If you would like to get the best plan to visit Navarre in Spain in just 5 days, definitely you should read this post. Trust me, you will be able to see the best of this region of Spain in just five days and without having to worry about what to do or where to go.
And yes, of course, you can make this plan if you plan to attend San Fermín, better known as the Pamplona Bull Run. Pamplona’s biggest festival takes place between the 7th-14th of July.
Are you ready to discover Navarre’s hidden gems in 5 days?
Keep reading!
THE ULTIMATE ITINERARY TO DISCOVER NAVARRE IN 5 DAYS
Navarre Day 1: Get to know Pamplona, Foz de Lumbier, and the Monastery of Leyre
Throughout the five days in Navarra, the idea is to see nature, get to know the most emblematic places and get closer to its history.
So, the first day has to be about getting to know both the surroundings of Pamplona and the city. I recommend that you start the morning by visiting the Monastery of Leyre and the Foz de Lumbier.
Foz de Lumbier, Leyre and Javier Castle.
Just 40km from Pamplona, you will find a beautiful place: a canyon called the Foz de Lumbier (the Arbayun gorge is also very close), ideal for walking, taking photos, contemplating nature… just don’t get the idea. to bathe in the river, since it is very dangerous! 😉
If you would like to walk through the Lumbier gorge, from the car park (it is paid most of the year, 3 euros entry for cars) it is a very easy route of approximately one hour: you just have to follow the signs to the path major. You will follow a flat path without difficulties until you reach a viewpoint with impressive views. Then there is a tunnel (have your cell phone handy to have a flashlight, it is a fairly dark tunnel since it was used for a train to pass through centuries ago) and finally, after an open-air route, you have to cross another tunnel.
There is also a 6km circular route, which is pointed out with green and white symbols/markings
Then there is the Monastery of Leyre, in Yesa (it is located about 50 km from Pamplona). The entrance price to the Monastery is 3 euros and it is very worth visiting.
On the other hand, 15 minutes from the Leyre Monastery, you can go visit the Javier’s Castle: it is an interesting visit since Navarra has been very important as a kingdom over the centuries until it was united to the crown of Aragon. And even though it was part of the crown of Aragon, it continued to gain relevance.
Furthermore, along with the Leire Monastery, the Basilica of Javier is one of the best-known religious temples in Navarra, so you can’t miss it!
By the way, if you would like to see the Castle you must buy tickets here. I think they only offer guided tours in Spanish though. Simply put “visita por libre” if you want to explore it on your own.
Returning to the city of Pamplona…
What can’t you miss in Pamplona?
The Cathedral of Pamplona: considered the most complete in Spain, it hides Gothic treasures such as the sacristy, the choir, the chapels, and an impressive cloister. Don’t miss the views from the tower, where the Mary Bell is located, at 11:15, Monday to Saturday
The Walls: The 5-kilometer walls surround the old town of Pamplona along with the imposing Citadel, an important medieval defensive complex. You can start your tour in the Parque de la Media Luna, where the Fortifications Interpretation Center is located 🙂
The Museum of Navarra: in the afternoons it is open until seven in the afternoon and is worth visiting since it houses the largest archeology exhibition in Navarra.
Navarre day 2: In the Baztán Valley
As I already wrote in the post about the best places in Navarra, the Baztán Valley offers a lot of nature and many things to do. If you want to take advantage of the day, it is best to get up early to go from Pamplona to Baztán (it is approximately 50 minutes by car).
What’s essential to see in the Baztan Valley?
Elizondo, if not the best known, is one of the best-known towns in the Baztan Valley. You cannot leave this place without having visited the Txokoto Bridge, its square, and the Church of Santiago.
The “Señorio de Bertiz” Natural Park where you have a garden with more than a century of life. You can also walk and hike at different levels. The entrance to the park costs three euros but it is well worth a visit.
Zugarramurdi: Located in the town of the same name, this cave is known for having been the place where several neighbors were convicted of witchcraft centuries ago. It is more than 100 meters long,
This cave is also known for being an excellent hiking area; and also for the witch Museum, where you can learn in-depth about the history of the town.
You can reserve entry to the cave and museum on the Zugarramurdi website.
Amaiur or Maya, is one of the towns with the most historical background for the Basque people. Well, you will say, but this is in Navarra, right? Yes, this town is located in Navarra, but Navarra is historically linked to the Basque people. It’s something complex to explain in a short post 😉
This very small rural town has some stunning views. If you like photography or like to show your trips on Instagram, you will love this site.
What attracts the most about Amaiur is its castle and the Mill.
Although perhaps what you want more than walking is going on an adventure 😉 don’t worry, the Baztan Valley offers the possibility of doing outdoor sports even with the little ones in the house. If you go with children, it is a foolproof plan!
Navarre day 3: Tudela and Bardenas Reales
Going on with this 5 day plan itinerary in Navarre, it is time to get to know the south!
Being one of the wonders of Spain, the Bardenas Reales is a desert landscape with different geological forms. For this reason, if you go in the summer, you will have to get up early to go to this place in the early hours of the day. Or, go late in the afternoon. Believe me, it gets very hot starting in May.
Visiting this place is very easy, but you will have to do it by car. Or, some people like to ride there by bike but the conditions are extreme 😉
Very close to Las Bardenas there is Tudela, the second city of Navarra. Tudela deserves to be visited for its streets, and its monuments such as the Ebro Bridge or Santa María Magdalena. But what attracts the most about Tudela is undoubtedly its local food.
Enjoying the good food in Tudela
Tudela is the orchard of Navarra and is well known nationally for the quality of its vegetables. The restaurants that I have tried in this city and that I would return to for lunch (and dinner!) are Casa Lola, Mesón Julián, Le Bistrot, Trinquete, and Treintaitrés.
Navarre day 4: Getting to know the French Navarre
Taking advantage of the fact that France is not that far from Pamplona, it is a good idea to take a whole day to get to know the French Navarra (also known as the French Basque country). The main idea of this 5 day itinerary in Navarre, is to be able to see the historical and cultural contrast of this beautiful region.
This way we’ve got plenty of time to get to know the towns of Sare, St Jean de Luz, and Espelette.
Sare is small but charming, with traditional Basque-French houses and a main street full of restaurants and terraces. Despite being a small town, it is famous for its caves.
Do you remember Zugarramurdi, right? The point is that this area has an important archaeological value as it is a prehistoric site. The Sare, Zugarramurdi and Urdax caves are the most important in Navarra.
Half an hour from Sare, is St Jean de Luz, in New Aquitaine. It is a tourist destination with a beautiful bay that is becoming more and more famous. And the town has that picturesque touch with its typical Basque houses from the 18th century. If you would like to get to know the town you cannot miss the fishing port, the main street (Gambetta Street), the Louis XIV house, and the Church of St. John. Baptist.
And finally, I recommend that you visit the town of Espelette.
What is Espelette known for?
For their peppers, lol. Good also because as souvenirs you can take cheeses, peppers, liqueurs… But I have been to this town in Aquitaine three times and I can honestly say that it is a town with a lot of charm.
What can’t you miss in Espelette?
Chateau de Barons
St Etienne Church
Navarre day 5: Around Estella, Urederra and Irantzu Abbey
The last day in Navarra will be for discovering the town of Estella and its surroundings. To begin with, Estella is where is located Urederra River. This river is known for its intense turquoise waters, with its waterfalls and wells.
It offers a very nice route to take on foot to reach the source, suitable for the whole family (except in the winter months, due to snow and bad weather, public access is usually prohibited). You indeed have to pay for parking (here you have more information) but it is worth it.
Once you finish knowing the route of the Urederra River, do not leave the opportunity (if the weather is good) to see the Pilatos balcony.
Later on, it’s time to visit Estella, a town that is linked to Romanesque architecture in Spain: the Church of San Miguel, the Church of San Pedro de la Rua, and the Palace of the Kings of Navarra are the monuments of interest in this wonderful place.
If you want to see one of the most beautiful temples from Navarre….
And if you have time, go to the Irantzu Monastery.It is close to Estella and its landscape is unique.
As you can see, it is possible to see and enjoy the best of Navarra in 5 days. It’s a matter of planning everything!
Tell me, would you like dig into the culture and tradition of Navarra? Would you like to visit San Fermin festival some day?
FAQs about visiting Navarra in 5 days
Will 5 days be enough to get to know Navarra?
With five days is more than enough. It is true though if you plan to visit this region before or after San Fermín, obviously you will need more than five days since you will be enjoying the fiesta 😉 But in theory five days are the sweet spot!
How to get to Navarra, Spain?
The best way to get to Navarra is by train or car. If you are coming from Madrid or Barcelona and do not want to rent a car, the train will be the best option.
If you want to come by plane you can land in Bilbao and then go by bus or rent a car at Bilbao airport.
When is the best season or time of year to go to Navarre?
Winters in Navarre are somewhat cold and summers, on the other hand, are usually very hot. Therefore, keep in mind that if you visit Navarre in summer, the heat does not usually drop below 30 degrees Celsius.
Where to stay in Navarre?
Even though this 5 day itinerary in Navarre is thoughtfully planned and it is not very demanding, my advice is to stay in Pamplona: From there, you can move to the other valleys and cities of Navarre, since Pamplona is located in the center of the region.
In any case, if you would like to stay longer in the Baztan Valley since it offers a lot to do (and it is undoubtedly the area that the little ones in the house will enjoy the most), these are the places that I can recommend:
How to get around Navarre?
The best plan is to do it by car, so you should rent a car either in Bilbao or in Pamplona.
What can’t you miss in Navarra?
If you need to know what is essential about Navarra, here is a post about it. In any case, this five-day plan covers the most important and interesting things.
Can you get to know Navarra together with another place in Spain?
It is possible. For example, you can visit it next to the Basque Country.