Our favorite location on the Camino Frances, (and perhaps, the planet), Pamplona boasts an outstanding history from a medieval Cathedral and fortified churches to its role as a stronghold with fortified city walls from the 16th century. It is and has been the political and governmental center of the Navarre region of Spain for nearly a thousand years.
We normally stay and hang out in the old city. While rich with history, architecture, and parks, it has an unlimited range of merchants and other service providers to meet the needs of visitors and residents alike. Its range of pintxo bars and restaurants provide a culinary cornucopia to satisfy any palate and pocketbook.
What makes it uniquely special for us is its overall warm, welcoming and laid-back atmosphere which appeals to and attracts residents, pilgrims, tourists and revelers (San Fermin festivities), alike.
Most of the day was spent in our room, prepping for tomorrow’s walk, blogging, reading and napping. In the late afternoon, we returned to a favorite bar overlooking City Hall and had lunch/dinner.
Linda and I shared an order of a local version of lasagna, featuring iberian ham and cheese rather than beef or veggies. We also shared an order of traditional paella with a generous assortment of seafoods. our wine was none other than a very nice Navarre tinto wine.
Totally sated and only slightly sore from our walk into Zubiri, we retired to our room and finalized preparations for tomorrow until our 9:00 bedtime.
Jimandi 