5/3 | Website | Distance: 0.7km

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Visiting Catedral de Pamplona

Palacio de Navarra

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ainars Brūvelis

The Palacio de Navarra is the of the seat of the Diputación Foral (Provincial Council), the administrative offices of the regional government of Navarra. This splendid 19th-century Neoclassical palace is open to the public for guided tours. The palace dazzles visitors with its lavishly decorated Throne Room and exceptional works of art, including a portrait […]

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Location: 1 Avenida Carlos III El Noble, Pamplona | Hours: 08 - 14:30 Closed Sat & Sun | Website | Distance: 0.8km

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Visiting Palacio de Navarra

Ciudadela de Pamplona

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Michael Newman

Ciudadela de Pamplona is a 16th-century fortress that was built between 1571 and 1645, during the reign of King Felipe II. It is probably one of the best examples of military architecture from the Spanish Renaissance – this is mainly because it never faced a siege and so is in a good state of preservation! […]

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Location: Avenida del Ejército s/n 31002 Pamplona-Iruña, Pamplona, Navarre (Autonomous Community of Navarre) | Hours: 8am-9.30pm Mon-Sat, from 9am Sun | Website | Distance: 0.8km

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Visiting Ciudadela de Pamplona

Monumento Al Encierro

GNU 1.2 / Jorab

If you’re not in town during the running of the bulls, you can still feel a sense of the action by seeing this life-size bronze sculpture. The sculpture stretches 4m wide and 11m long, and vividly depicts the Bull Run nine bulls with 11 runners, several of whom have stumbled, with fear on their faces. […]

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Location: Avenida de Roncesvalles | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.9km

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Visiting Monumento Al Encierro

Magdalena Bridge (Pamplona)

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Yiorsito

The Magdalena Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in Pamplona is the entrance to the city of Pamplona on the Camino de Santiago. The Magdalena bridge crosses the Arga river in a beautiful setting, the Parque de la Tejería. Built in the 12th century, but with Gothic details and remodeled in 1963. The name comes […]

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Visiting Magdalena Bridge (Pamplona)

Plaza de Toros de Pamplona

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ibanquel

The bullring of Pamplona is the bullring projected in 1920 in the Second Ensanche of Pamplona to celebrate bullfights. It has a capacity of about 19,720 spectators, after the last reform to comply with safety regulations, which makes it the largest bullring in Navarra , and the third largest in the world in terms of […]

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Location: Paseo Hemingway, s/n. 31002 Pamplona - Iruña | Hours: Until July 31st: Monday to Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.From August 1st to 30th: Monday to Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (group by reservation)From September 1st to October 31st: Monday: groups only by reservation. Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sundays, from 10:30 to 14:30October 12th, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Website | Distance: 1.0km

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Visiting Plaza de Toros de Pamplona

Centro De Interpretacion De Las Fortificaciones De Pamplona, Pamplona

CC BY-SA 4.0 / GUIA ILUSTRADA

Centro de Interpretacion de las Fortificaciones de Pamplona is located in the heart of Pamplona is surrounded by beautiful gardens of the Plaza de Toros. The centre is located within the barracks of the walls themselves and displays a range of drawings, short films and interactive screens. This can be followed with a 5 kilometre […]

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Location: cnr Calles Arrieta & Aralar | Hours: 11am-2pm & 5-7pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, 10am-2pm & 4-6pm Nov-Mar | Price: adult/child €3/1.50 | Website | Distance: 1.1km

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Visiting Centro De Interpretacion De Las Fortificaciones De Pamplona, Pamplona