Things to do in 

Pamplona

Sitting comfortably amongst the greenery of Northern Spain, Pamplona is a city ripe for exploration. It's roads traveled by Hemingway, home to gatherings filled with red scarves during San Fermín and parades of cobbled streets bristling with history. But there's so much more to unravel, like the cool shade of Ciudadela Park in summer or the mornings when the Mercado de Santo Domingo fills with local vendors. The things to do in Pamplona vary with every corner, season, and local tradition. It's a city that feels alive, layered, and ready to share its stories.

Explore Pamplona off the beaten path

Skip the standard stops and lean into alternative things to do, the kind locals enjoy after work and on quiet weekend mornings.

Cultural experiences: In early evening, join the txikiteo along Calle San Nicolás and Estafeta, ordering a short drink and a pintxo at each stop. Check the schedule at Frontón Labrit; a live pelota match packs energy without tourist crowds.

Small museums and galleries: Step into the Fortín de San Bartolomé, the fortifications center, for a quick, hands‑on look at the walls and bastions. The Museo de Navarra is compact and calm, with Roman mosaics and a Goya portrait worth a slow read. For contemporary work, the Museo Universidad de Navarra shows thoughtful photography and art in manageable doses.

Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Watch sunset from the Baluarte del Redín on the old walls, where the Arga River bends below. For a quieter pause, lean over the railing in Parque de la Taconera to look across the deer moat and formal gardens.

Shop for local products & souvenirs: Go early to Mercado de Santo Domingo for Idiazabal cheese, chistorra, and jars of Lodosa piquillo peppers. At Mercado del Ensanche, pick up a bottle of local pacharán or a Navarra red from nearby Olite. For something flat to pack, check the shops at Museo de Navarra or the university museum for prints and design books by local artists.

Popular neighbourhoods

Unearth Pamplona's history in the Old Town, an area rich with cobbled streets, old-world architecture, and cultural venues that echo the city's deep roots.

Enjoy the cosmopolitan air of Ensanche, where wide boulevards lined with contemporary shops, art galleries, and culinary hotspots showcase the city's modern flair.

Experience tranquillity at La Ciudadela, a well-preserved 16th-century fortress surrounded by lush gardens. Walk through the star-shaped ramparts, and feel the peace of this verdant oasis amidst the bustling city.

Discover the university district of Iturrama, a bustling neighbourhood filled with tapas bars, parks, and bookstores catering to a youthful, vibrant crowd.

Indulge in authentic Navarran cuisine in San Juan, a neighbourhood renowned for its restaurants serving a mouthwatering array of regional specialties.

Things to do in Pamplona by season

Spring: Stroll riverside parks and pop between bars for Semana del Pincho, when chefs stack inventive bite-sized plates across the old town. Mild days tempt couples along the Camino stretch and families to citadel lawns for picnics.

Summer: San Fermín in July sets the tempo with morning encierros and late-night music, while quieter days invite walks on the ramparts at sunrise. Things to do in Pamplona in summer also include shaded park time and relaxed lunches when the city slows in the heat.

Fall: Visit vineyards in Navarre, taste new wines, and forage mushrooms in beech forests, often the best time to visit Pamplona for softer light and calmer streets. Markets brim with game and fungi, and cafés spill out onto sunlit squares.

Winter: Settle into cafés as crisp air rolls over Plaza del Castillo, then tour galleries and the cathedral at an easy pace. Christmas in Pamplona brings lights, markets, and the Cabalgata de Reyes winding through the centre on January 5.

Annual festivals and events: San Fermín is the headline every July, pairing tradition with open-air concerts and street theatre. Late winter adds Punto de Vista, an acclaimed documentary film festival, while spring’s Semana del Pincho turns bar-hopping into a delicious sport.