Who hasn’t heard of Pamplona and its famous running of the bulls during San Fermín? The internationally known festival has made this small Basque town in the Province of Navarre famous.
Located just under 90 kilometres from the French border, Pamplona is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or a short family holiday in Spain.
Like in most cities in the Basque Country, excellent local and Spanish cuisine can be found throughout Pamplona's many tapas bars.
This guide takes you to the best of the best, making sure you know where to go for great pintxos during your stay in the city.
Bar Cervecería La Estafeta
This central Pamplona bar is located in the historic heart of the city. It is a nice place to have a beer or a glass of wine - or any other drink - with a few pintxos (pinchos in Spanish) that can be selected along the bar.
Address: Calle de la Estafeta, 54-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 11:00 am to 1:00 am
Bodegón Sarria
Founded in 1959, Bodegón Sarria is a typical Pamplona bar, also located in the city's historic centre. Guests can eat all types of pinchos accompanied by a glass of wine. Among house specialties, you should make sure to taste the Iberian ham and typical Navarran cuisine.
Address: Calle de la Estafeta, 50-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 1:00 am
Sidrería Chez Belagua
This bar-restaurant has a large selection of pinchos and a lot more great food to choose from for those with a larger appetite. The wine list also has a good variety, with great wines from the country, such as Gallico.
Address: Calle de la Estafeta, 49-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 11:00 am to 1:00 am
Bar Iruñazarra
Also located in the centre of Pamplona, this bar, restored in 2014, offers tapas and traditional food for a good value. The service is pleasant, as is the friendly atmosphere.
Address: Calle Mercaderes, 15-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 8:00 am to midnight
Cervecería La Mejillonera
Cervecería La Mejillonera is one of the most prestigious beer bars of Pamplona. Located in the city centre, this is a must for tapas lovers. Mussels are a specialty here, as its name suggests; mejillones are mussels in Spanish. Also try the patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce) and calamares (fried calamari).
Address: Calle Navarrería, 12-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 9:00 am to midnight
Los Burgos de Iruña
A rustic bar with curious semicircular wooden benches and a varied menu featuring both traditional and modern specialties. The atmosphere is welcoming with friendly service and fair prices.
Address: Calle Navarrería, 14-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm to midnight
Café Iruña - El Rincón de Hemingway
Café Iruña, also known as El Rincón de Hemingway (Hemingway's Corner) is a nice bar-restaurant in the downtown area. It is decorated like an old cafe and honours Ernest Hemingway with a statue dedicated to the American writer. Besides a fairly detailed menu, Café Iruña also organizes events and exhibitions. If it is nice outside, the terrace is a beautiful place to sit.
Address: Plaza del Castillo, 44-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 8:00 am to midnight
Bar Txoko
Txoko is a great place that serves excellent tapas. Located on a square, it is an ideal spot to have an outdoor drink as the children play safely.
Address: Plaza del Castillo, 20-31001 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 8:00 am to midnight
Café Bar Gaucho
A Pamplona classic. Gaucho's wooden décor, delicious cuisine and attentive service make it a favourite of both locals and tourists. The place claims to take haute cuisine to miniature form... and they are right. Go ahead, enjoy!
Address: Calle de Espoz y Mina, 7-31002 Pamplona - Navarre (Basque Country)
Opening hours: 8:00 am to midnight