Plaza del Castillo (Castle Square) is the lively central square of Pamplona’s Old Town. It boasts an ensemble of striking architecture, tapas bars and a charming mix of locals, tourists and street performers. Throughout its existence, Plaza del Castillo has hosted concerts, markets, military parades and religious festivals. Today it’s a popular meeting place among friends, who come to dine, shop and watch the world pass by.
Enjoy the views of the square’s architectural landscape. Many of 18th-century houses resemble palaces and are notable for their ground-level arcades, shutter windows and wrought-iron balconies. In the center of the square is a raised bandstand with a dome supported by Greek-style columns. Prior to the bandstand there was a fountain decorated with Luis Paret’s statue of Mariblanca, which is now located in Parque de la Taconera.
While away some time at the bars and cafés set at the edge of the square. Many have outdoor terraces and so are ideal for people watching. Order plates of tapas, a coffee or glass of wine. Ernest Hemingway was known to frequent bars such as Bar Txoko and Café Iruña in the 1920s in Café Iruña there is a statue of the author. The square is one of the settings for Hemingway’s book The Sun Also Rises.
Public events held throughout the year turn the square into a colorful hive of activity. Attend orchestral concerts by the Banda Municipal de Música la Pamplonesa and browse the stalls of a Christmas market. Join thousands of revelers that congregate in the square and wave red handkerchiefs at the start of the Fiesta of San Fermín. Folkloric music and dance shows also take over the square during this annual festival.
Plaza del Castillo is a popular starting point for a tour of the Old Town. Several alleys lead from here to major city attractions, including Pamplona Cathedral, Pamplona City Hall and Plaza de Toros de Pamplona. Use the metered car park located beneath the square if you drive here.
