Tourist guide: what to do and see in Pamplona
Green spaces, gastronomy and history in the capital of the old kingdom of Navarre.
When you think of Pamplona, you very likely think immediately of red and white. The Sanfermines, or running of the bulls, is the city's foremost calling card, offering the foreign visitor one of the most typical Spanish celebrations. Still, Pamplona is much more than the "chupinazo" (the rocket launch that heralds the beginning of the fun and games) and the "Woe is me!" experienced by, shall we say, less fortunate participants who may get up close and personal with a bull. The capital of Navarre will surprise you with its expansive green spaces, artistic and monumental patrimony, and its excellent cuisine. And don't forget to try its wines and to visit its wine cellars. Cheers!
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Buenaceite
An olive oil for every occasion so let them advise you and you'll not go wrong.
Liquid gold for your palate.
One of the essential ingredients in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil and curiously, in Pamplona, you'll find a shop that specializes in this liquid gold, which is known as 'Buenaceite', and it’s located in the old part of town on the street named 'calle Chapitela'. If you have any questions on which olive oil would be the most appropriate for you to buy, you can taste it on the spot and choose among their great variety, both from Navarre, as well as from other regions, including some international rarities. Olive oil with designation of origin from Navarre stands out for its great intensity with fruity undertones that depend on the harvested olives and if you've never tasted it, it's worth trying it for the first time. The delicious bottles from 'Buenaceite' make it difficult to choose between extra virgin, refined and organic olive oils. You'll also find natural products, which are made from olives, as well as olive based products, such as cosmetics.
Forja Artística Arbizu (Etxauri) (Arbizu Artistic Forge) (Etxauri)
Pieces of wrought iron to decorate any part of your house.
A trade that has survived over time.
The patriarch of the Arbizu family, Calixto Arbizu, founded the workshop and forge in 1928, which is named after him and was inherited by his son and grandson, who are also master craftsmen of iron. The Arbizu Workshops are located in the town of Etxauri, which is 13 kilometres from Pamplona and it's worth a trip to this rural place to find out about how a forge is run and to buy some of the works of art made of iron while you're there. Among their works of art, which may be reserved and requested to be sent to a destination by courier, you'll find standing lamps which are worthy of a castle, lecterns, crosses, iron fittings and almost any piece that you can imagine, extracted from iron. The technique, which the grandfather Arbizu taught his son, who in turn taught his grandson, ranges from stoke welding to engraving and embossing, among other specialties.
Niu Taller de Cerámica (Niu Pottery Workshop)
Exclusive designs and handcrafted pieces for those who like jewels, is there a better gift?
Original handmade jewellery.
The artist, Mónica Tort Bori, has turned her 'Niu Taller de Cerámica' into a small shopping paradise where you can choose between jewels and pieces of exclusive adornments. The Niu studio/shop was opened in 2004 on the street named 'calle Curia' and offers two lines of crafts: one based on baked and decorated ceramics with trays, tableware, vases and pots to decorate your home or to give as an original gift, and another line of jewellery made of porcelain with necklaces, earrings, brooches or rings and you can be sure that you’re buying unique and original pieces. The techniques that this artist uses, range from the traditional 'churros' or cylindrical forms, moulds, rolling and the potter's wheel, to convert inert materials such as stoneware or clay into true works of art which are decorated with oxides and glazes that she produces herself.
La Vinoteca
Learn how to taste a good wine and take the best vintage back home.
The wine culture in Navarre.
Lovers of fine wine and even the lovers of fine beers, can not leave Pamplona without visiting La Vinoteca, which is a wine tasting club for connoisseurs and amateurs and has two venues in the city: one on the street named 'calle Chapitela' and the other on the street of 'calle Espiroz'. Founded in the 1980s by the wine expert Luis Fernández Olaverri, this specialized shop offers the best vintages for sale and organizes oenological activities, which are open to the public. The founding member of the 'Confradía de Vino' (Navarran Winery Association), Fernandez Olaverri, knows what a keen enthusiast of grapevine products can look for in his shop, better than anyone. On the one hand you can take pleasure in the wine tastings and competitions that 'Vinarte' organizes in the 'Club Cata del Vino' (Wine Tasting Club), or the 'Bier Club Cerveza' (Beer Club), as each one of them has its own speciality.
Taller Artístico en Vidrio - Agustín Aguirre (Agustín Aguirre Artistic Glass Workshop)
Glass is the raw material that these artists use to make unique pieces.
Creativity with bottles.
They say that stained glass windows are the oldest form of kinetic art because light passes through their colours and shapes in different ways, depending on the season, the weather or the time of day. And with the idea of investigating this type of visual creation, the artist Agustín Aguirre chose to experiment with the traditional techniques of glass (tiffany, torch, lead) since the year 2000, and even invented the new technique of 'exploding glass'. His creations that are made of glass recycled bottles (of which he transforms into boxes of pearly reflections) and other delicate inlay works (marquetry), are on sale in his artistic workshop, located in the square named 'Plaza del Castillo'. You can find all kinds of decorative objects and amazing jewellery here, as well as paintings in which he innovates with materials such as fabrics, feathers and other textures.
Chocolates Subiza
Indulge yourself in the pleasure of this chocolate, which has a recipe that has passed on from generation to generation.
The sweetest snack.
From 1841, the Subiza family has turned Navarre into the cradle of handmade chocolate, firstly by 'grinding', using a flat grinding stone, then with a mill, which was originally pulled by horses and then to eventually be powered by electricity, when it was first supplied to the valley. Miguel Subiza was the first chocolate maestro who learned the techniques of chocolate making, which were typical in France; he then established the techniques in San Sebastian in order to finally finish in Navarre during the mid 20th century, where he founded the company named 'Chocolates Subiza'. The recipe has been passed on five times and almost secretly from generation after generation, in order to make their chocolates of excellent quality with a delicious taste and exquisite texture, making an ideal gift or to give yourself a treat. The key to 'Chocolates Subiza' is their high concentration of cocoa and elaboration with artisan techniques, which produce their soft texture.
Geroarte
A workshop and craft shop created by two young entrepreneurs, for your purchases.
Creations of young artists.
The artists Mikel Okiñena and Ainhoa Sánchez turned their passion for ceramics and wood into works of art, which they learned how to do at the 'Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Pamplona' (School of Arts and Crafts of Pamplona) and the Faculty of Fine Arts in the University of Bilbao, enabling them to open their own centre for the creation and sale of handicrafts in 2003, which is named Geroarte. The studio/workshop, which is located on the street named ‘calle Remigio Mujica’, doesn't only serve as a shop to exhibit their works of art on sale to the public, they also offer workshops for those little ones who are interested in handicrafts. Among the objects that you can buy here are clothes racks, table clocks, bas-reliefs and tableware, which are carved in wood with gouges and burins or pottery with the traditional technique of cylindrical forms and specific moulds that are created by the artists themselves.
Botas de vino Las Tres Z.Z.Z. (The Wineskin)
You'll amaze anyone who you give one of these to as they make a great souvenir from Pamplona.
The most traditional gift.
The 'bota de vino' (wineskin) is one of the traditions that is not to be missed, which also represents an important aspect of wine culture, making the perfect original gift. You're bound to see many imitations of this object in the souvenir shops around Pamplona, but if you're looking for a quality 'bota de vino', that's made of leather or synthetic, you have to go to 'Botas de Vino Las Tres Z.Z.Z.' shop, which is located on the road named 'Puente Miluce'. Curiously, this company has survived since the 19th century, when it was founded by Gregorio Pérez and Eusebio Iglesias, and has become a national reference in the market nowadays. The name 'Las Tres Z.Z.Z' comes from Gregorio Pérez's triplet daughters of whom he wanted to pay tribute to his lovingly named "zagalas" (shepherd girls), who eventually bought the business.
Taller-escuela de encuadernación J. Pagola (J. Pagola Bookbinding Workshop/School)
Book lovers will find their special paradise here.
Crafts for your souvenirs.
If you have a book that you inherited and it doesn't stand upright on its side, you can take advantage of your trip to Pamplona and visit the 'taller-escuela de encuadernación J. Pagola', which is situated on the street named 'calle Manuel de Falla' since the early 1990s. They don't only retrieve old books here; they also do small editions with prints in gold or mosaic and make delicate boxes and cases that you can take with you to decorate or to give as gifts. If you're looking for craftsmanship in leather or paper, agendas, diaries and other stationery products, this is your shop. In case your stay in Pamplona is going to be prolonged and you're interested in the world of bookbinding, there's also the option of consulting the workshops that are available in their school, where they offer theoretical and practical classes on cartoning, Japanese binding, gold leaf inscriptions, treatment of scrolls and medieval techniques.
Taller Kaolín (Muruzábal) (Kaolín Workshop) (Muruzábal)
For an original gift, come and find out more about the work of this potter and choose from all of her works.
Divided between tradition and modernity.
If you're looking for an original gift, half way between contemporary art and traditional crafts, don't miss the Kaolín shop/workshop, which is 26 kilometres from Pamplona in a town called Muruzábal. This is where the potter, Maria Lourdes Lezá, continues with her know-how in a craft company that has survived since the 1980s, which makes it a veteran in the industry. Her technical specialty is to make handmade products using the potter's wheel, which she learned in the 'Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Pamplona' (School of Arts and Crafts in Pamplona) during five years, where she began her hyper-realistic technique that she applies to ceramics, mud, clay and tree ashes. Her objects are little decorative works of art and replicas of objects that are already forgotten and old-fashioned, such as ancient suitcases, hats or umbrellas that all seem to be real. She also recreates murals of antique doors and works with aged materials such as windows and facades.
Museo Etnográfico del Reino de Pamplona (Arteta) (Ethnographic Museum of the Kingdom of Pamplona) (Arteta)
A tour of the area's rural history through its trade unions.
There is plenty to see by the outskirts of Pamplona.
La Casa Fantikorena' (Fantikorena House) is located in the town of Arteta at 22 kilometres from Pamplona, where one of the springs was born that supplied water to the capital. Here in this building, which was built with curious rural architecture, typical in Navarre during the 17th century, stands the 'Museo Etnográfico del Reino de Pamplona'. You'll find parts of rural society here that are not only from Navarre, but also from all parts of Euskal Herria with more than 8,000 objects of different ages and professions, which are related to iron, wood or clay. The ethnographic museum was born as an initiative of the sculptor José Ulibarrena Arellano and his family collection has been extending since it opened in the 1960s, to represent more than 100 traditional trade unions nowadays which includes their work tools and instruments. The house/museum is divided into themes such as woodwork, masonry, sewing and dressmaking, traditional medicine, mystical beliefs and craft products.
Museo Oteiza (Alzuza) (Oteiza Museum) (Alzuza)
The most personal work of Oteiza, in the place that inspired him.
The personal collection of Jorge Oteiza.
The journey to the rural enclave of Alzuza (eight kilometres from Pamplona), will take you to a relaxing environment of nature and to the house that keeps the largest collection of the artist Jorge Oteiza (1908-2003), which is exhibited in the museum which is named after him since its opening in 2003. The red concrete building, which was built by the architect Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza, accommodates Oteiza's home and more than 1,650 of his sculptures plus another 2,000 pieces of his experimental study, as well as sketches and collages. There are three routes running through the museum: the House, the Workshop and the well known Chalk Laboratory or 'Laboratorio de Tizas', as Oteiza called it, which was a nerve centre of debate and exchange with other creators and thinkers of his times. Oteiza was not only a sculptor; he was an intellectual and a thinker, which shows throughout his extraordinary collection of more than 5,000 volumes that form part of his documentation centre.
Casa de las Aguas de Mendillorri (House of the Mendillorri Waters)
The importance of water and its virtues in a place for discovering and walking round.
The life cycle of water.
The tragedy of the drought and the lack of drinking water in Pamplona demanded the construction of the Aqueduct of Noain and are also reflected in the 'Casa de las Aguas de Mendillorri', which is a reminder of the efforts to engineer the flow of water into the city. 'La colina de Mendillorri' (Mendillorri Hill) is a natural setting with a kilometre of botanical garden where families usually go to walk around in the evening. The added interest is the six reservoirs (some of which were built in the 19th century) and the exhibition centre of the 'Centro de Información y Educación Ambiental de Mendillorri' (Mendillorri Centre of Information and Environmental Education), which explains the measures that were necessary to bring water to the tap; the life of a drop of water and the reasons for saving it, through the use of panels, models and interactive games.
Planetario de Pamplona (Pamplona Planetarium)
Ideal if you are travelling with kids, but it's enjoyable for everyone and you'll feel like a spaceman.
An enjoyable experience for the whole family.
If you are travelling with children and you want to entertain them with an original exhibition, you can't miss the 'Planetario de Pamplona', located in Yamaguchi Park, which also has a green space and a children's playground. Even if you are not interested in astronomy, it's worth a visit to the extraordinary dome of the Planetarium, which is one of the largest in Spain, where you can see 9,000 stars. In the 'Tornamira' screening room, you'll see the birth and the death of constellations plus you'll go through the passage of time in light years and travel through space like an astronaut. The Planetarium opened in 1993 and also has an exhibition hall that is used for both scientific and artistic purposes. It's an auditorium with a capacity of 250 people and has held thematic conferences, debates and scientific presentations, as well as a space for film and astronomical photography workshops, among other disciplines.
Museo Catedralicio Dicocesano (Cathedral and Diocesan Museum)
A curious collection of objects with an interactive exhibition.
An approach to sacred art.
Pamplona Cathedral is a must-see for its architectural and sculptural value as well as the artistic treasure, which is kept in the 'Museo Catedralicio Diocesano'. Its facilities include the cathedral, the Barbazana Chapel, its cloister and other ecclesiastical dependencies that include the archaeological sites where work is still underway. The collection of the museum provides a complete vision of Navarrese religious imagery with enamelled reliquaries of gold plated silver and the exclusive statue collection of the Virgin Mary from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The avant-garde aspect of the Cathedral Museum runs through the incredible 'Occidens' interactive exhibition, which reflects on Christian origins by means of holographs, audiovisual projections and even sounds and scents of past eras. It's an area of more than 4,500 square metres on a carpet of interactive steel, which leads the walk around the exhibition.
Museo Pablo Sarasate (Pablo Sarasate Museum)
If you love music, you'll like to find out about this composer and get to know his life.
The life and work of Pablo Sarasate.
Pamplona-born Pablo Sarasate (1844-1908), the unforgettable author of 'Aires Bohemios', has his museum/tribute located in the 'Palacio de Condestable'. It's a captivating exhibition that traces his career from his early years such as 'Niño Prodigio' (Child Protegée), up to his consolidation as a violinist, allowing visitors to be entertained with photographs, sheet music, musical programmes, audiovisual screenings on his life and a selection of personal items such as his colourful Russian enamelled cigarette cases, reproductions of his legendary violins (because in some cases, the original was lost, like the one he won in the Violin Competition of Paris at 13 years old) or walking sticks that the dandy Sarasate used to collect (one of the best in the whole of Europe), who was able to memorize the musical scores without using the spectacles that he needed. The museum also includes the gifts, which he received from kings and emperors, among other curiosities that the violinist donated to Pamplona, shortly before his death.
Fondo Fotográfico de la Universidad de Navarra (Photographic Collection of the University of Navarre)
Learn from the photography in one of the best collections.
Photography as an art.
The legacy of the pilot, engineer and photographer José Ortiz Echagüe (1886-1980), makes the 'Fondo Fotográfico de la Universidad de Navarra' a must-see for lovers of photography. Not only does it house the laboratory, material and the photographer's documentary collection, it has been expanding in recent years with new photographic collections that contribute to revealing the history of the printed image in Spain, since the 19th century to the present day. You'll find daguerreotypes, tintypes, albumins and salted papers, which are not only by Spanish photographers, famous international artists such as Clifford, Disdéri or Wheelhouse are also included. In addition to the heritage of Ortiz Echagüe, the 'Fondo Fotográfico' has also inherited the legacies of Juan Dolcet and the Count of la Ventosa, founder of the Royal Photographic Society of Madrid and photographer of social landscapes during the 20's and 30's.
Museo de Navarra (Museum of Navarre)
Don't go around this museum in a hurry, learn each object and get to know the history of Navarre over time.
The history of Navarre told in a different way.
The only place in Pamplona, where you can find an extensive range of treasures, such as the original Romanesque capitals of the cathedral and paintings by Francisco de Goya, is the eclectic 'Museo de Navarra', which was opened to the public in the former 'Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia Hospital' since the 1950s. It's an unusual journey of four floors, which takes you round the various artistic manifestations that have touched Navarre, from prehistoric times to the 20th century, so it'll take a fair amount of time to see it all. You'll find interesting objects here, like the map of Abauntz, which is a stone block with the first map of the Palaeolithic cave schemes, the Roman mosaic of the triumph of Bacchus, from the 1st century AD, or the Hispanic-Muslim chest of Leire, from the 2nd century. The portrait of the Marquis of San Adrián, which was painted in 1804 by an already deaf Francisco de Goya, is even preserved here.
Centro de Arte Contemporáneo HuArte (HuArte Contemporary Art Centre)
All facets of contemporary art to be experienced with all of your senses.
Contemporary culture in a peculiar space.
If you visit the town of ‘Huarte’, which is five kilometres from Pamplona, you'll probably be surprised by the disconcerting architecture in the form of a giant black cube (6,500 futuristic square metres, surrounded by a metal fence and a garden area) on the street named 'calle Zubiarte'. It's none other than the avant-garde design proposed by the architects Franc Fernández de Eduardo, Carles Puig and Xavier Vancells, in order to accommodate the 'Centro de Arte Contemporáneo HuArte', which is a national benchmark of new creative movements and cradle of emerging artists in the region. The museum is not only limited to visual disciplines, it also boasts a stable programme of theatre and dance, school exchanges with other cities and workshops which are open to the public, ranging from architecture to music, comics or film and any other form of art.
Museo de Educación Ambiental San Pedro ('San Pedro' Environmental Education Museum)
A fun day for all ages and with things to learn included.
Learn how to care for the environment and have fun.
Located in the Old Monastery of San Pedro, on the street named 'calle Errotazar', the 'Museo de Educación Ambiental San Pedro' is a combination of ancient architecture of the 18th century with the cutting edge of environmental awareness. This museum aims to teach children and adults the benefits of sustainable education, through eight multimedia exhibition halls, with workshops of urban vegetable patches, signs of the human impact on ecosystems, the importance of recycling and waste control, as well as the study of noise pollution in cities. The 'Museo de Educación Ambiental' is at the cutting edge of Pamplona's collections with an 'Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad' (Sustainability Observatory), which measures the environmental levels of the city, as well as offering thematic workshops for adults and a documentary film forum each Wednesday and Tuesday afternoon respectively.
Centro de Vuelo Lumbier (Lumbier Flight Centre)
Discover Navarre from the air; do you dare to try a unique experience?
For the more daring types.
Have you ever piloted a microlight or have you enjoyed a 'baptism flight' over valleys and mountains? If you're not afraid of heights, the town of Lumbier, which is 37 kilometres from Pamplona and in the heart of the Pyrenees foothills, offers you the opportunity to become a pilot for a day. There is a regular bus service that will take you to Lumbier from the capital in just an hour and a half. It's best that you check with the Flight Centre first to find out if the weather conditions will allow the take off of ultralights in order to enjoy 15 minutes of the landscape at a height. The flight will take you up over the medieval castle of San Francisco Javier; the picturesque 'Sangüesa', the 'sierra de Leire' and the Pyrenees. You can also hire flight-training courses or extend your flight duration to your chosen destination.
Parque Natural de las Bardenas Reales (Arguedas) (Bardenas Reales (Arguedas) Natural Park)
The best place to enjoy outdoor activities with a unique landscape in the background.
Cinema landscapes.
Adventurers, climbers, hikers and riders, who look for beautiful landscapes and an alternative way to enjoy them, choose the area of the ‘Bardenas Reales’ in the town of ‘Arguedas’. You can choose between horseback treks, routes in 4x4 or quad bikes over lunar-like surfaces, trekking or guided orientation routes. The Natural Park of the 'Bardenas Reales', which is a declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is located near 'Tudela' and makes up an area of 42,000 hectares with sandstones, clays and gypsum that are eroded by the weather and have converted into an unusual landscape of cliffs and hills, similar to the Grand Canyon of Colorado and is a scene of numerous films and television commercials where bandits and smugglers used to live. Some of the best landscapes, such as the extraordinary geological formation 'Castildetierra', are closed to vehicle access, so a good option can be to tour the desert on a segway.
Sendero Micológico de Unzué (Unzué Mycological Trail)
A hiking trail close to Pamplona for enjoying and learning.
Hiking and nature.
If you like to walk and explore new landscapes, take comfortable footwear and get ready for an easy tour of a considerably flat area of only 11 kilometres by the 'Sendero Micológico de Unzué'. You'll find the church of San Millán in this place, which is 21 kilometres from Pamplona and is the starting point of the route that runs by farm trails and follows on by the river. The main attraction of this route for trekking is to see the difference in the landscape and observe how it progresses from the start with its own species of the continental Mediterranean climate to the beech forests. Another one of its special features is its mycological importance if you have knowledge of the identification of mushrooms. If you don't, you can always hire a local guide who will take you on the Unzué route to select and collect only the edible mushrooms.
La Valdorba
If you have time, plan a trip to this area to discover more about the region.
Hiking around the area.
It seems like time doesn't pass by in the region of 'La Valdorba', in 'Garínoain', which is central to quaint medieval villages with large Romanesque remnants. In this valley, which is near Pamplona, you'll find architectural treasures with civil examples like the 'Hórreo (granary) de la Iracheta' and other religious Romanesque buildings, such as the churches of 'San Pedro Ad Víncula' and the 'Cristo de Cataláin', or the silent 'Cripta de Orísoain'. It's worth devoting several days to this area that offers cosy country houses, which are converted into bed and breakfasts, where you can stay and continue your trip. The Valdorba also hosts one of the best panoramic views in the area from the viewpoint of the largest wind farm in Europe: the 'Parque de Guerinda' (Guerinda Park). If you prefer mycological activities like truffle tasting, watching birds of prey or wild boar in their own environment, you'll find all of that here and much more.
Parque Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi Park)
An approach to Japanese culture in the form of a park for an afternoon of relaxation.
Twinning with Japan.
One of the most surprising places in Pamplona is the huge Japanese garden that seems like it was taken out of an oriental tale. The 'Parque Yamaguchi', which was designed by Japanese landscapers in 1997, has an area of 4,000 square metres that are set around an artificial pond with 600 species of plants, 400 trees and 500 tonnes of stone for making the paths that connect the typical characteristics of these types of gardens. Around here, you'll find the classic 'azumaya' (a little house in the middle of the pond), 'taki' (waterfall), 'suhama' (beach) or the delicate 'ishibasi' and 'yatsubashi' (bridges) on which you can observe the beauty of the landscape design where nothing is left to chance and everything is in tune with Japanese serenity, in the middle of the busy city. In the 'Parque Yamaguchi' you'll not only find an oasis including a geyser where you can spend a pleasant evening, you can also visit the interesting planetarium.
Parque Eólico Sierra del Perdón ('El Perdón' Wind park)
Feel the wind and enjoy the views that this place has to offer.
The force of the wind.
If ‘Don Quixote’ had known Navarre, he probably would have gone mad due to more than 46,000 square meters of stylized windmills, which are the main feature of the 'Parque Eólico Sierra del Perdón'. This surprising extension of wind technology is located in the town of Zariquiegui at 12 kilometres from Pamplona, and the views from its vantage point offer an extraordinary perspective on clear days, which includes the peaks of Urbión and Moncayo; the Pyrenees in the distance and even the Cantabrian mountain range. From the road at night, the landscape changes to take on a kind of science fiction look, as the windmills seem like an illuminated path in the middle of nowhere. The good wind conditions of 'Sierra del Perdón' also make it an ideal place for sporting activities such as paragliding and hang gliding, which can be hired from local professionals.
Jardines de Taconera (Taconera Gardens)
Take a stroll through this park and go discovering all of its charms.
A green oasis in the heart of the city.
The 90,000 square feet of lawn, plants and trees of at least a hundred-years old in the 'Jardines de Taconera', which are located in the walled environment of the historic part of Pamplona, are just as good as those in Versailles. It's a green area of the city that's been preserved since 1719 and is full of fountains and sculptures where you can spend a pleasant afternoon walk. Between its arches and statues, it's easy to find bohemians and writers looking for inspiration so that they can later write with a tea and a delicious cake in the 'Café Vienés' (Viennese Café), within the same Park. But if something characterises the 'Jardines de Taconera', its the ancient zoo, which is protected by moats where swans, peacocks, deer, pheasants and fallow deer, among other species, live in partial freedom and can be observed from the viewpoints. Among the sculptural jewels of the park, you'll find the well-known 'Mariblanca', which represents an allegory of abundance.
Parque Fluvial del Arga (Arga River Park)
Enjoy a leisurely stroll and admire the beauty of this region.
A walk by the river.
One of Pamplona's most calm and refreshing outdoor walks is the 'Parque Fluvial del río Arga', where this river follows its course for 12 kilometres, passing bridges, picturesque spots, gardens and nooks of the city. You'll be able to see canoeists training in these waters, which closely follow the cycle path route that runs along the river park. In the 1990s, recovery work of the riverbed was carried out, which is divided into four sections nowadays, passing footbridges and old restored mills. Along this way, you'll find the vegetable gardens of the Magdalena district, which are known for the quality of their fruit and vegetables, and its medieval bridge that crosses the 'Camino de Santiago' (St James' Way). Passed this stretch, the 'Parque del Agra' continues to ‘Aranzadi’ with its Roman bridge, on to the ‘Rochapea’ district and finally to 'San Jorge' (St. George).
Observatorio de Aves de Laguna de Pitillas (Bird Observatory of ‘Laguna de Pitillas’)
For a different day, come to the lagoon and enjoy the outdoor activities.
Enjoying nature.
Nature lovers can't miss the 'Observatorio de Aves de Laguna de Pitillas', which is part of the main Western Pyrenean bird migration route. The ‘Laguna de Pitillas’, which has an area of 260 hectares, was declared a Natural Reserve in the 1980s and is considered as a 'Humedal de Importancia Internacional' (Wetland of International Importance) due to the special bioclimatic characteristics of the environment. It doesn't matter if you don't have any knowledge on birds as the observatory offers guided tours, telescopes, binoculars, as well as explanatory, graphic and audio-visual panels that describe what you see, such as the species which inhabit the lagoon, the wetland's origin and the migratory routes. It's best to book a time for going to visit the Observatory and to check the weather conditions in case the rains have flooded part of the natural route or if the birds are in their breeding season, causing visits to be restricted.
Hostelería El Temple ("El Temple" Restaurant)
Traditional cuisine, which is simmered in a place with lots of charm and at good prices.
Grandma's recipes.
The recipes from grandmothers of Navarre come together in 'Hostelería El Temple', which is a small restaurant on the street named 'calle Curia', where it's best to book to avoid the disappointment of being without a table, since homemade food and good prices are always popular. They have a ground floor for ordering 'pintxos' (tapas) and a dining room with a daily special menu or 'carta'. You won't find designer dishes here with vinegar of Modena as decoration, but you will find a menu with good meat and fish, accompanied by seasonal vegetables. For starters, you can order piquillo peppers or the usual salads, which are generous and filling, then you can choose between traditional fish dishes (like garlic prawns, almejas (clams) ‘a la marinera’ and 'ajoarriero', (which is a dish of cod with oil, garlic and peppers) or succulent meats such as lamb ribs or grilled fillet with blue cheese. The traditional desserts will make you remember those scents of an old house without frills.
Tabla Tomasa
International dishes of quality and good taste in the centre of Pamplona.
An international touch.
Since it's not all 'pintxos' (tapas) in Pamplona, there's the Tabla Tomasa restaurant on the street named 'calle Virgen del Puy', where you'll enjoy trying dishes of international influences with a local twist. Do you fancy some nachos or a Mexican salad; some 'huevos cabreados' prepared with scrambled eggs and a personal touch; quesadillas, chicken tikka masala, or vegetables with tempura? Everything is possible in this restaurant, which is located near Yamaguchi Park and it's always full, so it's in your interest to book in advance if you're going out for dinner. During the week, they offer a 'menú express' (express menu), which is very reasonably priced and at weekends, you can choose from an extensive menu that will make you wonder how to finish their generous dishes. It's best if you go as hungry as a bear, or to order less than you think you'll be able to eat, otherwise you'll never get to consider their delicious desserts.
Alsafir
With Arab food and live shows, this restaurant has everything for those who want something different.
An exotic place for a different night.
If you get tired of the typical 'pintxos' (tapas) plus the Basque-Navarre cuisine and you want to try some different flavours, a great alternative is the Alsafir Arabic restaurant on the street named 'calle Castillo de Maya', which is a truly exotic place in the middle of Pamplona. Each Thursday, you can enjoy a dinner accompanied by a belly dance show, but it's in your interest to book a table for these Arabian nights, as the restaurant is always busy. They offer a tasting menu, which includes the 'Ensalada Alsafir' (Alsafir salad), couscous of lamb and brochettes, accompanied by the classic tea, without forgetting their menu that includes hummus with date and nut tajine. Although the prices justify the quality and the presentation of the dishes, there's always a more affordable option if you order a 'durum' (filled pita bread) at the bar with a plate for sharing.
Bar Mô
Each one of their dishes has a personal touch that makes it a fun and original restaurant.
Originality in all of their dishes.
To be surprised by Navarrese cuisine, you can't leave out 'Bar Mô', on the street named 'calle Espoz y Mina', which has turned into a benchmark of the culinary avant-garde since the classic 'pintxos' (tapas). The presentations in Bar Mô are as unusual as they are amazing: here you'll find the “USB marino” (grilled scallop with asparagus, crude mushrooms and vegetables), food served in little bath tub-like bowls, egg cartons and all kinds of interesting containers where you can taste their competition worthy specialties, including delicious hamburgers and portions. Their tinned mussels (of exclusive design) with spicy sauce out of a tube or portions that are served in nice dishes are particularly worth mentioning. The Mô is also known for its excellent combination of gin and tonics (of strawberries, juniper and orange, Bulgarian roses or thyme with basil), so you can't miss the nightlife here either.
Rodero
A special restaurant for food lovers who are looking for quality.
An experience for all senses.
With more than 40 years of experience, the Rodero restaurant, which is located on the street 'calle Emilio Arrieta', is a real pleasure for the senses with delicious aromas, flavours, textures and presentations that will turn your visit into an excellent dining experience. One of the features of this restaurant is the generosity of its chef, Koldo Rodero, who is an example of contemporary cuisine, using products of Navarre. If you're curious about how they prepare their dishes, you can consult the mêtre or check the restaurant's website which has an explanatory section named 'Koldo's recipes', where the secrets are revealed. The gourmet menu takes you on a sensory trip to try dishes such as “gilda melosa”, lukewarm oysters and chilli with borage parmentier, squab of Araiz with stout, and striped red mullet with marinara tapioca, among other delicatessen.
Café Iruña
Since the days of Hemingway, this café is one of the most traditional in Pamplona and it’s a must-see.
The bar with a more traditional nature in the city.
You can't leave Pamplona without visiting Café Iruña; a place where you breathe history, which is located in the square 'Plaza del Castillo' since 1888 and was the first bar in Pamplona to have a supply of electricity. Large windows give way to its romantic interior of wooden furniture, marble tables, mirrors and chandeliers, where the writer, Ernest Hemingway, spent many days and is now honoured with a bronze sculpture inside Café Iruña, as if he was still supported by the corner of the bar. The restaurant still has the original decor nowadays, which is like a trip back in time as well as a wonderful terrace with a view of the square. Despite its location, which makes it seem like an expensive restaurant, you'll be surprised by the daily special menu (except dinners on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays), which offers an unusual fixed price of 14 euros.
Bodegón Sarria
Whether you're having a 'pintxo' (tapa) or some dishes, you'll be surprised by what this restaurant has to offer.
Homemade tapas and wines from Navarre.
The 'pintxos' (tapas) route of the street 'calle Estafeta' is a tourism reference in Pamplona that you can't miss. And among the various bars that you tour, you'll find the 'Bodegón Sarria' which offers tapas, portions and dishes with homemade flavours that are always made with top quality products from Navarre. It's a cosy wooden establishment that has an area of tables where you can eat in front of an exhibition of cured hams. Among their filling specialities of meat, include the curious 'bocadillo de escombro' which is made of 'lomo' (loin) and chorizo, chorizo in cider and 'chistorra' (a type of sausage), 'secreto ibérico de 5J' (a type of cured ham) and little toasties made with ham and garlic, accompanied by a good wine from Navarre. The originality of the 'Bodegón Sarria' includes its invention of 'marvintxos' and 'juevintxos', which offer a 'pintxo' (tapa) and a wine for 2.50 euros every Tuesday and Thursday, with the aim of promoting gastronomic tourism from January to May.
Bistrot Catedral
A designer restaurant where you can sample the food and enjoy the variety.
Where design and tradition come together.
The Bistrot Catedral restaurant is set in a luxurious area with its terrace in front of the basilica, making a striking contrast between the ancient architecture and its avant-garde gastronomy. It's a designer restaurant where you'll be surprised to taste an 'ajoarriero' (a dish of cod with oil, garlic and peppers) in martini glasses, cheese salads served in glass cups and a complete tasting menu of 'pintxos' (tapas) with micro delicacies. In the menu, they offer you the choice of a croquette (filled with your preference); a 'pintxo' (tapa), a main dish and a dessert with drinks included, but it's not a place to go to if you're really hungry as it's more about enjoying the chic design. The specialties of the Bistrot Catedral include brochettes and toasts, both hot and cold with typical products of the region. The strategic location of the terrace makes it the perfect place to try a cocktail from their menu as night falls.
Mesón del Caballo Blanco (White Horse Inn)
Enjoy the food, the terrace, and the views to have a very nice time.
From one terrace to another in the historic area.
If your touristic tour takes you through the area of the cathedral and the walled enclosure, you can take a break in the recommended terrace of the 'Mesón del Caballo Blanco', which is located on the street named 'calle Redin'. Its architecture and decoration imitate that of a medieval castle, where concerts and live jazz sessions are organized twice a week during the summer. The 'Mesón del Caballo Blanco' will meet your expectations whether you're looking for a restaurant with quality food or if you want to have a few drinks outdoors, accompanied by good music. The views from the terrace are worth seeing; they're as if you had gone back in time to another era and you'll be able to see the roofs of the old part of the city from a height. Among their specialties, the marinated salmon in French dressing and the shoulder of pork cooked with spicy potatoes particularly stand out.
Bar Gaucho
Enjoy the 'pintxos' culture, you'll come back for more and you won't have time to try them all.
Pintxos' (tapas) in Pamplona.
The extensive 'pintxos' (tapas) bar at 'Bar Gaucho', which is located next to the square named 'Plaza del Castillo', will make you want to go several times during your stay in the city, if you want to taste the wide range of snacks. Awarded several times in Pamplona's 'Pintxo' week, people speak wonders of their foie speciality, as well as the Sea Urchin 'pintxo' with bechamel, garlic mushrooms or smoked eel with tomato; all this at prices which are suitable for all budgets (with tapas from 2 euros), but the price increases if you're going to try several of them. On weekends, at the time of the 'poteo' (when the 'pintxos' are served), this place gets really packed, so it can be difficult to reach the bar among so many people. If you manage to arrive in time to get a table and you don't mind the masses of people, this is your place.
Ansoleaga33
Although it’s relatively new, this restaurant is more than prepared to surprise you with their food.
Enjoy the cuisine of the region.
Since its opening in April 2012, the chef Ulysses Mejía and his culinary team have earned the trust and good reviews of their regular customers at the Ansoleaga33 restaurant, which is located at a hidden spot behind the Maissonave Hotel. The variety of dishes of Basque-Navarre cuisine and its affordable prices make it a quality restaurant, where they highlight the 'Menú Uli', which puts its cards on the table with exceptional wine pairings; the 'Menú Gastronómico' (Gastronomic Menu) and the 'Menú de la Sidra' (Cider Menu). You'll probably find it difficult to choose a dish from among the meats that melt in the mouth and the fish, which are turned into works of art, so it's best to let them advise you. The tenderloin with a touch of cheese, flower honey and piquillo peppers, as well as the warm salads, which include prawns and octopus are particularly worth mentioning.
Molino de San Andrés (San Andrés Mill)
A river walk where you’ll find little treasures.
A crossroads.
The Arga River Park offers a 12-kilometre walk that follows the banks of the River Arga through Pamplona and nearby towns, which boasts a picturesque setting between Villava and Huarte: the 'Molino de San Andrés'. It's a 16th century building, which is preserved as a tourist attraction after centuries of grinding cereals and feeding a mini hydroelectric plant that used to supply electricity to the nearby village. Nowadays, it has become an exhibition centre and a reference point of the 'Cruce de Caminos de Santiago' (Santiago Crossroads), (the Baztan and the French), which is located a few metres away. The 'Molino de San Andrés' features exhibition rooms where its old functions are explained, including a screening room and its old turbine room, as well as a cafeteria and a garden area with around 3,000 square metres of space for picnics and relaxation.
La Morea Shopping Centre
Should you fancy a day of shopping, restaurants or cinemas, come to this large shopping centre.
A variety of entertainment in the same place.
For a relaxing day between touristic tours and outdoor walks around Pamplona among fortresses and vineyards, there's nothing better than to enjoy all leisure facilities under the one roof at the 'Centro Comercial La Morea' (‘La Morea’ Shopping Centre), which is the reference point for shopping in the city. After its opening in 2002, it has become a very attractive spot for shopping with the best brands in fashion, accessories, sports and other services that are available for customers in an area of overlapping architecture with natural lighting. On top of all this, if you want to enjoy an afternoon of films and popcorn with dinner after the film, ‘La Morea’ also contains 'los Cines Golem' (Golem Cinemas), offering you the best film premieres and two 3D auditoriums, as well as a complete variety of places to eat with franchises of fast-food chains.
The Citadel
A good place to cool off and really get to know the history of the city.
Nature without leaving the city.
To enjoy the urban nature and cool off during the summer days, the 'Ciudadela’ of Pamplona' is a must-see during your stay in the city, where you can watch the fireworks during the festivities. It's one of Europe's best-preserved fortified renaissance gardens of 280,000 square metres, ordered by king Felipe II in 1571 in order to defend Pamplona from French attacks. This explains the remains of the fortification that are found among the green areas of the 'Ciudadela’. Other defensive elements such as the strongholds were lost in the expansion of the city, although there has been some restoration work to recover part of this fortress to give it a cultural use with explanatory exhibitions and samples of contemporary art. Although it's a safe place, it's best not to cross the 'Ciudadela’ at night.
Vineyard and Wine of Navarra Exhibition Center
The wine culture in Navarra is the order of the day, don't stop getting to know it!
Wine tourism is in fashion.
You cannot leave Pamplona without doing a wine tour at the Vineyard and Wine Exhibition Center of Navarra, also considered the Wine Museum, which is housed in the ancient palace of Santo Ángel, from the 18th century, which at the same time It is a National Parador. The Wine Center is located in the town of Olite, but it is certainly worth making those 43 kilometers of travel and living the experience of immersion in the Navarrese wine culture. The museum is divided into three floors, each dedicated to a different stage of the wine process: from the vine and its cultivation, with farm tools, explanatory panels and interactive exhibitions on the grape harvest and its processing. There is also a historical and sensory tour (with boxes of scents and candies) about the importance of wine in Navarra and its Denomination of Origin.
Castillo-Spa de Gorráiz (Gorráiz Castle Golf & Spa)
Play golf, dine outdoors, relax or try an unforgettable cocktail... what more do you want?
A charming hotel and much more.
Can you imagine a dream environment where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon of spa, an exclusive menu and cocktail bar on a terrace that opens out on to a golf course? Or do you prefer an intimate dinner in an atmosphere of velvet and stained glass windows? You can enjoy this experience, which is only five minutes from Pamplona in the 'Castillo-Spa de Gorráiz'. It's a luxurious hotel of avant-garde architecture and designer decoration, with a golf course, which is available for both guests and visitors, where you can spend a pleasant day of golf or hire private lessons. As well as the spa's thermal circuit with specific therapies such as 'la ruta de la seda' (the silk route)' or 'tratamiento cóctel de frutas' (fruit cocktail treatment), sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi, the 'Castillo-Spa de Gorráiz' also offers exquisite catering and cocktails prepared by the Spanish champions of combination plates.
Teatro Gayarre (Gayarre Theatre)
This near-miraculous theatre is well worth a visit.
The survival of art.
The history of the 'Teatro Gayarre' is the story of a wandering theatre that went through several refurbishments, demolitions and moves since the year 1608, when it opened to the public as Pamplona's first comedy club venue. This first theatre centre was replaced and moved in 1841 by the ancient main theatre situated in 'plaza del Castillo' (Castle Square), and became known as 'Teatro Gayarre' at the beginning of the 20th century, which was then demolished and rebuilt in its current location on the street named 'calle Carlos III', where the building suffered another fire and subsequent restoration. If only for its eventful history and its impressive decoration of Italian theatre, the 'Gayarre' is worth a visit for lovers of the performing arts and for those who don't want to check its programme, which is always varied with entertaining options for all ages.
Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Baluarte (Baluarte Conference Centre and Auditorium)
Check out the activities or simply come and see this impressive building.
Culture in Pamplona.
Since 2003, Pamplona has an avant-garde area for shows and conferences, which is the 'Palacio de Congresos y Auditorio Baluarte'. Its name is due to the remains of the 'baluarte' (fortification) of San Antón, which were found during the excavations for its construction. The 'baluarte' was destroyed in the building works of the first expansion of the city during the 19th century. The archaeological remains can be visited nowadays in the ‘sala de Exposiciones de Baluarte’ (Baluarte Exhibition Hall), where stones of the citadel's defence are may also observed. The designer avant-garde building made of glass and grey granite from Zimbabwe was proposed by the architect Patxi Mangado, taking up 63,000 square metres, which are intended for culture. Not only in its three conference and exhibition halls or its small Chamber Hall, but also in the Symphony Hall with 1,560 seats and a roof in the shape of an unfolded boat's sail.
San Fermín
Put your white clothes on, grab your red handkerchief and enjoy the festivities!
Viva San Fermin!
You can't talk about leisure in Pamplona without mentioning the internationally recognized 'fiestas de los Sanfermines' (San Fermín Festival), which is medieval in origin and immortalized by the writer Ernest Hemingway, who was a fan of the bulls and even got to run in the 'encierros' (bull runs). After the 'Chupinazo' which kicks off the festivities from the 6th to 14th of July, Pamplona is dressed in red and white, bulls and young people take to the streets and they become the centre of attraction at the night party in the streets. The folklore of San Fermín doesn’t only consist of the bull run, there’s also the 'verbena' (open-air dance), 'cabezudos' (carnival figures with oversized heads), craft markets, the procession of the 'Mulillas' (adorned mules followed by the municipal band) and the 'Encierrillo' night when six bulls are subsequently slaughtered during the bullfighting in the 'Plaza de Toros' (bull ring).
Aquavox
After a day of sightseeing, relax in this place with some of the activities.
An experience in the water.
After a tiring day of touring or to surprise your partner with a different idea to relax, Pamplona has Aquavox, which is a new hydrothermal centre of more than 4,000 square metres, located on 'calle San Agustín' (San Augustín Street), and it's perfect for relaxation. The Aquavox building, which is designed by architects Juan Miguel Otxotorena Elizegi, Mariano González Presencio and Luis Tena Núñez, is divided into three independent modules, joined by an interior street and the space is shared among the sports area (with gym and activities such as pilates, aqua aerobics, heated swimming pools, pool-spa with waterfalls, swan-neck fountains and Jacuzzi) with the thermal area. In this area, the leisure centre is turned into a relaxing urban spa that offers spa services for visitors, such as cyclone showers combined with aromatherapy and colour therapy, steam baths, sauna, ice fountain and foot baths.
Rocódromo Rocópolis (Rocópolis Climbing Wall)
If you're looking for sport and fun, this is your best option.
A family adventure.
The 'Parque-Rocódromo Rocópolis' large indoor sports centre, which is located in ‘Berrioplano’, is an option for sports lovers, adventurers and families with children who would like to spend an entertaining afternoon. If you've never climbed a climbing wall, it may be a good chance to test your luck and resistance, while you're hanging in a harness as you use your hands and feet as the only point of support for scaling the wall with protrusions. There are also several routes with different difficulty levels for children, young people or adults at 10 metres above the ground with excellent security measures to overcome the variety of tests such as Tibetan bridges, aerial ropeslides, via ferrata, abseiling, tunnels and routes over nets. Rocópolis Park also offers specific training days on climbing, orientation with compasses and maps, plus progression and assurance on mountains with different difficulty levels in case you feel like moving on to outdoor climbing afterwards.
Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra (The Palace of the Kings of Navarre)
You will be amazed with its exterior, but also be sure to see all that it keeps inside.
A story set in stone.
In the old part of the town of Estella-Lizarra, at just 44 kilometres from Pamplona, hides one of the best preserved civil Romanesque monuments in the province: the 'Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra', which was constructed in the 12th century. It's also known as 'Palacio de los Duques de Granada de Egea' (Palace of the Dukes of Granada de Egea) and is framed in a picturesque medieval setting where you can imagine the adventures of the Franks (of Gallo-Roman ancestry) and Jews walking the streets. The carved stone capitals on its facade tell mythical stories such as fables on the sin of greed, pride and lust or the confrontation between Roland (paladin of Charlemagne), who slew a giant named Ferracutus by attacking its navel, which was its only weak point. Declared as a national monument in 1931, the 'Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra' has had various uses as a small palace, a prison and the 'Museo Gustavo de Maeztu' (Gustavo de Maeztu Museum), which it is nowadays.
Acueducto de Noáin (The Noáin Aqueduct)
Take advantage of your visit to Noáin to see what remains standing of this 18th century aqueduct.
Water is life.
In the 18th-century, drought and epidemics used to threaten Pamplona due to problems of the supply of drinking water, so there was an urgent need to construct a water supply to the city. After several projects had failed, in which the low grounds and valleys couldn't be saved, the project was commissioned to Ventura Rodríguez, who was the most famous engineer of the time. Finally, Rodríguez got to carry out the construction of the Noain aqueduct (located at just six kilometres from Pamplona), which assisted the supply of water from the spring of Subiza, and became an architectural supply and landmark. The walk up to the town of Noáin is worth it to see the aqueduct, which has been modified over time for the railway line and subsequently modified for the motorway, and to see the other monuments such as the Gothic church of St. Michael.
Church of Our Lady of Purification (Gazólaz)
An excursion near Navarra to continue discovering wonders.
Small church with a lot to see.
The Romanesque porticoed gallery of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Purificación is the only one that exists in Navarra and is more than enough reason to visit the nearby town of Gazólaz (6 kilometers from Pamplona), which is part of the Camino de Santiago . It is believed that this picturesque town -surrounded by pastures and valleys- built its Romanesque hermitage around the 13th century, considered an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1931, although it underwent subsequent restorations that added other architectural styles. Among the curiosities of the Church of Our Lady of Purification, the reliefs on the buttresses stand out, where if you look closely you will find the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, surrounded by his retinue of apostles, a figure of Saint Michael piercing the dragon, birds that they bite the legs to detach themselves from the earth and ascend to heaven, centaurs and winged bulls, among other Romanesque allegories.
Cámara de Comptos (Comptos Chamber)
The oldest court of auditors, which is still in operation today.
Precision accounting.
The 'Maestros de Comptos' (Masters of Comptos), who were also called 'Oidores' (Judges), were dedicated to control the royal finances in order to check that they didn't spend excessively during wars and that revenues were met in medieval times. The 'Cámara de Comptos de Navarra' is the most archaic and known example of a court of auditors which has been in operation since the 13th century, and the only example of civil Gothic that has survived in Pamplona. To access this country house, you have to enter through the pointed arch door on the street named 'calle Ansolega', and this leads to the cloister of the old palace, which was declared a national monument in 1868. As well as continuing to operate the administration for public accounts, the 'Cámara de Comptos' serves as an archive where noble titles, scripts, papal bulls and other documents are preserved. You can arrange guided tours in which the history of Navarre is explained using their coins.
Archivo Real y General de Navarra (The Royal and General Archive of Navarre)
Any archive that you look for on the history of this region can be found in this renovated palace.
The former palace of kings.
Stories tell that it was King Sancho VI 'el Sabio' (the wise), who ordered the construction of the castle during the 12th century, which would be known as the 'Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra' (King’s Palace of Navarre) and caused centuries of disputes between the clergy and the nobility for their use and benefit. Located in the historic area of Pamplona, its original architecture isn't appreciated nowadays as the Palace has almost been reduced to ruins since it was neglected over time. The little that was left standing has been covered and protected by Rafael Moneo's distinctive architecture, in order to house the 'Archivo Real y General de Navarra', since 2003. Here is where they protect manuscripts, handwritten laws and acts of the ancient courts of Navarre from the 15th to the 19th century, which are collectively known as the "documents of the kingdom", and are available for scientific purposes or curiosities concerning the region's history.
Cathedral of Santa Maria (The Cathedral of Santa María)
One of the most important tourist attractions is this impressive cathedral, which is built on sacred ground.
The cathedral of Pamplona.
In the Roman settlement that gave rise to Pamplona, stands one of the most emblematic monuments of the city: the 'Catedral de Santa María', which was already considered as holy land long before. King Carlos III ‘the Noble’ ordered the construction of a large cathedral that would imitate the European Gothic style and so it was built during the 14th century. It has Gothic cloisters and an apse with ambulatory (a space that allows the movement of believers without agglomerations), as it formed part of the pilgrimage churches of the 'Camino de Santiago' (St. James's Way). The facade, which was restored during the 18th century, follows a neoclassical style that has nothing to do with its Gothic interior. The 'Catedral de Santa María' houses several relics, including the buried bodies of kings and princes plus the remains of a Romanesque crypt, which is older than this cathedral.
Murallas de Pamplona (Walls of Pamplona)
Nowadays, the remains of this structure are used for walking around and remembering the past.
The city's defence.
More than a defensive enclosure, since they are in the front line facing France and are one of the best preserved fortified areas in Europe, the 'Murallas de Pamplona' look like spacious historical gardens with reminiscences of war where nowadays people practice sports and families go walking. The original objective of the walls, when they were built in the 17th century, was to defend the city of enemy troops, as proven by ‘Fortín de San Bartolomé’ (Fort San Bartolomé). However, the wall was made obsolete due to the growth of the city and the ineffectiveness of the stone against the heavy artillery. Nowadays, you can learn more about its construction and operation in the 'Centro de Interpretación de las Fortificaciones de Pamplona' (Interpretation Centre for the Pamplona Fortifications), which is located on 'calle Arrieta' (Arrieta Street), next to the 'plaza de toros' (bull ring). The meaning of these walls for Pamplona and its people is explained through videos, re-enactments, photographs and models.
Iglesia de San Nicolás (Church of St. Nicholas)
This small church served as a refuge and was used for surveillance during the neighbourhood battles in the city.
A small fortress.
The neighbourhood disputes during the 12th century in Pamplona almost turned into civil wars and that is why St. Nicholas chapel was built as a church/fortress: just the same as mass was given, they looked out for possible enemy attacks from its high towers. Unfortunately, the original Romanesque architecture of great value was lost in a fire that was caused by one of those clashes between neighbourhoods or 'burgos'. The reconstructed chapel, which is located at 'Plaza de San Nicolás' (St. Nicholas Square), was built with huge walls and railings that helped to improve its defences and its Gothic look adds to its monumental character. Curiously, the Baroque organ that you'll discover inside is one of the oldest in Pamplona, and it's still used on special occasions. This chapel’s medieval architecture with its Latin cross floor plan respects the Gothic style and it’s ancient stained glass windows offer light to its medieval paintings that were discovered after a restoration.
Monumento al Encierro (Bull Run Monument)
Imagine what it's like to run in front of a bull but without risks.
The safest bull runs.
As if time and action had stopped in a race at the ‘encierro’ (bull run) of ‘San Fermín’, with the bulls snorting at the back of the runners' necks, some have fallen and others are running towards the 'Plaza de Toros' (Bull Ring). This is the 'Monumento al Encierro', which is a tribute to 'los San Fermínes', made in cast bronze and measures four metres wide and 11 in length, with 11 young runners who run a herd of 9 animals that are hot on their heels. This sculptural complex that is located on 'Avenida de Roncesvalles' (Roncesvalles Avenue) is part of hyper-realistic contemporary art, signed by the sculptor Rafael Huerta in 1997 and expanded later by the same artist in 2007. The sculptor from Bilbao reflected the moment of climax in the ‘encierro’ and it’s meant to recreate the impact that it caused him when he first saw this festivity and to give the viewer the same impression.
Palacio del Condestable (Constable's Palace)
Come to the heart of the centre and discover this palace and the multiple uses it had throughout its history.
A historic 16th century building.
The figure of the Constable in the 15th century was a Navarrese nobleman who had the honour of carrying the king’s banner in battle and had the right to be 'first among the nobles'. The 'Palacio del Condestable', which you'll find located between the streets 'calle Jarauta' and 'calle Mayor', was the palatial residence of Luis de Beaumont IV, Count of Lerín and Constable of Navarre, who ordered its construction in 1548. The small renaissance style palace had a wide range of uses such as an episcopal headquarters, a council and even shops with eye-catching window displays during the 19th and 20th centuries. Following its restoration, the 'Palacio del Condestable' became a municipal building, declared as a site of cultural interest since 1997, and open to the public as a community centre. The magnificent conservation work that has preserved original spaces such as the medieval room is most interesting and you'll recognize it by its pointed arches.
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