Iruñea-Pamplona

Pamplona (or Iruñea, -as it is called in euskara-basque language-) is a fairly ordinary mundane place during the rest of the year. It is a fairly small provincial capital -with a population of about 190,000 people- which sits under the shadow of the Pyrennes, about 50 kilometers south of the mountain range, on its west side. If it were not for its famous Sanfermín Festival, it would not particularly attract anyone's attention. Pamplona is not by any means an ugly city -and indeed, if it's not strikingly beautiful, it is at least a pleasant place, with lots of open green spaces (which serve as a free spot to bunk down in during the hectic fiesta). Its accessible size means that the city can be traversed on foot if you are not in a rush and it has all the facilities that a modern city needs - although it sags somewhat on its cultural offerings. Pamplona has two Universities - a public one and a private one along with the Long Distance University (Uned)- which attract students from all over. And of course, it has its San Fermín Fiesta, from the 6th to the 14th of July. So that, all in all, Pamplona is not a bad place to live in and in Sanfermin is the best place to have a great time.