So you decided you want to go to Pamplona, Spain and and experience Running of the Bulls, eh?

Well… great idea!

I went in July 2018, I’m writing this article with the hopes to give you everything you need to have a great time!

I’ll break down every little idea and question you may have to help you prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime experience!

1) When to visit Pamplona, Spain?

The St. Fermin festival (which is when the Running of the Bulls festivities happen) is held every year from July 7-14. It always has those dates regardless of what days they fall on.

Three criteria when visiting

Crowds - Pamplona is always buzzing and bustling with fun and excitement during the St. Fermin festival, BUT there will be more people there on the weekends and during the opening ceremonies time periods. More is not necessarily better. There is plenty of fun without the extra people. We went on Monday July 9 and 10 and had a blast! We have heard that the extra crowds make it harder and more dangerous to run and also more crowded during the festivities.
Witnessing the Opening Ceremony - we didn’t see the Opening Ceremony but it seems to be an experience in and of itself. Large crowds and fun. You don’t need to see it to have a good time but if you don’t mind the crowds then be sure to get there by the time the festival begins, maybe a day earlier.
Acrobatic Comic bull fight - The bull runs, bull fights, fireworks and festivities happen every day of the festival so you’ll get to see those no matter when you arrive. One cool thing we didn’t get to see was a bull fight without killing the bull. They have this new spectacle where trained people do flips and jumps over the Bulls when they attack. It’s a much more peaceful and less cruel way to interact with the Bulls. We knew about this beforehand but it was very hard to find the dates and times online. When we were there they had them the opening and closing times days at 11am. We found a website for you to look at which will hopefully post accurate info. Website is

2) Where to Stay?

Pamplona is actually quite a large city, but the entire festival takes place in the Old Town. Naturally I would HIGHLY recommend you stay there.

There are so many activities and so much going on it would be a pain and pity to make late night or early morning drives and walks into the old town from other parts of the city. They don’t really allow cars into the old town, and even the train station, which is not very far, still takes about 30 minutes to walk to.

There are many places you can book and some even include balcony packages. There are also hotels and private accommodations.

You can request a private space or a shared space with a private room. Noise can be a problem for some spaces.

Prices

Staying in Pamplona during the festival naturally will be more expensive than normal. You can expect to pay about 100 Euros/person/night depending on where you stay. If you get a balcony package (highly recommended) you’ll probably get a discount.

My wife and I stayed in the heart of old town and had one of the best balcony packages for watching the bull run (you won’t necessarily stay in the same spot where you watch from the balcony. More on that later). We were there two nights and it cost a total of 650-E.

Alternative stay

If you’re young and have lots of energy and don’t care too much where you sleep, several places provide free or very cheap accommodation IF you help them out with the festival. The person we booked through had many young “minions” from all over the world who would help us to our rooms and with any issues they had. They got to experience the festival and sleep for free.

Where we stayed

We booked our stay and balcony through website. You can email him at… Gray does a great job with communication and our balcony was fantastic. If you book a room with him, know your room might be a little grubby.

The only thing I didn’t like was that our sheets clearly had not been washed. We found many hairs and other unfriendly, let’s call them “things” in our bedding. We used my wife’s conchas to sleep on. Also we had a couple suite mates from Northern England. They were fun and nice people but they checked into their room at 1am and one of them drunkenly wandered into our room an hour later (no locks on the doors). 36hrs later we tried to take a leak before going to watch the early morning bull run, but we found him sleeping in his trousers in the bathroom! Lol.

Other than that our stay was great. Gray tends to cater more towards the younger crowd or the far less picky. You probably don’t want to book a room with him if you want a clean, quiet environment and/or have kids. We didn’t mind the circumstances too much but the place clearly leaned more towards frat-house/hostel than it did towards family/clean.

3) How to get there:

There are many ways to get to Pamplona during the St. Fermin festival for the bull runs. Trains are the best way. The trains in Spain are fantastic. You can book a train from almost anywhere in Spain and beyond. We took a 1.5hr train ride from San Sebastián in the north of Spain.

You could rent a car but you definitely won’t need a car once you arrive so I don’t really recommend it.

4) Best way to WATCH the bull run

If you’re going to Pamplona during the festival, I assume 100% you’re going to watch a bull run. A few things to know about the bull runs before I tell you the best ways to watch.

The Run Finishes Quickly:

The bull runs finish quickly. The entire run is only ½ mile long, and the bulls will usually finish it within 2-3minutes. Yes, you’re flying all the way out to Pamplona for only 2-3minutes of glory!

But, those 2-3 minutes are some of the most exciting, intense, dramatic, and mesmerizing of your life. It really compares to sky diving, bungee jumping, a World Cup final penalty shoot out, a Super Bowl winning field goal.

They start building and closing the track around 6-7am

The bull run happens in the heart of the old town. Thousands of people will walk up and down the areas where the bulls run PRIOR to them running. However, once the clock strikes 6am, the carpenters come out and start to put the track together with a series of large wooden boards.

At 7am, they start closing down parts of the streets. Get to where you want to be well before 7am or the area you want to get to might be closed off!

Most people don’t get injured or die

There have only been a few deaths in the entire 100+ year history of the bull run. And most people don’t get injured, although every single run will see some injuries. There is a HUGE medical team strategically placed along the entire track and they are definitely kept busy.

Injuries range from minor bumps and bruises, to bulls fallin or stepping on people and sometimes stretcher evacuations.

Of course the fear and excitement of the run is that it’s unpredictable what could happen.

4 Ways to Watch the Bull Run

There are four ways to watch the bull run and I’ll rank them in this order. If you’re staying for several days, I actually recommend you watch the runs differently each time.

Method #1: Balcony - Best Way

This is by far the best way to watch the bull run. There are many balconies throughout the city that will showcase the run. In reality, almost any balcony is good, but some will be better.

I can’t tell you necessarily which balcony will have all the action, because this isn’t a scripted play. You might see the bulls tumble and charge someone (we know you want to see that!) in the beginning, middle, or end. It really could happen and has happened in all parts of the track.

Also, if you think a two minute bull run is short, the balcony is even shorter. You’ll probably get about 10-15 seconds of action from your balcony spot. Although it doesn’t seem like a long time, isn’t it true that the most magical moments of life itself are those 10-15 seconds of awe-inspiring magic? Maybe it’s when you were proposed to? Maybe when you saw your child breath their first breath. Maybe it was saying “I-do”. Maybe it was finding out you passed the bar exam.

This is one of those moments. It will be a magical, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring 10 seconds that will take your breath away.

So, which balcony should you get? Personally,I think we had the best balcony. It was on what is called “Dead-Man’s curve” or “Dead-man’s corner” by the foreigners. The Spaniards call it “La Curva Estafeta.”

It’s basically a 90 degree turn that the bulls and runners have to make half way through the track. A bull going at top speed around a 90 degree corner usually doesn’t bode well for the bull or the people caught on the outside of the bull. This corner is known for bulls slipping and massive pileups of bulls and people on top of each other (usually the former on top of the latter).

We saw a guy trip and fall and the bull step on his shoulder/neck area (yikes!)... don’t worry - he was ok.

Another great place to watch is Estafeta street. It’s a very long street so you can see a lot if you have a balcony there.

If you want to be at deadman’s curve, don’t just try to be there. Try to get a good corner spot. Some people are at the curve but since it’s 90 degrees they can only see the curve and one street.

We stayed at 21 Mercaderes St, 3rd floor balcony (you can book that through Gray). This was the best seat in the house. Also good would be 23 and 19, which were our neighbors.

Note - you MUST book the balcony ahead of time. Don’t roll in the day before and try to find a good balcony. You might be able to still get a decent balcony if you didn’t plan ahead, but don’t risk it and boom we’ll in advance for your balcony.

Enjoy your viewing party. It will be once-in-lifetime-experience!

Method #2 - Bullfight ring

The second best way to watch the Running of the Bulls Pamplona is to be in the bull fighting ring. So the entire run ends at the bull fighting ring.

If you watch from the ring, you will get somepre-game festivities of various bands playing for you, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of roaring spectators, you get to watch the entire run from start to finish on the big screen, and you’ll see the end of the run when hundreds of scared-shitless runners come flying though a narrow tunnel with the 8 or so bulls tearing down on them.

The tunnel is exciting because it’s not only the last part of the run, but it’s very narrow compared to the street and pile-ups often happen here (of the gore! You love the gore!).

Also, by this point of the run, sometimes you get straggler bulls, which are always the most fun for spectators (not so much for the runners). When bulls get separated from the pack, that’s when they’re most dangerous. They’ll often charge anyone and anything in their path.

We watched from the ring on our second day and saw a straggler bull fly into the ring and charge everyone and their mother who was in its way… fortunate for the runners, they got out of its way.

AND, maybe the best reason to watch from this ring is what happens AFTER the run… this is where the real crazy happens!

They let in steers (smaller, female bulls) and those steers start chasing and rearing the hundreds of people in the ring. They put something on their horns so they’re not as dangerous and won’t fire anyone, but the steers will spend at least five minutes attacking people, while they try to taunt and run. It is quite a spectacle and we saw lots of people getting tossed and trampled in the ring. The loud roar of the crowd as a steer flips a person over is quite a remarkable experience.

I, 100%, recommend you watch one of the bull runs from the stadium to get this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Quick side note. Don’t buy tickets from people ahead of time. You can easily buy tickets at the actual stadium the day before you want to watch. Just go there in person. There will be a few, short lines. It won’t sell out. They cost about 5-Euro/person. Some people online try to sell them to you for five times the cost.

So if you have two days, do one from the balcony and one from the ring.

Method #3 - Watch from the streets

I don’t recommend this method, but if we had stayed a third day, we would have done it.

The police and carpenters basically put up wooden railing throughout the track. Note, there is usually an interior railing and an exterior railing. Do NOT try to sit on the interior railing. We saw more than our fair share of people sit on the interior railing, then 7:15 struck and the police rolled in and cleared them all out. The interior portion is for the medics, media, police, and those who are running the track and need to jump out of the way.

By the way there is no one there who will tell you this beforehand. The police don’t warn you. You might get lucky if someone warns you… otherwise you’ll just get cleared out. And by the time that happens all the seating on the exterior rail is already taken up.

The railing is kind of like the balcony but you can’t see as much because you’re not as high up, it will be hard to see over the camera men, the bulls will run past you in about three seconds, the seats are not exactly seats and therefore not the most comfortable place to park your ass for two hours, you can’t reserve the seats ahead of time, and you have to get there early - probably by 6am at the latest if you want to have a chance to grab a spot to watch.

Now you know why this isn’t the best way to experience the bull run.

Method #4 - Run with the Bulls!

Best seat in the house will be when you’re three feet away from a bull’s horn! (No selfies allowed). Read on for more on Best Way to Run with the Bulls!

5) How to Run with the Bulls

So decided you want to run with the bulls, eh? Here are some tips to keep in mind

Tip #1: Watch a bull run first

If you’ve never witnessed a bull run live (TV doesn’t count), then first watch a run in person. It’s good to get a feel for the speed, timing and atmosphere before your drunk ass decides to jump in and flirt with a bull’s horns

Tip #2: Don’t be drunk

Not only is this a bad idea, you actually won’t be allowed to run if you’re drunk. When lining up to run with the bulls, the police will do a pat-down and also do a quick assessment of your BAL. If they think you’re too drunk, then won’t let you into the run.

The runs start at 8am, but you’ll have your pat down done around 7:15am’ish…

It’s a little hard to plan what time the alcohol will have left your body when you’re out boozing the night before but do try to plan accordingly.

Tip #3 - Make sure to line up at the start.

I’m actually not a 100% sure where the people start the run, but if you start following everyone else at 6am or ask around, you can’t miss it. Don’t just meander in the middle of the track and think you’re going to run. We actually saw a lot of people do this.

Around 7am the police and cleaning crew come in and clear out the track completely. The only way to get in is to line up with everyone else and get patted down.

Make sure you get there early! Probably by 7am at the latest. After that they start closing the track down and you may have to find your way around the city to get to the start.

Tip #4 - Only bring your phones and keys, but no selfies!

You can only bring your phone and keys with you. You can NOT bring go-pros :(. I initially wanted to buy a 360 Camera and/or go pro and do the run, but not only is it dangerous to try to film during the run it’s also illegal and you can be fined or smacked by a cop. It’s kind of like texting and driving. No selfie taking and bull running allowed!

Seriously do be careful about filming. The bulls come at rapid speed and if you try to whip out your camera, get a good frame, and film, it could end up as a real life meme “The last thing you ever saw”.

Tip #5 - Study the track beforehand

This is actually the most important tip. Gray, the guy who we booked with, offers private tours of the track for 50-Euros. That’s a steep price if you’re only watching the run, but if you’re running it, definitely do it!

The run is one of those things that might look easy, but the people that make it look easy are highly skilled and practiced (sure we all think we could make tha 30yard field goal to win the game or put on that Academy Award winning performance.

For example, did you know that if you ever fall around a bull, that you should stay down with your head tucked and risk other bulls stepping on you? You do not, under any circumstances, want to get up, until you are given the all clear by someone.

A few years ago, an American fell down next to a bull then immediately tried getting up again. He didn’t know that the bull’s vision is based on movement, so when the passing bull came by and saw the guy quickly stand up in front of him, the bull stuck his horn right into his backside, fatally wounding him.

You should always know your exit point. Learn the tips and tricks of the trade by doing a strategic walk through the track.

Tip #6 - Pick which area you want to run

There are different parts of the track to run. No one makes the entire run. It’s actually way too difficult to try to keep up with the bulls for the entire half mile run. There are different areas all with their different strategies, risks, and rewards.

Tip #7- There is no Liability waiver

It’s been said that Americans are the most likely to get injured. Spain is not America! Nowhere before the run are you going to be asked to sign a liability waiver. No one is going to warn you about the dangers and perils. Although most people end up ok, there are always injuries. The bull run can be dangerous, no matter where you are on the track. You can never fully anticipate what situation you’ll be put in. If you want to do it, do it… you’ll probably have a great time - but know that it’s a 100% do at your own risk, no lifeguard on duty.

Tip #8 - Be as bold as you want to be

There are varying degrees of “Running with the bulls”. It’s kind of like snowboarding. There is the bunny hill and blue path, and there are the diamonds and black diamonds.

You technically could go into the track and once the gun sounds off, you could quickly make your way to a barrier and get out of harm’s way… you’ll probably be fine if you do this.

Or you can risk the double black diamond and try to run alongside the bulls, but know you might end on the wrong side of he curve at Deadman’s Curve.

Know that you may see others running alongside the bulls. They are typically very well practiced. Don’t assume that if you see others doing it easily, you can too.

Tip #9 - Fall in Love

Running with the bulls is an addictive, exciting experience. It’s really inexplicable to the outside world. We watched only two run and started to fall in love with it. It’s an awe-inspiring, adrenaline- filled experience, even from the stands!

When you really start to talk to people and learn about the experience, you will find this deeply indulged sub-culture of bull runners. Gray started running 30 years ago. We met another guy from Ireland who found bull running after separating from his girlfriend. He found a family in Pamplona of other runners. They run together all over Spain, and it’s beautiful. They have been gored and hospitalized, but they keep coming back.

It’s a favorite hobby for them. It’s a beautiful past time. It’s a therapaeutic addiction. It gives them hope, life, and inspiration. They have a healthy balance and respect for the danger they flirt with and the love of the activity. It’s truly not something to be missed.

We came in wanting to experience it and left falling in love with it.

6) Other activities!

Pamplona is not just about the Running of the Bulls. There are lots, and I mean LOTS of other activities going on.

Sure the Pamplona bull run is definitely the highlight of the St. Fermin festival, but there are many other wonderful activities in the city.

Fireworks

Every night at 11am they set off a beautiful display of fireworks. A majority of the festival-goers make their way to he edge of old town to witness the beautiful display.

Kids Bull Run

Despite all the drinking and partying the St Fermin is a VERY family-friendly festival. There are lots of infants and families that attend and stay awake until the wee hours of the morning.

And believe it or not they have a kids bull run! This takes place every night at 9:30pm in front of the Ayuntamiento City Town hall building. So, it’s not an actual bull that does the Running, but they have a man in a giant bull costume that it loaded with sparkler fireworks that runs up and down that area and the kids can run from it. It’s not just a kid-event either. We had an awesome time witnessing the spectacle.

Bull fights

There are bull fights every single night. Beware as the bull fights are pretty much the epitome of animal cruelty. They take innocent and peaceful bulls and thrown them into the arena with a matador or two or more. The matador slowly teases the bull, then slowly stabs the bull until it dies.

We decided not to watch this because actually how bad and sad it is. While walking through town we did get a glimpse of it on the local TV and it was such a sad sight to see. Basically the poor bull was trying to get away and jump out of the arena but he couldn’t.

Bull fighting has been banned in the Catalonian region of Spain and I imagine within the next 20-30 years or sometime during our generation it will be banned entirely.

Acrobatic Bull Fights

Don’t want to watch a bull fight? Watch this spectacle! Unfortunately they don’t have this every day and it was challenging for us to find info about it online, but basically as an alternative to bull fighting these guys do acrobatic jumps over and around the bull. So when the bull charges m, instead of stabbing it, they do backflips over it. The photos and some of the online videos looked amazing but we were in Pamplona during the time when they didn’t have any of these shows.

Bull Ring Bull Run

I talked about this in a previous article but this was one of the most amazing spectacles I’ve seen. They have a female bull with hundreds of people in the ring. The steer will charge people and knock them flat on their ass. It’s crazy and exciting to watch.

Walk around the town

There are so many interesting and fun things to see in Pamplona during the St Fermin festival. Not even the locals know of everything going on. Some of it is probably planned and much of it unplanned. Every corner and nook either has a band of musicians playing, cheering party-goers, people dancing to Basque music, or a group of people waving giant flags, singing and playing instruments. It’s truly one of the most unique, spectacular and interesting festivals I’ve ever attended. It was much more amazing than I ever thought it would be.

7) Other things to note:

St Fermin Festival is VERY family friendly. This is not your typical drink-fest party filled with obnoxious drunks and fighting in the streets. It’s actually very civil and the people are very friendly. You will see plenty of people from all ages mixing and interacting. You will see grandmas and grandpas, some in wheelchairs out late at night. You will see dads carrying their kids around their back and neck. And of course you will your fair share of high school, 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s age group. It truly is an amazing and fun all ages event.

Don’t expect a tourist booth there to hand you a list of all the dates and times of every festivity. Speak to people there as many of them know about some of the festivities. Also just keep walking around as you’re bound to run into something cool and amazing.

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