Parking in Pamplona

Pamplona is the capital of Navarre and it is a city that connects to the Basque Country, Aragon, La Rioja and to the French border. It is commonly known for being a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and for its famous tradition: the San Fermines. The San Fermines is one of the biggest events in Spain where participants run through the streets of the city escaping from the chasing bulls. In addition to these outstanding events, the city offers several charming places to discover if you want to visit Pamplona. Here are some of the places not to be missed.

What to see in Pamplona

1. The route of the running of the bulls As we mentioned before, during the running of the bulls, the participants run through the streets of this beautiful city. The route starts from the slope of Santo Domingo to the Plaza de Toros, passing through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Mercaderes and Estaferta.
2. Castle Square The famous Plaza del Castillo is the most emblematic square of the city, it is in the centre and serves as a link between the old part of the city and the newer part. In the middle of the square you will find an 18-metre high bandstand built in 1943 and around it there are gardens and a multitude of bars and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the views and the tranquillity of the spacious place.
3. Monument to the Running of the Bulls The Monument to the Running of the Bulls is a huge statue, very close to the Plaza del Castillo (mentioned above) which has several figures dedicated to the running of the bulls for the San Fermin festival, which is celebrated every 7th July. It is a very touristy place as everyone wants to photograph the statue which imitates the image of the bulls and the runners.
4. Citadel The Citadel is an ancient fortress built in 16th and 17th centuries to protect Pamplona from the French enemy. It is considered the best example of Spanish Renaissance military architecture and can be found in the centre of the city.
5. La Taconera This is one of the city's biggest parks and it is located right in the city centre. Inside the park you will find a walled area where you can walk through and enjoy the views of the park and the city from above. In addition to the wall, you'll find an area inhabited by animals such as deer, peacocks, ducks, etc., animals that are rare to see in such a busy city.

How to get around Pamplona

The most comfortable way to get around the city is on foot. If you visit Pamplona, you will practically always move around the central area, which is the Old Quarter, as all the tourist attractions are there and the area is practically entirely pedestrianised. Although the recommended way to visit the city is on foot, you can also take public or private means of transport, depending on your needs.

BUS

The bus fleet in Pamplona is known as "villavesas", a term that is not commonly used in other places. There are 25 bus lines offering daytime service and another 10 lines offering night-time service. The fare is 1.35€, but the cost of the ticket is reduced to €0.70 if you use a transport card. These cards are available at tobacconists and associated shops. The price of the ticket for the night bus is €1.35 as for the day service if you pay in cash, but if you pay by card, the price increases to €1.02.

TAXI

Pamplona also has a fleet of taxis available 24 hours a day and different official taxi ranks throughout the city.

BIKE

Cycling is a very good option if you don't want to take the car, as the city has more than 60 kilometres of cycle lanes where you can cycle without polluting and moreover, getting some exercise. What's more, you can cycle into the heart of the city, as cars are not allowed, but bikes are allowed. If you don't have one, you can always rent bikes in the specialised shops you'll find around the city.

TRAIN

The Pamplona RENFE train station is located in the Plaza de la Estación, in the San Jorge neighbourhood, and has information points, ticket sales and a cafeteria. Outside the station there is a paid parking area, as well as a bus stop and a taxi rank. The bus line that can take you to the station from the centre is number 9, and from the hospital area, number 7. The station is open every day from 6:00 to 23:30h.

CAR

The least recommended option for getting around the city is by car, but if you have decided to come by car, you should know which areas you can get around. Although the city is very well communicated, there is a great demand for parking spaces. You will find limited parking zones, or ZELs, where you can park for a limited period of time.

It is important to know each of the sectors where the Zones operate: Sector 1: Old Town, ZER Zone, exclusive for residents (green colour). Sector 2: from the Segundo Ensanche, Avenidas Conde Oliveta, Baja Navarra and del Ejército to the south. Sector 3: Azpilagaña, Milagrosa Sector 4: Iturrama Sector 5: Echavacoiz Norte, Esmitagaña and Mendebaldea Sector 6: San Juan Sector 7: Hospital area Sector 8: Rochapea Each of the zones has its own parking meters and its own signage, so to avoid fines, here is a brief summary:

PAID PARKING AREAS

Blue zone Vehicles with a resident's card for the sector can park for an unlimited period of time or those who have a parking ticket for the time they have paid for. *Maximum time of 2 hours.

Timetable: -Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. -Saturdays from 8:30 to 14:00h -Sundays and public holidays: free of charge

Price: - 10 minutes (minimum): 0,25€. - 30 minutes: 0,60€. - 1 hour: 1,10€. - 1,30h: 1,60 2 hours (maximum): 2,10€.

Orange zone During the hours established for limited parking, vehicles with a sector resident's card can park for an unlimited period of time, as well as those who have a ticket for a maximum period of one day. *Maximum time: 1 day (non-residents), unlimited (residents).

Timetable: -Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:00 pm -to 8:00 pm. -Saturdays from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Price: - 10 minutes (minimum): 0,25€. - 30 minutes: 0,60€. - 1 hour: 1,10€. - 1.30 h: 1,60€ - 2 hours: 2,10€. - From 2 hours onwards every 10 minutes you pay 0,05€ (0,30€ hour)

Red zone During the hours established for limited parking, only vehicles with a parking ticket may park. Vehicles with a resident's card may not park in these zones without the corresponding ticket.

Timetable: -Monday to Friday from 9:00-14:00 h and from 16:00 to 20:00h. -Saturdays from 9:00-14h

Outside the regulation hours in the red zone, only residents may park.

Green zone Exclusively for residents. Blue and red zones may be established within the restricted parking zones for residents and outside the regulation hours, only residents may park in these zones.

Exceptions to the timetables: -San Jorge (Renfe area): 24h/365 days a year. -Parking in front of the Education Department: Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 14:00h. -In San Fermín, the following is established every year

Parking in the center of Pamplona

Pamplona, located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, precisely in the region of Navarre (in addition to being its capital) is a Spanish city surrounded by greenery and crossed by the river Arga. Mainly known for the Festa de San Firmino, a tradition that takes place every year in July during which the city is transformed into a place of festivities, follies and fun, Pamplona is also one of the main stops on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago and a charming and fascinating tourist destination for a romantic getaway.

Bearing in mind that Pamplona is a predominantly pedestrian city, and especially in its historic center it is advisable to get around on foot or, at most, by public transport, if you decide to reach this city by car, you will no doubt be wondering where it is best to park. Parking in the center of Pamplona is the wisest choice to be able to have all the main tourist stops on your doorstep and opt to move from one place to another on foot, thus saving money and above all being able to immerse yourself in the culture and fully savor the spirit of this city.

Another key tip is to book a public parking space in advance so that you can be sure to arrive at your destination and within minutes no longer have to worry about your car: many parking spaces may sell out quickly, especially on public holidays and at peak times when people tend to move around.

With the online platform Parkimeter you can choose the car park that best suits your needs according to zone, day and time of day, and you can compare the various offers and opt for the cheapest one.

Parking in a public car park near Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona

If this is your first time in the city of Pamplona, you may be wondering where you can park your car in a central and strategic place but without knowing which is the city center.

Parking in a public car park near the Plaza del Castillo is our advice: in this charming square you will find plenty of cafés where you can have breakfast or where you can rest after walking around admiring the Palace de Navarra and the Cámara de Comptos, the oldest building in the city. Don't forget the Cathedral, inside which you will find some of the most beautiful sculptures in Navarre. If you like art, there are several museums to visit in Pamplona, including the Museum of Navarre.