Plaza del Castillo, Pamplona

Square in Pamplona

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jean-Christophe BENOIST

Plaza del Castillo is the beating heart of Pamplona, a grand central square that locals affectionately call their living room, or cuarto de estar. One of the best places to visit in Pamplona, it is where residents come to sit at café terraces, chat with friends and watch the day go by under the shade of arcades and trees. Located just south of the old town (San Cernin), between the former medieval settlements of Navarrería and San Nicolás, it naturally becomes the reference point you keep returning to during a stay in the city.

The square is framed on all sides by Renaissance-style arcades, with the outdoor seating of cafés and restaurants spilling out next to lawns and tree rows. In the centre stands a stone bandstand where concerts are held on summer evenings, especially during San Fermín, reminding you that this square has long been a stage for public life. Historically it hosted military parades, political demonstrations and even bullfights until 1843, and in literary lore it is where Ernest Hemingway supposedly wrote parts of The Sun Also Rises in Café Iruña, making it a highlight of any walking tour of Pamplona.

History and Significance of the Plaza del Castillo
Things to See and Do in the Plaza del Castillo
How to Get to the Plaza del Castillo
Practical Tips on Visiting the Plaza del Castillo
Where to Stay close to the Plaza del Castillo
Is the Plaza del Castillo Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Plaza del Castillo
Nearby Attractions to the Plaza del Castillo

History and Significance of the Plaza del Castillo

Plaza del Castillo owes its importance to its position between what were once separate medieval boroughs: Navarrería, San Nicolás and San Cernin. As those settlements grew together into a single city, this central space emerged as a natural meeting point and gradually developed into the main square of Pamplona. Over time, civic buildings, elegant houses and arcaded ground floors framed the plaza, turning it into a formal stage for public events as well as everyday gatherings.

The architecture, with arcades encircling the square in typical Spanish Renaissance style, reflects its role as both shelter and showcase. The arcades offer protection from sun and rain while allowing cafés and restaurants to spread their terraces beneath solid stone and plaster façades. Above them rise several storeys of residential and commercial buildings, their balconies and windows looking directly onto the square, reinforcing the feeling that Plaza del Castillo is a shared living room for the whole city.

Historically, the square has been a focal point for almost everything that mattered in Pamplona's public life. It hosted military parades that displayed power, political demonstrations that expressed dissent and even bullfights until 1843, when such events moved elsewhere. In the 20th century the square gained literary fame through Ernest Hemingway, who is said to have spent hours in Café Iruña working on The Sun Also Rises. Today, while its role has softened into something more leisurely, the sense of Plaza del Castillo as the city's main civic and social stage remains strong.

Things to See and Do in the Plaza del Castillo

The first thing to do is simply to cross the square at different times of day and soak up the atmosphere. Morning brings people heading to work or lingering over a first coffee, while afternoons see families, shoppers and visitors drifting through, and evenings turn the square into a lively, softly lit social space. Choose a bench near the lawns or sit under the trees and watch the life of Pamplona unfold around you.

Take a closer look at the arcades and façades that frame the square. Each side of Plaza del Castillo has its own rhythm of arches, balconies and cornices, yet together they form a coherent whole. Walking all the way around gives you different perspectives on the central bandstand, which acts as a visual anchor and hosts concerts on summer evenings, especially during the San Fermín festivities. When music fills the square and people gather around the bandstand, it is easy to imagine the grand parades and events that once took place here.

A visit would not be complete without stepping into one of the historic cafés, especially Café Iruña, long associated with Ernest Hemingway. Whether or not you are a fan of his work, sitting with a drink at one of the café terraces or under the arcades connects you to a century of travellers and writers who have used the square as their base. Between stops for coffee, pintxos or ice cream, you can wander out along the side streets into the old town or simply stay put and enjoy the steady flow of people passing through this open-air living room.

How to Get to the Plaza del Castillo

Most visitors reach Pamplona via Pamplona Airport or larger regional airports such as Bilbao or San Sebastián, with onward bus or car connections into the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Pamplona on Booking.com. Once in Pamplona, Plaza del Castillo is an easy landmark to find, lying at the heart of the historic and commercial core.

If you are travelling by train, Pamplona's main railway station connects the city with Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish hubs.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, you can take a local bus or taxi into the centre, or walk if you prefer; once you arrive in the Casco Viejo, simply follow signs or any city map to Plaza del Castillo, which sits at the junction of the old town streets.

Visitors arriving by car will find Pamplona well connected by main roads. It is usually best to park in one of the central car parks near the edge of the old town and continue on foot, as Plaza del Castillo and its surrounding streets are designed for pedestrians rather than vehicles.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 most central parking areas, it is only a short walk to the square.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Plaza del Castillo

Suggested tips: Use Plaza del Castillo as your reference point in Pamplona; start and end your city walks here, and keep returning at different times of day to experience changing moods.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon and evening are especially atmospheric, with terraces full and the square lit up; early morning is quieter if you prefer a calmer feel.
Entrance fee: Free – it is a public square open to everyone.
Opening hours: Accessible at all times
How long to spend: Allow at least 30-60 minutes to stroll, sit for a drink and take photos; longer if you stay for a meal or an evening concert.
Accessibility: The square is flat and paved, with wide open spaces and arcades that are easy to navigate for visitors with reduced mobility or families with pushchairs.
Facilities: Numerous cafés, bars and restaurants line the square, offering toilets, food and drink; benches and shaded areas make it comfortable to linger.
Photography tip: Capture the bandstand framed by arcades and trees, and return at dusk to photograph the square when lights are on and the sky is still glowing.
Guided tours: Many guided walks of Pamplona start or pass through Plaza del Castillo; joining one is an easy way to learn about the square's role in city life, from bullfights to political rallies.
Nearby food options: Besides the famous Café Iruña, the arcades and surrounding streets are full of pintxos bars, cafés and restaurants serving everything from quick snacks to full meals.

Where to Stay close to the Plaza del Castillo

If you stay near Plaza del Castillo, you are perfectly placed to explore the whole of Pamplona on foot. A classic, historic option directly overlooking the square is Gran Hotel La Perla, which offers front-row views of the plaza and instant access to cafés and shops. For a characterful stay tucked just behind the square, Sercotel Europa gives you a comfortable base a short stroll from Plaza del Castillo and the old town streets. If you prefer something slightly quieter but still central, Pamplona Catedral Hotel places you near the cathedral and city walls, with an easy walk down to the main square whenever you want to drop into the city’s living room.

Is the Plaza del Castillo Worth Visiting?

Plaza del Castillo is unquestionably worth visiting, whether you are in Pamplona for a day or a week. More than just a pretty square, it is the social centre of the city, a place where history, literature and everyday life come together under the arcades and around the bandstand. From Hemingway's connection at Café Iruña to the echoes of bullfights, parades and protests, the stories behind the façades add depth to what might otherwise be just another plaza, and its relaxed, lived-in atmosphere makes it somewhere you will almost certainly return to more than once.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (17,969)

Ciudadela de Pamplona is a large pentagonal fortress converted into an attractive public green space with exhibition rooms; visitors praise it as a pleasant, shady place to walk, explore fortifications and tunnels, enjoy sculptures and birdlife, and relax—it's dog-friendly, sometimes home to chickens in one area, and conveniently next to the bus station, making it easy to pop in even for a short stroll.

P F

2 months ago

"Not much left to look at, but worth a visit. Go past the monument and walk around what's left of some of the old city walls and get some fantasticviews...."

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Simon

a year ago

"Beautiful space for a walk and surprisingly big as well. A definite hot-spot for dog walkers so watch where you're stepping on the grass. One areahas chickens and different birds, They have birds as well if you can spot them. A great place to while away the afternoon or walk of some of the excellent local food...."

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Amanda Stephenson

a year ago

"Enjoyed looking around this city. Ate at some great bars and enjoyed the pintxos. Be aware that shops will shut for a long lunch and everythingquietens down. The citadel is worth a look as a lovely quiet place with lots of shade. Art exhibitions are there too - shut for lunch though!..."

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FAQs for Visiting Plaza del Castillo

Yes, many locals simply order a coffee, soft drink or glass of wine and sit for a while; just check menus for any minimums at peak times.

Very much so; children can enjoy the open space while adults relax on benches or at café tables, though it is still important to keep an eye on them when the square is busy.

Yes, Plaza del Castillo becomes one of the central stages for concerts, gatherings and general festivities during San Fermín, adding even more energy to its usual buzz.

Nearby Attractions to the Plaza del Castillo

Pamplona Cathedral: A 15th century Gothic cathedral with a Neoclassical façade, royal tombs and cloister, just a short walk uphill from the square.
Ciudadela de Pamplona: A star-shaped Renaissance fortress turned public park, ideal for a relaxing stroll after time in the city centre.
Taconera Park: One of Pamplona's oldest parks, with landscaped gardens and shaded paths, located a pleasant walk from the plaza.
Calle Estafeta: A famous street on the Running of the Bulls route, now lined with pintxos bars and shops, radiating from the old town near the square.
Museo de Navarra: The regional museum housed in a former hospital, showcasing archaeology and art that illuminate Navarre's wider history.

The Plaza del Castillo 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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