Palace of the Kings of Navarre, Olite

[isabeau]

Greetings,

We are soon approaching our very first camino. We will be flying from California to Madrid and then taking the train to Pamplona for our starting point. That journey will take us approximately a day and a half or two days until we arrive.

We then have two days in Pamplona to ship our luggage to our end point, get our Pilgrim's pass and rest from jet lag before we start.

We've never been to Pamplona and are wondering if we should just use our whole two days to relax in Pamplona or try to take a side excursion for a half day to Olite for the castle.

We travel so little that we're not likely to make it that direction again.

Has anyone done this side trip? Is it worth it? Or is better to just rest up and focus on Pamplona before starting our walk.

We'll be walking for about 8 days straight until we have a rest but have an easy to moderate pace ranging from 12km to 19km per day.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[mspath]

Do remember that you will be tired after your long flight; take some time to really rest/sleep before you start to walk. Enjoy Pamplona as you relax; for example visit the five-pointed-star-shaped 16th c. Pamplona citadel. Or have a drink or two recalling Hemingway

Happy planning and Bon voyage

 

[Tincatinker]

Regular buses from Pamplona and well worth the visit https://movelia.es/es/app#/transicion_alsa/venta/horarios/PAMPLONA/OLITE/22-08-2023/X/1

 

[MesaWalker]

I can't comment on the Palace of the Kings, but the Museum of Navarre in Pamplona is an amazing art and history museum, if that type of place interests you. It doesn't seem to get the notice that it deserves.

Museum of Navarre, Pamplona - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[mattythedog]

Greetings,

We are soon approaching our very first camino. We will be flying from California to Madrid and then taking the train to Pamplona for our starting point. That journey will take us approximately a day and a half or two days until we arrive.

We then have two days in Pamplona to ship our luggage to our end point, get our Pilgrim's pass and rest from jet lag before we start.

We've never been to Pamplona and are wondering if we should just use our whole two days to relax in Pamplona or try to take a side excursion for a half day to Olite for the castle.

We travel so little that we're not likely to make it that direction again.

Has anyone done this side trip? Is it worth it? Or is better to just rest up and focus on Pamplona before starting our walk.

We'll be walking for about 8 days straight until we have a rest but have an easy to moderate pace ranging from 12km to 19km per day.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

You will have sat a long time on the plane and train. See the castle. See the sites in Pamplona. You may not have another opportunity.

 

[Lexicos]

I suggest you rest in Pamplona. You’ll need it. Besides, there’s plenty to see in Pamplona. It’s an interesting and beautiful city. Make the most of it is my advice. More importantly, give yourself time to acclimatise before you start walking. You’ll see plenty of great things on your walk…..

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I can't comment on the Palace of the Kings, but the Museum of Navarre in Pamplona is an amazing art and history museum, if that type of place interests you. It doesn't seem to get the notice that it deserves.

Museum of Navarre, Pamplona - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I agree. I've visited it twice. Free admission with your credential so get it stamped beforehand.

 

[Anniefish]

Olite is definitely worth a visit. It’s the closest thing to a fairy castle I’ve ever seen.

 

[StephenT]

Hola Isabeau

Wow - so much to see...!
Pamplona is so worthwhile - I agree the Citadella is really impressive, AND the Museo is also great value

Olite is also well worth the sidetrip - impressive castle and an attractive little town - good access by the bus

Perhaps on balance, it may suit you more to stay and see the sights in Pamplona - you seem to have a full timetable for the first 10 days or so

As you will be aware - Watch out for the heat

Buen camino
Stephen
in New Zealand

 

[nycwalking]

Greetings,

We are soon approaching our very first camino. We will be flying from California to Madrid and then taking the train to Pamplona for our starting point. That journey will take us approximately a day and a half or two days until we arrive.

We then have two days in Pamplona to ship our luggage to our end point, get our Pilgrim's pass and rest from jet lag before we start.

We've never been to Pamplona and are wondering if we should just use our whole two days to relax in Pamplona or try to take a side excursion for a half day to Olite for the castle.

We travel so little that we're not likely to make it that direction again.

Has anyone done this side trip? Is it worth it? Or is better to just rest up and focus on Pamplona before starting our walk.

We'll be walking for about 8 days straight until we have a rest but have an easy to moderate pace ranging from 12km to 19km per day.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

I have flown Los Angeles to New York to Madrid then bus to Pamplona.

It was a long and tiring couple of travel days.

The first night in Pamplona I slept in a moderately priced hotel to bathe, rest, and prepare to travel to camino starting point.

Take the time to see all you can in case you never go that way again.

That includes as many side trips in addition to Pamplona’s that time, money, and energy allow.

Buen camino.

 

[isawtman]

If this Palace is a place you really want to see, then go see it. I really wanted to see Picasso's Guernica Painting so I stayed overnight in Madrid and went to see it. I'm glad I did. And it was very convenient. The Museum of Sofia Reina is only a few block from the Attocha Station where I would be taking the train the next morning. There's a bus from the Airport that took me right to Attocha, then I visited the museum and stayed overnight at a nearby Albergue. Next morning I woke up and took the 7:30 train to Pamplona. My whole description of how I got to St Jean can be seen here under Camino Notes: http://tmanshikes.com/speaking-events/