Pamplona, the capital of Spain’s Navarre region, is best known worldwide for the Running of the Bulls during the San Fermín festival each July. But beyond the brief rush of that event lies a city steeped in medieval history, Basque influence, and a slower pace that surprises many visitors. Founded by the Romans as "Pompaelo" in 75 BC, Pamplona has long been a strategic and cultural crossroads, a legacy still visible in its imposing city walls, 15th-century Gothic cathedral, and fortified citadel with star-shaped bastions designed in the Renaissance era.

One of the most significant aspects of Pamplona is its place on the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Every day, walkers and cyclists pass through the city’s old quarter, where the narrow streets, iron balconies, and stone facades reflect centuries of continuous life. Pilgrims and travelers often gather in Plaza del Castillo, a large square lined with cafés where Ernest Hemingway once wrote and drank, particularly at Café Iruña, which still preserves its 19th-century decor.