Pamplona is best known for the annual San Fermin Festival, usually called the Running of the Bulls. It is held each July in celebration of the city’s patron saint. The city becomes an amazing street party which climaxes with the running of the bulls in mornings, followed by afternoon bullfights at the arena.
This can be very crowded and may not be an ideal time to visit with kids, but there are certainly plenty of families and children who enjoy San Fermin. If you do plan to visit during this time, expect to pay three or four times the normal hotel rates and be sure to book well ahead of time. There are plenty of reasons to also visit other times of year as well.
The Pamplona Experience
At the Plaza del Castillo, watch locals busily brush past as tourists point at maps or snap photos. The rowhouses lining the square are aging and colorful. The benches along the edges of the square beg to be sat upon for some extended people-watching.
Although Pamplona is a city of nearly 200,000 people, it has somehow retained the flavor and personality of the surrounding countryside. The shop owners and café workers are tremendously warm and friendly. The streets are lined with bars as inviting as your own neighborhood hangout. The city is, delightfully, not overrun by major chain stores.
In Pamplona, it is best to set out with no itinerary. Simply wander or stroller around the city center, discovering a new row of boutiques or a unique historic building at each corner turned.
Teaching About Ernest Hemingway on Vacation
Visiting Pamplona can be a great way to get children and teens more interested in literature with real-world settings and experiences.
Ernest Hemingway first arrived in Pamplona for the debut of the San Fermin Festival in 1923. He so loved the city that he set his classic novel, “The Sun Also Rises,” here. He attended the festival eight more times.
Hemingway can be credited with putting Pamplona, and its festival, on the world map. Hemingway ultimately killed himself in Idaho on the night before San Fermin. Visitors can still find some of Hemingway’s hangouts, such as Bar Txoko, the Perla Hotel (which is still open for business, but is a bit grungy for most) and Iruña Café, all located on or near the Plaza del Castillo. Today, a bust pays homage to the acclaimed writer near the Paseo de Hemingway bullfighting ring.
Sightseeing in Pamplona
- The Santa María la Real Basilica Cathedral and neighboring Museo Diocesano are both key religious attractions in the city. The cathedral, which was built in the 14th and 15th centuries, has a striking and bold Neoclassical façade and a stunning Gothic cloister. The museum features religious art from the Navarre region, including wonderful images of the Virgin Mary.
- Museo de Navarra contains a diverse mix of exhibits devoted to Navarre history. A highlight is the 14th-century Mural of the Passion of Christ.
- Olite Castillo y Palacio {located at Plaza Carlos III El Noble in Olite) is one of the most grandiose castle/palace attractions in this part of Europe. It was once the home of the illustrious kings of Navarre. For a true experience, stay at the Parador lodging here.
For families with children of all ages, there are reasons to visit. Families with babies and toddlers will enjoy the pedestrian and stroller friendly streets, and parents of school aged children will find many opportunities to teach about history and literature while on vacation.
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