Best Time to Visit Pamplona — Seasonal Guide 2026
San Fermín or serenity? Here's exactly when to visit Pamplona for festivals, weather, food, and the best hotel deals. Book sustainable stays through IMPT — 1 tonne CO₂ removed per booking.
Pamplona transforms dramatically with the seasons. The city that Hemingway immortalised in The Sun Also Rises sees its population triple during one explosive week in July — then settles back into a quieter, deeply authentic rhythm that reveals a completely different side of Navarre's capital. Whether you're here for the adrenaline of the encierro, the leaf-dappled autumn walks along the River Arga, or the pintxos bars glowing warm through winter windows, timing your visit changes everything. Here is a complete month-by-month guide to Pamplona in 2026.
Pamplona Weather by Season
Pamplona sits at 450 metres elevation in the Pyrenean foothills, giving it a transitional climate between Atlantic maritime and continental Mediterranean. Winters are cool and crisp, summers are warm but rarely stifling, and spring and autumn deliver the kind of gentle weather that makes walking the Camino de Santiago a joy. Average annual rainfall is around 720 mm, spread fairly evenly through the year — though spring can bring occasional showers.
San Fermín — The Festival (July 6–14, 2026)
There is nothing quite like San Fermín. For nine days each July, Pamplona becomes a sea of white and red — the traditional dress of the festival — as roughly one million visitors descend on a city of 209,000. The famous encierro (Running of the Bulls) takes place each morning at 8:00 AM, when six fighting bulls and six steers charge along an 875-metre route from the corral at Santo Domingo to the Plaza de Toros. The run lasts roughly three minutes — but the anticipation builds for hours beforehand.
The encierro route runs along Calle Santo Domingo, through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, down Calle Mercaderes, and up Calle Estafeta before entering the bullring. Spectators line the route behind wooden barricades; runners (mozos) gather at the lower part of Santo Domingo from around 7:30 AM. If you plan to run, know the rules: no one under 18, no alcohol intoxication, and absolutely no touching or harassing the bulls. The festival also includes the daily Gigantes y Cabezudos parade, nightly fireworks from the Ciudadela, traditional Basque sports exhibitions, and a riot of street music and spontaneous celebration.
Critical advice for San Fermín: Book accommodation at least 6 months in advance — ideally 12. Hotels in the Old Town fill up a year ahead, and even outer districts charge peak rates. If you're booking through IMPT, use the advance-booking calendar to secure your preferred dates. Prices during San Fermín are 3–5× normal rates, but IMPT's lowest price guarantee — same as Booking.com — plus 1 tonne of CO₂ removed per booking and 5% cashback makes every stay better value.
Spring in Pamplona (March–May)
Spring is arguably Pamplona's most beautiful season. By late March, the hills surrounding the city glow electric green, wildflowers erupt along the Camino de Santiago approaching the city, and the parks — especially the Vuelta del Castillo around the Ciudadela — burst with cherry blossoms and magnolia. Daytime temperatures climb from around 13°C in March to a comfortable 20°C by May. Rainfall is moderate — pack a light jacket — but the payoff is a city before the summer crowds arrive.
Spring is also the start of the Camino de Santiago season. From April onwards, you'll see growing numbers of pilgrims passing through the Portal de Francia gate, identifiable by their scallop shells and walking poles. The atmosphere is one of quiet purpose and shared journey — a beautiful counterpoint to the July frenzy. Hotel rates in spring are reasonable (roughly 40–60% of San Fermín peak), and availability is good across all areas. The Irati Forest, 45 minutes north, is at its most vibrant in late April and early May when the beech trees unfurl their new leaves.
Summer Beyond San Fermín (Late July–August)
After San Fermín, Pamplona exhales. Late July and August see temperatures peak at around 28°C — warm but rarely oppressive, thanks to the city's elevation and the proximity of the Pyrenees. This is an excellent time for day trips: the Bardenas Reales semi-desert (80 km south) shimmers in the heat, the swimming holes along the River Arga invite a dip, and the Pyrenean hiking trails reach their summer prime with snow-free passes and long daylight hours (sunset after 21:30).
The main downside of August is that many local Pamplona residents take their own holidays — some smaller shops and restaurants close for the month. But the major attractions (Cathedral, Museo de Navarra, Ciudadela) remain open, and the relaxed pace can be a welcome change. Hotel rates drop substantially from the San Fermín peak, making August a relative bargain for a summer visit.
Autumn (September–November) — The Insider's Season
If there is a secret best time to visit Pamplona, it's September and October. The weather holds steady — temperatures range from 15 to 24°C in September, cooling to 8–16°C by November — and the summer crowds have vanished. The parks turn gold and amber, the Navarre wine harvest is in full swing just an hour south in the Rioja and Navarra DO regions, and the pintxos bars reclaim their local character. September also brings the Fiestas de San Fermín Chiquito (the "Little San Fermín") around the 25th — a more local, less touristy version of the July festival.
October is the month of the Semana de la Cazuelica y el Vino (Casserole and Wine Week), when bars across the city compete with specially priced small casseroles paired with Navarrese wines — a culinary event that is pure heaven for food lovers. By November, the chill sets in, but the city's bars become all the cosier with their warm interiors and hearty winter pintxos. Hotel rates in autumn are the lowest of any non-winter period.
Winter (December–February) — Cosy & Budget-Friendly
Winter in Pamplona is cold but rarely severe — daytime temperatures hover between 5 and 10°C, with occasional frost at night. Snow in the city is uncommon (maybe one or two light dustings per year), but the Pyrenees, visible from the city walls on clear days, are reliably snow-capped and ready for skiing at resorts like Roncesvalles and Larra-Belagua, both about an hour's drive north.
December brings Christmas markets to the Plaza del Castillo and Plaza de los Burgos, with artisan crafts, churros, and mulled wine. The city's nativity scene at the Cathedral is one of the finest in northern Spain. Hotel rates in winter drop to their absolute lowest — often 40% below summer prices — making this the best season for budget-conscious travellers who don't mind wearing a warm coat. The pintxos bars never close, and there's something deeply satisfying about ducking out of the winter chill into a warm bar on Calle San Nicolás for a plate of chistorra and a glass of Navarrese red.
Festival Calendar 2026
January 5: Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) — elaborate floats through the city centre, a beloved tradition across Spain.
April (variable): Holy Week (Semana Santa) — solemn processions through the Old Town, particularly moving on Good Friday.
June 23–24: San Juan — bonfires and celebrations marking the summer solstice, popular in Navarre and the Basque Country.
July 6–14: San Fermín — the big one. Running of the Bulls, fireworks, processions, street parties.
September 25: San Fermín Chiquito — the "Little San Fermín", a more local version of the July festival.
October (variable): Semana de la Cazuelica y el Vino — Casserole and Wine Week across Pamplona's bars.
November 29: San Saturnino — Pamplona's patron saint day, with a traditional procession and folk events.
December 24–January 6: Christmas markets, nativity displays, and festive celebrations.
When to Book for the Best Rates
For San Fermín, the booking window is brutal — secure your room 6–12 months ahead, and expect premium pricing. For all other periods, you can typically find good availability even a few weeks out. The lowest rates consistently appear in January–February and November (excluding Christmas week). IMPT's platform makes booking easy — lowest price guarantee, 1 tonne of CO₂ removed per booking, and 5% cashback on every stay. No matter when you visit Pamplona, booking sustainably through IMPT means your trip actively helps fight climate change.