UPDATED 3/9/23

When one hears “Pamplona” they correctly think of Ernest Hemingway and the Running of the Bulls. However, this capital of Navarre has more to offer and is worth adding a Pamplona travel stop on your way from San Sebastian to Barcelona (or vice versa), even if to enjoy 1 day in Pamplona.

As you’ll notice from the tips throughout, this Pamplona itinerary is intentionally written for the first time Pamplona solo traveler and/or older traveler (I am over 50 and have been traveling solo FOREVER). Yet, anyone can use this travel itinerary and guide it to plan and book the perfect day in Pamplona.

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Here are all of the sites you need to successfully book these perfect day in Pamplona, Spain.

I even give you my suggested Pamplona hotel as a budget friendly and centrally-located stay in the Pamplona city center, an ideal location for one day in Pamplona solo travel on foot.

I recommend you bookmark and use these sites early to lock in your Pamplona day itinerary and get the best Pamplona travel deals.

Pamplona Train Tickets

Pamplona Bus Tickets

Best Pamplona City Center Hostels

Best Pamplona City Center Hotels

Pamplona Hotel Pick

Navarra Ecotourism

If you need more Spain travel tips to supplement your Pamplona travel planning, consult my ultimate Spain Solo Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more to plan solo travel in Spain.

What is Pamplona Famous For?

Although Pamplona resides on one of the three branches of “The French Way” of St. James’ pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (“The Way”), it is not on the original St. James path given UNESCO World Heritage status.

Still, you will see sightings of the shell, the pilgrimage emblem, denoting the path pilgrims (“peregrinos”) follow through Pamplona as well as shop for pilgrimage goods.

“Iruña” in Basque, Pamplona offers more history than The Way. Dating back to 75 BC as a Roman settlement under the Roman General, Pompey, it fell under the rule of the Visigoths by the 5^th century; attacked by the Muslims in the 8^th century; then walled by Charlemagne, which eventually gave rise to Pamplona’s first king, Íñigo Arista.

Today, Pamplona is the capital of the Navarre Basque region of Northern Spain and the region’s third largest city.

Pamplona is well known for its military and religious history, its agriculture and wine, and, of course, its yearly Running of the Bulls (“encierros”), the tradition immortalized in Earnest Heminway’s “Fiesta”. It is one of Spain’s biggest festivals honoring San Fermín held in July, where thousands of Spaniards and non-Spaniards alike flock to Pamplona.

Pamplona Travel Packing Essentials

Here some travel essentials ideal to making your solo travel in Spain easier, if not more eco-friendly.

Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?

Pamplona is worth visiting for a day or two if you are in the region. I hope if you’re traveling from San Sebastian to Barcelona, you will consider adding at least a day of Pamplona solo travel.

I cannot speak on attending the Festival of San Fermín. I haven’t been.

Best Time to Visit Pamplona

The best time for traveling to Pamplona relies on weather, costs, activities and events offered.

Pamplona Weather & Costs

The weather in Pamplona averages in the 40°s F to 70°s F, with warmest weather and least amount of rain in the summer (June through August). Summer provides for multiple outdoor activities, but also when it can be more crowded driving up prices. 

The winter months of December through February are the coldest and rainiest, with lower costs and outdoor opportunities. If you go, bring an eco-friendly travel umbrella.

Shoulder season months (spring and fall) provide moderate weather, lower tourist costs and good daylight hours. 

I was last in Pamplona in October, and the weather was surprisingly warm. I still had to book well in advance for a decent hotel price.  For this Pamplona Solo Travel Guide, I would recommend May, September and October for your Pamplona solo visit.

July, of course, is the big month for Pamplona with its 9 days of the San Fermin Festival. It is the biggest event the city holds annually. Thousands descend on the city.

If you are wanting to go to the festival for the Running of the Bulls, then when to visit is a no-brainer.

Pamplona Events

I suggest checking the Pamplona events calendar to help determine which month is best for your Pamplona solo travel.

How to Get to Pamplona from San Sebastian

The best way to get from San Sebastian to Pamplona is by bus or train. They are also the quickest, cheapest and most eco-friendly methods.

It is approximately 2 hours from San Sebastian to Pamplona by car, but why would you want to rent a car when the bus and train are so easy? Plus, you’ll want to be able to kick back and enjoy the Navarre scenery. It is absolutely beautiful going through the mountains.

Eco Travel Tips

For flights only 2 to 3 hours in duration to, from, or within Spain, take the train or bus instead. It could also save time and money, and the scenery is much prettier.

When hiring a rideshare, choose the Bolt Green or Uber Green options, or use Carpoolworld, to support the use of electric cars and carpooling for cleaner transportation in Spain.

ECO TRAVEL PICKS

Bus to Pamplona

The bus from San Sebastian to Pamplona takes an hour and a half. There are also more buses from San Sebastian to Pamplona than trains providing more flexibility for your solo travel schedule in case you want to sleep in before hitting the road.

Buses also stop in little villages on the way, giving you more opportunity to see the countryside. Some buses will also have WiFi.

I took the bus from San Sebastian to Pamplona and would do so again.

Train to Pamplona

San Sebastian to Pamplona by train takes an hour and 45 minutes. The Renfe train leaves San Sebastian at 7:28am daily, which would give you more time on your one day in Pamplona. The thought of getting up at 6am was a no-go; hence, the bus. Still, the train is a great way to go.

Check current train schedules and ticket prices to see what will fit your single travel itinerary.

Pamplona from Barcelona

This itinerary also works if you are doing solo travel from Barcelona to San Sebastian and want one day in Pamplona.

However, it is over 4 hours from Barcelona to Pamplona, so I recommend taking the train. You can always choose the bus from Pamplona to San Sebastian.

San Sebastian to Pamplona Day Trip Options

Day trips from San Sebastian to Pamplona are completely doable if you’re just wanting to stay in San Sebastian.

Of course, you can take the bus from San Sebastian, use this 1 day Pamplona itinerary, and catch the train from Pamplona to San Sebastian (the train departs Pamplona daily at 7:24pm and is slightly faster than the bus).

Alternatively, you can take a private tour to Pamplona or take a small group day trip to Pamplona from San Sebastian if you want a break from being alone on your solo travel in Spain.

Getting Around Pamplona

Pamplona is Walkable

Once there, you’ll be keeping mostly to the city center on this Pamplona 1 day itinerary, which is compact, mostly flat, and walkable.

The city of Pamplona, however, is spread out so, depending on where your hotel is in relation to the train station or bus station, you may wish to hail a rideshare, ride the metro, or use the local bus system, which is inexpensive and tickets can be purchased on the bus in cash.

Likewise, if you are planning on staying in Pamplona for more than one day, consider renting a bike, e-bike, electric scooter, or taking the local bus to explore other attractions outside of the city center.

Is Pamplona Spain Safe to Visit?

Pamplona’s crime rate is considered low and a safe city to walk alone during the day and night.

I did not feel unsafe when in Pamplona for a day. I kept close to the city center day and night. My hotel was also in the city center. As a general precaution as a solo female traveler, I make a point to stay away from secluded or unlit streets and alleys.

As always, use a safe, travel day-bag keep your belongings with you at all times, and be watchful of pickpockets in crowded, touristy areas, on crowded public transportation and during crowded events, like the San Fermín Festival.

If you normally feel uncomfortable being out solo at night, you may want to consider visiting Pamplona during the summer when the daylight hours are longest so you have more time to explore Pamplona.

Where to Stay in Pamplona

Since you’re only spending one day in Pamplona, you’ll undoubtedly want to stay within the city center within the marked section of the map below, which makes it more convenient to be closest to the top Pamplona attractions.

Solo Travel Tips

Have WhatsApp on your mobile device(s). Many smaller establishments and activities offices use this as a method of communication making it easier to make inquiries or booking and learn, or notify, of any scheduling changes.

Get the T-Mobile International Plan or something similar in price and features. I no longer work on WiFi only on international travel. I’ll use it when it’s there, but having access to roaming when needed for GPS and Google Maps is a game changer.

Pamplona’s Old Town is walking distance to all of the best things to do in Pamplona, including shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as the transportation points, which is best for 1 day in Pamplona.

Pamplona Hotels and More

There are multiple Pamplona accommodations within the Old Town across all budget types. Going in the off season, outside of festivals, or booking well in advance, will get you the best Pamplona prices on any type of accommodation.

Consider booking at a property that either is eco-friendly or sustainably rated, or at least employs these methods into their business.

For location, price, amenities (including free-cancellation), eco-friendly and sustainable operations, and customer reviews and ratings, here are my Pamplona solo travel recommendations (i.e., where I would stay):

• Pamplona Catedral Hotel
• Balcon del Encierro
• Heart of Pamplona Palace

I stayed at Pamplona Catedral Hotel, a former 19th century convent renovated into a 4-star boutique hotel.

The WiFi was iffy at times in my room, but otherwise it was a very nice stay. The price was reasonable. It’s also in a wonderful city center location with a friendly and accommodating staff and amazing breakfast.

Although I could not land a Travel Sustainable property in Pamplona, the hotel still employs a few eco-friendly practices: efficient water-use methods, no single-use plastics, and bike rentals. The reuse of the building as a hotel is also an eco-bonus.  

Eco Travel Tip

In addition to Booking.com’s Pamplona’s Travel Sustainable properties, Green Globe and Green Key Global also have eco-friendly certified lodging options.

Budget Travel Tip

There are Pamplona hostels that could start from around €20/night, depending on what amenities and location you want. Note, these are usually a bed in a dorm room. A private room in a Pamplona hostel could cost the same, if not more, than a budget hotel.

Top Things To Do in Pamplona

Here are some of the top things to do in Pamplona. Some of them are free and most can be seen in a short period of time.

Churches & Cathedrals

• Catedral de Pamplona (a.k.a. Catedral de Santa Maria la Real)
• Parroquia San Lorenzo – holds the St. Fermin statue
• Iglesia de San Saturnino

Architectural Buildings

• Ayuntamiento de Pamplona – Baroque City Hall building

Points of Interest, Landmarks & Monuments

• Running of the Bulls Route
• Plaza del Castillo– main Old Town plaza
• Monumento al Encierro (“Running of the Bulls” monument)
• Portal de Francia – preserved Renaissance military complex and National Monument

Parks & Gardens

• Parque de La Taconera – Expansive city park

Museums & Historic Sites

• Fortress and Walls of Pamplona
• Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
• Museo de Navarra

Pamplona Food

There are many restaurants and bars to pop into during your wandering around Pamplona.

For a great section of Old Town with many restaurants and popular hang outs for the locals, head to west off of the Plaza de Castillo to Calle San Nicolas which turns into Calle San Gregario. These two streets are happening in the evening.

Sample Pintxos at 3 Euros a plate and wine for 2 Euros a glass.  These make for a hearty, inexpensive meal.

Order a “rosado” (rose wine) or try a local “tinto” (red wine), like a Tempranillo (a.k.a. Rioja), Granache or Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you really want to go “local”, try a kalimotxo, a glass of red wine over ice topped with Coca Cola. If you’re not that bold, there is always the sangria.

For desert, there’s always my favorite, a bola (cup) of gelato.

Pamplona restaurants to try are:

• Herriko Taberna, Calle del Carmen Kalen
• Iruñazarra, Calle Mercaderes
• La Mandarra de la Ramos, Calle San Nicolás
• Asador Restaurante Katuzarra, Calle San Nicolás
• Heladería Elizalde, Calle San Nicolás

1 Day in Pamplona Itinerary

Now that you’re situated in Pamplona, let’s get you out to do some top Pamplona siteseeing for your one day in Pamplona.

For the sake of this itinerary, it is assumed you’ve arrived Pamplona by noon (like I did) and your visit is not impacted by the Fiesta de San Fermín. If you are planning on using this itinerary during one of the San Fermin festival days, ensure to first look to confirm days and hours of operations to all Pamplona attractions.

Visiting Pamplona outside of any festival, here is what you can see and do in Pamplona in one day. Still, check admission days and times, just in case. Start your walking path on the northern side of Old Town at the Pamplona Cathedral.

• 12pm – Pamplona bus or train station to hotel; check bags
• 1 pm – lunch at Herriko Taberna
• 2 pm – short stop at the Portal de Francia
• 2:30pm – Pamplona Cathedral
• 3:30 – Walk the Running of the Bulls route:
  • C. de Santo Domingo (add Iglesia de San Saturnino)
  • Ayuntamiento / Plaza Consistorial
  • Calle Mercaderes
  • Calle Estafeta
  • Bajada de Javier
  • Telefónica building
  • Blind alley
  • Plaza de Toros
• 5pm – Monumento al Encierro
• 5:30pm – Plaza del Castillo
• 6:30pm – hotel
• 8pm – dinner (Calle San Nicolas, Calle San Gregario)

After breakfast on your check out day, wait to check out or leave your bags at the hotel and try one of these before departing Pamplona:

• 8am – Breakfast at hotel
• 9am – Iglesia de San Lorenzo
• 9:30am – Pamplona Fortress Walls & Parque de la Taconera
• 11am – check out
• Noon – depart Pamplona for Barcelona

Let Me Hear From You

I would love to hear if this 1 day in Pamplona solo travel guide and itinerary was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!

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