Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pamplona

Beyond the Running of Bulls

Pamplona stands out as a city where ancient traditions meet modern life along Spain’s northern edge. The historic old town features stone streets and medieval buildings that tell stories of centuries past. Local markets sell fresh produce, cheese and cured meats while festivals like San Fermín draw visitors each summer for the famous running of the bulls. Beyond the events, quiet plazas provide spaces to sit with coffee or watch daily activity unfold. The surrounding countryside offers hiking trails and green valleys perfect for exploring on foot or by bike.

Add to list Map view

City in Spain

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

Many locals, especially those in the tourism and hospitality sectors, have a functional command of English. However, learning basic Spanish phrases can enhance your experience.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Pamplona Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Best known for festivals and historic streets. Experience the famous running of the bulls, explore medieval squares and enjoy traditional tapas bars.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

💻 9

Digital Nomads

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Pamplona, Spain

🌥️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌥️

Nov

☁️

Dec

High season:	July
Shoulder season:	April - June, Aug. - Sep.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

San Fermín (Running of the Bulls) runs 6 to 14 July, by far the busiest and most expensive time, book far ahead

Outside San Fermín, Pamplona is a quiet city with little tourist infrastructure

Don't miss

🏰 Walk the ancient walls of Casco Antiguo
⛪ Visit Gothic Catedral de Santa María la Real
🎉 Experience the lively atmosphere of Plaza del Castillo
🏯 Explore the historic Ciudadela fortress and park
🛍️ Wander through the vibrant Mercado de Santo Domingo
🖼️ Discover art and history at Museo de Navarra

You've been here?

Why travel to Pamplona?

Beyond the adrenaline of San Fermín, Pamplona offers a tapestry of medieval architecture, lush parks and a culinary scene that celebrates local produce. Strolling through its cobbled streets, you'll encounter centuries-old churches, fortified walls and inviting plazas that tell tales of the past.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Cathedral of Pamplona
2 Plaza del Castillo
3 Ciudadela de Pamplona
4 Ayuntamiento del Valle de Erro
5 Portal de Francia
6 Navarre Museum
7 Plaza de Toros
8 Calle Estafeta

🎡Places for activities

1 Arena
2 Navarra Arena
3 Club de Golf de Ultzama / Ultzamako Golf Kluba
4 El Sadar Stadium

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Monte de San Cristóbal
2 Bosque de Orgi / Orgiko basoa
3 Calle Foz de Lumbier
4 Parque de la Media Luna
5 Parque Yamaguchi
6 Parque de la Taconera

🛍️Shopping

1 Mercado de Santo Domingo
2 El Corte Inglés
3 Zara

🎈Events

San Fermín Festival
Semana Santa Processions
Día de Navarra
Jazzfermín
International Documentary Film Festival
Medieval Market of the Three Cultures
Gayarre Theatre Season
Navarrese Gastronomy Week
Pintxo Week
Christmas Market

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit in spring or autumn for comfortable weather and fewer crowds.
Old Town is walkable; wear comfy shoes for hills and cobbles.
Try pintxos on Calle Estafeta and Plaza del Castillo for authentic bites.
Explore the Ciudadela park and city walls early morning for serene views and photo opportunities.

How to travel to Pamplona

Pamplona is accessible via multiple transportation options. The Pamplona Airport offers flights to and from major Spanish cities. The city's train station connects to regional and national destinations, including Madrid and Barcelona. Additionally, several bus companies operate routes linking Pamplona to various parts of Spain and neighboring countries.

Access summary

From Pamplona Airport (PNA): Short taxi ride to center, about 15–25 minutes.
From Madrid: Direct trains or buses to Pamplona, usually 3–5 hours.
From Barcelona: Flights or long‑distance buses/trains, commonly around 4–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Pamplona

Pamplona offers a range of accommodations, from historic hotels in the Old Town to modern establishments in newer districts. During the San Fermín festival, lodging prices can surge and availability becomes limited, so booking well in advance is advisable.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Castillo de Gorraiz&Spa

9.1

Alma Hotel Pamplona - Muga de Beloso

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Pamplona

Pamplona's compact size makes it ideal for exploration on foot, especially within the Old Town. For longer distances, the city offers an efficient public bus system, known as 'Villavesas', operated by the Mancomunidad de la Comarca de Pamplona. Taxis are also readily available and cycling is popular, with numerous bike lanes and rental services.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-21 %

Daily expenses in Pamplona are around 21% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£59	£135	£348
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£68	£165
🍝 Food per day	£27	£59	£158
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£23
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9
☕ Cappuccino	£2.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£75
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£12.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Pamplona is generally safe for tourists. As with any city, it's prudent to stay vigilant against petty crimes like pickpocketing, especially during crowded events like the San Fermín festival.

Health & Medical

The city boasts modern medical facilities and pharmacies. Travelers should carry essential medications and ensure they have appropriate health insurance coverage.

Accessibility

Pamplona is progressively enhancing accessibility, with many public spaces and transportation options accommodating those with mobility challenges. However, some historic areas may present difficulties due to cobblestone streets and narrow pathways.

Tap water

Tap water in Pamplona is safe to drink, adhering to strict quality standards. Public drinking fountains are available in various parks and squares.