Major city · Spain
PamplonaIruña
Give Pamplona 2 nights outside San Fermín (6–14 July); in festival week either book 6+ months ahead or stay in a nearby town and bus in.
Pamplona is the first big city on the Camino Francés and the capital of Navarre, small enough to walk end to end in 25 minutes. Outside 6–14 July it is a calm, green city of pintxos bars, medieval walls and a Gothic cathedral; during San Fermín the population roughly doubles and beds and prices go with it. Two nights covers the old town, the walls and the cathedral without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul (San Fermín crowds and prices); Aug is hot and many old-town kitchens close
- Airports
- PNA · BIO · BIQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pamplona112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pamplona, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyPamplona is a safe, walkable city; the real risks are the bull run itself, pickpockets and broken glass during San Fermín…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 092 Local police (Policía Municipal) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPNA Pamplona–Noáin (About 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the centre; few routes, mainly Madrid and Barcelona.PNA Pamplona–Noáin (About 3.7 mi (6 km) south of the centre; few routes, mainly Madrid and Barcelona.
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: old town to citadel is about 15 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerPintxo at a bar€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride€1.50 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseo de Navarra entry€2 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel or pilgrim albergue bed, a night, per person€18 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room€190 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €105 (≈ US$130) · High €190 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PNA Pamplona–Noáin (About 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the centre; few routes, mainly Madrid and Barcelona. Check current schedules.) · BIO Bilbao (About 156 km (97 mi) by road; more international flights, then bus or car.) · BIQ Biarritz (France) (About 115 km (71 mi) by road; useful for UK and Ireland flights.)PNA Pamplona–Noáin (About 3.7 mi (6 km) south of the centre; few routes, mainly Madrid and Barcelona. Check current schedules.) · BIO Bilbao (About 97 mi (156 km) by road; more international flights, then bus or car.) · BIQ Biarritz (France) (About 71 mi (115 km) by road; useful for UK and Ireland flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pamplona: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: old town to citadel is about 15 minutes on foot. City buses (Línea 4, 9, 12 and others) link the station, the centre and the university; single rides are cheap, and a rechargeable card lowers the fare. Taxis queue at Plaza del Castillo and the bus station. A car is only worth it for day trips to Olite, Estella or the Pyrenees.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Roncesvalles
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min by car
Bus toward the French border, or car over the Ibañeta pass
Collegiate church and the classic first stage of the Camino Francés; check bus days.
Uterga
goDoor to door: About 4 h on foot from Pamplona
Camino Francés on foot, or a short drive south-west
A Camino village on the way to Puente la Reina; walkers pass through on day one.
Olite
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Bus or car south
Royal palace and old streets; the bus runs a few times a day, so check times.
San Sebastián
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h by car
Bus or car north-west
Doable as a long day, but better with a night for La Concha and the pintxo bars.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casco Antiguo (old town)
Estafeta, San Nicolás and Plaza del Castillo: pintxos, nightlife and the encierro route on your doorstep. Noisy at weekends and in July.
Segundo Ensanche
19th-century grid just south of the old town: quieter hotels, 5–10 min walk to the bars and the bus station.
Around the citadel and Taconera
Parks, bigger hotels and parking; 10–15 min walk to the old town.
Near the train station (San Jorge / Rochapea)
Cheapest beds and easiest with bags, but a 15–20 min uphill walk to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × €110 | €220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €105 | €420 |
| Airport bus PNA to centre, both ways2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| City bus single ride2 × €2 | €3 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €68 |
| Trip total≈ €188 per person per day, bed included | €751≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in euros; travel to Pamplona excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pintxo at a bar | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Menú del día at lunch | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Glass of Navarra wine | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Patxaran (local sloe liqueur) | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| City bus ride | €1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Museo de Navarra entry | €2 (≈ US$3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fifteen people have been killed in the bull runs since 1911; running is dangerous and police remove anyone drunk.
- Pickpockets work the San Fermín crowds; keep bags in front and nothing in back pockets.
- In festival week do not wear sandals or flip-flops — the streets are littered and there is broken glass.
- Outside July many old-town kitchens close after the 15:30 lunch service; dinner starts around 21:00.Outside July many old-town kitchens close after the 3:30 PM lunch service; dinner starts around 9:00 PM.
- Pintxos are not free with a drink in Pamplona, unlike parts of southern Spain.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Local police (Policía Municipal)
- 092
Pocket card
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PamplonaIruña
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Local police092
Embassy
No embassy in Pamplona; most countries are represented in Madrid, with consulates in Bilbao or Barcelona (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport bus PNA → centre: about €1.50–2 (≈ US$2–3), 20–25 min (check)
- Taxi PNA → old town: €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) (check)
- Bus Pamplona → San Sebastián: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- Un pintxo, por favor — One pintxo, please (oon PEEN-choh por fah-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
San Fermín week: beds sell out months ahead and prices can triple.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pamplona. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul (San Fermín crowds and prices); Aug is hot and many old-town kitchens close · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PNA and the Bilbao/Biarritz fallbacks: last bus times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza del Castillo, the cathedral and walls, Estafeta and San Nicolás, the citadel and Taconera.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, Museo de Navarra, walls, citadel) and eat pages with last orders.
- San Fermín fixtures: 07:30 track arrival, 08:00 encierro, balcony and street-view options, and a no-run safety line.