PAMPLONA - IRUÑA

Plaza del Castillo
Plaza del Castillo

Pamplona, capital of the province and of the Autonomous Community of Navarra has its origin in the merging of the primitive towns of Navarrería, San Cernín and San Nicolás (Privilege of La Unión, 1.423), and has mantained the name the Roman General Pompey gave to the city. Ancient agricultural and comercial centre, as it is the marketplace for a vast agrarian region. There also has been a process of industrialization: metallurgy, automotive, potash, chemical products, flours, pork products, etc. The city has had the ability of perfectly harmonizing the old part with the new one. The old part goes from the Sarasate Promenade through the Plaza del Castillo (Castillo Square), Estafeta street and the road that goes down to the Magdalena road. The new area of Pamplona is characterized for its numerous enlargements, gardens and parks.

Places of interest

Pamplona is worlwide known for its festivities of San Fermín. Nevertheless, the capital of Navarra is not only fiesta, bullfighting and bull-running. There are many interesting sites to visit that are a must for all those who go to Pamplona. The heart of the city is at the Plaza del Castillo (Square), surrounded by arcades. The area of the Casco Antiguo (Old Town) starts here. If you walk through the area inside the city walls (zona amurallada) you will discover an interesting route of parks and gardens that embellish Pamplona: Taconera, Media Luna, Vuelta del Castillo, Ciudadela, with moats and exhibition rooms, Vuelta de Aranzadi or the University Campus, which is acknowledged with a great prestige. Moreover, the city is full of churches and monuments of great importance. That is the case of the Cathedral, with a Neoclassic façade and one of the most beautiful closters in Europe and a wonderful Diocesan museum. Other emblematic buildings are the Cámara de Comptos (Gothic), the City Hall (Casa Consistorial) whose front is Barroque, the Ezpeleta Palace and the Museum of Navarra, with pieces from prehistoric times to the XIXth century.

Tours around

One of the most beautiful areas of the Community is in the North. It is the well known Valley of Baztán, a natural spot, pride of al Navarrese. It is an area that not only allows the visitor to enjoy the magnificent landscape but also the possibility of tasting its homemade gastronomy, its traditions, the folklore, the craftsmanship and art of this area which can be foun in towns and villages like Arizkun, Azpilkueta, Erratzu, Amaiur, Elbete Elizondo, Lekaroz, Arriaoz, Gartzain, Irurita, Oronoz, Almandoz, Aniz, Berroeta and Ziga. A must in the agenda of any visitor coming to Navarra.

The town of Olite, royal seat thanks to the Navarreses king Carlos III the Nobleman and city since 1630 has its origin in the Roman village of Olivetum (olive grove). It is one of the most beatiful municipalities in Navarra and the walk through its Old Town streets and squares is noteworthy. In the Rúa Mayor and the Cerco de Fuera (streets) the magnificent houses of the XVIth to XVIIth centuries, which are well preserved, can be admired. The Castle-Palace, built more than six centuries ago, which is a good sample of the Civil Gothic in Europe, should also be visited. The visitor should not forget the churches of Santa María la Real and San Pedro and the Convents of San Francisco and of the Clarisas (nuns). The lagoon of the Pitillas is located 12 kilometres away, being the most Northern one in Spain of its kind.

Tudela, which was a centre of coexistence for jews, muslims and christians, is the second city of Navarra and capital of the Ribera (area where it is located). Its old town centre, accesible from the Plaza de los Fueros (Square), preserves many magnificent houses. The bridge that goes back to Visigothic times is found in the outside of the Old Town. Northeast of the town the area of las Bárdenas and the ruins of castles are found. The cathedral is the most important artistic reference in Tudela due to the Portada del Juicio (Façade of the Trial), the Romanesque cloister, the barroque chapel of Santa Ana and a three-body tower. Other noteworthy temples are Santa Magdalena and San Nicolás de Bari. There are also plenty of palaces like that of the dean or the Monreal Tower.

The town of Estella was born of the union of the originary Vascons, the settlers and the jews. The town has a rich historical and artistic heritage from which the Temple of San Pedro de la Rua and the Church of San Miguel stand out, as well as the Palacio de los Reyes (Palace of the Kings), the buldings of the San Martín quarter: the convents, the old city hall (ayuntamiento), the ancient sinagogue, etc. If you want to walk around and admire the local craftsmanship the visit to the San Miguel querter is a must. From its church a magnificent view can be enjoyed and it is also a starting point to reach the Basilica Puy or to go up to Montejurra.

Links:

Services Directory

Hotels:

HOTEL NH IRUÑA PARK ****
Arcadio María Larraona 1
Pamplona
+34948173200
www.nh-hoteles.com
225 rooms

HOTEL TRES REYES ****
Jardines de la Taconera s/n
Pamplona
+34948226600
www.hotel3reyes.com
168 rooms

HOTEL BLANCA DE NAVARRA ***
Avenida Pío XII, 43
Pamplona
+34948171010
www.hotelblancadenavarra.com
102 rooms

HOTEL CIUDAD DE PAMPLONA ***
Iturrama 21
Pamplona
+34948266011
www.ac-hoteles.com/ac_pamplona.html
117 rooms

HOTEL MAISONNAVE ***
Nueva 20
Pamplona
+34948222600
www.hotelmaisonnave.com
152 rooms

HOTEL AVENIDA ***
Avenida de zaragoza 5
Pamplona
+34948245454
www.husa.es
27 rooms

Museums:

MUSEUM OF NAVARRA
(MUSEO DE NAVARRA)
Santo Domingo s/n
Pamplona
948426492
Visiting Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9.30-14 h., 17-19 h.
Sundays and public holidays: 11-14 h.
Admission Fees: General: 1.8€.
Groups:0.90€.
Free Admission: Saturday afternoos and Sundays, children under 18 and señor citizens over 65.
www.cfnavarra.es/cultura/museo/index.html

DIOCESAN MUSEUM
(MUSEO DIOCESANO)
Dormitalería 1
Pamplona
948225679
Visiting Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10-13.30, 16-19 h.
15 July - 15 September: 10-19 h.
Closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays.
Admission Fees: General: 3 €
Groups of more than 15: 2.15€
Special groups (pensioners and schools): 1.5€

SARASATE EXHIBITION PLACE - MUSEUM
(SALA-MUSEO SARASATE)
Mercado 11
Pamplona
948100100
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday: 8-14 h.
Closed on weekends and public holidays.

Restaurants:

HARTZA
Adress: Juan de Labrit 19, Pamplona.
Telephone: 948224568
Price: 42/ 60 euros.

EUROPA
Adress: Espoz y Mina 11, Pamplona.
Telephone: 948221800
Price: 27/ 42 euros.

JOSETXO
Adress: Príncipe de Viana 1, Pamplona.
Telephone: 948222097
Price: 30/ 54 eruos.

DON PABLO
Adress: Navas de Tolosa 19, Pamplona
Telephone: 948225299
Price: 30/ 42 euros.

RODERO
Adress: Arrieta 3, Pamplona
Telephone: 948211217
Price: 27/ 39 euros.

Transports:

Buses
Bus Station
Conde Oliveto 2
Pamplona
948223854
All of the companies are located in Pamplona`s central station.

Destinations from Pamplona: Vigo, Pontevedra, Orense, Palencia, Bergara, Barcelona, Bilbao, La Manga, Quesada, Jaén, Madrid, Alsasua, San Sebastián, Irún, Eibar, Beasain, Arbizu, Irurtzun, Badajoz, Yesa, Jaca, Betelu, Tolosa, Vitoria, Santander, Gijón, Novillas, zaragoza, Logroño, Sangüesa, SOS del Rey Católico, Almonacid, Tudela, Biel, Fermosella, Zamora, Lugo.

Trains
RENFE
Plaza de la Estación s/n
Telephone: 948130202/ 902240202

Destinations to the main towns and cities in Spain. Central train station located at 2.5 kilometres from the city`s centre. Good communication with urban buses and taxis.

Main destinations from Pamplona: A Coruña, Barcelona, Burgos, Gijón, Guadalajara, Hendaya, Irun, León, Lleida, Lugo, Madrid, Miranda de Ebro, Olite, Orense, Oviedo, Palencia, San Sebastián, Tarragona, Tafalla, Tolosa, Tudela, Valencia, Vigo, Vitoria, Zaragoza.

Taxis
RADIO TAXI PAMPLONA 948221212
TELA TAXI PAMPLONA 948232100
TELE TAXI 948232300

Emergency:

Emergency coordination: 112
Cruz Roja ( Red Cross) 948226404
DYA (Assistance on the Road Association) 948171717
Clínica Universitaria de Navarra
(Private University of Navarra Hospital) 948255900
Navarra Hospital 948422100