5 Best things to see & do in Pamplona

A world-famous pilgrimage, crossing Northern Spain in 33 stages from Roncevalles, taking in the historic cities of Pamplona, Burgos and Leon, and dozens of spectacular medieval churches along the way.

Pamplona’s famous and exuberant week-long fiesta – Spain’s biggest party – which includes the infamous encierro (running of the bulls).

A soaring Gothic cathedral famed for its elegant cloister and 15th-century alabaster tomb of Carlos III of Navarra, a former king of Navarra. Climb the bell tower and stop by the small museum housing religious treasures.

For Hemingway fans, a drink in his beloved Cafe Iruna on main Plaza del Castillo is a must; he’s still there in spirit, with his statue jauntily holding up the bar. It’s a charismatic old bar (founded 1888), with lovely views over the square, but a magnet for tourists.

The four-storey museum, housed in an old, 16th-century hospital, is home to regional artworks from prehistoric times to the 20th century. It’s packed with gems, including Roman mosaics, Romanesque sculpture, Gothic murals, and a portrait by Goya.