The capital of Navarra, famous worldwide for the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival. A vibrant city with a magnificent Gothic cathedral, a star-shaped citadel, and some of the best pintxos bars in Spain.
Pamplona is the capital of Navarra and one of the great cities of the Camino Frances. Famous worldwide for the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival each July, the city offers far more than its fiesta reputation suggests.
The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real, the star-shaped Citadel (now a park), the Plaza del Castillo, and the narrow streets of the old town are all worth exploring. The pintxos (Basque tapas) bars along Calle San Nicolas and Calle Estafeta are among the best in Spain.
Pilgrims will find every service imaginable, from albergues and hotels to supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs, and a hospital. The city is a natural rest day destination. The Camino enters through the Portal de Francia and exits via the university campus.
Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.
The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.
How to reach your starting point from major cities and airports.
Renfe trains run from Madrid (3 hours), Barcelona (3.5 hours), and other Spanish cities to Pamplona station. The station is about 2 km from the old town. Local buses or a short taxi ride connect you to the centre.
Pamplona Airport (Noain) is 7 km south of the city with limited domestic flights. Most international travellers fly into Bilbao (1.5 hours by bus) or Madrid (3 hours by train). Barcelona is also well connected by rail.
Alsa runs regular buses from Madrid (5 hours), Barcelona (5.5 hours), Bilbao (2 hours), and San Sebastian (1 hour). The bus station is next to the Ciudadela park, a short walk from the old town.
Taxis from Bilbao Airport to Pamplona take approximately 1.5 hours. Private transfers can be arranged in advance.
Your checklist for arrival day in Pamplona.
Visit the Pilgrim Office (Oficina del Peregrino) at the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real. Your Credencial is your official Camino passport, needed for albergues and your Compostela in Santiago.
Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.
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Everything you need to know for your time in Pamplona.
Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real, or the Asociacion de Amigos del Camino de Santiago at Calle Curia 11. Open during working hours.
Multiple ATMs throughout the old town, around Plaza del Castillo and Calle Estafeta. Major banks represented.
Several pharmacies in the old town and along Avenida Carlos III.
