Hemingway in Pamplona: Walking through stories and streets

Long before Pamplona became a bucket-list destination for thrill-seekers and San Fermin festival-goers, it was a quiet, walled city in northern Spain, proud of its traditions, steeped in history, and known mostly to pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. But in the early 20th century, an American writer arrived and changed its legacy forever: Ernest Hemingway.

This private walking tour invites you to step into the pages of Hemingway’s life and fiction, discovering Pamplona as he did — through its streets, cafés, and characters.

A City Full of History and Soul

Pamplona, or Iruña in Basque, has a history that stretches back more than 2,000 years. In fact, archaeological evidence shows that a Vascon settlement already existed on this site as early as the 5th century BCE. Later, the Romans established the city of Pompaelo, from which Pamplona takes its name. Throughout the centuries, it grew as a strategic location on the Camino de Santiago, played key roles in medieval kingdom politics, and developed a strong identity blending Navarrese and Basque culture.

Its old quarter is a maze of narrow streets, lively plazas, and centuries-old buildings, many of which Hemingway knew well. The Plaza del Castillo, often called Pamplona’s living room, is a place he described in detail. Around its perimeter you’ll find some of the bars, hotels, and cafés that shaped his days, and nights, in the city.

Hemingway’s First Visit and Lifelong Bond

Hemingway first came to Pamplona in 1923. He was a young journalist, looking for adventure and stories. He found both. The San Fermín festival, with its chaotic mix of bull runs, religious rituals, fireworks, and nonstop social life, captivated him. More importantly, it introduced him to the human drama that would form the basis for The Sun Also Rises, published in 1926.

He returned nearly ten times, staying for weeks at a time, and built strong friendships with locals. He wasn’t just a visitor — he became part of the city’s cultural memory.

Walk in His Footsteps

This walking tour follows Hemingway’s path through Pamplona, highlighting the spots he frequented and the stories he wrote. You’ll visit:

• Bar Txoko, which he observed from above and where locals still remember his presence.
• Hotel Quintana, which inspired the fictional “Hotel Montoya” in Fiesta.
• Bar Torino, mentioned as “Bar Milano” in his novel.
• Café Iruña, where Hemingway spent countless hours writing, drinking, and debating.
• Hotel La Perla, the Room 201 is preserved in his honor.
• Plaza de Toros, where he watched bullfights and fell in love with the spectacle of bravery and tragedy.

Each stop is more than a building, it’s a doorway into a moment in time. Along the way, your guide will share anecdotes about Hemingway’s life in the city.

Literature Meets Local Culture

This tour isn’t only about Hemingway. It’s also about understanding Pamplona, its layered history, its traditions, and the way it blends Basque and Navarrese identities. You’ll learn how the city has preserved its heritage, from its medieval city walls to its lively bar culture.

You’ll also see how locals today continue to honor, and sometimes debate, Hemingway’s legacy. Was he an outsider or one of their own? A friend of the people or a romantic mythmaker?

Add Flavor to the Story

At the end of the tour, guests have the option to add a local wine tasting or a pincho route through the old town. It’s a fitting way to experience Pamplona as Hemingway did, with a glass in hand, good company, and a few well-told stories.

Book your Hemingway Walking Tour today, and experience Pamplona like never before, where history, literature, and local life meet at every corner.