I am a huge thrill seeker and this was truly the ultimate rush. After running with bulls, i feel like skydiving is best left for infants and toddlers. I am all that is man, gahhhhhh! Seriously awesome. Do not worry about bringing your whites because you can buy them there for very cheap and you can definitely negotiate. So if you are with a group I suggest buying together to get some good rates. However, it may be a good idea to get something with zippered pockets ahead of time because San Fermin is ideal for pickpocketers and the pants they sell are very flimsy. My safety tips: FOR RUNNING, Don't be stupid and drink all night before. We walked the course the night before, had a few beers, and talked to people who had run that morning about the best approach. Got some great advice but I don't want to ruin the experience for you. Just be sure to get there by 6:30 AM to get a good spot in the main plaza where people start. I recommend a chest or helmet cam because a hand camera might get you pulled by the cops and you will not be allowed to run. IN THE ARENA, go slap that bulls ass because touching a wild bull is pretty fucking cool. Do not grab the horns, pull the tail, or ride it because the locals will beat the ever loving shit out of you. The worst injuries I saw were tourists getting their asses kicked for disrespecting the bull. It is considered very disrespectful to do these things. If you get knocked by a bull in the arena or while running definitely do fetal position. Taking on a bull is pretty retarded. The Spaniards will help you up after and will also help you if the bull is actually attacking you. Also bulls don't like Gangnam Style shirts and they will try to end your life if you wear one. PARTYING: Drink all night stay close with friends and watch your pockets. Stay on the running route for most tourists. Get off the route a little to party with the locals (they are actually very welcoming). Get ready for the sweetest festival in the world. If you are going to go to the festival, RUN! You will feel like your testicles grew about 4 cm in diameter afterwards. So go there, run, make love to your girl, and conceive superhuman kids that will conquer the world one day. read more

Festival de San Fermin - Craziest and most exciting moment ever - Festivals Near Me - Pamplona, NA

Being from New Orleans, this is comparable to Mardi Gras. Both should be experienced at least twice in your life. Once to get your bearings and the other time to do everything again, but better. Try to stay as close to the action as possible. Either run with the bulls or grab a seat in the arena. Plan on getting little sleep. Have fun. read more

Festival de San Fermin - The packed arena after the morning running of the bulls. - Festivals Near Me - Pamplona, NA

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What a party. Lodging is the only thing that is expensive. Everything else is cheap. Food, wine, beer and good times. I didn't give it five stars because of the amount of urine i encountered. if you are considering taking part in the Encierro, i recommend taking it easy the night before, because you have to wake up early. 8AM start time and you have to be there early or else they don't let you in. i don't know how to really explain the craziness that is this party. you really do have to go and see for yourself. If vacationing and having a pleasant time is what you are looking for, I recommend avoiding this city from the 6th, till the 14th of July. If you want to go insane from not sleeping, then crack open the piggy bank. read more

Festival de San Fermin - Festivals Near Me - Pamplona, NA

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"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.." -Tyson So, before the trip there was maps, street names, videos, tips and tricks.. After the sound of one gun, initial panic strikes. People start moving ahead. Another gun sounds, and a second wave of panic begins. Elbows have to be out and most if not all are already running. The torros have been released and if you can wait till the very last minute, watch the camera zooming up top. You see that, you gun it. Only until then, you will be running with the Bulls. It will be the second fastest minute of your life. Actually, a minute is hopeful. And as soon as the waves pass you, then you can rest relax and have a cerveza.. And if that wasn't enough for you. Try to go run into the arena. But do so at your own risk. This has been one of the more dangerous events in quite some time. GoPros are frowned upon but still able to sneak by. Smartphones will be asked to be put away. Hats/ glasses may have you whisked away. And bags or any recording equipment will get you a personal escort out of the actual running. read more

Festival de San Fermin - Group takin a celfì.. (See the blur running towards em) - Festivals Near Me - Pamplona, NA

I went here during off season of the festival, but I checked out the starting gate where they release the bulls from. I hear they are a lot of people from Japan who are "crazy" enough to run with the bulls. No thanks for me, at least. read more

Festival de San Fermin - Pamplona - the gate where they release the bulls for Festival de San Fermin - Festivals Near Me - Pamplona, NA

Unique! Like no other in the world!!! (if you don't mind the Spanish "Corridas" in the afternoon and "El Encierro" each morning!

What a rush! The run itself was so intense and I probably experienced every emotion that day. We were all dressed up in all white with the red bandana and sash. They sell the get up there so dont worry. The city was.......well...smelly. It kinda feels like a giant frat party/rave and so many Euro guys poop-faced everywhere you look. The roads were so sticky from all the vomit, pee and poop lol. Be careful to watch your belonging read more

Everyone should make the effort to see this. Its a little chaotic, but whether you decide to run or get a great seat in the stadium or arena, it is definitely worth seeing. We stayed just outside of the action about 15-20 mins away. It was the perfect location. Almost everyone at the hotel was going to the festival. Its expensive to stay right where the action is so just outside is fine. Everyone is going there so all of the taxis are headed that way. Any driver knows where to go so staying there wasn't an issue at all. We purchased our clothing there. Don't worry about bring it because it can get very dirty! But wear the red and white... its a fun tradition and we loved taking photos in it. We looked silly and nothing fit well, but it was so fun. The weather was a little chilly so we purchased a red sweatshirt and white pants. If you go into the stadium, get there early to secure a good spot. If you sit up front, try to be polite and not stand when the action starts. I don't really have much advice for you if you run because I didn't. However, I was told that Bulls tend to move in a straight line so don't stand in a corner of a turn. Also when you get into the arena, spread out because they will eventually send bulls out of an opening from the opposite end of where they ran in from. Then you can see where the action is coming from and get as close as you want. Some runners seemed a little shocked when bulls started coming out again after the initial running. The whole experience is worth seeing, but a little tough to handle. You start to feel bad for the bulls when they send them into the arena. You eventually realize how small they are. Its like an adult picking on a child. I didn't expect the emotions that came over me. The firework show at night is amazing. It lasted longer than expected. Also, be careful there's a DUI (or whatever their equivalent is) checkpoint if you drove in. They posted up on the freeway and luckily my girlfriend was completely sober so we had no issues. However, there were several cars next to the check point. It seems that they asked them to pull over to the side if they didn't pass the breathalyzer test. This would be a quick way to ruin a fun trip. read more

If there was a festival by which all others should be measured, this would be it. I had the pleasure of participating in El Encierro (the Running of the Bulls) twice when I was backpacking through Europe. I can't imagine any other way to experience festivals like San Fermin. You simply have to immerse yourself into the culture, get dirty, and get with the locals and other wordly travelers. While you'll meet some who's attending for the first time, you'll certainly meet others who make it a yearly tradition. Regarding El Encierro, my one piece of advice is to stay on the inside of La Curva de Mercaderes. Ask the locals when you get there, they'll know what I mean. read more

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I adored everything about this festival!! While it is very busy and can be expensive, there's ways to enjoy yourself even if you are an introvert and don't want to spend all the money. Things to note, in level of importance: #1. Don't be an ass. Don't be THAT tourist. I'm talking about the obnoxiously loud tourist who makes consistent sexist, ignorant comments, cussing every other word while talking about how he's hammered already. At noon. Oh yes, he was American. And I had the pleasure of sitting behind him for four freaking hours on the train to Pamplona. Please, mind your manners. You are a guest. Just because they don't all speak the language doesn't mean they don't understand what an obnoxious prick you're being. #2. DO NOT MESS WITH THE BULLS. I saw more than a few people get slapped and beat up by locals when they intentionally tried to trip the bulls or grab their horns or tails. The locals were suprisingly very protective of the bulls. I saw more than a few locals who had old whites and reds on, as this was a custom in their family for many decades and they took the run very seriously. #3. Book at least a few months in advance, if you can. If you book near old town, close to the run or citadel, know there are festivities until 3am and it will get loud! Otherwise I recommend staying 10-15mins out of the city center. It's so easy to get around by bus, costing 1.6€ and you'll have more choices at better prices. #4. Bring your whites! You can get reasonably priced white clothes at the festival but they'll be poor quality. Bring whites and stick to buying your reds at the festival. #5. The bull run, everyone talks about. But the other events are also worth it! The food in the night market is glorious! I especially loved Casa de Cantabria - wow! Fresh seafood, smooth red sangria, great prices. In different areas all over town are different events such as concerts, Spanish dancing, fireworks, even mini-festivals for kids. It was wonderful to experience. I highly recommend coming for the opening ceremonies. It is, of course, the busiest time of the festival so it's craaazy. The opening day is when they have the big wine party, essentially a huge party with everyone in the streets shaking up red wine over each other. We stayed for a day and a half and it was enough for us but we are not big partiers or drinkers, so we didn't mind missing some things. As a cultural event it was wonderful to be a part of, especially watching the bull ring, where everyone would shout and hold their breath and react as one. Do not feel bad for these guys who get knocked out because they know exactly what they're getting into. The big, adult bulls are used for the run but young bulls are put in for the chase after. They're switched every few minutes and all these people running around just act like acrobatic clowns, seriously, jumping over the bulls and waving flags and making a spectacle of themselves for the crowd. I saw two guys get knocked out because of their shenanigans and the others brought them right away to waiting EMTs at the edge of the arena. While I initially had reservations about how much I would enjoy the whole spectacle, it was refreshingly thought out and I really enjoyed myself. Good food and things to do for the entire family. It was a great festival! read more

Do not book your Running of the Bulls Balcony with Pamplonaman.com. He scammed me, and numerous others, by taking our money to pay for a balcony spot during the festival. At the last minute, I received a cancellation notice, and now, almost 3 weeks later I still have not received a refund. In fact, they refuse to even return a phone call or email. It is a complete fraud and ruined my trip to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. read more

I'm really glad I ran with the bulls, but I don't know if I'd do it again. The fact that I didn't get hurt was more luck than strategy or technique. Just before the ran started, someone told me to re-tie my bandana. "You need a slip knot in case your bandana gets caught on a bull's horn. That happened to a someone yesterday and he was dragged 60 feet." I stayed at La Perla, the hotel Hemingway used to stay at. The location is perfect, right on the old town square, which is ground zero for all the action. It was 973 Euros during the festival, and 151 for the two days I stayed after the festival was over. Still, I'm glad I stayed there to be right in the middle of it all. I spent a year getting ready by running laps, but that didn't help at all and wasn't necessary. You might be running within 5-10 feet of the bulls for maybe 30 seconds. Probably less. It's not about endurance. it's about balance and staying on your feet. read more

The local food is amazing! The service sucks and they will charge you way more if you don't speak Spanish!!! We were charged 15 euros instead of 7 euros for our lunch! read more

Running with the bulls is perhaps the biggest rush of adrenaline ive ever had. Be ready to run, jump, scream, push, and get trampled on. Stay to the right on the curves. Drink but dont be wasted! read more

have jumped solo from planes, free climbed in Joshua Tree under uhm... influence (then panicked to see how far up i was), survived a train crash. but i drew the line on living dangerously by not running with several ton beasts who had to know they would be killed at bullring that evening. did watch two days of the wild, mad spectacle in 2003, safe on a balcony and at the arena. to Alex B. who's about to brave the bulls, run very fast or behind the pack. and mind the escape gaps. buena suerte dude. read more

Pamplona is a fairly sleepy city until the Festival de San Fermin begins, then it's just non stop eating, drinking and partying.. This festival definitely isn't for everyone especially for the hippies and animal lovers.. But for me i enjoyed the thrill while my nerves rose as the seconds tick down to the running of the bulls... While my heart rate sky rocketed i realised that the scariest thing about the run wasn't the bull but more so the hundreds of people running for their lives.. Entering the arena in one piece was just the start of the experience you then had to avoid the bulls from gorging you as people constantly stirred up the bulls... Even though the bulls that were released in the arena were only young and corked at the tip of their horns i still saw them do a lot of damage to various people... If you aren't game to run with the bulls then you can still attended the street parties especially on the opening ceremony... Though i'd advise people who like their personal space not to attend the town hall just before the mayor opens the festival if you don't want to feel like sardines in a can... Because once you are in the town hall it's very difficult to get out... It's something you can only understand if you have experience it before... Their are plenty of other places to celebrate the festivities like the hundreds of delicious restaurants and bars the city has to offer... Would i got back? 100% read more