Abside de San Juan II

That Thursday market at Plaza de los Fueros and Plaza de Santiago has been running since medieval times, and the apartment is right by it. My kids were also thrilled to have an ice cream shop and candy store just across the plaza. We could walk to cafés, restaurants, shops and the grocery store, and there are public recycling bins very close by. The apartment sits in a pedestrian area, but it’s easy to reach from the main road. From the bus depot, which has plenty of parking except during festivals, it’s a flat 350-meter walk. I grew up nearby and came from the US for 10 days in August 2023. I needed somewhere central, and this place suited us perfectly. We arranged everything over WhatsApp, and the host was prompt, attentive, professional and very accommodating. Check your dates before booking. During the festival, Estella goes from a quiet little town to party central, and this apartment is right in the middle of it. If you want to join in like a local and get around on foot, it’s a great spot. Just be aware that Paseo de la Inmaculada closes and traffic changes, so parking gets scarce. The bull run goes along Calle Mayor nearby. It’s over quickly, but Calle Mayor is blocked until the bulls reach the ring, and even if you don’t go out to watch, you can hear their cowbells from the apartment. The Gigantes and Cabezudos parades sometimes pass the balcony, which is breathtaking. There are free concerts in the adjoining plaza each night, nightlife carries on until daybreak starting on the next block, and carnival rides occupy the bus depot parking lot. A few practical things: there’s no elevator, so it isn’t wheelchair accessible, and there’s no air conditioning. We happened to be there during one of the hottest days of the year and were still comfortable. The exposed stone walls are shared with San Juan church, which keeps things wonderfully cool. Closing the shutters during the day, opening the windows at night for a cross-breeze, and using the ceiling fan on high in the big room helped too. There was plenty of street noise during the festival, as I expected, but earplugs worked and we slept well. The windows tilt inward if you turn the handle all the way up, so you can air the place without leaving them wide open overnight. The shower pressure was divine even with ECO mode on, and it was easy to adjust the temperature, which got hot enough for me. If the washer won’t start, push the door until it clicks loudly. I’d stay again for sure. My kids have already asked to make it our home base on future visits, and I hope it’s available.