If there is one country that I really love spending time in then it has got to be Spain. This country, on the south western party of Europe, was the second most visited country in the world a few years back, so I know I am not alone for my love of the country. Spain has got everything I want in a vacation destination, a warm climate, beaches, entertainment hot spots, nightlife and exciting festivals.
Spain really has some world renowned festivals. One of those is La Tomatina, held in Bunol, near Valencia. This festivals involves people throwing tomato at each other! But by far the biggest and best festival is the San Fermin, which is held in Pamplona every July. The San Fermin is best known for its crazy Running of the Bulls held every morning of the festival.
The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is something that I've always watched on TV with great intrigue. This year I made the decision to attend the world renowned San Fermin Festival between 6 and 14 July. I guess I love a bit of risk and a bit of a a challenge, so the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls just spells excitement and adventure to me. I can honestly say that you really have to see this Bull Run to believe it. It is truly out of this world.
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 will keep you guessing on that question as there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than run with the bulls. The whole town seemed to be in just one long party mood and it started early in the day and lasted well into the night. There are heaps of bars in Pamplona that are pumping during San Fermin. I really enjoyed going to tapas bars in the afternoon for a few snacks. Tapas is the perfect way to keep you going during San Fermin in between countless amounts of Sangria! The bars and restaurants open late in Spain, but I guess you also have to realise that everyone has a siesta after lunch, so a lot of Pamplona will be closed down in the afternoon. Day and night there was parades going on. Oh, make sure you catch the fireworks one night too. They are on around 11pm every night.
The answer I have to give when people ask me "So, did you actually run?" Is a blunt "Nope"! To be truthful I was horrified that people in the running of the bulls would simply just run over the top of people who had fallen in front of them and that really got me a scared. OK, yes I'm a chicken, but you should see the casualty report on TV when they do the run, some people were getting seriously hurt and not just from the hits from the bull! Just because I didn't run with the bulls doesn't mean I didn't have a fantastic time in Pamplona for San Fermin, as we still stayed the full seven days and enjoyed other parts of the festival immensely.
I have briefly visited Pamplona outside of San Fermin and it is a completely different place. You really need to be in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls to appreciate the atmosphere and experience what is pretty much a uniquely Spanish experience
Spain really has some world renowned festivals. One of those is La Tomatina, held in Bunol, near Valencia. This festivals involves people throwing tomato at each other! But by far the biggest and best festival is the San Fermin, which is held in Pamplona every July. The San Fermin is best known for its crazy Running of the Bulls held every morning of the festival.
The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is something that I've always watched on TV with great intrigue. This year I made the decision to attend the world renowned San Fermin Festival between 6 and 14 July. I guess I love a bit of risk and a bit of a a challenge, so the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls just spells excitement and adventure to me. I can honestly say that you really have to see this Bull Run to believe it. It is truly out of this world.
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 will keep you guessing on that question as there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than run with the bulls. The whole town seemed to be in just one long party mood and it started early in the day and lasted well into the night. There are heaps of bars in Pamplona that are pumping during San Fermin. I really enjoyed going to tapas bars in the afternoon for a few snacks. Tapas is the perfect way to keep you going during San Fermin in between countless amounts of Sangria! The bars and restaurants open late in Spain, but I guess you also have to realise that everyone has a siesta after lunch, so a lot of Pamplona will be closed down in the afternoon. Day and night there was parades going on. Oh, make sure you catch the fireworks one night too. They are on around 11pm every night.
The answer I have to give when people ask me "So, did you actually run?" Is a blunt "Nope"! To be truthful I was horrified that people in the running of the bulls would simply just run over the top of people who had fallen in front of them and that really got me a scared. OK, yes I'm a chicken, but you should see the casualty report on TV when they do the run, some people were getting seriously hurt and not just from the hits from the bull! Just because I didn't run with the bulls doesn't mean I didn't have a fantastic time in Pamplona for San Fermin, as we still stayed the full seven days and enjoyed other parts of the festival immensely.
I have briefly visited Pamplona outside of San Fermin and it is a completely different place. You really need to be in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls to appreciate the atmosphere and experience what is pretty much a uniquely Spanish experience
About the Author:
The events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel, has developed a new site that provides an extensive array of information and advice for the Pamplona Running of the Bulls, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities.
