In the north of the Iberian Peninsula in the flood plain of the Arga River is the city of Pamplona, the capital of the Chartered Community of Navarre, Spain. One of the most cultural and historically significant cities in the region, with a long and unique history. From its foundation by the Roman General Pompey The Great in the late Bronze Age, circa 75 BCE, to its transformation into a kingdom in the middle ages, Pamplona is a city worth visiting and discovering. It has become a hub for education, innovation, and a motor for the region’s economy; here, you will always find something to visit, learn, and enjoy. The city is also an excellent tourist spot with plenty of accommodations that will make your stay an unforgettable experience.
Our recommendations on which areas to stay in:
- The city of Pamplona is a family-friendly destination waiting for you to discover it. There is plenty of accommodation in the whole town. Still, we recommend staying in the areas close to Iglesia de San Lorenzo in the Casto Antiguo area, the city’s historical center, where you can find all the amenities you need for a perfect stay.
- Enjoy the luxury of accommodation where the magic of the city of Pamplona happens. Stay within the historical center of the town, close to Plaza del Castillo, and enjoy the vibrant life, famous gastronomy, and beautiful architecture of this 2000-year-old city.
- If you want to keep it as cheap as possible, this city offers affordable accommodation in its districts, even in the historical center. A stay on a tight budget in Pamplona is possible and enjoyable!
These are our recommendations on accommodations in Pamplona, Spain, in 4 categories:
Family accommodations
Luxury trip
Budget stay
Hotels
From Fortresses and bulls – What to know about Pamplona’s culture
Pamplona is a fantastic spot to connect with Spain’s history and enjoy of unique spots during your visit. With over 2000 years since its foundation, Pamplona is a center of the culture of the Iberian Peninsula. Pamplona has a long history and a rich culture, full of places to visit, things to do, and dishes to try during your stay. Pamplona was an XVI-century fortified city with several defensive constructions worth the visit. The Citadel of Pamplona and the Pamplona Walls are great examples of military architecture of the Spanish Renaissance. Pamplona is the first city on the French route of the Pilgrimage of Santiago, or the Way of St James, one of the most important pilgrimages of its kind in Europe. This route is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its religious and cultural importance.
Even writers such as Ernest Hemingway fell in love and wrote about Pamplona and visited it several times during his lifetime. When he was young, in the 1920s, he went to Pamplona looking for inspiration and found out about the San Fermin Festival; he also wrote a book about the city and the festival, making it world famous. Each year during the week of June 6th and up to June 14th, there are several activities in the city to commemorate Saint Fermin, the co-Patron of Navarre, including fireworks, parades, processions, and “encierros” or running of the bulls around the streets of the Casco Antiguo of Pamplona.
A lot to see and discover
Pamplona is a city with plenty of activities and places to enjoy on a family trip. We recommend you stay close to Casco Antiguo to experience it better and take advantage of all the city offers.
- Stay close to Calle Mayor to have easy access to the walkable areas of the city center, and at the same time, be close to parks and plazas such as Jardines de la Taconera and Plaza de la Virgen de O.
- Calle Mayor a pedestrian area, so you and your family can move around safely and find nearby grocery shops such as Carrefour and Mayor Alimentación and pharmacies like Angel María Díaz, and also close to the Casco Antiguo Health Center.
- There are several great food options for the whole family in this area. Enjoy a family dinner at Basaburua on Calle Florencio de Ansoleaga or sandwiches and crepes at La Crepa on Calle Nueva, just a few meters from the San Francisco kids’ playground or the Pamplona Public Library.
- A stay near this area allows you to visit several attractions with your family, such as the Museum of Navarra, the Environmental Education Museum close to Plaza Iturriotzaga, and the Arga River.
- You can take advantage of the family activities in the city, like the guided tour for kids in the Fortín de San Bartolomé to learn more about the Way of St James or a trip to the Pamplona Planetarium.
- And don’t forget to walk to the Kiosco de Música to enjoy the historical center and maybe a concert from the local music band of the city in the heart of Plaza del Castillo.
So our recommendation for families is to look for accommodation in the areas close to Iglesia de San Lorenzo and Calle Mayor in the Casto Antiguo area.
A stay with luxury at the heart of the city
This northern city offers its visitors beautiful medieval and modern architecture and the best of Spanish gastronomy, so a stay in the Casco Antiguo is an excellent choice to experience this city at its fullest.
You can enjoy several gastronomical routes from the city center to enjoy the city’s history through one of its greatest feelings of pride; its food. Have a coffee at the shop that enchanted Ernest Hemingway on his many visits to the city in Café Iruña, or walk to Pastas Beatriz, a cake shop that has delighted the locals since 1969. Try local food with fresh and cero kilometer products in many of its best restaurants. Try Iruñazarra in Calle Mercaderes, or enjoy a Michelin-Starred meal at Rodero, a few meters away from Pamplona Bullring in Calle Emilio Arrieta. But if you are looking for the city’s best views, we recommend you visit Verduarte. This restaurant proudly uses the Navarre fresh produce in front of the historical Citadel of Pamplona.
Stay close to Calle Estafeta, where the “encierros” of the San Fermin Festival take place. Visit the City Hall of Pamplona, where the festival starts, and find several churches and religious sites that are an essential part of the local identity, such as the Santa María la Real de Pamplona Cathedral and become amused by its religious art and size.
We recommend finding accommodation in the city’s historic center near Plaza del Castillo.
Keeping it cheap in Pamplona
Pamplona offers its visitors great options to stay at affordable prices over the whole city and plenty of activities to enjoy while on a budget. Remember to visit the Mercado de Santo Domingo in Calle Mercado to experience the local gastronomy as the locals do, or have a delicious meal at Bar Monasterio and enjoy tapas and a good variety of wines and beers.
We recommend you look for the attractions you want to be the closest to and look around for affordable options in the area, and you will find options according to your budget.
