TrekUnity
When
July
Attendance
~1,000,000 (across the fiesta)
Admission
Free
Setting
Outdoor
The Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona, Spain is world-famous for its encierro — the "Running of the Bulls" — when, on eight July mornings, thrill-seekers in white and red sprint just ahead of six fighting bulls through the old town's narrow streets to the bullring. Made legend by Hemingway, it's only the headline of a nine-day, round-the-clock fiesta of music, dancing, fireworks, and processions.
Chaotic, dangerous, and exhilarating, San Fermín is a bucket-list spectacle set in a handsome Navarrese city — though many come simply to watch the run and soak up the party.
Want to go? Turn Running of the Bulls (San Fermín) into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
July 6–14 (bull runs each morning July 7–14)
Admission
Free to watch · balcony viewing & bullring seats ticketed
Parking
The old town closes and fills — park on the edges or arrive by bus/train and walk.
Nearest airport
Pamplona (PNA) small; Bilbao (BIO) ~1.5 hr; San Sebastián ~1 hr
Typical weather
Warm Spanish summer — 70s–80s °F; wear the traditional white with a red neckerchief.
Official website
Location
Pamplona, Spain
Where to stay
Gran Hotel La Perla
Historic hotel on the run route (Hemingway stayed here).
Pompaelo Hotel
Modern hotel by the old-town action.
Old-town guesthouses
Book a year ahead for fiesta week.
Where to eat & drink
Pintxos bars
Basque-Navarrese bar snacks in the old town.
Chistorra & Navarran wine
Local sausage and Navarra reds.
Café Iruña
The historic belle-époque café on Plaza del Castillo.
Nearby attractions
The encierro route
Santo Domingo to the Plaza de Toros through the old town.
Plaza del Castillo
The lively central square of the fiesta.
Pamplona Cathedral & walls
The old city's Gothic cathedral and ramparts.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + fiesta
- •Travel to Pamplona
- •Afternoon: get your white-and-red outfit
- •Evening: Plaza del Castillo + fireworks
2Run morning
- •Dawn: watch the encierro (from a barrier or balcony)
- •Afternoon: pintxos + siesta
- •Evening: more fiesta
3Old town + depart
- •Morning: cathedral + city walls
- •Head out
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Watch from a barrier or a rented balcony — the run is dangerous.
- Book lodging a year ahead; fiesta week sells out.
- Wear the traditional white-and-red to join in.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Running of the Bulls?
The San Fermín festival runs July 6–14, with the bull runs each morning from July 7 to 14.
Do you have to run?
No — most people watch from behind barriers or rented balconies; the run itself is genuinely dangerous.
What should you wear?
The traditional festival outfit: white clothes with a red sash and neckerchief.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Running of the Bulls (San Fermín) or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.