5 Things You Need to Know Before going to Pamplona to Run with the Bulls.
If Running with the Bulls during the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona Spain is on your bucket list, give this a quick read before you go. Pro tips from a two time veteran; not to mention your favorite travel advisor.
Buy the outfit, and bring old tennis shoes.
Everyone wears the outfit.
White pants, white shirt, red sash, and a red bandana.
From family and friends heading to private parties, to the hotel staff, party revelers in the street, and everyone in between. Everyone is wearing the San Fermin festival outfit.
This outfit will likely get ruined.
Throwing sangria around is all part of the fun! In fact, I felt a little left out from my lack of sangria splatter on my whites.
Pro Tip: Bring a pair of shoes that you don’t mind throwing away later. Buy a $10 pair while you’re there or bring an old pair from home. By the end of the day, you’re not going to want to touch them, let alone pack them back up.
Also! You MUST bring closed toed shoes. There are thousands of people attending this festival, protect your toes!
A phone carrier and/or lockable purse isn’t a bad idea either.
Here’s a link to my favorite travel purse that pick-pocket proof!
2. Don’t skip the opening ceremony!
Festival of San Fermin, opening ceremony from Plaza del Castillo.
Choose your spot!
One of the best hype events I’ve ever witnessed and should not be missed! There are a few different options to watch, depending on your preferences, crowd tolerance, and how much you want to be covered in sangria. Don’t forget, your scarf goes around your wrist until after the opening ceremony. I have no idea why.
Plaza Consistorial, 31001 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Prime time, center of the action. If you want to be in the middle of thousands of other people completely packed into a small square, then this is your spot.
Don’t forget, you’re going to get covered in sangria here, make sure your toes are protected, secure your phone and wallet, and eat a BIG breakfast.
Pl. del Castillo, 31001 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
Slightly more laid back, but there’s still an option to get crazy and covered in sangria.
This is where we ended up and where I would recommend. You can be in the “pit” where the sangria is flying, or you can hang out on the fringes and enjoy your sangria in relative peace with other families and small groups. Also a bathroom on site!
3. Make your reservations early!
Imagine trying to find a hotel or a place to eat in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Now double the number of people and cut the size of the city in half. Alternatively, if you’re really hard core, we witnessed a number of people bussing in from surrounding cities, taking naps in the parks, and returning the next day. You do you.
Did I mention I’m a Certified Travel Advisor?
Leave the hotel reservations to me!
4. Run with the Bulls.
Whether you’re interested in watching from the sidelines or actually doing the run, you’ll need to get there early. The run starts at 9am, but you’ll need to secure your spot by 6:00am to be safe. The gates will be closed at 6:30am and will not let anyone else enter the run once they have been closed. Even if you make it in time, you may still get kicked out if it gets too crowded, or if security spots you with your camera. You are not allowed to take video while you are running with the bulls. People always do, and you will get in trouble. Just don’t.
If you’re planning on watching, I recommend finding a spot near the stadium. This offers a slightly higher viewpoint from which to watch. You will still need to get there early to get a good spot!
Finally, you can purchase tickets for the stadium. They also sell out quickly, so make sure you get your tickets early!
5. Visit the city of San Sebastian while you’re in town.
A quick 1 hour bus ride from Pamplona, San Sebastian sits on the coast with beautiful beaches and pintxos that we are simply obsessed with. This is the perfect spot to experience the Basque country cuisine and culture.