destination

6th - 14th July 2026

Running of the bulls — Travel Guide

Run with bulls or cheer from a balcony — Pamplona throws Europe's wildest nine-day party.

Every July, the quiet northern Spanish city of Pamplona turns into the loudest party in Europe. For nine days the streets fill with over a million visitors, all dressed in white with red scarves around their necks, dancing to brass bands from morning to midnight. At the heart of it all is the encierro, the famous Running of the Bulls, where six fighting bulls thunder down an 875-metre stretch of old cobbled streets at 8 am sharp every day from 7 to 14 July. Ernest Hemingway wrote about this festival a hundred years ago and travellers have been coming ever since. You do not need to run to feel the rush. Most visitors watch safely from a balcony or from behind the wooden barriers, then spend the rest of the day on giant paella, fireworks and street concerts. Madrid is about ten hours by air from Delhi, and Pamplona is a short train ride from there. For Indian travellers, San Fermín 2026 runs from 6 to 14 July.

Pamplona in next 3 month

jan

-3/16°C

AQI 29
feb

-4/21°C

AQI 33
mar

-4/27°C

AQI 26
apr

5/34°C

AQI 32
may

8/32°C

AQI 32
jun

13/39°C

AQI 34
jul

18/41°C

AQI 35
aug

15/41°C

AQI 36
sep

10/33°C

AQI 30
oct

7/32°C

AQI 27
nov

0/20°C

AQI 28
dec

5/15°C

AQI 39

July in Spain is hot, particularly in the central and southern regions. Air quality may decrease slightly in urban areas.

Usual trip duration

1 week

For a week-long trip to Spain, you can explore the vibrant cities of Barcelona and Madrid, visit historic landmarks like the Alhambra in Granada, relax on the beaches of the Costa del Sol, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and cuisine of this beautiful country.

Moderate to expensive

Spain can offer a range of pricing for tourists, with moderate options for accommodations, dining, and transportation alongside more expensive choices in luxury hotels and fine dining. Prices can vary based on the region and the time of year, with popular tourist destinations being more expensive.

Prices can vary based on the season and preferences.

Interesting facts

The bull run course is just 875 metres long, from the Santo Domingo corrals to the Plaza de Toros bullring, and a typical run is over in two to four minutes.

Ernest Hemingway first visited the fiesta in 1923 and made it world famous in The Sun Also Rises, yet there is no record that he ever ran with the bulls himself.

Since record-keeping began in 1910, 16 people have died in the run; the most recent death was in 2009. The danger is real, which is why most visitors watch rather than run.

Pamplona has roughly 2,00,000 residents, but over a million visitors arrive during the nine festival days — like an entire Lucknow descending on a city the size of Aurangabad.

Entry to the festival and the run is completely free. Only runners aged 18 and above are allowed on the course, and being drunk on the course is banned.

Do’s and Don’ts

Book your hotel and balcony spot 3–6 months in advance; Pamplona sells out and prices rise three to five times over normal nights.

Wear the festival uniform — white kurta-style shirt and trousers with a red scarf (pañuelo) — available cheaply in local shops.

Watch your first run from a rented balcony (about ₹9,000–19,000 per person, often with breakfast) or reach the wooden barriers by 6:30 am for a free spot.

Keep digital and paper copies of your passport and visa; the crowds are dense and pickpockets know it.

Try pintxos on Calle Estafeta in the evening and carry a light jacket, since Navarre mornings are cool even in July.

Buy travel insurance that covers adventure activities if you are even thinking about running.

Don't run unless you are fit, sober, well-rested and have studied the course; first-time visitors should watch, not run. This is non-negotiable safety advice.

Don't carry a phone, camera or bag on the course if you run — it is against the rules and people have been gored while filming selfies.

Don't touch or taunt the bulls, and if you fall, stay down and cover your head until the herd passes.

Don't bring small children to the barrier crush at 8 am; watch the run on the giant screens or from a balcony instead.

Don't expect to find rooms on arrival; even hostels an hour away fill up during the festival.

Don't drink through the night and then run at 8 am — exhaustion causes most injuries.

Budget Breakdown

Travellers

0
1
1

Days

0
5
5

Flights

₹60,000

Stay

₹32,000

Local Transport

₹5,000

Dining

₹12,000

activities (balcony spot, bullfight, tours)

₹6,000

Visa

₹10,600

Total Estimated

₹125,600

Visa Details

Visa Starting From
₹10,600
Get Visa In
15–25 days
Documents Required:
Passport
Visa application form
Photographs
Return flight tickets
Day-wise itinerary
Hotel bookings
Travel insurance
Bank statements
ITR
Employment proof
Cover letter

Things to do

All
palace
island
park
square
museum
cathedral
amusement park
house
mountains
national park
stadium
aqueduct
Alhambra

4.8

Alhambra

PALACE

Stunning Moorish architecture and gardens
Ibiza

4.6

Ibiza

ISLAND

Famous for nightlife and beautiful beaches
Park Guell

4.4

Park Guell

PARK

Colorful mosaic sculptures and architecture
Plaza Mayor

4.6

Plaza Mayor

SQUARE

Historic square with vibrant atmosphere
Prado Museum

4.7

Prado Museum

MUSEUM

World-class art collection
Seville Cathedral

4.8

Seville Cathedral

CATHEDRAL

Gothic masterpiece with a rich history
Toledo Cathedral

4.7

Toledo Cathedral

CATHEDRAL

Gothic and Mudejar architectural marvel
Alcazar of Seville

4.7

Alcazar of Seville

PALACE

Royal palace with stunning gardens
Tibidabo Amusement Park

4.4

Tibidabo Amusement Park

AMUSEMENT PARK

Vintage rides with panoramic views
Guggenheim Museum

4.5

Guggenheim Museum

MUSEUM

Architectural masterpiece with modern art
Casa Batllo

4.6

Casa Batllo

HOUSE

Fantastical Gaudi-designed building
Sierra Nevada

4.6

Sierra Nevada

MOUNTAINS

Skiing and snow sports in winter
Teide National Park

4.8

Teide National Park

NATIONAL PARK

Volcanic landscapes and hiking trails
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

4.6

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

STADIUM

Home of Real Madrid football club
Segovia Aqueduct

4.8

Segovia Aqueduct

AQUEDUCT

Ancient Roman engineering marvel

Restaurants

Retiro Da Costiña

4.8

Retiro Da Costiña

Disfrutar

4.8

Disfrutar

La Mi Venta

4.7

La Mi Venta

Restaurante Desde 1911

4.8

Restaurante Desde 1911

El Nacional Barcelona

4.4

El Nacional Barcelona

ELKANO

4.7

ELKANO

La Tasquería

4.6

La Tasquería

Restaurante Arrels

4.6

Restaurante Arrels

Casa Chesmy

4.6

Casa Chesmy

Taberna El Sur

4.5

Taberna El Sur

Sacha Restaurant

4.6

Sacha Restaurant

Cap Roig

4.5

Cap Roig

Aiyanna Ibiza

4.5

Aiyanna Ibiza

Restaurant ABaC

4.4

Restaurant ABaC

Akelarre Restaurant | Pedro Subijana

4.5

Akelarre Restaurant | Pedro Subijana

Mercat des Peix (Fish Market)

4.1

Mercat des Peix (Fish Market)

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Running of the Bulls in 2026?

The San Fermín festival runs from 6 to 14 July 2026 in Pamplona, Spain. The bull runs happen every morning at 8 am from 7 to 14 July — eight runs in total. The opening chupinazo ceremony is at noon on 6 July.

Is the Running of the Bulls free to watch?

Yes, watching the festival and the run is free. Street-level spots behind the wooden barriers cost nothing but fill up by 6:30 am. Balcony spots above the route are paid, roughly ₹9,000–19,000 per person, and are the most comfortable and safest view.

Can Indians run with the bulls in Pamplona?

Yes, any adult aged 18 or above can run, and there is no registration or fee. But the run is genuinely dangerous — 16 people have died since 1910 and injuries happen every year. ixigo's honest advice: watch your first San Fermín from a balcony and decide later.

How dangerous is the Running of the Bulls?

It is one of the most dangerous festival events in the world. Bulls weigh over 500 kg and the cobbled lanes are slippery and packed. Most injuries come from falls and crowd crush rather than horns, which is why sober, trained runners fare best and casual tourists should watch instead.

How do I reach Pamplona from India?

Fly from Delhi or Mumbai to Madrid, usually with one stop, in around 10–13 hours. From Madrid, direct Renfe/Alvia trains reach Pamplona in about 3 hours from ₹2,000. You can also fly into Barcelona or Bilbao and connect by train or bus.

How much does a San Fermín trip cost from India?

Budget about ₹1.3–2.2 lakh per person for 5 days, including flights, visa, stay, food and a balcony spot. Costs swing widely because Pamplona hotel rates triple or more during the festival. Booking 3–6 months early is the single biggest money-saver.

What should I wear at San Fermín?

White shirt, white trousers and a red scarf around the neck — the entire city dresses this way. Outfits cost a few hundred rupees' worth of euros in local shops. Add comfortable closed shoes, because you will walk and stand for hours.

Do I need a visa for the San Fermín festival?

Yes, Indians need a Schengen visa for Spain, applied through BLS International centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata. It starts at about ₹10,600 and takes 15–25 working days in summer. Apply 6–8 weeks before your July trip.

Where do I stay for the Running of the Bulls?

Stay inside Pamplona's old town if budget allows, since the action starts at 8 am. Festival-time rooms run €300–1,500 a night in the centre, so many travellers stay in nearby towns like Tudela or San Sebastián and take early trains or buses in.

Is San Fermín suitable for families with kids?

Yes, with planning. Mornings have children's parades with giant puppets and the fireworks are family favourites. Keep kids away from the 8 am barrier crowds and the late-night party zones; a balcony view works well for families.

Can I see the bulls without watching a bullfight?

Yes. You can watch the morning run, visit the corrals viewpoint and enjoy the parades without attending the evening bullfight, which is a separate ticketed event. Many visitors skip the bullfight entirely.

Which is the best day to attend San Fermín?

6 July for the chupinazo opening if you love crowds at their peak, or 8–11 July for slightly easier hotel prices with the same 8 am runs. Hotel rates can drop up to 40% after the opening days, so mid-festival is the value pick.

New Delhi to Doha Flights

Bengaluru to Trivandrum Flights

Varanasi to New Delhi Flights

Hyderabad to Tirupati Flights

Hyderabad to Goa Flights

Doha to Kolkata Flights

New Delhi to Dibrugarh Flights

Vishakhapatnam to New Delhi Flights

Kochi to Guwahati Flights

Mumbai to Amritsar Flights

New Delhi to Ayodhya Flights

Pune to Varanasi Flights

Pune to Patna Flights

Hyderabad to Bagdogra Flights

Chennai to Guwahati Flights

Muscat to New Delhi Flights

Doha to Lucknow Flights

Pune to Nagpur Flights

Chennai to Ahmedabad Flights

Chennai to Patna Flights

playstore
appStore

© 2026 Le Travenues Technology Ltd. India. All brands are trademarks of their respective owners

• Privacy• Terms Of Use• Careers• Customer Service• About Us• Investor Relations• CSR