Guidebook for Pamplona
Food Scene
All best restaurants in Pamplona offer to you traditional local dishes. But If you look for something special you can try at 'Alex Múgica' in the same hotel La Perla, where Ernest Hemingway was lodged. Here we are a typical Navarra food but twisted into the Nouvelle Cuisine similar style Ferra Adriá. Delicious! But remember that first Fiesta days (July 5-9) will be almost all booked. If you do not book in advance your best option is to eat and dinner at your hotel.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
Restaurante La Cocina de Alex Múgica
24 C. de la EstafetaAll best restaurants in Pamplona offer to you traditional local dishes. But If you look for something special you can try at 'Alex Múgica' in the same hotel La Perla, where Ernest Hemingway was lodged. Here we are a typical Navarra food but twisted into the Nouvelle Cuisine similar style Ferra Adriá. Delicious! But remember that first Fiesta days (July 5-9) will be almost all booked. If you do not book in advance your best option is to eat and dinner at your hotel.
Drinks & Nightlife
While visiting Pamplona, do not forget to see Estafeta Street and taste their Spanish tapas (here called 'pintxos' in Basque language). My favorite is 'Gaucho' established since 1970. Around this bar is a meeting point of all Americans who travel to San Fermin every year. But remember the first Festival days (July 5-9) bars and pubs will be crowded. There's so many people in the city this days.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
Bar Gaucho
7 C. Espoz y MinaWhile visiting Pamplona, do not forget to see Estafeta Street and taste their Spanish tapas (here called 'pintxos' in Basque language). My favorite is 'Gaucho' established since 1970. Around this bar is a meeting point of all Americans who travel to San Fermin every year. But remember the first Festival days (July 5-9) bars and pubs will be crowded. There's so many people in the city this days.
Sightseeing
Really all the city of Pamplona is seeped in History. In the Old Town you can visit in the morning the baroque and XVII Century church of San Lorenzo, in San Lorenzo Street at the end of Calle Mayor. In a special chapel specifically, you can see the figure of Saint San Fermin, wich is Patron Saint of the city. And you could actually walk up to the Statue in the chapel and take your picture in front of him. But don't try on July 7th because celebrates the procession of San Fermin and statue is actually carried through the streets. It begins at approx. 11:00 a.m. I you like will be shoulder to shoulder with those wanting to view this procession.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
San Lorenzo Church
74 C. MayorReally all the city of Pamplona is seeped in History. In the Old Town you can visit in the morning the baroque and XVII Century church of San Lorenzo, in San Lorenzo Street at the end of Calle Mayor. In a special chapel specifically, you can see the figure of Saint San Fermin, wich is Patron Saint of the city. And you could actually walk up to the Statue in the chapel and take your picture in front of him. But don't try on July 7th because celebrates the procession of San Fermin and statue is actually carried through the streets. It begins at approx. 11:00 a.m. I you like will be shoulder to shoulder with those wanting to view this procession.
Arts & Culture
On May 2017 was opened the new Museum of the Bullring (Museo de la plaza de toros). But during San Fermin it will be closed (oh! dear…). The most important museum nearby is the 'Guggenheim' of Bilbao. There's daily buses from Pamplona (even on July 6th and 7th). But San Fermin Festival is on the street. So you eat, drink, dance and make friends. You're coming to a Carnival! In the evening about the 5:30 pm get a ride around the Bullring and watch Brass Band 'Peñas'. Sure best way to discover our culture.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
s/n P.º HemingwayOn May 2017 was opened the new Museum of the Bullring (Museo de la plaza de toros). But during San Fermin it will be closed (oh! dear…). The most important museum nearby is the 'Guggenheim' of Bilbao. There's daily buses from Pamplona (even on July 6th and 7th). But San Fermin Festival is on the street. So you eat, drink, dance and make friends. You're coming to a Carnival! In the evening about the 5:30 pm get a ride around the Bullring and watch Brass Band 'Peñas'. Sure best way to discover our culture.
Parks & Nature
To rest of noise and music of Festival you could visit the little 'Media Luna' park inside of ancient walls of the XV Century and near 'Club Taurino'. Or stroll through the small and beautiful park 'La Vuelta del Castillo', style New York Central Park. You can also go down to the little river Arga, near 'Plaza de Toros'. And I would like to suggest something special to you. Would you like to see an ancient Basque-Navarran village? Why do not you visit the small town Burguete and fishing like Hemingway did in 1924?
7 Einheimische empfehlen
La Vuelta del Castillo
1 Av. del EjércitoTo rest of noise and music of Festival you could visit the little 'Media Luna' park inside of ancient walls of the XV Century and near 'Club Taurino'. Or stroll through the small and beautiful park 'La Vuelta del Castillo', style New York Central Park. You can also go down to the little river Arga, near 'Plaza de Toros'. And I would like to suggest something special to you. Would you like to see an ancient Basque-Navarran village? Why do not you visit the small town Burguete and fishing like Hemingway did in 1924?
Shopping
During San Fermin Festival many shops or supermarkets open only in the morning. Are you an early bird? If you like the market with fruits, vegetables, meat or cheese you can visit 'Mercado del Casco Viejo' or 'Mercado del Segundo Ensanche'. Do not forget taste the Jabugo Spanish ham please! It's like the Italian prosciutto but with different taste. I think is much better! And the cheese? Taste Roncal and Idiazabal. So tasty and strong. One of the best cheese in the world! What else can I say? I am Spanish!
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Market Santo Domingo
79 C. MercadoDuring San Fermin Festival many shops or supermarkets open only in the morning. Are you an early bird? If you like the market with fruits, vegetables, meat or cheese you can visit 'Mercado del Casco Viejo' or 'Mercado del Segundo Ensanche'. Do not forget taste the Jabugo Spanish ham please! It's like the Italian prosciutto but with different taste. I think is much better! And the cheese? Taste Roncal and Idiazabal. So tasty and strong. One of the best cheese in the world! What else can I say? I am Spanish!
Essentials
The city has pharmacy and groceries opened 24 hours during Festival. You can find bakeries or patisseries open every day especially in the morning without proplem. As we assume you are booked a room in a hotel or a private flat you will not have any problem. If you come without a reservation that's a problem because there are not many laundries like in the US or UK. And San Fermin party could be a dirty time for your dress. In 10 Plaza del Castillo you can find 'Txukun' laundry but is very small and will be full of tourists. A tip?: Do not dress your best suit! :)
Pharmacy Yanguas 24H
17 C. Yanguas y MirandaThe city has pharmacy and groceries opened 24 hours during Festival. You can find bakeries or patisseries open every day especially in the morning without proplem. As we assume you are booked a room in a hotel or a private flat you will not have any problem. If you come without a reservation that's a problem because there are not many laundries like in the US or UK. And San Fermin party could be a dirty time for your dress. In 10 Plaza del Castillo you can find 'Txukun' laundry but is very small and will be full of tourists. A tip?: Do not dress your best suit! :)