Travel to Navarra

Overview

Navarra

Tranquillity, nature, and delicious food. These are the main ingredients for a journey full of flavours in the Navarre region, a land of stark contrasts and culture that any visitor will find invigorating. Known throughout the world for its 'sanfermines' (San Fermín Festival), Navarre is also a place of tradition and hospitality. The general quality of life here is higher than in the rest of Spain, and that's not all:

The excellent cuisine (everywhere)
The elegant preservation of traditions
The tranquillity of the place

cons

The weather (winters are long and cold whereas the summers are short)

Country Guide

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Our Editorial team's advice

GETTING AROUND IN THE REGION
In Navarre, nothing is too far away, and if you want to discover the region with public transport, the best is to take the bus. They are quite cheap and the schedules are convenient. They'll take you anywhere in the region and there are several companies that operate in Navarre, such as Estellesa (southbound) and Burundesa y Baztanesa (northbound). Should you choose this mode of transport, you'll probably get to see the new bus terminal of Pamplona, which has been entirely renovated: it covers some 35,000m², is well-lit, and boasts high tech services. The railway system also connects numerous towns in the area (Tuleda and Tafalla for example), and although it is only a regional service, and a rather expensive one too, the timetables are much more convenient. Furthermore, if you're arriving at Pamplona from one of the other major cities in Spain, such as Madrid or Barcelona, and wish to avoid flying, you can take the high speed Alvia train. A regular service connects Pamplona and Madrid in approximately 3 hours (in the best of cases). They had planned to reduce that to two and half hours by 2009. Since 2008, the Alvia railway company has also been offering a service to Barcelona from Pamplona, which takes approximately four hours.

HISTORIC DATES
841. Creation of the Kingdom of Navarre.

1423. Under Charles III of Navarre, reunification of the three independent villages that made up the territory (Privilegio de la Unión).

1841. The region becomes a province with a provincial council.

1893. The kingdom defends the jurisdictions of Navarre (the Privilegios are in fact jurisdictions) following a project by finance minister Germán Gamazo.

1981. Creation of Navarre's Autonomous Community (special self-government regime, without autonomy).

BANK HOLIDAYS
Bank holidays in Navarre:

-6th January, Día de Reyes (Epiphany).

-Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday.

-1st May, May Day.

-7th July, San Fermín (only in Pamplona).

-15th August, Assumption of Mary.

-12th October, Our Lady of the Pillar.

-1st November, All Saints Day.

-29th November, Saint Saturnin, patron saint of Pamplona.

-3rd December, Saint Francis Xavier, patron saint of Navarre.

-6th December, Constitution Day.

-8th December, Immaculate Conception.

-25th December, Christmas.

OUR BEST TIPS
The perfect place for people looking for a few relaxing days and good food. It's also a region where everything is close at hand because the distances are short. The accommodation possibilities are numerous, especially if you're into rural tourism. Swanky country homes, charming hotels, or country cottages... whatever your preference, you'll find what you need. Enjoying a walk or a bicycle ride, going to the hot baths, visiting the temples, monasteries, the popular festivals, the cellars.... Navarre has a wide range of activities on offer, while providing a relaxing holiday destination.