Top Things to Do in Navarre — Bulls, Desert & Pyrenees 2026
Run with the bulls (or watch from a balcony), walk through a desert badlands that Game of Thrones called the Dothraki Sea, hike Europe's second-largest beech forest, and cross the Pyrenees on the Camino de Santiago — all in a single weekend in Navarre.
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1. San Fermín — The Running of the Bulls (Pamplona, July 6–14)
The world's most famous festival. The encierro at 8:00 AM each morning is the daily climax: six bulls run 875 metres through the old town in about 3 minutes, chased by hundreds of runners. Watch from the street (free, arrive by 6:30 AM for position behind the double barricade), from a rented balcony (€50–150), or from the bullring stands. The rest of the day brings the Gigantes (giant figures parade), traditional music, and a party that never stops. Book accommodation 6+ months ahead — hotel prices 3–5× normal. Even if you're not attending the festival, San Fermín has already shaped your visit: Navarre's invisible tourism season peaks around these eight days.
2. Pamplona's Old Town & Ciudadela (Year-Round)
Outside of San Fermín, Pamplona reveals itself as one of northern Spain's most pleasant cities. The Casco Antiguo (old town) features the 14th-century Gothic cathedral, the Plaza del Castillo (with the iconic Café Iruña, Hemingway's regular), and the pintxos bars of Calle San Nicolás. The Ciudadela, a 16th-century star-shaped fortress converted into a 28-hectare public park, is one of Spain's finest Renaissance military structures. The city walls, restored into a walking circuit with views, are the second-best preserved in Spain after Ávila. Best explored on foot; allow 1–2 days.
Natural Wonders
3. Bardenas Reales (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)
A 42,000-hectare semi-desert of eroded badlands, canyons, and the iconic Cabezo de Castildetierra formation that has become the symbol of Navarre's wild south. The main driving route (34 km, about 2 hours) passes the key viewpoints; better yet, explore by bicycle (€15–25/day rental in Arguedas) or on foot. The visitor centre in Arguedas has maps and information. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the best light. Free entry. Summer temperatures exceed 38°C — visit early morning or late evening, and bring at least 2 litres of water per person.
4. Irati Forest (Selva de Irati)
Europe's second-largest beech-fir forest, 17,000 hectares on the French border. Access via Casas de Irati information centre (parking €5, closed December–April). Trail network from 2 km nature walks to full-day mountain ascents. Best times: May–June (green, wildflowers, few crowds) and mid-October to early November (the famous autumn colour spectacle). Clear mountain rivers, the Irabia reservoir, and the chance of seeing deer, wild boar, and griffon vultures. 60 km from Pamplona.
5. Foz de Lumbier — Canyon Walk
A dramatic limestone gorge where the Irati River cuts through the rock. A converted railway line provides a flat, easy 2.5 km path (5 km round trip, 1–1.5 hours) through the canyon, with vertical walls and griffon vulture nests overhead. A torch is useful for the short tunnel. Free entry. 40 km east of Pamplona. Combine with the nearby Foz de Arbayún viewpoint.
History & the Camino
6. Roncesvalles & the Camino de Santiago
The legendary mountain pass where Charlemagne's rearguard fell (778 AD, immortalised in the Song of Roland) and where the Camino Francés enters Spain. The 12th-century Collegiate Church houses the tomb of King Sancho VII the Strong. Surrounding beech forests are beautiful year-round. You don't need to be walking the Camino to visit — the site, 50 km northeast of Pamplona, is a powerful historical and spiritual destination on its own.
7. Olite — Royal Palace & Wine Capital
The Palacio Real de Olite, built in the 13th–15th centuries by the kings of Navarre, is one of Spain's most romantic castles — a Gothic fantasy of towers, courtyards, hanging gardens, and a legend that it once contained a zoo with lions and giraffes. The town is the centre of the Navarra DO wine region, with the Museo del Vino and surrounding bodegas. The Parador de Olite, inside the castle grounds, is a memorable place to stay. 40 km south of Pamplona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Navarre worth visiting outside San Fermín?
Absolutely — many would say it's better. San Fermín transforms Pamplona for 8 days, but the rest of the year reveals the region's real character: the Bardenas Reales desert, the Irati Forest, the Camino de Santiago walking routes, the Pyrenean valleys, the pintxos bars (which operate year-round), and a quality of life that makes Pamplona one of Spain's most liveable cities. Outside July, hotel prices are reasonable, the pace is relaxed, and you can explore without crowds. If you want the festival, go in July; if you want the region, go any other month — May, June, and September are ideal.
What's the best itinerary for a weekend in Navarre?
Day 1: Morning in Pamplona's old town (cathedral, Ciudadela, walking the walls), lunch and pintxos crawl on Calle San Nicolás, afternoon drive to Olite (castle and wine tasting), evening back in Pamplona for dinner. Day 2: Sunrise at the Bardenas Reales (leave Pamplona by 6:00 AM, drive the main route in the best light), late breakfast in Arguedas, drive north to the Foz de Lumbier (canyon walk, 1.5 hours), lunch in a Pyrenean village (Ochagavía for Roncal cheese), and return to Pamplona via the scenic mountain roads. This packs the region's highlights into a weekend and is best done with a rental car.
Can I combine Navarre with the Basque Country and La Rioja?
Yes, and it's one of Spain's classic trips. Pamplona is 80 km from San Sebastián (1 hour), 155 km from Bilbao (1.5 hours), and about 80 km from Logroño/La Rioja (1 hour). A 7–10 day itinerary: fly into Bilbao (2 nights), drive to San Sebastián (2 nights), then to Pamplona (2 nights), then south to La Rioja wine country (2 nights, Haro or Laguardia), fly out of Bilbao or Madrid. This route takes you through three of Spain's richest food regions, covers mountains, coast, desert, and vineyards, and involves no driving day longer than 2 hours. The contrast between the Atlantic Basque coast, the Pyrenean foothills, and the Rioja vineyards makes this one of northern Spain's most rewarding road trips.