Where to park in Pamplona - Iruña

Pamplona is the capital of Navarra and is a city that connects with the French border and is situated between the Basque Country, Aragón, and La Rioja. It is commonly known for being a stop on the Santiago pilgrimage route and for its famous tradition: the Sanfermines. The Sanfermines is one of the largest events in Spain where participants run through the city streets escaping the bulls chasing them.

Besides these prominent events, the city offers several charming sites to discover if you want to visit Pamplona. Below, we recommend places you can't miss.

WHAT TO SEE IN PAMPLONA

1. Running of the Bulls Route As mentioned earlier, during the runnings of the bulls, participants run through the streets of this beautiful city. The route starts from Santo Domingo slope and ends at the Bullring, passing through the Town Hall Square, Mercaderes, and Estafeta streets.
2. Plaza del Castillo The famous Plaza del Castillo is the city's most emblematic square, located in the center and serving as a connecting annex between the old town and the newer part. In the middle of the square, you will find an 18-meter-high bandstand built in 1943, surrounded by gardens and numerous bars and restaurants where you can sit, enjoy the views, and relax in this spacious area.
3. Running of the Bulls Monument The Running of the Bulls Monument is a huge statue very close to Plaza del Castillo (mentioned earlier) featuring several figures dedicated to the Sanfermines bull runs, celebrated every July 7. It is a highly touristic site as everyone wants to photograph the statue that mimics the image of the bulls and the runners.
4. The Citadel The Citadel is an old fortress built in the 16th and 17th centuries that was constructed to protect Pamplona from the French enemy. It is considered the best example of Spanish Renaissance military architecture and can be found in the city center.
5. La Taconera Park It is one of the city's major parks, located right in the central area. Inside the park, you will find a walled area where you can climb and enjoy views of the park and the city from above. Besides the walls, there is a section inhabited by animals such as deer, peacocks, ducks, etc., animals rarely seen 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 mostly move around the city center, which is the Old Town because all tourist interests are there and that area is almost entirely pedestrianized. Although the recommendation to visit the city is to walk, you can also use public or private transportation according to your needs.

BUS

The bus fleet in Pamplona is known as “villavesas” in the city, a term not commonly used elsewhere. There are 25 bus lines offering daytime service and another 10 lines providing nighttime service. The ticket price is €1.35, but the ticket cost reduces to €0.70 if you use a transportation card. These cards can be bought at tobacconists and associated shops. The ticket price for the night bus is €1.35 if paid in cash, and if paid by card, the price increases to €1.02.

TAXI

Pamplona also has a fleet of taxis available 24 hours a day with several official stops throughout the city.

BIKE

Riding a bike is a very good option if you don’t want to take the car, as the city of Pamplona has more than 60 kilometers of bike lanes to ride calmly without polluting and while doing some exercise. Moreover, you can venture into the heart of the city with it, since cars are not allowed, but bicycles are. If you don’t have one, you can always rent bikes at specialized shops you can find around the city.

TRAIN

Pamplona’s RENFE station is located at Plaza de la Estación, in the San Jorge neighborhood, and includes information points, ticket sales, and a café. Outside the station, there is a paid parking area, as well as bus and taxi stops. The bus line that can take you to the station from the city center is number 9, and from the hospital area, it’s line 7. The station is open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM.

CAR

The least recommended option for getting around Pamplona is by car, but if you still decide to come by this means of transport, you should know which areas you can move around. Although the city is very well connected, there is high demand for parking spaces. You will find areas enabled for limited parking or ZEL, where you can park for a limited time. It is important to know each of the sectors where the Zones operate: Sector 1: Old Town, ZER Zone, exclusively for residents (green color) Sector 2: from Segundo Ensanche, Conde Oliveta Avenues, Baja Navarra and Del Ejército towards 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 zone has its meters and its own signage, so to avoid fines, here is a small summary:

PAID PARKING ZONES

Blue Zone Vehicles displaying the resident card of the sector can park without time limit or those who have a valid ticket for the paid time. Maximum time: 2 hours.

Hours: 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 Sundays and holidays: free

Price:

• 10 minutes (minimum): €0.25
• 30 minutes: €0.60
• 1 hour: €1.10
• 1 hour 30 minutes: €1.60
• 2 hours (maximum): €2.10

Orange Zone During the established hours for limited parking, vehicles with the resident card of the sector can park without time limit, and those obtaining a ticket can park for a maximum period of one day. Maximum time: 1 day (non-residents), unlimited (residents)

Hours: 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 hour 30 minutes: €1.60
• 2 hours: €2.10
• After 2 hours, each additional 10 minutes costs €0.05 (€0.30 per hour)

Red Zone During the established hours for limited parking, only vehicles displaying a valid ticket can park. In these zones, vehicles with resident cards cannot park without purchasing the corresponding ticket.

Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Outside regulated hours in the red zone, only residents can park.

Green Zone Exclusively for resident neighbors. Within the resident-only restricted parking zones, blue and red zones may be established, and outside regulation hours only residents may park in these zones.

Schedule Exceptions:

• San Jorge (RENFE zone): 24 hours / 365 days a year
• Parking in front of the Department of Education: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
• San Fermín is established annually

Parking in the center of Pamplona

Pamplona, located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, precisely in the region of Navarra (also its capital), is a Spanish city surrounded by greenery and crossed by the Arga River. Mainly known for the San Fermin Festival, a tradition held every year in July during which the city transforms into a place of celebration, madness, and fun, Pamplona is also one of the main stops on the Camino de Santiago and a charming, fascinating tourist destination for a romantic getaway.

Considering that Pamplona is a predominantly pedestrian city, especially in its historic center, it is advisable to get around on foot or, at most, by public transport. If you decide to arrive in this city by car, you will undoubtedly wonder where the best place to park is. Parking in the center of Pamplona is the wisest option to have all the main tourist stops right at your doorstep and to move from one place to another on foot, thus saving money and, above all, immersing yourself fully in the culture and spirit of this city.

Another key tip is to book a public parking space in advance to ensure you reach your destination and quickly stop worrying about your car: many parking spaces can fill up fast, especially on holidays and peak hours when people tend to move around.

With the online platform Parkimeter, you can choose the parking that best suits your needs based on the area, day, and time, and compare different offers to opt for the cheapest.

Parking in a Public Garage Near Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona

If it's your first time visiting the city of Pamplona, you may be wondering where you can park your car in a central and strategic location in the city. Parking in a public garage near Plaza del Castillo is our recommendation: in this charming square, you will find many cafés to have breakfast or rest after strolling admiring the Palacio 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 Navarra's most beautiful sculptures. If you like art, in Pamplona you can visit several museums, including the Museo de Navarra.