Spain is a fabulous holiday destination and the fact that a few years back it was the second most visited country in the world after France gives you an indication of its popularity. Its mild climate, its sandy beaches, its entertainment hot spots, nightlife and festivals ensure Spain remains a sparkling gem in the tourism crown.
Of the many festivals in Spain, it is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona that pricks my interest the most. Apparently anyone over 18 can jump right in and take part. You just have to understand the few simple rules and abide by them.
I wasn't really sure before going to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls whether I would have the guts to actually run, but I thought I would look first and make my decision later. Nevertheless, it is something that I've always watched on TV and thought "This looks crazy!". Well once I made my mind up to go, I guess there was no going back, so when we booked the trip for the whole San Fermin festival between July 6 and July 14 I knew I would have to give it ago.
One thing that I didn't realise is that most towns and cities across Spain have an annual festival that involves a morning Bull Run. However, it is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona that everyone wants to go to. I fortunately did my homework and discovered that during the Pamplona Bull Run accommodation can be very expensive. If you want to do things on a bit of a budget then there are a few camp sites close to Pamplona. There is also tour operators that do Pamplona tours, where they plan everything for you, including transport, bed and breakfast. I certainly wasn't on a low budget for my Pamplona Bull Run trip, so we were booked into a hotel known as Gran Hotel La Perla. This hotel had a great location with a balcony that looked over the road where the running of the bulls took place.
The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally chaotic experience, some would say it is for the insane. I wanted to be insane just this once, envisioning the faces of friends and family back home when I relayed the events. One thing is for sure, my friend and I were intending to be part of the week long party and the ongoing flow of traditional sangria.
I know Im keeping you guessing on the bull run, but I have to tell you there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than the Bull Run. The parties start early and go long into the night. There are so many little bars we went to and ate some really tasty food at some cool local restaurants. Quite often though we would just go to a tapas bar and have some snacks. Tapas is perfect to keep you going during San Fermin's not stop party. The bars and restaurants open late, but remember, in Spain they have a siesta in the afternoon so Pamplona, even during San Fermin, is like a ghost town. There is still plenty happening throughout the day and night with parades and what not, as well as the fireworks that happen around 11pm each night.
Ok, so back to the Bull Run. When it finally came time for me to run with the bulls, I said no. I have to say I was actually not happy with the participants in the running of the bulls. When I saw people simply pounding over the people who had fallen in front of them it got me a little worried. Like I watched the casualty report on the first morning after the bull run and some people were seriously hurt. We did however stay for the full seven days, because I really enjoyed that there was simply more to the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona than a crazy and insane Bull Run.
The San Fermin festival is brilliant to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere and hang out with the people, because everyone is there enjoying themselves and having a great time. The San Fermin Festival in Pamplona should be on every ones to do list. It is just so much fun.
Of the many festivals in Spain, it is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona that pricks my interest the most. Apparently anyone over 18 can jump right in and take part. You just have to understand the few simple rules and abide by them.
I wasn't really sure before going to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls whether I would have the guts to actually run, but I thought I would look first and make my decision later. Nevertheless, it is something that I've always watched on TV and thought "This looks crazy!". Well once I made my mind up to go, I guess there was no going back, so when we booked the trip for the whole San Fermin festival between July 6 and July 14 I knew I would have to give it ago.
One thing that I didn't realise is that most towns and cities across Spain have an annual festival that involves a morning Bull Run. However, it is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona that everyone wants to go to. I fortunately did my homework and discovered that during the Pamplona Bull Run accommodation can be very expensive. If you want to do things on a bit of a budget then there are a few camp sites close to Pamplona. There is also tour operators that do Pamplona tours, where they plan everything for you, including transport, bed and breakfast. I certainly wasn't on a low budget for my Pamplona Bull Run trip, so we were booked into a hotel known as Gran Hotel La Perla. This hotel had a great location with a balcony that looked over the road where the running of the bulls took place.
The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally chaotic experience, some would say it is for the insane. I wanted to be insane just this once, envisioning the faces of friends and family back home when I relayed the events. One thing is for sure, my friend and I were intending to be part of the week long party and the ongoing flow of traditional sangria.
I know Im keeping you guessing on the bull run, but I have to tell you there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than the Bull Run. The parties start early and go long into the night. There are so many little bars we went to and ate some really tasty food at some cool local restaurants. Quite often though we would just go to a tapas bar and have some snacks. Tapas is perfect to keep you going during San Fermin's not stop party. The bars and restaurants open late, but remember, in Spain they have a siesta in the afternoon so Pamplona, even during San Fermin, is like a ghost town. There is still plenty happening throughout the day and night with parades and what not, as well as the fireworks that happen around 11pm each night.
Ok, so back to the Bull Run. When it finally came time for me to run with the bulls, I said no. I have to say I was actually not happy with the participants in the running of the bulls. When I saw people simply pounding over the people who had fallen in front of them it got me a little worried. Like I watched the casualty report on the first morning after the bull run and some people were seriously hurt. We did however stay for the full seven days, because I really enjoyed that there was simply more to the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona than a crazy and insane Bull Run.
The San Fermin festival is brilliant to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere and hang out with the people, because everyone is there enjoying themselves and having a great time. The San Fermin Festival in Pamplona should be on every ones to do list. It is just so much fun.
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For an extensive array of information and advice for the Pamplona Running of the Bulls, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities you should contact the events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel.
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