Navarra tourist attractions and things to do

Navarra, located in Northern Spain, is a region known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and delicious gastronomy. Visitors can explore medieval castles, charming villages, and natural parks, indulge in local wines and traditional dishes, and participate in Spanish festivals and cultural events. Some popular tourist attractions in Spain include the Royal Palace of Olite, the Monasterio de Leyre, and the Parque Natural de Urbasa y Andía.

The Royal Palace of Olite

The Royal Palace of Olite, also known as the Palace of the Kings of Navarra, is a beautiful medieval fortress located in the town of Olite in Navarra, Spain. Built in the 14th century, the palace was once the residence of the royal family of Navarra and served as an important political and cultural center. The palace features Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and is surrounded by a moat and defensive walls. Visitors can explore the palace’s grand halls, chapels, and courtyards, as well as admire its ornate decorations and impressive collections of art and artifacts. Today, the palace is open to the public as a museum and cultural center, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Navarra.

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Puy

The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Puy is a beautiful and historic religious site located in the town of Estella in Navarra, Spain. The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is believed to have been built in the 12th century on the site of an ancient Roman temple. The basilica features a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance, and is known for its impressive façade, which is adorned with sculptures and ornate decorations. Inside, visitors can admire the beautiful frescoes, stained glass windows, and the impressive altarpiece. The Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Puy is considered one of the most important religious buildings in Navarra and is a must-see for visitors interested in the region’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

The Cathedral of Santa María la Real in Pamplona

The Cathedral of Santa María la Real is a beautiful and historic religious site located in the city of Pamplona in Navarra, Spain. The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has a history dating back to the 12th century. The Cathedral features a mix of architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The Cathedral’s most notable feature is its impressive main façade, which is adorned with sculptures and ornate decorations. Inside, visitors can admire the beautiful stained glass windows, chapels and the impressive altarpiece. It’s a must-see for visitors interested in the region’s rich cultural and religious heritage. The Cathedral is considered as one of the most important landmarks of the city, and it’s open for visitors all year round.

The Castle of Javier

The Castle of Javier is a medieval fortress located in the small town of Javier, in Navarra, Spain. The Castle was built in the 11th century and it was the residence of the royal family of Navarra. The castle features Gothic architectural style and is surrounded by a moat and defensive walls. Visitors can explore the castle’s grand halls, chapels, and courtyards, as well as admire its ornate decorations and impressive collections of art and artifacts. The Castle of Javier is considered one of the most important landmarks of the region and it’s open to the public as a museum and cultural center. The Castle is also a popular spot for events and festivals, such as the medieval market, which is held every summer.

The Monastery of Leyre

The Monastery of Leyre is a historic religious site located in the valley of the River Leyre, in Navarra, Spain. The Monastery is dedicated to Saint Mary and has a history dating back to the 8th century. The Monastery features a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. The Monastery’s most notable feature is its impressive church, which is adorned with sculptures and ornate decorations. Inside, visitors can admire the beautiful frescoes, chapels and the impressive altarpiece. The Monastery of Leyre is considered one of the most important religious buildings in Navarra and is a must-see for visitors interested in the region’s rich cultural and religious heritage. The Monastery is open for visitors all year round and it is also a popular spot for pilgrimage.

The Palace of Sada

The Palace of Sada is a beautiful Renaissance-style palace located in the town of Sada in Navarra, Spain. The palace was built in the 16th century by the Count of Sada, and it was later used as a residence by the royal family of Navarra. The palace features ornate decorations and impressive collections of art and artifacts. Visitors can explore the palace’s grand halls, chapels, and courtyards, as well as admire its impressive gardens and fountains. The palace is open to the public as a museum and cultural center, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Navarra. Today, it is a popular spot for events and festivals, such as concerts and exhibitions.

The Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar

The Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar is a religious site located in the Aralar mountain range in Navarra, Spain. The sanctuary dates back to the 9th century and is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The complex is made up of several buildings, including a church, a cloister, and a hostel. The church is a Romanesque style building and is considered one of the most important examples of this architectural style in the region. The cloister is also in the Romanesque style and is believed to have been built in the 12th century. The hostel, which was built in the 16th century, provided accommodation for pilgrims visiting the sanctuary. The Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar is a popular destination for both religious pilgrims and tourists interested in history and architecture.

The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Eunate

The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Eunate is a pre-Romanesque church located in the village of Muruzábal, Navarra, Spain. The church was built in the 9th century and is considered one of the most important examples of pre-Romanesque architecture in Spain. The church is octagonal in shape and has an ambulatory surrounding the central space. The church is surrounded by a walled enclosure, and within the enclosure, there are several outbuildings including a chapter house, sacristy, and a house for the canons. The Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Eunate was built as a pilgrimage site, and it is believed that it was a stop on the Camino de Santiago. The church is open to visitors and is considered as a unique architectural wonder and a cultural heritage site.

The Palace of the Kings of Navarra in Estella

The Palace of the Kings of Navarra, also known as the Royal Palace of Olite, is a medieval palace located in the town of Olite, now called Estella, in Navarra, Spain. The palace was built in the 14th century and served as the residence of the Kings of Navarra during the 14th and 15th centuries. The palace was expanded and renovated several times during its history and was eventually converted into a royal palace. The palace is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and it was once one of the most important and grand palaces in the region. It features a great hall, a chapel, a tower and several courtyards. The palace also has a beautiful garden with a pond. The palace was destroyed during the Spanish War of Independence in the 19th century, and now it is a partially reconstructed building open to visitors.

The Palace of the Dukes of Granada de Ega

The Palace of the Dukes of Granada de Ega is a 16th-century palace located in the town of Ega in Navarra, Spain. The palace was built as a residence for the Dukes of Granada de Ega, a noble family of the Kingdom of Navarre. It is considered as one of the most important Renaissance-style buildings in Navarra. The palace features a central courtyard, a chapel and a tower. The palace has undergone several renovations throughout history, but it still maintains its original architectural style. The palace is not open to the public but it can be viewed from the street. The palace is an important cultural heritage site and a unique architectural wonder of the Renaissance style in Navarra. It’s a great example of the architectural blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar styles.

The Palace of the Marquis of San Adrián

The Palace of the Marquis of San Adrián is a 16th century palace located in the town of Estella, Navarra, Spain. The palace was built as a residence for the Marquis of San Adrián, a noble family of the Kingdom of Navarre. It is considered as one of the most important Renaissance-style buildings in Navarra. The palace features a central courtyard, a chapel, and a tower. The palace has undergone several renovations throughout history, but it still maintains its original architectural style. The palace is not open to the public, but it can be viewed from the street. The palace is an important cultural heritage site, and a unique architectural wonder of the Renaissance style in Navarra. It’s a great example of the architectural blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar styles. The palace is considered as one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in Navarra.

The Palace of the Marquis of San Nicolás

The Palace of the Marquis of San Nicolás is a 16th century palace located in the town of Estella, Navarra, Spain. The palace was built as a residence for the Marquis of San Nicolás, a noble family of the Kingdom of Navarre. It is considered as one of the most important Renaissance-style buildings in Navarra. The palace features a central courtyard, a chapel, and a tower. The palace has undergone several renovations throughout history, but it still maintains its original architectural style. The palace is not open to the public but it can be viewed from the street. The palace is an important cultural heritage site, and a unique architectural wonder of the Renaissance style in Navarra. It’s a great example of the architectural blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar styles. The palace is considered as one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in Navarra.

The Palace of Sada in Tafalla

The Palace of Sada, located in Tafalla, Spain, is a historic building dating back to the 18th century. It was built by the wealthy Sada family, who were prominent landowners and merchants in the region. The palace is a fine example of Baroque architecture, with ornate decoration and intricate details. It features a central courtyard, grand staircases, and a chapel. The palace has been used for various purposes over the years, including as a residence for nobility and as a military barracks. Today, it serves as a cultural center and hosts events such as concerts and exhibitions. It is also open to the public for visits.

The Palace of the Kings of Navarra in Olite

The Palace of the Kings of Navarra, located in Olite, Spain, was a royal palace built in the 14th century for the royal family of Navarra. The palace was expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries, and was one of the most important Renaissance buildings in the region. The palace features a large central courtyard, grand halls, and ornate decoration. It also has a chapel, and a tower that was used for defensive purposes. During the Spanish War of Independence, the palace was used as a prison, and it was later abandoned. Today, it serves as a museum and cultural center and is open to the public for visits. Visitors can take tours and learn about the history of the palace and the royal family of Navarra.

The Palace of the Dukes of Granada de Ega in Tafalla

The Palace of the Dukes of Granada de Ega located in the town of Ega, Spain. This palace was built in the 16th century by the Dukes of Granada de Ega, a powerful noble family in the region. The palace is a fine example of Renaissance architecture, with ornate decoration, grand halls, and a central courtyard. The palace features a chapel, and a tower that was used for defensive purposes. The palace has been used for various purposes over the years, including as a residence for nobility, and as a military barracks. Today, it serves as a cultural center and hosts events such as concerts and exhibitions. It is also open to the public for visits.

Bottom Line

Navarra is a region located in the north of Spain, known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and has been ruled by various civilizations, including the Romans and the Moors. Navarra has its own language, culture and traditions, and is famous for its wine and gastronomy. The region is also home to many historical sites, including the Palace of the Kings of Navarra in Olite and the Palace of Sada in Tafalla. Navarra is also known for its natural beauty, including the Pyrenees Mountains and the Bardenas Reales Natural Park. Visitors to Navarra can enjoy hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities, as well as exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage.