The most beautiful towns of Navarre for a delightful getaway

Some destinations surprise you precisely because of all that they contain. This is the case of Navarre, which concentrates, in a relatively small area, a surprising variety of landscapes, villages and flavours: from the vineyards of the Zona Media to the forests of the Pyrenees and the green valleys of the north, taking in a gastronomy that has vegetables, cheeses, meats and wines as some of its star ingredients.

If you wish to visit the most beautiful towns in Navarre, this selection is  a good starting point to prepare an unforgettable car trip. Just consult a map of the towns of Navarre, draw up a route that adapts to the time you have and, above all, let yourself be surprised. Shall we start? 

The rural charm of the north: why visit Navarre

Navarre is a land of contrasts. In the north, the influence of the Pyrenees is noticeable in a landscape of mountains, valleys and forests; to the south, the territory is transformed until it reaches the driest landscapes of the Ribera. Between the two extremes is the Zona Media, marked by vineyards, agricultural fields and towns with centuries of history. This diversity means you can organize a getaway where each stop implies a change in landscape as well as how you enjoy it.

What’s more, in the north, some of the most recognizable signs of identity of rural Navarre survive: the valleys dotted with small, charming towns, the rivers forming the backbone of the territory, the roads that connect the villages and a gastronomy closely linked to the produce of each region. You don’t need to consider major excursions to get the most out of it: it is often enough to walk around the town, take a seat for a bite and continue on your way.

This is why choosing between the towns of Navarre is not easy. Perhaps the key is not to try to see everything but to choose different regions of the Chartered Community and let the journey itself link them. In the route we propose, Olite brings you history and wine: Ochagavía, nature, and Elizondo, the character of the Baztan valley.

Olite:  a journey to the Middle Ages among castles and vineyards

Few towns allow you to travel so many centuries back in just a few streets like Olite. Its Royal Palace, former residence of the Kings of Navarre during the Middle Ages, is the star of the visit and one of the most recognizable medieval complexes in the Chartered Autonomy. Its silhouette of towers, battlements and passageways is also one of the most characteristic images of the town.

Start your tour in the Plaza de los Teobaldos, next to the Old Palace, and continue to Santa María la Real, whose imposing Gothic façade is worth a stop. Next comes the main protagonist: the Royal Palace, a labyrinth of towers, courtyards, gardens and rooms that preserves all the atmosphere of the Navarrese court. From there, your walk will take you through the historic centre, to the Plaza de Carlos III el Noble and the church of San Pedro, one of the most outstanding historical temples in Olite. 

In addition, Olite has a close relationship with wine. Vine growing has been part of the life of the town for centuries and today the city continues to be one of the main winemaking references in Navarre. Several wineries offer visits and tastings, a good opportunity for the gastronomic highlight of a day among palaces and medieval streets.  

Ochagavía: the gateway to the Irati forest

If Olite looks to the past, Ochagavía focuses on nature. Located in the heart of the Salazar valley, this town is one of the main accesses to the Irati forest, one of Navarre’s large natural areas. The Anduña river crosses the town in a landscape marked by mountains, meadows and forests. From here you can plan different routes and excursions, taking into account the time of the year and the condition of the trails.

The Irati forest, located about 23 kilometres by road from Ochagavía, stands out for its extensive beech and fir forests and for the wealth of its ecosystems to the point of being considered one of the largest and best preserved beech and fir forests in Europe, after the Black Forest in Germany. It is also a particularly attractive place in autumn, when the colours change in the forest and completely transform the landscape. Mount Ori rises imposingly above this landscape and, with its 2,021 metres in altitude, it stands as one of the most outstanding peaks in the Navarrese Pyrenees. 

For those who prefer a quieter visit, Ochagavía itself is also worth a walk: crossing its beautiful medieval stone bridge, walking through its streets dotted with traditional stone houses and ending the day tasting some local product is an unbeatable plan that allows you to enjoy the atmosphere without having to put on your hiking boots. 

Elizondo and the mysticism of the Baztan valley

Elizondo is another of those towns that seem to call for a stroll with no fixed destination. Capital and nerve centre of the Baztan valley, it is crossed by the Baztan river and surrounded by a green landscape that has fuelled stories, traditions and legends for centuries. The town gained widespread recognition as the setting for the famous Baztan trilogy, by Dolores Redondo, and the scenarios that appear in the novels  have in fact aroused the interest of numerous readers in getting to know the valley and following some of its locations.

Beyond literature, Elizondo allows you to get closer to the culture of Baztan: it is a town of just over 3,000 inhabitants that surprises with its charm and beautiful stone houses and mansions, many of them with large coats of arms on their façades. The Txokoto bridge or the back of the Arizkunenea house, from where you can see one of the most outstanding places on the Baztan river, are two places to stop to enjoy your walk. And, of course, there is always the option to sit and contemplate the scenery and let yourself be carried away by the air of mystery that fits so well with the valley. 

Navarrese gastronomy: what to eat during your trip through the towns

Strolling through Navarre’s most beautiful towns is not an experience fully enjoyed if you do not sit down to taste its excellent gastronomy. In the Pyrenees, there are some products such as cheeses from Roncal and Idiazabal, fried breadcrumbs, mushrooms and boletus, meats (like a good T-bone steak) and traditional desserts like curd and pastry horns; and, in the Zona Media, beans, roast pork, lamb with chilindrón (tomato with peppers) and wines with D.O Navarra take centre stage. If your routes takes you down to the plains of the Ribera, you will be offered vegetables, asparagus, artichokes, borage, thistles, gem lettuce and piquillo peppers. Vegetable stew or menestra is one of the dishes that best sums up this pantry.

What to pack in your backpack for a perfect road trip

The advantage of travelling by car is being able to adapt your luggage to each stop. Comfortable shoes are essential, as is a light jacket, water and sun screen. If the plan includes hiking in mountainous areas, it is advisable to add appropriate clothing for weather changes and a small packback for excursions.

And one last piece of advice: don’t overfill your agenda. In Navarre, part of the charm lies precisely in stopping when you come across a beautiful square, a shop selling local products or a landscape that begs for a photograph. Enjoy the getaway!