Car rental Pamplona

Parking in Pamplona

• SABA Plaza del Castillo is an underground parking lot in the heart of Pamplona with over 400 spaces.
• Plaza de Toros car park is open 24 hours a day and located next to the bull arena.
• Bus Station Pamplona is another big underground parking lot close to the citadel.

Traffic in Pamplona

Traffic in Pamplona is usually minimal, apart from when the Running of the Bulls festival is on. During this week of festivities, there are road closures and heavy traffic leading in and out of the city.

How to get from Pamplona Airport toPlaza del Castillo

From the airport pick up point, it’s just a short 20min drive to Pamplona’s castle square at Plaza del Castillo, 31001, Pamplona, Spain.

To get to Plaza del Castillo from Pamplona Airport:

1. Head out of the rental car parking lot and turn left.
2. At the roundabout, continue straight on the NA-6001 road
3. Go over the roundabout to continue on Calle Esquíroz into the city
4. At next two the roundabouts, take the first exit then the second
5. Continue on Calle Abejeras, veering slightly left to join Av. de Zaracoza
6. Take the third exit onto Av. San Ignacio, looking for signs for Plaza del Castillo underground parking.

Roads and freeways

Main routes in Pamplona

• Autovía A-15 runs from San Sebastian to Tudela, crossing Pamplona to the south.
• Autovía A-12 starts south-west of Pamplona and runs to Burgos.
• Autovía A-21 branches from the AP-15 towards Jaca.

Pamplona to Bilbao

You can reach Bilbao in your rental car in under two hours driving west on the AP-15 and A-1. While this is the quickest route into Bilbao, you can also take a scenic route to drive along the coast near San Sebastian.

Pamplona to Zaragoza

Swap the capital of the Navarre province for the capital of the Aragon region in around two hours. Head south on the AP-15 to join the AP-68 road into Zaragoza.

What to see and do in Pamplona

Pamplona Cathedral

Sat in the heart of Pamplona’s old town, the cathedral (31001 Pamplona) is a striking Gothic creation. While the exterior highlights a simple neoclassical style, the interiors are richly decorated with artefacts, statues and embellishments.  

Citadel of Pamplona

This old military fortress has been revamped into one of Pamplona’s top social spots. Boasting the biggest green space in the city, you can wander the grounds to spot remnants of the past, catch a concert or enjoy a picnic on the grass.You'll find plenty of parking by the entrance.

Pamplona Planetarium

Uncover the mysteries of space and discover what the future of technology could look like at Pamplona Planetarium (31008 Pamplona). Perfect for families, this interactive planetarium puts you among the stars.

Jardines de la Taconera

Another one of Pamplona’s bustling green spaces, Jardines de la Taconera (31001 Pamplona) is the city’s oldest park, close to the citadel. Wander the grounds to soak up the romantic setting or take the little ones to the mini zoo, which includes deer, ducks and peacocks.

Pamplona’s best hotels

Gran Hotel La Perla

Nestled in the centre of the Old Town, just a stone’s throw from Plaza Del Castillo, Gran Hotel La Perla (31001 Pamplona) is a luxurious 5-star hotel. Guests can stay in the exclusive suites, which are inspired by the many famous visitors of the city, including Ernest Hemingway and Charles Chaplin.

Hotel Tres Reyes

Another centrally located hotel, Hotel Tres Reyes (31001 Pamplona) is a modern, 4-star hotel designed for a relaxing stay. Wind down in the hotel bar and restaurant after a day of sightseeing or work out in the gym. Private parking is available.

The Castillo de Gorraiz Hotel Golf & Spa

Located on the outskirts of the city, the 4-star Castillo de Gorraiz Hotel (31620 Gorráiz) benefits from a golf course and spa. Wake up to impressive views of the countryside. Private parking is available, with charging outlets for those booking from our Green collection.

Best places to eat in Pamplona

Café Iruña

Situated in the bustling Plaza del Castillo, this café, bar and restaurant is famed as being Ernest Hemingway’s favourite writing spot in the city. Take a seat in the vintage interiors and enjoy an exquisite meal from their daily menu.

Restaurante Rodero

One of Pamplona’s Michelin-star restaurants, Restaurante Rodero uses seasonal ingredients to create innovative and flavoursome dishes. Mixing traditions with creativity, enjoy a luxury meal in an elegant and modern setting.

La Olla

Another central restaurant, La Olla specialises in traditional Navarrese cuisine. Tuck into a hearty bull tail stew or sample a few pinchos, small bar snacks. If you’ve parked up for the night, La Olla also boasts an impressive wine list from the region.

Pamplona’s top festivities

Running of the bulls

Once a year, this otherwise quiet city transforms into a fiesta for the Running of the Bulls. Each morning during this week of celebrations, hundreds of people take to the streets as they try to outrun six fighting bulls. Not for the faint hearted.

Pincho week

This gastronomic event usually takes place during spring. It sees more than 90 bars and restaurants from the region serving up delicious pincho dishes in a battle to be named the best of the bunch. Foodies flood the streets to sample the creative tapas dishes on offer.

City Walls Festival

Throughout August, Pamplona hosts the City Walls Festival. During this month, there are several events which take place within the walls of the city. This includes candlelight walks, dances, tours and street art.