Every year from 6 to 14 July, Pamplona transforms into a huge celebration that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The San Fermín Festival has long grown beyond being a local event. Today, it brings together religious traditions, street celebrations, concerts, food festivals and the famous running of the bulls that has made the festival known far beyond Spain. Within just a few hours, the atmosphere changes completely: quiet streets fill with people dressed in white with red scarves, and the city remains alive almost around the clock.
Visitors come here for many different reasons. Some are interested in the history of Navarre, others dream of seeing the encierro in person, while many simply want to experience an authentic Spanish festival without staged performances. It is best to plan your trip in advance: by early July, hotel availability becomes extremely limited, while the packed festival programme offers something new to discover every day.
From medieval traditions to worldwide recognition
The festival's history spans several centuries. Originally, Pamplona held separate religious celebrations in honour of Saint Fermín, large city fairs and the driving of bulls to the bullring. Over time, these events merged into one major celebration that gradually became the defining symbol of the Navarre region.
The festival gained international fame after the publication of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway visited Pamplona many times and vividly described the atmosphere of the July celebrations. Following the novel's publication, the number of international visitors increased rapidly, and today the San Fermín Festival is considered one of Europe's best-known cultural events.
Why everyone wears white and red
White clothing symbolises celebration and unity among participants, while the red scarf honours Saint Fermín, who is traditionally depicted wearing red robes. A red sash or belt is also an essential part of the traditional festival outfit.
During the official opening of the festival, thousands of people raise their red scarves above their heads and put them on only after the official signal is given. This moment is regarded as one of the most emotional traditions of the festival and attracts enormous crowds of spectators.
Encierro — Pamplona's most famous tradition
The running of the bulls remains the best-known part of the festival. Every morning, bulls are driven through specially fenced streets towards the bullring while volunteers run ahead of them. Although the route is relatively short, it unfolds at high speed and requires excellent physical fitness, experience and quick reflexes.
Despite the popularity of the encierro, most visitors come to Pamplona for reasons other than taking part in the run.
Many visitors prefer to watch the action from balconies, specially designated viewing stands or the large public screens installed throughout the city. This option allows you to experience the atmosphere of the festival without unnecessary risk.
Essential safety rules
- Only adults are allowed to take part in the encierro.
- Participants must not be under the influence of alcohol before the start.
- Stopping during the run to take photos or record videos is prohibited.
- Participants are required to follow instructions from the police and security personnel at all times.
- If a dangerous situation arises, leave the route as quickly as possible using the nearest exit.
Even experienced runners acknowledge that the encierro remains one of the most dangerous parts of the festival. For this reason, most visitors choose to watch rather than participate, enjoying the excitement without exposing themselves to unnecessary danger.
What to do if you are not planning to join the run
The festival programme offers much more than the famous running of the bulls. Almost the entire city becomes a huge open-air stage. Public squares host concerts, orchestras, traditional dances, giant puppet parades, children's activities, food fairs and evening performances.
Local cuisine also plays a central role in the celebrations. Throughout the festival, numerous cafés, restaurants and temporary food stalls serve traditional dishes from Navarre, seasonal vegetables, meat specialities, local cheeses and the region's famous pintxos. Many visitors say that the culinary experience becomes one of the highlights of their trip.
Events you should not miss
| Event | Why it is worth seeing |
| Opening ceremony | The festival's most emotional moment |
| Morning encierro | The defining symbol of San Fermín |
| Parade of the Giants | Pamplona's oldest city tradition |
| Evening concerts | Festival atmosphere in the main squares |
| Fireworks | The traditional end to each festive day |
Planning your itinerary in advance allows you to experience much more than the famous bull run. Many returning visitors come specifically for the evening events, considering them the most atmospheric part of the entire festival.
Practical tips before your trip
July is peak tourist season, so it is advisable to book accommodation several months in advance. Hotel rooms, apartments and guesthouses become significantly more expensive during the festival, while available options are already very limited by spring.
Comfortable closed shoes are recommended, as visitors usually spend long hours walking around the city each day. White clothing and the traditional red scarf can easily be purchased in Pamplona, although many travellers arrive fully prepared. If your goal is to explore the city itself, consider staying an extra day after the festival ends to enjoy the historic centre without the huge crowds.
A festival that stays with you
San Fermín in Pamplona has long been one of Spain's defining cultural events, bringing together local residents and visitors from around the world every year. According to the Pamplona City Council and Spain's tourism statistics, the festival remains one of the country's most popular summer events, successfully combining centuries-old traditions with a vibrant modern programme. If your trip to Spain also involves finding accommodation, work, local services or business contacts, Flagma offers useful opportunities to help with those needs.