Holiday in Navarra

Region in Spain — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇪🇸

Country

Spain

Type

Region

Best time to travel

May to October. San Fermin in July is legendary. Autumn is ideal for the Irati Forest. Bardenas is impressive year-round.

Budget/day

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Bilbao (about 2h) or Pamplona (via Madrid), then 1-2h drive. Also good road connections via France.

About Navarra

Navarra is one of the most diverse regions of Spain, stretching from the snow-covered Pyrenees in the north to the semi-desert of Bardenas Reales in the south - on an area barely larger than Schleswig-Holstein, it unites completely different landscapes and climate zones. The capital, Pamplona, is world-famous for the San Fermin festival in July, during which the running of the bulls through the narrow streets attracts millions of viewers to their screens. However, aside from this spectacular week, Pamplona offers a beautiful old town with city walls, green parks, and an excellent pintxo scene that can compete with San Sebastian. The Bardenas Reales in the southeast are a surreal semi-desert landscape reminiscent of the American West - bizarre erosion formations, table-like rocks, and a silence that is unmatched in Europe. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve was used as a film set for Game of Thrones. In the north lies the Irati Forest, one of the largest beech forests in Europe, which shines in a frenzy of gold and red in autumn. Navarra is also on the Camino de Santiago, and the medieval bridges and pilgrim hostels along the route tell stories from centuries past. The Navarra wine region is overshadowed by the neighboring Rioja but offers excellent rosados and red wines at significantly lower prices. For German travelers looking to discover unknown Spain, Navarra is a treasure full of contrasts that can still be experienced without tourist crowds.

Nature
90
Safety
90
Food
85
Culture
80
Adventure
75

Top 5 highlights in Navarra

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Bardenas Reales

Surreal semi-desert with bizarre erosion formations, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Game of Thrones filming location

2

Pamplona Old Town

Historic city with walkable fortress walls, Gothic cathedral, and top-notch pintxo culture

3

Irati Forest

Second largest beech-fir primeval forest in Europe, a natural spectacle of gold and red tones in autumn

4

Camino de Santiago through Navarra

The Camino crosses the Pyrenees at Roncesvalles and leads through medieval villages to Pamplona

5

Olite

Fairy-tale castle from the 15th century, considered one of the most beautiful medieval palaces in Spain

Hotels in Navarra

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

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Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Navarra

Recommended travel time

May to October. San Fermin in July is legendary. Autumn is ideal for the Irati Forest. Bardenas is impressive year-round.

Summer

Winter

How much does a holiday in Navarra cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

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Compare thousands of package holidays to Navarra and find the best deals with flight & hotel.

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5 travel tips for Navarra

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Visit Bardenas Reales in the early morning or evening - the warm light makes the desert landscape even more dramatic

Take a pintxo tour in Pamplona - Calle Estafeta and the old town offer dozens of excellent bars

Visit the Irati Forest in October - the autumn colors are spectacular and the hiking trails are deserted

Combine a visit to Olite Castle with a wine tasting in the region - the wineries offer tours and tastings

Visit Roncesvalles and walk a section of the Camino de Santiago - the Pyrenean crossing is also feasible for day hikers

Food & drink in Navarra

These specialties you must try!

Pintxos - artfully topped bites on bread, a must in Pamplona's old town with a glass of red wine
Pimientos del Piquillo - fire-red peppers from Lodosa, often stuffed with cod or goat cheese
Chistorra - thin, spicy paprika sausage, grilled or served in pintxos
Cordero al chilindrón - lamb stewed with peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, a Navarrese classic
Cuajada - fresh sheep's milk curd with honey and walnuts as a traditional dessert
Suitable for:naturedesertcaminopyreneeswinepintxoshidden gemhikingmedievalautumnculture

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