2025 Navarre Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Pyrenees Adventure in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community The exhibition features a vast collection of carved images, paintings, ancient handwritten and printed books, as well as a series of gold artifacts. Highlights include a Romanesque silver gospel book, a 13th-century Gothic Mudéjar gilded silver box, and the relic chest known as Charlemagne's Chess, dating back to the mid-14th century.

A journey to the Spanish Pyrenees ~ Navarre Autonomous Community On the road connecting Irurita and Ziga, there is a viewpoint worth stopping at to admire the magnificent scenery of the Baztan Valley. If you visit on a sunny afternoon, this is the ideal place to take in the entire view of the valley, including the French border in the background and the beautiful towns at the valley's base, with Elizondo as the backdrop. Across the road, there is a small parking area. Since it is not clearly marked, it might be easily overlooked.

Journey to the Pyrenees in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community The Church of San Juan Bautista is located in the Fueros Square of Obanos. This church was built in the early 20th century on the foundation of an earlier Gothic structure, preserving the 14th-century doorway. Inside, there are several precious sculptures, such as the 13th-century "White Virgin and Child" and the 12th-century Arnótegui Virgin sculpture housed in the sacristy. Some elements were salvaged from the old building.

A journey to the Pyrenees in Spain - Navarre Autonomous Community The building, constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries, features Romanesque architecture. The church is designed in a rectangular layout with three naves, where the central nave is taller than the two on its sides. The sanctuary consists of three semicircular apses. The church has a simple pointed dome. On the exterior, the bell tower built in the 14th century is particularly striking. The structure is square-shaped with battlements at the top, giving it a military appearance.

A journey to the Pyrenees in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community Start your exploration of Tudela's Sephardic history at the Marquis of Valtierra Palace, where a medieval city model helps travelers orient themselves within the current city and discover traces of another Tudela. The palace also houses significant documents, such as the Jewish privilege confirmation issued during the brief reign of Francis I, marriage contracts, and meeting records of the Aljama judicial institution. Connected to the cathedral cloister, the Vetula Synagogue of Tudela is a surprising and unique site. Though converted into a small chapel, it retains distinct features from its previous use. It displays a replica of the tapestry that hung for over a century in the Chapel of Forgiveness, listing the surnames of all Jewish families who converted to Christianity in the city. Interestingly, the Spanish expression "to pull the blanket" originates from this shameful banner. Leaving the cathedral, visitors can stroll through the Vetula Jewish Quarter, wandering narrow medieval streets like Huertas Street, Verjas Street, or Benjamin of Tudela Street, eventually reaching the Jewish Square, where a bust of Benjamin himself can be seen. Finally, tourists can visit the area of the New Jewish Quarter, historically and presently protected by the castle. Streets such as Pelaores, Cortapelaires, San Miguel, and Paseo del Castillo offer numerous corners to immerse oneself in the medieval atmosphere, filled with memories.

A journey to the Pyrenees in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community Inside this simple church, there is an exhibition featuring paintings that depict the evolution of the Kingdom of Navarre from 925 to 1234 (faithful to history), which might surprise many visitors. It also includes the present-day province of Biscay and serves as a great example of urban history. For a decade, it has remained closed and forgotten. Located in the former Jewish quarter, it is believed that it might have originally been a synagogue. It has been mistakenly identified as a castle church; although it is connected to the walled area, it was never a castle church.

A journey to the Pyrenees in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community This church was initiated by Charles the Noble in 1397, built upon a 12th-century Romanesque structure, and completed in 1501. Above the high altar stands the statue of the Royal Virgin Mary, where the Kings of Navarre once swore their oaths. The current building was constructed on the ruins of the previous Romanesque church, which was destroyed in the 14th century. The cathedral is divided into three Gothic naves, showcasing several different styles. The central hall houses the tombs of Charles III the Noble and his wife, Dona Leonor. The exterior of the cathedral features Neoclassical architecture, while the interior and the 14th-century cloister are Gothic in style.

A journey through the Pyrenees in Spain ~ Navarre Autonomous Community The walls stretch for approximately 5 kilometers and were constructed to defend the strategic fortress of Pamplona, located between the Spanish and French borders. Notable features include bastions, moats, and gates, with the Francia Gate, equipped with a pulley system, still in use today. Walking along the walls offers panoramic views of the Arga River and the city of Pamplona. The walls of Pamplona date back to Roman times but were significantly expanded and reinforced during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

This is the wine fountain at the Irache Monastery ​Free wine for pilgrims ​Wine comes out of the tap!! ​You can get it on a first-come, first-served basis ​But since it was off-season, I was able to get it leisurely ​I got a small bottle and drank it every time I took a break ㅎㅎ And right next to the monastery is the wine museum ​Admission is free, and you can buy a commemorative bracelet for 1 euro as a souvenir They also stamp pilgrims, and the museum is on the 3rd basement floor, so if you have time, it would be good to look around #European travel #Irache #Buencamino

There are some symbolic places on the pilgrimage route. Perdon Hill is said to mean the hill of forgiveness. Perdon Hill is not as high as the Pyrenees Mountains, and as its name suggests, it is not too difficult if you climb slowly. As you get closer to the top, you will see a large windmill. Below it is a statue that seems to symbolize a pilgrim. This is Perdon Hill. If you are walking the pilgrimage route with friends, I strongly recommend taking a commemorative photo :) ​ #EuropeanTravel #PerdonHill #HillofForgiveness

During the month-long journey, on the Camino de Santiago, I had a routine of my own. Whenever I entered a big city, I would stay overnight and take a full day off. Personally, I thought this kind of rest was really important, so instead of staying in an albergue, I would take a private rest in a hotel room or share an apartment with other Korean pilgrims. Pamplona was the first big city I encountered on the French Way Camino, and what I was most happy about was the Chinese buffet where I could eat food similar to Korean food :) #EuropeanTravel #Pamplona #SpainTravel

I have completed the pilgrimage route starting from Saint-Jean. The first day of crossing the Pyrenees is said to be the hardest day of the French route⛰️ In my experience, the mountain itself was not as difficult as Annapurna trekking or Table Mountain, but the difficulty level seemed high because of the part where you have to carry a backpack that weighs nearly 10km (and the crazy wind🌬) Surprisingly, the mountain is not as steep as the nickname of the Kolkkadak Mountains, and the scenery you see here and there is so picturesque that you can easily get over it even if you don't go hiking often if you just adjust your pace well. As a bonus, you naturally cross the border from France to Spain while crossing the Pyrenees. Isn't it amazing to cross the border in a mountain?😄 #Hiking #Pyrenees #Pilgrimage #Camino

When I got up at five in the morning, I found that the Spaniards didn't sleep at all. The whole street was full of people. I don't know if the cows saw such a scene and dared to chase them. The route of Ben Niu is 849 meters in lightning shape, which has been a route that has not changed for many years, from the pasture outside the city to the bullring in the city. At the Bulls Day, safety is at the top of the list. Therefore, there are also many regulations. For example, if you are drunk, you can't participate in the running cow, you can't wear slippers, you can't take mobile phones and cameras, and you can't bring your child to the route. If the police see you breaking the rules, they will take you away. In order to be on the safe side, there is a very professional team of doctors who are always ready. In addition, it is very important to respect animals at the Bulls Day. If the cowherd sees you hitting a cow, pulling the tail of a cow, or pulling his horn, they are rude to you. So the bull and the bullfight are completely different. The bull is very popular, but most people in Spain don't like bullfighting because everyone feels that the bullfight is very cruel and bloody.