Pamplona Airport Mini Guide
What is Pamplona all About?
It’s a very traditional, historic and cultural city famous for the San Fermin Festival, better known as the ‘running of the bulls’. Every day at 8am, scores of bulls are released into a series of roads and alleys ahead of whom, brave, or foolish, young people try to outrun or outmanoeuvre the creatures. If all survive they end up, people and bulls together in the city’s famous bullring. The festival takes place in the second and third weeks of July and begins with the firing of a rocket by the mayor from the town hall on the 6th. The Museo de Navarra is another fascinating and far less dangerous place to visit. There, you’ll discover the history of the region from Roman times until the present day. Finally, visit the magnificent cathedral.
How do I get to Pamplona?
Pamplona Airport is located only four miles south of the city and accepts flights from
Madrid,
Barcelona and
Tenerife. The busiest times are around the festival so if you intend travelling in July, it’s best to book your ticket well in advance. There are no international routes so the best method of getting there is by budget airline to Madrid or Barcelona and then getting a connecting flight. From the airport you can hire a car, catch a local bus or take a taxi into the city.
What’s the Airport Like?
From the outside it looks like an inner city comprehensive mixed with a nuclear power station but inside it’s modern with a central light atrium but gloomier low ceilings around the perimeter near the facilities.
What can I Expect When I Arrive at the Airport?
It’s a little grim looking from the outside despite the new terminal being built in 2010. One benefit of the new terminal is that it has three air bridges so there’s a good chance you’ll disembark straight into the terminal building. There are no passport controls as the airport only handles domestic flights so you’ll be straight through to collect your luggage. Entering the arrivals hall you’ll see the public information desk as an island in the far left hand corner. The desk also deals with enquiries from departing passengers. There, they can help with airport enquiries as well as offering advice on transportation and lost luggage.
There are no banks or ATMs in the airport and the nearest banking facilities are in the nearby town a kilometre away. If you want to collect a pre-booked hire car at the airport, the desks are found immediately opposite you as you exit the baggage reclaim.
When I Leave Pamplona?
After checking in you’ll find that there’s only one shop selling a range of items from gifts to newspapers, drinks and snacks plus local produce. There’s no duty free after security and if you are hungry, the only food outlet is the cafeteria, Medas, which serves only light, hot and cold snacks plus drinks. Whilst waiting for your flight you’ll find there are no Wi-Fi facilities at the airport so perhaps buy a book from the airport shop and improve your Spanish!