Old Town Pamplona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Old Town which includes street scenes and a city as well as a small group of people
Old Town showing street scenes and a city as well as a small group of people
Old Town showing a small town or village as well as a small group of people
Pamplona Cathedral featuring heritage elements and street scenes as well as a couple
Old Town Pamplona

Grandiose squares, ancient landmarks and atmospheric taverns line the streets of Pamplona’s historic centre, where the world-famous Running of the Bulls takes place.

Discover small plazas decorated with architectural masterpieces as you wander the maze-like lanes of Pamplona’s Old Town (Casco Antiguo). Put the map away and enjoy getting lost amid the centuries-old charm before stumbling upon one-of-a-kind restaurants and quaint boutiques. The Old Town dates back to the medieval era and sits on the highest point of the plateau on which the city is built.

A great place to start your tour is at Plaza del Castillo, which once held bullfights and is today a popular social gathering point and location for demonstrations, markets and parades. Sit at a café terrace, order some tapas and admire the arcades and balconies of the 18th-century buildings. Streets lead in all directions from the square and will bring you to other notable sights. Among these is the Pamplona City Hall and the Palace of Navarre.

Set aside time to visit the area’s fascinating array of churches. Pamplona Cathedral boasts a neoclassic façade and a Gothic interior. Also greatly influenced by the Gothic style is the Church of San Nicolás, first built in the 1300s. Others include the Church of San Saturnino and the Church of San Lorenzo. Delve into the history of the city’s fortifications at the Pamplona City Walls Interpretation Centre.

Take time out at bars and restaurants, where you can sample regional dishes such as roast gorrín (suckling pig) and birika (pork sausage made from the heart and lung of a pig). Bar Txoko and Café Iruña, both on Plaza del Castillo, are old haunts of Ernest Hemingway. Catch a performance at the Gayarre Theatre.

For the ultimate Old Town experience, come in July for the Fiesta of San Fermín. Watch as competitors charge along Estafeta Street during the daily Running of the Bulls event. Then attend a bullfight at the Plaza de Toros de Pamplona. Costumed parades, Basque sport demonstrations and firework displays take place during the festival, too.

With many streets open to pedestrians only, getting around the Old Town is enjoyable on foot. Several public bus lines connect with the city’s outer-lying neighbourhoods. Stay at one of the district’s hotels to be steps from the action.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Town Pamplona Hotel Deals

Pamplona Catedral Hotel

Pamplona Catedral Hotel

4 out of 5
Calle Dos de Mayo, nº 4, Iruña, Pamplona, Navarra
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (694 reviews)
"Took a rest break from hiking the Camino. Fabulous experience in every way!"

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2025

Pamplona Catedral Hotel
Hotel Maisonnave

Hotel Maisonnave

4 out of 5
Calle Nueva 20, Pamplona, Navarra
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$166 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$166
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (891 reviews)
"Fantastic location for exploring central Pamplona on foot. Easy parking and I could also charge my EV. Hotel was very comfortable and quiet despite being in the old town. Loved my stay here!"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Hotel Maisonnave
Gran Hotel La Perla

Gran Hotel La Perla

5 out of 5
Plaza del Castillo, 1, Pamplona, Navarra
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$366 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$366
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (322 reviews)
"Best place to stay in Pamplona. Very nice location, good restaurant on site, large comfortable rooms with excellent amenities. Loved it!"

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Gran Hotel La Perla
Hotel Pompaelo Urban Spa

Hotel Pompaelo Urban Spa

4 out of 5
Plaza Consistorial 3, Pamplona, Navarra
The price is AU$172 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$172
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Museo del Encierro and Café Iruña ...
9/10 Wonderful! (191 reviews)
"Great service"

Reviewed on 2 Sept 2025

Hotel Pompaelo Urban Spa
Limehome Pamplona Hilarión Eslava

Limehome Pamplona Hilarión Eslava

2.5 out of 5
C. de Hilarión Eslava 13, Pamplona, Navarra
The price is AU$123 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
AU$123
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Museum of Navarra and Hornacina de San Fermín ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Very well located for the old town, very clean and comfortable, excellent customer service when extending my stay. I’d recommend Limehome to anyone looking for a smart contemporary self catering place to stay I look forward to visiting other Limehome in other cities. Jim H"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Limehome Pamplona Hilarión Eslava
Hotel Europa

Hotel Europa

3 out of 5
Calle Espoz y Mina 11, Pamplona, Navarra
The price is AU$178 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$178
20 Oct - 21 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Pamplona. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Teatro Gayarre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (243 reviews)
"I’ve location. Love it"

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Hotel Europa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Pamplona

Pamplona\'s City Walls and Interpretation Centre which includes night scenes, heritage architecture and a bridge

Pamplona City Centre

Unique features of Pamplona City Centre include the historical sites and bars. Make a stop by Plaza del Castillo or Café Iruña while you're exploring the area.

Pamplona City Centre
Palacio de Congresos and Auditorium of Navarra showing street scenes as well as an individual female

Primer Ensanche

4/5(1 area review)

You might appreciate the bars and historical sites in Primer Ensanche, and if you're interested in seeing more of the area, Café Iruña and Plaza del Castillo are just a few notable stops.

Primer Ensanche
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Taconera

Travellers like the parks in Taconera, and Parque de la Taconera is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Taconera
Monumento al Encierro which includes outdoor art and a statue or sculpture

Segundo Ensanche

Unique features of Segundo Ensanche include the historical sites and bars. Make a stop by Plaza Principe de Viana or Monumento al Encierro while you're exploring the area.

Segundo Ensanche
Ciudadela which includes a bridge, a garden and landscape views

Ciudadela

Ciudadela is well liked for its monuments. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Pamplona area, you might plan a trip to Plaza del Castillo or Café Iruña.

Ciudadela
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Rochapea

Cafes and historical sites are notable features of Rochapea. You might consider stopping by Monasterio viejo de San Pedro while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Rochapea


Old Town Pamplona Travel Guide

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