danon

If you have visited either one of those cities, I would appreciate your input.
We would be going at the end of March or early April ( before SS )
Probably fly to Madrid, continue by train right away to Zaragoza ( 3 nights),
then , train to Paplona 2-3 nights (?) and back to Madrid for 5 nights.
Thanks.

Robert2016

Both are interesting, and you should enjoy both, as they are rich in history, and the cuisine is top of the line. Pamplona, besides being well known for its popular fiesta, is an excellent destination any time of the year, but then it's also my second home.

danon

Thanks Robert
Trying to " cover " places we have not yet seen....(should keep us busy for
years to come!)

thursdaysd

Haven't been to Zaragoza, but very much enjoyed an unplanned visit to Pamplona last year.

See: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...with-pamplona/

danon

thank you, th
nice pics.

cdnyul

We were in Zaragoza in 2015 and it is a wonderful city to visit.

The main plaza, Plaza del Pilar-Muralles is beautiful, with its graceful cathedral, and the surrounding architecture. Somehow, Zaragoza has managed to combine Roman, Spanish and Modern elements into a unique place.

Calle de Alfonso I is the main shopping street, mostly a pedestrian way with high quality shops, bars, nightclubs, and a great atmosphere.

There is a large tourist information/store on that street, great staff, lots of publication and books on Zaragoza and the surrounding area.

The Goya Museum is worth a visit.

There are a lot of restaurants and nightlife near the Plaza de Santa Marta, near the intersection of Calle don Jaime I and Calle Mayor.

We had a couple of meals at the Gran Taberna Tragantua,
http://www.grupoloscabezudos.es/carta-restaurante/
with the exception of their paella (mediocre) everything was very good to excellent.

We stayed at Hotel Catalunia El Pilar,
http://www.hoteles-catalonia.com/es/...ilar/index.jsp
a great hotel, walking distance to everything mentioned above.

We love Zaragoza, hopefully it does not become too popular.

Mark

rialtogrl

Zaragoza has a really great food scene - there are lots of great tapas places in "El Tubo" and in other areas of the city. You should try to check out Puerta Cinegia Gastronómica - a big food hall with lots of options. I went there every day on my last trip in October. Here is the website.
http://www.puertacinegiagastronomica.es/
My only pickle with this place is the wines are a little pedestrian. I also love La Pilara around the corner, for really creative and delicious tapas and some great wines by the glass.
https://www.facebook.com/LA-PILARA-1...c_location=ufi

There are LOTS of other bars and cafes all around that area. Some nights it feels like the whole city is there.. a very cool and vibrant scene.

If weather permits, it is nice to take a little picnic to the other side of the river from the cathedral.

The Zaragoza tourism board has a really helpful website -
http://www.zaragoza.es/ciudad/turismo/?idioma=en

Also I have found the tourists offices there to be exceptionally helpful.

danon

Thanks for info on Zaragoza's food scene and the links. rg
..I was looking to book the same hotel , glad to hear your
recommendation. Mark

scrb11

Am planning to go to Northern Spain for two weeks in July, flying in and out of Bilbao.

Hotel rates in Pamplona are crazy during Fermin. Have no interest in the festival so I can plan to go after it ends.

Wasn't sure though whether to spend a couple of nights there or day trip from San Sebastián. Even though it would be more expensive to stay in San Sebastián for 6 nights instead of 4 nights, especially parking in the old town and near the beach, it seems like it would be a more pleasant experience to be in San Sebastián those additional nights than spending a couple of them in Pamplona.

Is that a good assumption or not? Mainly interested in being near cafes and restaurants, being near scenic areas, including at night for photography as well.

Robert2016

You can be in San Sebastián-Donostia in under an hour by bus from Pamplona. Buses leave on the hour. Besides, the pintxos in Pamplona are on a par with Donostias, and much more affordable.

Note: Pamplona is fairly quiet following the fiesta as everyone who can heads to the beach or mountains for their holidays.

thursdaysd

I preferred Pamplona to Donostia...

scrb11

Pamplona has a couple of churches worth seeing?

But those can be seen in a day visit, presumably.

Lower food costs is something to consider. What else might be worth seeing in that area near Pamplona?

I found one blog about hiking the frontier near the border with France, around Elizondo, but that doesn't seem closer to Pamplona than Donostia.

thursdaysd

@scb11 - Did you use the link I posted above? The museum is certainly worth a visit, and the town is worth walking around.

Bedar

Robert - I was going to suggest to scrb11 that she go to Pamplona before San Fermin when It's clean. Or, do they get the muck up fairly quickly afterwards ?

scrb11

Just read it. Interesting, you didn't like San Sebastian that much, seemed to prefer Biarritz.

Was thinking of visiting Biarritz as a day trip too.

As for Pamplona, seems like day trip there would cover most of what I'd want to see.

joannyc

Bookmarking

Robert2016

The city does a remarkable job of cleaning the mess up on a daily basis, with crews coming in from the surrounding area, including the Basque country. The most difficult time is during the opening days of the fiesta, but by the 4th or 5th day the streets and parks are pretty much back to normal.