Curated Pamplona Travel Guide: What to Do, Eat & See in One Perfect Day
By Lydia Iracheta, founder of Sobremesa.Institute
Through this unique guide, created especially for Running of the Bulls, Lydia invites you to discover Pamplona beyond the obvious, and maybe pick up a bit of Spanish along the way.
Pamplona is often known for its energy and tradition, but what I love most is its warmth. Its ability to hold space for both celebration and stillness. For old friends and new discoveries. For the loud joy of the fiestas and the calm beauty of a morning walk through its ancient streets.
In this guide, I’m sharing with Running of the Bulls exactly what I would do on a perfect San Fermín day, living it like a local. It’s a joy to walk you through, step by step, the places and experiences I cherish most during these magical days in Pamplona. From where to have breakfast, to the streets I love to walk, to my favorite spots to pause, celebrate, and take it all in; this is my personal way of experiencing San Fermín.
Every moment included here has meaning for me. And just like everything we create at Sobremesa.Institute, this guide is filled with care, warmth, and the deepest love for language, culture, and connection.
So take your time. Savor it slowly. Let Pamplona surprise you. I’m so happy to welcome you to my hometown.
What to Do With One Day in Pamplona? (In Summary)
- 08:15 Churros at La Mañueta
- 09:30 Giants and Big-Heads Parade
- 10:30 Offering to San Fermín at San Lorenzo Church
- 11:00 El Almuercico at La Servicial Vinícola
- 12:30 Visit to the Mercado del Ensanche Food Market
- 14:00-16:00 Hacer el vermut and pintxos at a tapas bar
- 16:30 Coffee and rest at Café Media Luna in Parque de la Media Luna
- 19:00 Sorbete de limón at Sociedad Gastronómica Gazteluleko
- 21:00 Queso con vino at Savoy
That’s Pamplona at its best — balanced, unforced, and easy to move through.
Morning: Ease Into the City
Pamplona isn’t a city that rewards rushing.
Start your day in Casco Viejo at La Mañueta, a churrería that has been open for more than 150 years. This shop serves Pamplona’s best churros, and is only open during San Fermín. They only take cash, so make sure to have some Euros with you.
From there, step into the Gigantes y Cabezudos Parade (Giants & Big-Heads Parade). Winding through the narrow streets, you’ll almost certainly have to follow the cheers to find this special tradition taking place, as the Giants and Big-Heads are always on-the-move.
After this, experience the Offering to San Fermín, the saint for whom the entire fiesta takes place, at San Lorenzo Church.
Midday: Walk the History of Pamplona
By late morning, it’s time to move with a bit more purpose.
Finish the morning off with El Almuercico, a miniature lunch at La Servicial Vinícola. This is commonly done with one’s “cuadrilla” — a group of close local friends who do nearly everything together.
Afterwards, make a visit to the food market at Mercado del Ensanche. Made up of more than 60 stalls, this market offers the best local produce, food, and wine one can find and serves as a place to connect.
Then, enjoy hacer el vermut, a pre-meal stop for something to drink. The classic Pamplonan drink during one of these stops is the Marianito, a pour of red vermouth and bitters over ice, served with a slice of orange.
At some point, you’ll cross the route of the Encierro, the Running of the Bulls.
Even when it’s empty, it’s one of the most iconic paths in Spain.
- Calle Santo Domingo
- Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall)
- Mercaderes
- Estafeta
If you’re planning to run, or even just watch from a balcony, understanding this route changes the experience entirely.
If you want a deeper breakdown, we cover it here:
Lunch: Pintxos Done Properly
After all that talk about food, now it’s time to really eat –- and Pamplona does this exceptionally well.
Lunch here isn’t rushed. It’s social, layered, and meant to be enjoyed.
Head back into the Old Town and move between bars for pintxos: small, carefully prepared bites typically served on bread. Each bar has its specialty, and the experience is built around trying a few in each place rather than sitting down for one long meal.
Order a drink, pick a couple pintxos, repeat.
This is one of the defining experiences of the city.
Afternoon: Slow It Down
After lunch, Pamplona shifts gears.
This is when the city slows. People step away, shops close, and the pace softens.
Use this time to reset.
Walk along the city walls or through Parque de la Media Luna, where gardens, paths, and open views give you space to breathe. Designed by one of Pamplona’s most prolific architects — Víctor Eusa — the park is truly beautiful. If you prefer, find a café and sit for a while.
In Parque de la Media Luna, you’ll also find Medialuna Café, a relaxed café and coffee shop perfect for a long afternoon break.
Pamplona isn’t about constant activity. It’s about knowing when to pause.
Evening: The City Comes Back to Life
As the sun starts to drop, the energy returns.
The plazas fill again. Bars open up. People gather.
This is the time to head back into the Old Town for drinks, light food, and a more social atmosphere. The experience is similar to lunch, but with a different energy.
During San Fermín, one of Pamplona’s private dining clubs, Gazteluleku (a Basque name) serves one specialty drink: sorbete de limón. This refreshing mix of lemon sorbet and cava is perfectly balanced, and anyone can visit the private club to buy a glass or entire pitcher.
Once you’ve filled up on sorbete de limón, head over to Savoy. This classy, but low-key, cheese bar specializes in all types of Spanish cheese and wine, offering seasonal specialties and great recommendations from its staff.
Our biggest tip: Move around the city. Follow what feels lively, and you’ll enjoy yourself.
If You’re Visiting During San Fermín
Everything changes during the festival.
What is normally a calm, structured city becomes one of the most energetic environments in the world.
- The Running of the Bulls begins each morning at 8:00 AM
- Streets fill early. Access points close around 7:30 AM
- Bullfights take place each evening
- Fireworks close out the night
If you’re planning to attend, logistics matter.
Where you stay, how you move through the city, and how you access key events all directly impact your experience.
We offer full San Fermín packages that handle all of it — hotels, balconies, bullfight tickets, guided tours, and on-the-ground support.
View San Fermín Travel Packages
Explore Balcony Spots & Tickets on BullRunPamplona.com
If you want to simplify it, here’s the structure:
Want a Deeper Understanding of Spain?
A single day gives you the feel of the city, but not the full picture.
If you want to better understand Spain’s culture, traditions, and rhythm beyond what you see on the surface, the Sobremesa Institute is the where you’ll want to be.
An online Spanish school out of Barcelona, Sobremesa offers a unique cultural concierge service that immerses you in all things Spain. Sobremesa’s founder and Pamplona native — Lydia Iracheta — has long been a friend of our team at Running of the Bulls, Inc.
Check out her Cultural Concierge service below on Sobremesa.Institute, and don’t miss out on it if you’re visiting Barcelona or San Sebastian in addition to your San Fermín travel.
Cultural Concierge in Spain by Sobremesa Institute
Planning Your Trip to Pamplona
If you’re considering a trip — especially for San Fermín — planning ahead makes all the difference.
We’ve been bringing travelers to Pamplona for 20 years now, and we focus on making the experience seamless from start to finish.
- Hotels in the best locations
- Balcony views of the bull run
- Bullfight tickets
- Guided tours and on-the-ground support
Start Planning Your Pamplona Trip
Download Lydia’s full Pamplona guide here.
