The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Pamplona, Spain

Rising out of the greenery of Taconera Park, this is the luxury option for a family holiday. In one direction, the wildlife and greenery of the park await, and in the other, the old town of Pamplona stretches before you. A sparkling, chandeliered lobby sets a tone of modern elegance, continued in each individually designed room. Bagging a room at the top means sweeping rooftop and park views. The pool terrace features a kidney-shaped swimming pool and a bar for snacks, while the elegant bar inside has live music on certain nights.

Owned by the same family for the past two generations, the service at Hotel Maisonnave has been perfected over time, and interactions feel personal. In a slightly quieter area of Pamplona’s old town, a good night’s sleep is almost guaranteed, and if you book a room on the upper floor, you’ll be treated to a view above the rooftops over the distant mountains. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the route for the Running of the Bulls, and you have plenty of eating options right on your doorstep.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can’t go wrong with Hotel Avenida. On the corner of a tree-lined boulevard, it’s just a few metres from Pamplona’s historic centre, so you’re close to restaurants, cafés and all of the bull-themed attractions of the city. Pops of colour liven up neutral-toned rooms, and the breakfast buffet in the sunny restaurant is sure to set the family up for the day. This one’s ideal if you’re arriving by car, as it’s one of the few central hotels with private parking.

Out by the leafy plazas of the university quarter, Hotel Blanca de Navarra is a good option for those who want to witness the buzz and chaos of Pamplona’s San Fermín festival, while being able to retreat to a quiet part of the city. It’s a 20-minute walk or short bus ride into the centre, and the Planetarium is next door if you fancy staying local. The lobby is sleek and cool, and rooms are spacious and modern. Family rooms come in the form of two standard rooms with a connecting door.

A few minutes’ walk from the streets of Pamplona’s old town, this four-star hotel is an ideal choice for families. Two standard rooms with an interconnecting door provide family-friendly accommodation, and the breakfast buffet with its selection of homemade cakes and doughnuts will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. In the evening, the restaurant offers local, seasonal cuisine from Navarra, so there’s no pressure to find anywhere else to dine if you don’t want to head out.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Hotel Sancho Ramírez stands on the edge of Yamaguchi Park. It’s particularly convenient if you’re coming by car – no need to weave your way into the city centre, and there’s private parking included. The quadruple room with a double bed and bunkbeds is ideal for families who want to share and, away from the noise of the centre, you can enjoy a decent night’s sleep after the festivities of San Fermín.

This Pamplona staple has been around for decades, shown in its Art Deco facade and 1920s flourishes. Hotel Yoldi sits on a corner of a wide avenue, just a few metres from the old town. Though there won’t be any bulls running directly below your window, you can retreat back to this little haven after a day of seeing the sights. Over the years, the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda and his family have stayed here – if it’s good enough for the Fonda family, it’s good enough for us. It’s also dog-friendly, so every member of the family is welcome.

A location outside of the city centre keeps this flashy hotel’s price tag happily low. It’s a good choice for families with little ones in tow, as triple rooms and junior suites have more than enough room for a travel cot. The design is modern and sleek, and there’s an on-site gym and sauna. But it’s the location that sets this hotel apart; peaceful and quiet to the south of Pamplona, it’s a 10-minute drive into the centre, and a bus leaves from right outside the door every 20 minutes. There are also plenty of restaurants and a shopping centre right next to the hotel.