Pamplona - 1 day or 2 ?

[Diane2023]

Hello
I am starting my Camino Frances in St Jean pied de port on April 14th , I plan to make it to Roncesvalles to stay April 15 . My question is should I plan 1 or 2 nights in Pamplona when I get there on April 16th to see sights and have a rest day ? Or can I see the sights that afternoon and continue next day on Camino ?
Thank you
Diane2023

 

[MichaelC]

Mentally I felt very “off-Camino” in Pamplona & would’ve been fine just stopping long enough for lunch. This surprised me - usually I like cities, and was excited to visit. I’d recommend playing it by ear & deciding once you’re there.

Also - your dates might be off. It’s 40 km from Roncesvalles to Pamplona - that’s a two days’ walk for most of us mortals!

 

[C clearly]

Obviously, there is no right answer and people will have different things to say. I have never stayed more than one night in Pamplona, since I felt I was just getting started on the journey.

It depends on so many things - how you feel, if you have blisters that need a rest, do you want to stay with people you've met, do you want to avoid any people you've met? What sights did you want to see? Do you have a limited number of spare days to be used up?

One last question (and sorry for not giving a better answer ) - Do you need to make a decision now?

 

[SeñorJacques]

Mentally I felt very “off-Camino” in Pamplona & would’ve been fine just stopping long enough for lunch. This surprised me - usually I like cities, and was excited to visit. I’d recommend playing it by ear & deciding once you’re there.

This was absolutely my experience as well. Don’t get me wrong - I really liked Pamplona! We had the good fortune to wind up there during La Semana de la Croqueta (Croquetas Week) and I had a wonderful evening wandering from bar to cafe to restaurant with some fellow pilgrims, sampling different croquetas and pinxos at each one. But I had planned (and paid for) two nights in Pamplona, and was a little sad the next day to see most of my new friends moving on without me, and while there was plenty to explore I still felt it disrupted my newfound Camino momentum, coming as it did so early in the walk. You’ll have plenty of time for extra days later in the Camino if you want them (I especially enjoyed two nights in Leon and Astorga.) Maybe play it by ear (by foot?) and see how you’re feeling when you get there?

 

[Kirkie]

As noted above, it is a long day to Pamplona from Roncesvalles (approx 34 as far as Zabaldika and 8 more to Pamplona). It looks like you need to give it two days to reach Pamplona from Roncesvalles unless you have seven league boots...
I would suggest one night in Pamplona. It is a small city, and it is also a bit early to take a rest day. My rest days on the CF are still in the bank!
Buen camino.

 

[Diane2023]

Mentally I felt very “off-Camino” in Pamplona & would’ve been fine just stopping long enough for lunch. This surprised me - usually I like cities, and was excited to visit. I’d recommend playing it by ear & deciding once you’re there.

Also - your dates might be off. It’s 40 km from Roncesvalles to Pamplona - that’s a two days’ walk for most of us mortals!

Thank you MichaelC
I didn’t do my homework to see how far it was from Roncesvalles I will play it by ear foot

 

[Diane2023]

As noted above, it is a long day to Pamplona from Roncesvalles (approx 34 as far as Zabaldika and 8 more to Pamplona). It looks like you need to give it two days to reach Pamplona from Roncesvalles unless you have seven league boots...
I would suggest one night in Pamplona. It is a small city, and it is also a bit early to take a rest day. My rest days on the CF are still in the bank!
Buen camino.

Thank you Kirkie !

 

[Diane2023]

Obviously, there is no right answer and people will have different things to say. I have never stayed more than one night in Pamplona, since I felt I was just getting started on the journey.

It depends on so many things - how you feel, if you have blisters that need a rest, do you want to stay with people you've met, do you want to avoid any people you've met? What sights did you want to see? Do you have a limited number of spare days to be used up?

One last question (and sorry for not giving a better answer ) - Do you need to make a decision now?

Thank you C clearly
All your questions have giving me a lot to think about . It all makes sense ! I am going to hold off making any reservations for Pamplona
Ps - I like your name … I need to see clearly

 

[naplesdon]

There are several places farther down the trail that I would chose to spend an extra day in. It should be based on what you are interested in seeing and doing. A wine tour adventure to Rioja from Logrono, for instance. Chill for a day in Fromista and take in several of their fine restaurants, the same goes for Leon.

 

[Bradypus]

I didn’t do my homework to see how far it was from Roncesvalles I will play it by ear foot

A wise move! I occasionally walk a 40km day but I don't make a habit of it. If you walk from Roncesvalles to Pamplona in one day - and only the second day of your Camino - you might find you need a rest day there whether you actually want it or not!

 

[A Kerryman]

Hello
I am starting my Camino Frances in St Jean pied de port on April 14th , I plan to make it to Roncesvalles to stay April 15 . My question is should I plan 1 or 2 nights in Pamplona when I get there on April 16th to see sights and have a rest day ? Or can I see the sights that afternoon and continue next day on Camino ?
Thank you
Diane2023

I think it depends on your age more than anything , I think ( for me personally ) Pamplona is the most vibrant , exciting city on the Camino and Pilgrims of a certain age will enjoy the atmosphere more than Pilgrims who are looking for a rest .
Also beware because Rest days and sightseeing often mean you end walking 2 stages that day without realising it