Pamplona

Introducing Pamplona

Pamplona (Basque: Iruña), capital of the fiercely independent Navarra, can seem a touch austere at times, partly because of the dark stonework of its older buildings and partly because of a lingering reputation for Navarran reactionary politics. Yet Pamplona is the home of Los Sanfermines (Fiesta de San Fermín) one of the most riotous and extreme festivals in Europe. At the heart of the festival is El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, an activity that many other countries would have banned years ago because of the perceived cruelty to animals and danger to people.

All this apart, Pamplona is fascinating at any time. A fine cathedral is the jewel in the crown and there’s much to be enjoyed by simply meandering along narrow streets or relaxing in the vast green belt on the western edge of the inner city. Pamplona’s bars and restaurants have a growing reputation for superb pintxos, and a healthy Basque culture among young people enlivens things.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009