Pamplona, Spain: Everything You Need To Know
You might’ve heard of Pamplona before. This is s a city in Spain known for the Festival of San Fermín during which the world-famous running of the bulls takes place. It’s also considered one of Spain’s greenest cities. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll enjoy this side of the city.
Pamplona is a city drenched in history and traditions. If you’re looking to retire someplace where you can increase the quality of your life while bringing down your monthly budget, then Pamplona is a great place to consider.
Cost Of Living In Pamplona
A couple could live in Pamplona on a budget of US$2,000, give or take a hundred bucks. It really all comes down to your lifestyle.
Rent in Pamplona for a retired couple could come to US$810 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. If you and your spouse decide to live outside of the city center, that same one-bedroom apartment rent comes down to US$672.
And, if you’re a couple with young children, though, you’ll be looking for something a little bigger.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city center comes to US$1,200 per month while that same apartment outside the city center comes down to US$935 per month.
Transportation in Pamplona is clean and affordable. A one-way bus ticket costs is US$2. A monthly bus pass costs US$32. If you feel more comfortable taking the taxi, the fare starts at US$3.20. You could also rent a car for a day or two depending on what you have plan.
Pamplona has very walkable areas, especially in the city center. We recommend walking whenever you can and using public transportation when necessary.
Walking is one of the best ways to get to know a Pamplona. It allows you to go at your own pace and discover little hole-in-the-wall cafés or stores you might miss if you were in a car or on a bus. Plus, walking is free, so you’ll have a healthy budget.
Lastly, grocery shopping. Trade in imported goods for local ones and you’ll bring down your monthly budget significantly. For example, try local wines, fruits, and veggies. Go to a local butcher and to the farmers market and you’ll find that your and your spouse’s monthly grocery shopping list could total about US$300 per month.
Things To Do In Pamplona
Pamplona is a city full of activities to enjoy. There’s more to this city than the yearly world-famous run of the bulls. Pamplona is rich in history, culture, art, religious monuments, and open recreational activities.
Here’s a list of things to do and places to visit in Pamplona, Spain.
1. Café Iruña
If you’re a literary fan and have some form of admiration or curiosity about Ernest Hemingway, you must head over to Café Iruña during your stay in Pamplona.
This café is located at Plaza del Castillo in the center of the city. This is where Hemingway worked on novels such as “The Sun Also Rises,” and it comes as no surprise that Café Iruña earned a spot in the novel as the meeting point for the characters.
There’s a famous little spot inside the café where you’ll find a life size statue of Hemingway seated at the bar greeting visitors. This little corner is called Rincón de Hemingway (Hemingway’s Corner).
2. San Fermín Festival
The Festival of San Fermín takes place every year in July. It’s a weeklong celebration that includes the world-famous running of the bulls along with other folkloric and traditional events and sports. This festival gained more notoriety after Ernest Hemingway decided to feature it in his book “The Sun Also Rises”.
During this time, people will generally flock over to Pamplona and rent places with balconies to fully appreciate all the activities from above. If you’d like to attend, make sure to book your accommodation in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll risk not finding a decent balcony from which to admire all the grandeur of this event.
3. Running Of The Bulls
The world-famous Running of the Bulls is part of the Festival of San Fermín. However, it’s popularity calls for it to be mentioned all on its own.
The Running of the Bulls typically happens at about 8am every morning during the seven days that the Festival of San Fermín takes place. It’ll normally only last about two to three minutes so if you want to witness it, make sure to be outside right on time.
4. The Planetarium
The Pamplona Planetarium was built in 1993 and offers the visitor a chance to learn about astronomy while using state-of-the-art technology to present the starry sky. It has one of the largest projections domes in the world and offers realistic viewings of more than 9,000 stars.
The Planetarium also hosts exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and other activities.
Retire In Pamplona
Pamplona is a fantastic choice when deciding where to retire because it’s affordable, accessible from the United States, and it boasts about 200 days of sunshine a year.
Plus, Pamplona is popular among travelers which means the infrastructure here is great, public transportation works well, and locals are friendly.
Moving And Visas
We know that picking up and moving to a new country can be a daunting task no matter how excited you may be to do so.
Figuring out what to take with you and what to leave behind, the logistics of how to get everything you want and need over to your new home, and knowing what paperwork you need to get done before making the big move.
Our suggestion is taking things one step at a time.
First you should be heading over to the Spanish Embassy in your state (or to their website) and inquiring about the paperwork needed in order to retire in Pamplona.
The process in Spain is straightforward but there are important steps to take to enter and remain in the country as a retired expat. Second, head over to the Consular Services page on Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here to get more information on the several visas and permits that they have and how to go about applying for each.
Once all the paperwork is sorted, it’s time to decide what to take along with you to your new home. Take your time with this and really think things through. For example, the cost of shipping over beds, couches, chairs, and tables will often be higher than if you were to sell or gift those things to friends and family.
Simply buy new ones once you’ve arrived in Pamplona, Spain. Try focusing on just the essentials. Pack your clothes, shoes, books, and even your bed linens and tablecloths if you like. Everything else you could either keep in storage, gift or sell.
In short, you don’t need to bring everything you have in your current home. You’ll find good quality stuff in Pamplona to set up home once you’re there.
When you have the paperwork set and your things packed, buy your plane ticket, get on the plane, and head over to the fulfilling retirement of your dreams.
Best of all, if for some reason you feel Pamplona doesn’t live up to your expectations you can pick up and move someplace new.
Weather In Pamplona, Spain
The weather in Pamplona is varied. Summers get quite warm, and winter gets cold.
Summer months in Pamplona run from mid-June to mid-September. The warmest of these months is August with temperatures reaching 82° F (27° C).
The winter months in Pamplona go from mid-November to early March, the coldest month being January. During this season, the lows can reach 33° F (0° C).
Keep this information in mind when planning your scouting trip to Europe and more specifically to Pamplona, and when deciding if this is the place to live the retirement of your dreams.
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