La Taconera Park, Pamplona
Park in Pamplona
La Taconera is the most magnificent park in central Pamplona, a 90,000-square-metre green escape just beside the old quarter where locals come to walk, play and breathe fresh air. Created in 1830, this historic park is richly planted with trees and flowers, dotted with statues and viewpoints, and feels a world away from the bustle of nearby streets, making it one of the best places to visit in Pamplona when you need a break from sightseeing. Paths wind through lawns and flowerbeds, and every turn seems to reveal another sculpture, shaded bench or glimpse of the old city walls.
One of La Taconera's most charming features is its mini zoo, where you can see deer roaming in the old moat alongside ducks, goats, pheasants, rabbits, swans, peacocks and more. Families gravitate to the children's play area with its drinking-water fountain, while a café in the park serves drinks and pastries so you can turn a simple stroll into a lingering visit. With its combination of history, greenery and animal life, La Taconera is a highlight of any walking tour of Pamplona that loops between the old quarter and the surrounding parks.
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History and Significance of the La Taconera
La Taconera was laid out in 1830 as Pamplona’s first and most important landscaped park, at a time when European cities were beginning to value public green spaces as essential to urban life. Its location near the old quarter meant it quickly became a favourite promenade for residents, offering open views, fresh air and a softer contrast to the stone streets and fortifications of the historic centre. Over the decades, the city grew around it, but La Taconera kept its status as Pamplona’s grand central park.
The park’s design reflects 19th century fashions: generous lawns, tree-lined paths, carefully composed flowerbeds and strategically placed sculptures that turn walks into a sequence of “scenes”. While the layout has evolved over time, the overall intention remains the same-to create an elegant garden that feels both cultivated and relaxed, where people can stroll, sit and simply enjoy being outdoors. The sculptures and monuments scattered throughout add a cultural layer, reminding visitors that this is not just a green space but also a kind of open-air museum.
La Taconera’s mini zoo developed as part of this park tradition, bringing animal life into the urban landscape. By placing animals such as deer and birds in the old moat area, the park preserves a trace of Pamplona’s defensive past while giving it a completely new function. Today, the blend of historical setting, landscaped greenery and family-friendly attractions makes La Taconera a symbol of the city’s shift from fortress town to welcoming regional capital.
Things to See and Do in the La Taconera
The best way to experience La Taconera is simply to wander. Start on one of the main paths and let yourself be drawn towards shaded avenues, open lawns and viewpoints over the old moat. The variety of trees and flowers means the park changes with the seasons, from spring blossoms to the deep greens of summer and the warm tones of autumn leaves, so it is worth visiting at different times of year if you can.
Make time to explore the mini zoo, one of the park’s most distinctive features. From the paths and viewpoints above the moat, you can look down on areas where deer graze and watch ducks, swans and other birds moving through ponds and grassy spaces. Goats, rabbits, pheasants and peacocks add to the sense of gentle, almost storybook life, especially for children seeing them for the first time. It is a simple but memorable experience to watch these animals against the backdrop of old stone walls and parkland.
Families and walkers will appreciate the practical touches. The dedicated play area gives younger visitors space to run and climb, while drinking-water fountains help everyone stay refreshed in warmer weather. When you are ready for a break, the park café offers a range of beverages and pastries, and its terrace is an inviting spot to sit and enjoy the view. You can easily combine a stroll in La Taconera with visits to nearby sights such as the Ciudadela de Pamplona or a loop through the old quarter, using the park as a calm base between more intense sightseeing.
How to Get to the La Taconera
Most visitors arrive in Pamplona via Pamplona Airport or larger regional airports such as Bilbao, then continue into the city by bus, taxi or hire car. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Pamplona on Booking.com. Once in Pamplona’s centre, La Taconera is just a short walk from the old quarter and is well integrated into the city’s green belt.
If you are travelling by train, Pamplona's main station connects the city with Madrid, Barcelona and other major Spanish hubs.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, you can take a local bus or taxi towards the historic centre and walk the final stretch to the park, or enjoy a slightly longer stroll through the city to reach La Taconera directly.
Arriving by car, follow the main roads into Pamplona and look for parking near the edge of the old town or close to the surrounding parks.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. From nearby car parks it is only a short walk to La Taconera’s entrances, and once inside you can easily continue on foot into the old quarter or towards the Ciudadela.
Practical Tips on Visiting the La Taconera
- Suggested tips: Bring a light picnic or snack and plan to spend time both walking and simply sitting; La Taconera is as much about slowing down as it is about “seeing” things.
- Best time to visit: Late morning and late afternoon are especially pleasant, with comfortable temperatures and soft light; evenings in summer can be lively with locals out enjoying the park.
- Entrance fee: Free – La Taconera is a public park open to everyone.
- Opening hours: Generally open daily and accessible during daylight and early evening hours; check locally for any seasonal gate times.
- Official website: https://www.pamplona.es/en/turismo/verde/taconera
- How long to spend: Allow 45-90 minutes for a relaxed stroll, time at the mini zoo viewpoints and a drink or snack at the café.
- Accessibility: Main paths are wide and mostly level, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though some viewpoints and older steps around the moat may be less accessible.
- Facilities: Expect paths, benches, children’s play areas, drinking fountains, a café with pastries and nearby public or café toilets.
- Photography tip: Look for compositions that combine sculptures, mature trees and glimpses of animals in the moat; early morning or late afternoon light brings out textures and colours.
- Guided tours: While La Taconera is primarily a self-guided park, some walking tours of Pamplona include it as part of a wider route through the city's green and historic areas.
- Nearby food options: Besides the park café, there are numerous cafés, pintxos bars and restaurants within a short walk in the old quarter and around the nearby squares.
Where to Stay close to the La Taconera
Staying near La Taconera allows you to use the park as your daily green escape while remaining close to Pamplona’s historic centre. A well-located option right by the park is Hotel Tres Reyes Pamplona, which overlooks nearby gardens and puts you within easy walking distance of both the park and the old town. For a more historic feel close to the cathedral and city walls, Pamplona Catedral Hotel offers a characterful base from which you can stroll down to La Taconera in just a few minutes. If you prefer to be directly on the city’s main square and walk to the park from there, Gran Hotel La Perla combines classic style with quick access to La Taconera, Plaza del Castillo and the rest of the Casco Viejo.
Is the La Taconera Worth Visiting?
La Taconera is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy mixing green spaces into your city explorations. As Pamplona’s most magnificent central park, it offers a satisfying blend of landscaped gardens, sculptures and a charming mini zoo that appeals to adults and children alike. Whether you come for a quick stroll, a family outing or a quiet hour on a bench between museums and monuments, the park’s calm atmosphere and long views make it one of the city’s most memorable spots.
What Other Travellers Say...
Jardines de la Taconera, at C. Taconera 6 in Pamplona, is a leafy French-style park laid out with formal beds, many mature trees (including sequoias and cedars), and incorporates an old wall and moat; visitors praise its roaming deer, peacocks and other birds, its ruins and gardened walkways, peaceful atmosphere that can become lively during festivals, and especially enjoy sunset views over the city and river.
FAQs for Visiting La Taconera
Nearby Attractions to the La Taconera
- Ciudadela de Pamplona: A 16th century star-shaped fortress turned public park, just a short walk away and ideal for extending your green-space stroll.
- Museum of Navarra: The regional museum in a former pilgrims' hospital, with collections from prehistory to Goya, located within easy walking distance.
- Pamplona Cathedral: A Gothic cathedral with Neoclassical façade, royal tombs and cloister in the nearby old quarter.
- Plaza del Castillo: Pamplona's main square and social hub, lined with cafés and arcades, perfect for a drink after time in the park.
- Calle Estafeta: A lively street on the famous Running of the Bulls route, packed with pintxos bars and shops, offering a more intense city experience after La Taconera's calm.
The La Taconera Park appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Pamplona!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Generally open daily and accessible during daylight and early evening hours; check locally for any seasonal gate times.
Free - La Taconera is a public park open to everyone.
Nearby Attractions
- Parroquia San Lorenzo (0.2) km
Church - Museo Universidad de Navarra (0.5) km
Museum - Museum of Navarre (0.5) km
Museum - Iglesia de San Saturnino (San Cernin) (0.5) km
Church - Iglesia De San Nicolas (0.5) km
Church - Ciudadela de Pamplona (0.6) km
Castle - Ayuntamiento de Pamplona (0.6) km
Town Hall - Royal and General Archive of Navarra (0.6) km
Archive and Palace - San Fermín de Aldapa (0.7) km
Church - Plaza del Castillo (0.7) km
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