Quick Answer
San Fermín runs from noon on July 6 to midnight on July 14, 2027, in Pamplona, with the festival's signature event — the encierro, or Running of the Bulls — held every morning at 8:00am from July 7 through July 14 along a roughly 875-metre course to the city's bullring.
When
Jul 6–14, 2027
Where
Pamplona Old Town, Navarre, Spain
Est. Daily Budget
€220–€380 (mid-range)
When to Book
The bull run itself is free to watch, and open to registered participants who follow strict safety rules — no ticket is needed for spectators along the route or from a balcony. Pamplona's hotels sell out months ahead for the festival week and prices climb sharply, so book accommodation as early as possible.
San Fermín is Pamplona's nine-day festival honoring the city's patron saint, running from noon on July 6 to midnight on July 14, 2027. It's built around the encierro — the Running of the Bulls — held every morning of the festival at 8:00am, when six bulls (plus accompanying steers) are released to run alongside participants along a fenced route through the old town to the bullring, a tradition that draws visitors from around the world.
The festival's roots go back to medieval religious processions honoring Saint Fermín, originally held on his September 25 feast day. In 1592, the celebration was moved to July to align with better summer weather and the town's cattle markets — the same practical reasoning that put bulls in the streets to begin with, since driving cattle to the bullring for the evening bullfights created the run in the first place. Pamplona's tradition of running ahead of the bulls on that route may date to the 16th century or earlier, making it one of Europe's oldest continuously observed public spectacles.
San Fermín's global fame owes a great deal to one visitor. Ernest Hemingway attended the festival in 1923, returned in 1924 and 1925, and turned the experience into his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises — the book that introduced San Fermín to an international audience and set off the surge of foreign visitors that continues today. A statue of Hemingway now stands outside the Pamplona bullring in recognition.
The Encierro: How It Works
The run itself
Each morning from July 7-14 at 8:00am sharp, a rocket signals the release of the bulls from the Santo Domingo corral. Runners — mostly local and experienced, though open to any adult participant willing to follow strict safety rules — sprint ahead of the animals along the roughly 875-metre fenced route to the Plaza de Toros. The run typically lasts two to three minutes.
Watching safely
You do not need to run to experience the encierro. Spectators line the route behind the wooden barriers or watch from balconies along Calle Estafeta and Santo Domingo — both offer a close, safe view of one of Spain's most famous traditions without the real risk that comes with running.
How Much Does a Trip Cost?
San Fermín's costs are driven almost entirely by accommodation — Pamplona is an ordinary-sized Spanish city that briefly hosts festival-week crowds far beyond its normal capacity, and hotel prices rise accordingly.
| Budget Tier | Daily Cost (EUR) | Accommodation | Viewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | €90 – €150 | Hostel/shared room at festival rates | Free spectating along the route |
| Mid-Range | €220 – €380 | Mid-range Pamplona hotel | Paid balcony or grandstand spot |
| Luxury | €500 – €1,200+ | Premium Old Town accommodation | Private balcony package, bullring seating |
Getting There & Around
Logistics
- Pamplona Airport (PNA) has limited direct routes; most visitors fly into Bilbao (BIO) or Madrid (MAD) and connect by train or bus — roughly 1-2 hours from Bilbao, around 3 hours from Madrid.
- Pamplona's compact old town is entirely walkable, and the festival closes many central streets to traffic.
- The 8:00am run start means arriving at your viewing spot well before dawn if you want a good position behind the barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the 2027 San Fermín dates?
The festival runs from noon on July 6 to midnight on July 14, 2027, with the daily Running of the Bulls held each morning from July 7 through July 14 at 8:00am.
Is it safe to watch the Running of the Bulls?
Yes — watching from behind the barriers or a balcony along the route is standard and safe. Running with the bulls carries genuine injury risk and is intended only for prepared, experienced participants who understand the route and rules.
Why is San Fermín held in July instead of the saint's actual feast day?
Saint Fermín's traditional feast day is September 25; the festival moved to July in 1592 for better weather and to coincide with the town's cattle markets, which is also how bulls came to be driven through the streets in the first place.
Fact-Checking & Sources
Status: CONFIRMED · Last verified against the sources below on 2026-09-19. Event dates, venues, and pricing can change — always confirm critical details on the official event website before booking non-refundable travel.
- Official SourceSpain.info — San Fermín Festival Calendar
- Authoritative SourceRunningOfTheBulls.com — 2027 Dates
