Pamplona is a green, monumental city steeped in history that goes far beyond the famous San Fermín bull runs. The Navarrese capital stands out for its Renaissance walls, cobbled streets, and beautifully maintained urban gardens.
The Heart of the Old Town
A tour of the city begins in its most iconic squares and avenues:
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Plaza del Castillo: Known as the city’s “living room,” it is surrounded by grand historic buildings, lively terraces, and iconic spots like Café Iruña, immortalized by Ernest Hemingway.
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The Running of the Bulls Route: Walking from the corralillos of Santo Domingo, past the Mercaderes curve, and down the famous Estafeta Street all the way to the Bullring lets you retrace the globally renowned festival route.
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City Hall Square (Plaza del Ayuntamiento): Its elegant 18th-century Baroque facade serves as the backdrop where the legendary Chupinazo rocket is launched every July 6th.
Medieval Heritage and History
Perched in the upper district of the historic center lie major defensive and religious landmarks:
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Cathedral of Santa María la Real: A temple blending a Neoclassical facade with a Gothic cloister considered among the finest in Europe.
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The City Walls and the France Gate (Portal de Francia): An impeccably preserved Renaissance fortification system offering panoramic walks above the Arga River.
A Unique Green Oasis: The Citadel
The Citadel of Pamplona is an impressive 16th-century, five-pointed star military fortification. Today, it has been transformed into a massive public park filled with lush gardens, historic moats, and contemporary art exhibition spaces.
Right beside it, La Taconera Park—the city’s oldest park—delights visitors with its romantic style and moats home to deer, peacocks, and ducks living in semi-freedom.