There is much more to Pamplona than San Fermín. The capital of Navarre is one of those cities that is easy to discover on foot, wandering through the streets of its old town, stopping to try a pincho and coming across, almost without looking, parks, city walls and viewpoints from which to take it all in at a leisurely pace. Historic and lively, green and gastronomic, it is also the perfect size for a weekend break.
Its history is especially tangible in the Old Town, originally made up of three medieval boroughs: Navarrería, San Cernin and San Nicolás. Along its streets you will find some of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, the City Hall and Plaza del Castillo, a true meeting point at the heart of Pamplona life. They are joined by one of the city’s most distinctive features: its city walls, with bastions, gateways and promenades that take you through centuries of history.
Green spaces are another constant. The gardens of Taconera, the Citadel, Vuelta del Castillo and the Arga riverside park make it possible to go from the historic centre to peaceful places for walking or cycling in just a few minutes. And then, of course, there is San Fermín: every July the city is transformed by the running of the bulls, the Chupinazo opening ceremony and the revelry of the peñas during these world-famous festivities. Outside those dates, walking along Estafeta, Santo Domingo or through Plaza Consistorial lets you discover those same places from a completely different perspective.
But Pamplona is also the gateway to an extraordinarily diverse region. Navarre’s landscape changes in just a few kilometres: from the Pyrenees and the great forests of the north to the plains and almost desert-like landscapes of the south, passing through green valleys, medieval villages, vineyards and small towns with a rich historic heritage. That variety is precisely one of the main reasons for using the capital as a starting point and extending your trip beyond its walls. Essential stops include Irati Forest, Bardenas Reales, Baztan Valley, the Pyrenees, the Way of St James and Pamplona itself.
To the north, Navarre at its greenest invites you to explore forests and valleys. Irati Forest, one of the region’s great natural areas, offers trails through beech and fir woods that change completely with the seasons. Further west, Baztan Valley combines mountains, meadows and villages with traditional architecture; and towards the Pyrenees you will find places such as Ochagavía, along with high-mountain landscapes that invite you to walk and spend time outdoors.
Heading south, the scenery changes dramatically. The Bardenas Reales, designated a Biosphere Reserve, form a semi-desert landscape of ravines, plateaus and formations shaped by erosion that seem to belong somewhere else entirely. Between these two extremes, Navarre is dotted with villages, castles, monasteries and small towns that make it easy to combine nature and culture on the same route.
It is precisely this diversity that makes Navarre an excellent destination for active tourism. Hiking, cycle touring and adventure sports let you explore the region at a different pace, from gentle walks between villages and market gardens to mountain routes. The variety of landscapes means you can find very different options in practically any part of the region. Another way to discover Navarre is by following the Way of St James, which has left a deep cultural and historical mark on the region. As many as five pilgrimage routes cross Navarre: two branches of the French Way, the Baztan Way, the Ebro Way and the Sakana Way. The best-known route enters through the Pyrenees and passes through such emblematic places as Roncesvalles, Pamplona and Puente la Reina, linking landscapes, villages and medieval heritage.
And if there is another especially appealing way to travel through Navarre, it is through its gastronomy. In Pamplona, going out for pinchos on streets such as Estafeta, San Nicolás or Mercaderes is practically a must, but Navarrese cuisine goes far beyond that. Market-garden produce is central to its identity, with asparagus, artichokes, piquillo peppers, borage, cardoon and pochas beans, alongside products such as chistorra sausage, Roncal and Idiazabal cheeses, lamb and grilled meats. The region combines traditional cooking with contemporary approaches and also boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants.
Wine deserves a journey of its own. Navarre has its own Designation of Origin and also shares territory with the Qualified Designation of Origin D.O.Ca. Rioja, while producing wines under the D.O. Cava as well. Visiting wineries, touring vineyards and tasting its reds, whites and especially its renowned rosés is another way to discover the Navarrese landscape. Add to this traditions such as going to a cider house, particularly popular in the north between January and May, or ending a meal with a Navarre pacharán, one of the region’s most characteristic liqueurs.
Pamplona can therefore be the beginning of a much broader journey: a historic, lively city from which, within a relatively short distance, you can walk through one of the great forests of northern Spain, cross desert landscapes, follow the trails of the Way of St James, discover villages and castles or sit down at the table to understand Navarre through its produce and wines. An amazing diversity that can make every route through Navarre feel like a different journey.
