Pamplona, known for it's enduring Fiesta de San Fermin and the running of the bulls, the "encierro", is the capital of Navarra, and home to a rich history of northern Spain. There are a lot of misconceptions and truths about Pamplona during the fiesta. All have some basis of fact, but most people are surprised once they actually arrive and feel the vibrant life of the city during fiesta.Normally a quite, predominantly middle class city with a little over 180,000 inhabitants, the city comes alive at noon on the 6th of July with the chupinazo, the firing of the rockets announcing the start of the fiesta. The streets and plazas of the old city are filled with ten of thousands of celebrators, most from around Navarra and the Basque country, but a fair number of foreigners, some from as far away as China and Japan, can be found in the crowd. The excitement and energy level continues through mid-night of 14th with the 'Probe de mi', a somewhat somber ceremony bringing an end to another fiesta with the thought that there is less than a year to go to the next Sanfermines. And the countdown begins all over again.For those interested in visiting Pamplona for the fiesta, I would suggest that you start planning at least six months in advance, if not earlier. On an average day you will find between 30 to 40 thousand visitors filling the city and far more during the opening days of the fiesta, the 6th, 7th and 8th. Hotel space is at a premium during the fiesta, even though the city is a major destination for conventions the rest of the year. A few newer hotels have been build outside of the city limits, but these are not convenient for most people who might want to go back to their room for a rest during the middle of the day, between the end of lunch and the corrida. Taxis are often hard to find because, like everyone else who lives in this city, it's fiesta and they want to be with their families as much as possible.Pamplona is a city that welcomes everyone for the fiesta, regardless. When you go try to dress in the traditional costume of white pants and shirt with a red bandanna (pañuelico) and sash. You'll find that you begin to feel at home almost immediately and are welcomed everywhere.

I wouldn't recommend Pamplona as a general destination. I went in August and it seemed the whole place was shut. The bars closed early, many of the shops were shuttered, and it was a pretty dull town. The food was terrible too. It was an interesting place to stop off in for a few hours, but I wouldn't recommend it as a short-break destination.

Pamplona has received a reputation as a great place to party during the fiesta in July. The city and Navarra have much more to offer during the Fiesta de San Fermin, but the key remains the encierro. There is no place else in the world this happens and a lot of it has to do with the acceptance of the people of Pamplona of outsiders. The fiesta itself, Sanfermines, is religious in nature, a celebration of the Patron Saint of Pamplona, and has been combined with the encierro, "the running of the bulls", as a way of consolidating the two events, making for one of life's great moments, repeated every July 7th.

The encierro can be the most exhilarating experience you will ever encounter, but it can also be the deadliest. Every year thousands of people arrive in Pamplona from all over the world having no idea what they are about to get themselves into, often with dire consequences.

My only advice is to gather a little more information before you arrive and find yourself in the middle of the street with no place to go. Dozens found themselves on the wrong end of the horns again this year and it seems to get worst every year. Try to remember, a fighting bull is not a farm animal, he is a killer, born to fight and that's all he does. There is a way to "run with the bulls" and do it successfully, but it takes experience. If nothing else, ask someone who has been there. I'm sure they will be glad to give you some advice.



!Viva Sanfermin! !Gora Sanfermin!