Pamplona Things to Do

As with so many of the Old Towns of Europe the best way to get to know Pamplona is to stroll around at your own pace. It's a very easily walked little city with plenty to see and do. Great little shops and of course bars, cafes and restaurants in abundance. Then of course there are the churches which are nothing short of amazing for such a small city. I don't think I missed a single thoroughfare or alleyway in the entire Old Town. As the kids would say "awesome"!

The exhibition hall is outside the center, we took the car to get here. It is incredible building with octagonal style. Is one of stops for tourist groups in Pamplona. There was a bunch of group when we arrived, but we ease to wander around. At the back there is fountain which is nice to see. Also a very nice place to relax where I see some people just setting on the stair and watch the fountain

Parking outside on the street was easy, because is out of the center you can park for free

This building currently used as a place for temporary exhibitions. The large dome is called the (war memorial). There were different entrance you can access at the end of the Avenida de Carlos III or at Plaza del Conde de Rodezno. The central plant in the form of a Greek cross covered by a large dome that becomes the key element. The columned portico smooth square stem topped by a pediment line.

Made in 1942, after the Spanish Civil War, its designed by two architects Jose Yarnoz and Victor Eusa. It is a commemorative work of this war, in tribute to the dead of the Franco side especially of those killed in the fighting. Inside there is crypt, two soldiers are buried who were among the heads of the coup against the Republic in 1936, whose partial failure triggered the Civil War

The building was donated by the diocese to the city council, with the condition not to remove or modify any element permanently. Therefore Pamplona City Council conducted a restoration maintaining all the elements, although both external Franco hiding shields, registration and name of the front building, and enrollments interior.

On our way back to the car parking we followed another way just to see the other side of the city. This street Plaza de Merindades is one of the busiest roundabout in the city. It is a nice plaza where a fountain in a middle and surrounded by beautiful buildings.

The Government Delegation building is visible in the square, we haven't looked up closely, but it has a historic style. This building is the seat since 1982 the Government Delegate in Navarra. Previously it hosted the Civil Governor of the province when it opened in 1945. The construction of this building was heavily affected by changes in the architects due to the Spanish Civil War. After the war he directed the work Joseph Alzugaray it ended, with artifice of appearance.

After we took some photos from the monument encierro we continue walking to this avenue. Keep on straight and you'll came to the place. This is a very nice area to wander, where you came to some kind of shopping street, and other establishment.

It is completely different view compared to the old town. What I saw is mostly modern buildings. A reverse to where we stroll a few hours ago. Is unbelievable to compare the old town. Seem like we're walking to a modern city now

It is a full and lively pedestrian street with nice bars as well as housing and multiple offices. A broad avenue of expensive shops and banks with little sense of neighbourhood. I was amazed to this fancy buildings, the architecture is very special. It fits good to this pedestrian avenue, too bad was rain that afternoon.

From Plaza del Castillo we continue wandering and we came to a wide boulevard. This Teatro Gayarre stands in between to other building I hardly not seen it if I wasn't looked up.

The current building preserves the facade of the Main Theater, built in 1841 in the Plaza del Castillo, on the site now corresponds to the start of the avenue of Carlos III the Noble, between the Palacio de Navarra and Credit House Navarro. The Main Theatre changed its name to Gayarre in 1903

To mark the opening of the Plaza Carlos III, in 1931 the old building was demolished and the old facade was retained for the new theater opened on May 3, 1932 with a role in the Pamplona Choral Society participated Orchestra santa Cecilia and the Friends of Art.

Although the city has to give up much of its gains for urban expansion, this was to be a model city with wide avenues where you still found in some parts. The city has a wide cultural and gastronomic offerings. Pamplona city center is fine to explore on foot, you can stroll around the old town with no hassle, there are architectural buildings to discover

The city of Pamplona is a typical Spanish town full of history, culture and lots of nature. It is a wonderful city to stopped before continue to other place. Having a car this makes us easy to do a trip in Navarra region in northern Spain. It is full of unexpected places, wonderful architecture, unique museums and much more! Life in the city played out mainly around the Plaza del Castillo in the old city center. But out here there is much to see

The is like a symbol of Pamplona. The monument is another one best spot for photography, many vsitors pose for a photo. The Monument is made from bronze sculpture that stands on a huge square. They imitate the running bulls which annually celebrated.

The monument really attracts visitors for young and old but mostly kids. I saw the children climbed to the monument and crawl in between the statues which was funny to see them. Also the monument stood in a nice boulevard where beautiful buildings around

The chaotic bull run in the Old Town, also known as el encierro, is the most characteristic and internationally famous area of the San Fermin. Although the bull run only a small part of the day covering (the whole spectacle often lasts no longer than three minutes), the San Fermin festival is also known as the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Daily run between 2,000 and 3,000 people in eight rounds through the streets of Pamplona, on the run from the bulls released.

After wandering around the center we took the way to citadel. The citadel is on the outskirt of the center, a leisurely walk was pretty good. If going to Citadel follow "Calle del Redin" you walk to an alley where you can see old houses a very nice area to wander. One of my favourite place in the city

If you continue stroll to this street you'll came up to the citadel bastion where you have view of the garden

Is the quieter area, I think that this part of the city reflects what is Pamplona. That historical part which imposes as are its walls, cathedral and other important buildings. With that touch left that normally accompanies the old part of the city but that, of course, has its charm.

On our way down to Citadel we pass in this secluded square Plazuela de San Jose. It is an interesting square where surrounded by historical buildings, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real is located here. The square (plaza) is complete under shade. I think is a place for locals on the summer months to relax.

There are benches around and a nice fountain, it makes the whole place very cozy. Flea market is held on the first Saturday of the month. Here you can visit the oldest house in the city, admiring the search output in Calle Salsipuedes or sole-lantern fountain of Pamplona.

If you are in the square you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real. The dolphin fountain stands in the middle made of cast iron. It is decorated with several dolphins, four of which shed water from their mouths. A very lovely plaza away from the busy center

From Plaza del Castillo walk to Calle de la Chapitela, you walk to a steep street and this takes you to the cathedral. The most important historic building in the city, this 15th-century church was built of ocher stone and has a 18th century neo-classical facade. We haven't seen the interior as this was closed.

In 1390 began the construction of the present Gothic cathedral of Pamplona. This was completed in 1527. It was a three-nave church in the shape of a latin cross, apparently inspired by French examples. The setting is medieval in appearance. A 15th-century cloisters are surely the most beautiful highlights of the cathedral.

The church has numerous side chapels among the buttresses and a choir head with even more chapels, all under crossbow vaults. The classical facade and the two 50 meter high towers dating from 1783 and totally fit with the rest of church. In the right tower hangs one of the largest bells in Spain. This was the late 16th century cast and weighs 12 tons. In the choir stalls dating from 1540. It consists of more than one hundred high, richly carved oak seats.

Northwest of the city hall, at one end of the old town next to the walls. It opened in 1956 and renovated in 1990. The Museum of Navarre with 16th century with plateresque facade. Inside important prehistoric and Roman mosaics on the floor, medieval paintings and the portrait of the Marquis of San Adrian by Goya

It is based in the former Hospital of Our Lady of Mercy. The original building only the cover and the chapel both of the century is preserved. The chapel part of the side entrance of the museum is Gothic-Renaissance style. The museum of Navarre has numerous prehistoric archaeological remains

Just northwest of the Plaza del Castillo is on the small Plaza Consistorial the 17th century Town Hall, housed in the neoclassical Palacio del Gobierno de Navarra. The City Hall is in the heart of the Old Quarter of the city

The building has been renovated on a few occasions, but none of the changes have affected its beautiful and colorist facade, where the Baroque and neoclassical styles merge.

A baroque entrance to the building is lined by two stone statues of Prudence and Justice, which were sculpted in 1754 by Jose Jimenez. Through the entrance in the hallway is a polychrome wood coat of arms with the heraldry of the Bourbons (1735)

It is now the seat of the regional government of Navarra and each year is given here by the mayor launched the festival of San Fermin. The balcony of the town hall in Pamplona containing the Basque flag alongside the Spanish flag. The city hall and its surroundings is in the heart of the Old Quarter of the city, is a place to visit at leisure

This sounds great if you heard that there is a Citadel in the city. At first we have no idea where to find, but looking at it on the map, is a peace of cake. The main thing in Pamplona, all sights are walking distance, we never need the car around the center.

Wear a good walking shoe and you'll be fine for the rest of the day. The Citadel is outside the center, you do a little walking to get here. And certainly worth a visit, besides there were restaurants and cafes around.

The huge fortress with moats designed by the fort in Antwerpen, was built between 1571-1645. Now it is the most visited park and the green lung of the city also held cultural jaws dropped. The powder magazine and the armory art now exhibition windows. On the lawns are modern artworks, an area of 280,000 square meters of which pavilions, moats, bastions, ravelins, fortifications, smaller buildings, also considered the best example of military architecture from the Spanish Renaissance

The center of town is the Plaza del Castillo. The large square plaza with a typical bandstand surrounded by colonnades and beautiful buildings from the 18th century. It has terraces, tapas bars and restaurants and is a meeting place of the locals.

In the square also are all major festivities held. Southwestern stands on the square is the Palace of Navarre, beside the small church of San Ignacio. From here, you can stroll on the main boulevard of the city, Paseo de Sarasate, in the southwest, along the Monumento de los Fueros. In the city you can find your way easily and almost every interesting place can be reached in the city center in just a few minutes walk from the Plaza del Castillo

In Calle Estafeta you will find a lot of establishments, from foods to souvenirs. This is a very touristy street in Pamplona, one of the very well-known street. So expected to see everything here during you walk.

This is also a good place to hunt some souvenirs. I haven't bought this toreros uniform. But in this shop, you can wear this uniform and have a photos with the bull inside. It cost 15€ as I remembered.

The white t-shirt, white pant and with red scarf are one of the uniform during the St Fermin festival in Pamplona. During the festivities almost everyone wears the so-called fiestas "uniform", to create truly eye-catching images in red and white. It is not known precisely why this attire was adopted, or who thought it up, however it is true to say that it is a way of integrating everyone into the fiestas.