Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino de Invierno app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appPamplona (Iruña in Basque) is the first major city on the Francés and the capital of Navarra. It's a beautiful, walkable city with a well-preserved old quarter, excellent food, and a lively atmosphere year-round — not just during the San Fermín festival.
The old city is compact. The Plaza del Castillo is the heart of it, ringed by cafés with outdoor seating. From here the narrow streets radiate outward, packed with pintxos bars that rival anything in San Sebastián. Calle Estafeta — the famous bull-running street — is worth walking even without the bulls. The cathedral of Santa María la Real is a Gothic masterpiece with a cloister considered one of the finest in Spain.
The city walls and the Ciudadela (the star-shaped fortress turned public park) are perfect for an afternoon stroll. The parks along the Arga river offer green space and running paths.
For services, Pamplona has everything: hospitals, pharmacies, outdoor gear shops (useful for replacing anything that broke in the Pyrenees), banks, and a major bus and train station. The Pilgrim Office near the cathedral issues credenciales and stamps.
Multiple albergues operate in the old city. The municipal albergue Jesús y María is centrally located. Several private albergues and hostels offer more comfort. Hotels range from budget to luxury. Book ahead during San Fermín (July 6-14) when the city is impossibly full and prices triple.
Pamplona is the first city along the way with a post office (Correos ⨠), perfect for lightening your pack. The post office here can help you send your stuff to the Santiago post office, or to Casa Ivar (the same Ivar as the popular ‘Camino Forums’’). He offers package and luggage receiving & storage in Santiago. Prices range from 15-25€, depending on the size of the package. When you arrive in Santiago, stop by Ivar´s office and pick it up. Opening hours are listed on casaivar.com, or you can email Ivar at ivar@casaivar.com.
San Fermín (July 6-14) is the big one — the encierro (bull running) takes place at 8:00 each morning along Calle Estafeta. The city explodes into non-stop celebration. Book accommodation months ahead or plan to arrive early; beds become scarce. Outside July, Pamplona's pintxos scene and cultural life make it worth a rest day anytime.
Pamplona was founded by the Roman general Pompey in 75 BC as Pompaelo. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre in the 10th century and has been the political heart of the region ever since.
The city's most famous event, the Running of the Bulls during the San Fermín festival, was immortalized by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises. The festival dates to the 14th century, though the bull runs themselves evolved from the practical need to move bulls from corrals to the bullring. It's become one of the world's most famous festivals, for better and worse.
The camino exits through the old city, passing the university campus and climbing gently through the suburbs of Iturrama and Cizur Mayor before reaching Cizur Menor. The way out of Pamplona is well-marked but the urban sprawl can feel long after the intimacy of the Navarrese villages.
27. May 2026 - 18:53
Not listed yet by Wise Pilgrim app, but this is a nice, basic hotel one block away from the Camino. The location is great, breakfast is good, and everything is new, clean, and works well (ie, WiFi, shower, elevator access, etc). Perfect for a rest day in Pamplona.
8. April 2026 - 8:26
Stayed here on 7 April 26. Central location but room was quiet as my window was not street side. Clean, basic and good shower en suite.
23. May 2025 - 10:18
We had the most delicious torrijoas (a caremelized milk soaked treat) here. Lovely place and owners.
13. September 2024 - 21:26
Warm welcome from host, clean and comfortable facilities, central to lots of good food and sights. I really liked the cubicle style bunkies that included personal lockers. Reservations probably required.
3. September 2024 - 8:45
Get a 75 minute massage at Kio Bio right on the Plaza for only 50 euros. Worked wonders for me.
15. May 2024 - 20:02
Great accommodations in the center of town steps away from the Camino. Bar attached to the hotel with “normal” hours. Breakfast began at 7 AM
21. April 2024 - 13:12
Interesting system but not a good place to clean clothes. The dryer didn’t get the clothes fully dry so was a wasted 4€. You can't dry it outside. The drying area is a disabled toilet with no dehumidifier or heater. dryer plus hanging didn't dry my clothes. Breakfast was just coffee, I don’t know where the bread was. My pillow case was wet on arrival. Once dry there were three different colour hairs on it. The cubby is cool but didn't feel clean.
18. July 2023 - 18:30
Loved walking into Pamplona and the old village vibe. Walk around and enjoy the streets, the pinchos, the beautiful city center…. Great spot for adjusting any clothes , shoes, questions you may have to continue.
26. May 2023 - 18:17
Great location situated on a street with tons of tapas/wine locations. Steps away from the Camino.
The room was okay and comfortable but the view onto the street was excellent.
15. May 2023 - 17:37
But we did get in at Bearan bar and rooms.
Private room for 2 €60, nice clean room with double bed
Pinchos in bar excellent value, house red also good
25. April 2023 - 21:03
Very close to cathedral and Camino store. Helpful staff and they have a lift. Beautiful views from balcony. Restful relaxing time. Close to everything you might need. Great restaurants around the corner.
23. April 2023 - 18:19
This is a beautiful hotel. We had a nice stay on our pilgrimage. Breakfast was very nice with a large variety. Good way to start your Camino.
18. March 2023 - 14:13
Everything on the list is sold out through booking.com. This was my first try at Albergue so very disappointing.
Hotel are very very expensive and no bus to St Jean for today either.
2. March 2023 - 21:28
Opened for the season today. Purchased a decent sleeping bag for 45 euros. Well stocked with everything you might need
29. October 2022 - 17:58
This hotel is right on the Camino in the plaza consistorial, very nice hotel and you have a self laundry right around the corner
27. October 2022 - 23:43
Here you can find a hike store in case you need something, is near the cathedral
29. August 2022 - 21:48
Got a private room in person for two, about €50. They have an attic double room thats spacious but has complicated witches stairs. AC and fan but still warm in high summer heat. Other rooms are small but better temp regulated. Bar downstairs has great pintxos and beer!
7. August 2022 - 7:29
Nicely located just one block from Camino. Rooms was really nice and the staff was super. Highly recommend
8. April 2022 - 19:28
High recommendations for the municipal hostel Jesus and Maria . Access to +++ options for pilgrim dinner .
Also high recommendations for ibarolla auberge. No pilgrim dinner, but everything else is 10+. Friendly owner on site, pod beds, laundry friendly, rainfall shower . Breakfast included.
2. September 2019 - 10:14
Get up early, by 6, and get on the Camino by 6:30 before the traffic starts. You cross many streets.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
