Pamplona, Running of the BullsPamplona, Running of the Bulls

Festivals - Pamplona, Running of the Bulls

Lying within the rolling hills of the Basque countryside is Pamplona, home to Spain's most notorious Festival - San Fermin, more commonly known as 'The Running of the Bulls'.

By Skye Frazer

The festival in this fortress town first gained notoriety in Ernest Hemingway's novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. Bullfights and sangria aside, 'San Fermin' is a festival honouring Saint Ferminus, one of the town's patron saints. Each year from July 6th - July 14th the town transforms into a playground for locals and foreigners alike, where litres upon litres of sangria, cava (Spanish champagne), and cerveza (beer) are consumed.

At midday on July 6th, the opening ceremony is held in the main square of Pamplona, 'Plaza de Castillo', where the Pamplonés dress in white outfits and waving red bandanas over their heads. White is not necessarily the best colour to be wearing when the ceremony involves showering everyone around you with champagne, sangria and eggs. After the cannon is fired the red scarves are then tied around the neck and the festival has officially begun.

The highlight of the event is the 'Encierro'. This is the actual 'running' bit where the bulls are released from the Parque de Santo Domingo and sent charging after the brave (read: crazy/stupid) participants. The course runs through the Plaza Consistorial, along the Calle de Estefeta finishing at the Plaza del Toros. There is an 'art' involved in the running, and while it might simply be the 'art' of saving yourself from being horned in the butt, you'd be doing yourself a favour by watching the professionals do it before attempting to participate yourself. There is a 'run' each day of the festival if you feel the need to work up the nerve.

Traditionally, the 'Encierro' began at 7am to coincide with the 7th day of the 7th month for a 7 day fiesta. These days the Encierro commences around 8am marked by the roar of a cannon, with six bulls released each day.
The best vantage point is from Parque de Santo Domingo. People start finding places along the track from 5am, so if you don't want to miss the action, you need to be there early. Alternatively, you can just stay out all night and walk there straight from the bars to a spot track-side.
The fiesta is likely to provide the best street parties you'll ever attend, with revellers drinking throughout the day and night. Twenty-four hours of sun, sangria and fun - but don't forget to siesta or you won't last the distance.
The bar that seems to attract the most foreign visitors is La Mejillonera (the mussel bar). For 51 weeks of the year, this is a tranquil bar situated in a small Basque square with the the tall St. Cecilia statue as the centrepiece. Then comes San Fermin week, where the square transforms into an mosh pit, with the 'stage diving' performed from the top of the St. Cecilia statue. THIS IS NOT FUN, repeat, NOT FUN! Serious injuries occur every year from this statue diving ritual. This practise is as risky to your health as having a bull hot on your heels. The locals actually grease the statue and pelt eggs at the punters to discourage this ritual but yet it doesn't seem to deter the drunken revellers.
In addition to the Encierro, bullfights are held nightly at 6:30pm.
The festival of San Fermin finishes at midnight on the 14th July, marked by a gathering in the Plaza de Castillo with candles and Basque songs.

A humane alternative, and a protest, to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, the Running of the Nudes takes place in the city two days before the first bull runs. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) started the event to protest at the cruel conditions the bulls are forced to endure in the name of entertainment and the tradition of San Fermin.

Just remember - anything and everything is possible at the Fiesta de San Fermin!

Pamplona Opening Weekend (from London)

For those of who want to save the pennies, we have put together the perfect option. Departing London on one of our big blue coaches, we'll take you across the channel, through France to northern Spain where the campsite awaits. Here, the party well and truly goes on into the balmy Spanish night!.

[Full Itinerary]