UPDATED 10/20/23

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 it’s worth adding a stop in Pamplona on your way from San Sebastian to Barcelona (or vice versa), and here are all of the top things to know before you go to Pamplona with a 1 day in Pamplona itinerary so you can plan and get the best of Pamplona in a short period of time.

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

Want to save some time and see this ultimate Pamplona Solo Travel Guide in action instead before you read the 1 day Pamplona itinerary?

If you’re traveling from San Sebastian to Barcelona, this 15 Things to Know Before You Go to Pamplona video is especially helpful.

Not only is it full of great Pamplona travel information from getting there, getting around, where to stay, top things to do in Pamplona, eco travel tips, Pamplona pro travel tips, and more to plan your first time travel to Pamplona, but also includes tips on getting from San Sebastian to Pamplona for your pass through travel to Barcelona.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

The weather in Pamplona averages in the low 30°s F to low 80°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.

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

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 1 hour 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• Ayuntamiento de Pamplona – Baroque City Hall building

• 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

• Parque de La Taconera – Expansive city park

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

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

Tipping in Spain is not customary, but it’s acceptable to tip 10 to 15% if you had great service. It’s also best to tip in cash.

Pamplona is not considered an expensive city to visit. Still, if you’re traveling Pamplona on a budget, keep the following in mind while booking your trip:

• Book early if staying during peak season, especially so during the San Fermin Festival.
• Visit in the shoulder or off season months.
• Travel during the week instead of weekends.
• Book an accommodation further away from the Old Town, but stay close to a bus stop for quick access to Old Town.
• Stay in a hostel. Depending on time of year, location and amenities, Pamplona hostel dorm rooms can start at €20 a night and private rooms at €39 a night.

Use any of these easy, eco-friendly travel tips that do make a difference when you travel Pamplona:

• Replace flights 3 hours in duration or less with the train or bus instead. It could also save time and money, and the scenery is much prettier.
• Take Pamplona public transportation, rent a bike or e-bike, or just walk.
• If you need a Pamplona car service, 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.
• Use Booking.com’s Pamplona’s Travel Sustainable properties, Green Globe or Green Key Global sites for eco-friendly certified lodging options.
• When traveling, dining, shopping, or on food tours in Pamplona, to reduce plastic waste and your carbon footprint by bringing your own reusable collapsible shopping bags, collapsible water bottle, recycled plastic water bottle carry sling, and bamboo travel utensils . They are light-weight and use very little space in your carry-on bags. I always travel with these eco-friendly products.

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 before noon 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.

• Lunch at Herriko Taberna
• Portal de Francia
• Pamplona Cathedral
• Walk the Running of the Bulls route
• Monumento al Encierro, Avenida Carlos III el Noble
• Plaza del Castillo
• Hotel break, freshen up for dinner
• Dinner at a taberna of your choosing on Calle San Nicolas or 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:

• Hotel breakfast
• Iglesia de San Lorenzo
• Pamplona Fortress Walls & Parque de la Taconera

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!