Pamplona is a city of many traditions and legends that are particularly easy to spot in its shops, markets, and food. It’s handy to know where to go shopping to make sure you buy the best souvenirs and discover which products to take back home with you, so the essence of your trip stays with you even longer.
- Where to go shopping in Pamplona
- Main shopping streets
- Markets and street markets
- Shopping malls in Pamplona
- Typical products of Pamplona
Where to go shopping in Pamplona
There are two main areas of the city where local residents go shopping: the historic centre, with its more traditional shops, and the Segundo Ensanche neighbourhood.
The old town still has lots of family-run shops of all kinds where customer relationships are what matters most. These establishments have often been passed down from one generation of the same family to the next.
However, the number one shopping street in Pamplona is Avenida Carlos III.
Main shopping streets
When you go shopping in Pamplona, you can choose between two main areas depending on your preferences. The first is the city’s old town, and the second is the Segundo Ensanche neighbourhood where you’ll find Pamplona’s ‘Gran Vía’, actually called Avenida de Carlos III.
This area is much wider than the narrow streets of the centre, and traditional shops that have been open forever nestle alongside clothes, shoe, and fashion stores by the big chains like Zara and El Corte Inglés. Around the avenue, there’s also lots of shopping activity in Plaza de Merindades and Plaza Principe de Viana, and streets including Conde de Oliveto, Bergamín and Paulino Caballero.
But if you’re after more traditional products that have the essence of Pamplona and Navarre, the city’s historic centre is the place for you. You’ll find a bit of everything here: tourist souvenirs but also antiques, bookshops and lots of patisseries where you can buy some of the most popular products from Pamplona’s incredible range of food.
The best way to discover the tiny treasures hidden around the historic centre is to go for an unhurried stroll. Make sure you head along Calle Mayor along your route where you’ll find lots of antique shops. Casa Ataún is also on this road and is one of those hundred-year-old establishments that is worth browsing and picking up some liquorice or a txantxigorri cake.
If you’d like some special wine, there are several shops along Calle de Chapitela that will have what you’re looking for, while if you’re after souvenirs, Calle Estafeta is full of gifts for recipients of all ages. This street is also home to the famous Kukusumuxu shop with its original designs of bulls and bullfights.
Markets and street markets
Santo Domingo is the oldest and most important market in Pamplona and is on Cuesta de Santo Domingo. It’s the perfect spot to pick up some typical Navarran produce like wine, asparagus, pacharán (sloe brandy), cardoons and tinned goods.
It was built in 1876 and its 45 stands also sell delicious traditional cheeses and cured meats so you can take the classic flavours of Pamplona home with you.
The market only opens from Monday to Saturday and closes at midday, so bear that in mind when planning your visit.
The city also has other markets, some on special dates, and others that are held once a week. For example, an antiques market takes place under the colonnades of Plaza del Castillo every Saturday morning.
At Christmas, another market is held in the bullring and sells hand-crafted goods, toys, jewellery and also seasonal pastries and wine to enjoy at this time of year. It opens every day during the December holidays.
And in summer, the market that tourists love best is held at Portal de Francia; it opens every Saturday and sells a wide variety of hand-crafted goods.
Shopping malls in Pamplona
Pamplona has two shopping malls on the outskirts of the city that are used as leisure destinations by local residents on rainy or cold afternoons.
The first is Parque Comercial Galaria, known by almost everyone as La Morea. In addition to shops and franchises by Spanish and international chains, it also has a cinema and a selection of restaurants so you can grab a bite during your shopping trip.
The second is called Itaroa and is in Huarte so it’s a bit further from the centre. It also has all the leading brands, the biggest chain restaurants, a cinema and even a go-kart track.
Typical products of Pamplona
You can buy plenty of souvenirs in Pamplona, including giants, the famous children’s dolls that are a reminder of the giants and big heads that you see during the Festival of San Fermín.
However, if you’d like to take the flavours of Navarre’s capital home with you, there’s a vast range of meats, drinks and sweet goods to choose from.
The number one choice is the famous Pamplona chorizo, but you could also buy some birika, txistorra, morcilla or the traditional stuffing typically eaten by people in Navarre.
If you’d like to take a bottle of something back with you, the two main traditional drinks of the region are Designation of Origin Navarre wine and pacharán (sloe brandy), a liquor that is typically served at meals in Pamplona.
And if you’d like to remember your trip with something sweet, you can choose from an incredible variety of options. One of the most traditional gifts is caramel-coated almonds (and now other nuts with the same special coating), but you can also buy traditional cakes and sweet bakes including txantxigorri, garrotillos de chocolate, pantxineta and coronillas.
Hotels in Pamplona
One of the best places to stay if you’re going shopping in the capital of Navarre is the Occidental Pamplona because this hotel is perfectly located to easily reach the two main shopping areas. It’s also close to the city’s biggest parks if you’d like to go for a stroll in peace.
This four-star hotel has excellent transport connections if you’re travelling to Pamplona by air, train or road and its fully equipped rooms have been designed for guest’s maximum comfort, whether they are families, couples, or groups of friends.
It has 89 modern-style rooms, a beautiful restaurant that serves excellent food and a lobby bar where you can have a relaxing drink after a busy day shopping.
