Learn Spanish in Pamplona

Pamplona

Surrounded by incredible natural beauty, the scenic capital of the Navarre is famous for its exuberant fiestas and celebrations, most notably July’s San Fermín. This week-long festival epitomises the vibrant mix of Spanish and Basque cultures unique to the area and its people’s fascination with fireworks, Gigantes, and street entertainment. Though a visit during San Fermín is always recommended at least once, Pamplona is generally best experienced at other times of the year, when’s it’s easier to move around and see the city’s delights. 

Once a walled and fortified settlement, a stroll through Pamplona’s narrow, ancient streets reveal superb examples of architecture from different times in its turbulent past, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria. This huge Gothic church, located in the oldest part of the Roman settlement of Pompaelo, opens its doors to visitors to marvel at its well-preserved 13th-century cloister and 14th-century Diocesan living quarters. In the park that’s just a short walk from here, visitors will also find several sections of the ancient city walls, which are part of the city’s Route of Castles and Fortresses and well worth a visit for any history buff.

Boasting some of the best living conditions in Spain, Pamplona’s medium size and rural location mean that it’s ideal for a city-break that won’t leave you feeling wiped out. It’s blessed with many parks and green spaces that provide beautiful and tranquil areas for walking, cycling, or simply relaxing after Spanish lessons. At just an hour from stylish San Sebastián, the Rioja wine cellars or Logroño, and the incredible Pyrenees mountains, it’s also the perfect place for wider exploration of Navarre.

Accommodation

We highly recommend staying with a local host family during your studies in order to totally immerse yourself in the Spanish language and lifestyle. Our school will place you with one of their carefully-selected hosts as per any needs and/or requirements you may have. Lodging is offered on either half-board or full-board basis, meaning you will have 2 or 3 meals per day as part of your course package. If you arrange a standard room you will share bathroom facilities with your hosts; if you prefer, we may be able to secure a private bathroom for you (subject to availability). Hosts provide a laundry service once a week, room cleaning, and towels and bed linen during your stay.

If you’d prefer a more independent option, we can arrange a shared apartment for you. You’ll share with a Spanish host, meaning you still have the chance to practice your Spanish with native speakers (though this option does not offer the same kind of immersive experience as homestay lodging). Rooms are offered on a self-catering basis, meaning you can cook for yourself during your stay using local produce. If you arrange a standard room you will share bathroom facilities with your hosts; if you prefer, we may be able to secure a private bathroom for you (subject to availability). Hosts provide a laundry service once a week, as well as towels and bed linen during your stay.

Alternatively, you can opt for the privacy of a fully-equipped studio apartment (subject to availability).

Activities

To help you get to know Pamplona and your fellow students, our school runs a varied social and cultural activity programme. Activities are designed to be both fun and informative and are conducted in Spanish in order to supplement your learning outside the classroom. The schedule changes throughout the year based on the city’s event calendar, but can include:

- Guided city tours
- Museum visits
- Spanish film nights
- Nature walks
- Local produce tasting
- Dance lessons
- Tapas/pintxos nights

Weekend excursions to local sites including Bardenas Reales desert and the Navarrese Pyrenees

Most of these activities are offered completely free of charge, although some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs.

How to get there

Pamplona has both a bus station and train station in the city centre, and an airport just 4 miles away with regular flights to/from Madrid and Barcelona.

For an additional fee we can arrange a transfer service on arrival and/or departure at the airport, train station, or bus station. You will be collected from the airport on arrival and taken directly to your accommodation; if you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your accommodation and taken back to the airport.

If booking accommodation, students should arrive in Pamplona on the Sunday before their course starts and depart on the Saturday after their course finishes.

Location of our school in Pamplona

Student stories on our blog

¡Viva San Fermín!

San Fermín, one of the biggest and most impressive parties in the world, takes place every year in Pamplona, Navarra from 6 July to 14 July. After spending three days in Pamplona, I came to the conclusion that I will never be able to thank my friend enough for inviting me to San Fermín. The first thing I needed to do in order to enjoy San Fermín as a true Pamplonica was dressing in white while wearing a red scarf. Once I satisfied this condition, I was ready to go! Witnessing the Chupinazo, in which a rocket is launched to mark the opening of the festival, is simply breathtaking. You cannot imagine how many people actually manage to fit in the Town Hall square until you go see it yourself! Read more...