This medieval Spanish town marks the meeting of two Camino de Santiago paths, with an 11th-century stone bridge, Gothic churches, and preserved cloisters along its pilgrim routes.
Puente La Reina / Gares sits at the meeting point of two major Camino de Santiago routes in Spain's Navarre region. You'll find an 11th-century six-arched bridge spanning the Arga River, medieval streets lined with stone houses, and churches with detailed stone carvings. Stop at the Church of Santiago El Mayor to see its 30-meter bell tower or walk through the cloisters of the 14th-century Church of San Pedro.
The 11th-Century Bridge
The six-arched Romanesque bridge extends 110 meters across the Arga River and has guided pilgrims for nearly a millennium. Queen Muniadona, wife of King Sancho III, ordered its construction to create a safe river crossing for travelers heading to Santiago de Compostela. The bridge's stone arches and four-meter-wide pathway remain intact, and photographers often gather here at dawn to capture the morning light on the water.
Medieval Religious Architecture
The Church of Santiago El Mayor dominates the town center with its 12th-century Romanesque design and 30-meter bell tower. Inside, you'll find a Latin cross layout and star-shaped ogival vaults, while the main facade contains detailed stone carvings of geometric patterns and religious figures. The Knights Templar built the Church of Crucifijo, which includes late Romanesque architecture, 14th-century additions, and houses a distinctive crucified Christ statue. The 14th-century Church of San Pedro and the Convent of Comendadoras de Sancti Spiritus add to the town's medieval character with their Gothic elements and preserved cloisters.
Walking the Camino
As the first major stop after the French and Aragonese Ways join, Puente La Reina receives thousands of pilgrims each year. The town has several albergues (pilgrim hostels), including the San Miguel pilgrims hostel where local volunteers continue centuries-old hospitality traditions. The Camino paths entering and leaving town pass through vineyards, olive groves, and hills. The route includes some steep sections, but you'll see wide views of the Navarre countryside along the way.
Getting There and Weather Planning
Take a bus from Pamplona Airport, 18 kilometers away, to reach Puente La Reina. Summer temperatures average 20.4°C in August, while winter temperatures drop to 4.5°C in January. Rain occurs throughout the year - November sees 88mm of rainfall, while July, the driest month, still receives 30mm. If you want to walk in comfortable temperatures with maximum daylight, visit in June when you'll have 9.3 hours of daily sunshine. Bring rain gear regardless of when you visit.
