2-Day San Fermín Festival Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. San Fermín runs from 6 to 14 July every year, so Day 1 is 5 July. Book rooms very early and check ahead for the program.Details

The date rule: San Fermín always runs from 6 to 14 July. The rocket is at noon on the 6th, the procession of San Fermín is on the 7th, and a bull run takes place each morning from the 7th. Day 1 here is the 5th, the eve. Hotels sell out, so book early and check ahead.
The bull run: The encierro is dangerous: injuries and deaths happen. This page does not plan taking part. If you watch, it is from an official place, and you must arrive very early, often before dawn. Some people would rather not see a bull event at all, and that is a fair choice.
Being a good guest: White clothes and a red scarf are the custom, and the scarf goes on after the rocket. Expect to be splashed with wine, so wear old clothes. Ask before photos, give people room, and do not climb onto fences or balconies. Stay quiet during the religious moments.
Heat, then Day 1: The old town is packed day and night, and July is hot. Drink water, carry a small bag worn in front, and pick a meeting point in case you lose your group. Buses and trains fill, so plan your way in and out ahead. Day 1 is the eve, spent in the old town around the cathedral.

Day 1. The bullring and the avenues and The cathedral and the Navarrería

4 stops · 1.1 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningDangerous, plan carefully
Calle Estafeta
A long, narrow old street that is part of the route of the encierro, which usually starts at eight in the morning. The run is dangerous, and this page does not plan taking part. Watching is from official places that fill very early, so check ahead, or watch on a screen at a cafe. The giants and big-heads parades usually pass through the old town during the morning.
Go when Not for taking part. If watching, arrive very early, often before dawn.
Local tip This page does not plan running. Watch only from an official place, never from a fence or a balcony not meant for it, and follow police and stewards. Some people would rather skip a bull event, and that is fair.
About 4 min walk0.3 km
2
MorningWorth the time
Pamplona Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral of Pamplona, with a calm cloister, tall vaults and a neoclassical front, in the oldest part of town. A cool and quiet start before the crowds. Dress modestly and check ahead for entry.
Go when Morning, before the heat and the crowd.
Local tip Walk the cloister, which is the best part. Cover your shoulders and knees, keep your voice low and check ahead for entry during the fiesta.
Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
Cordero al chilindron
Lamb stewed with sweet peppers and tomato in a rich, red sauce, a dish of Navarre and Aragon. A rich lunch on a festival day.
Local tip Peppers and lamb are both in the dish. Tell the staff about any allergy first.
About 2 min walk0.2 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Walls of Pamplona
The long ring of old stone ramparts around the old town, with a green path along the top, gates and lookouts over the river valley. A calm walk away from the crowd, in the best shade late in the day.
Go when Afternoon, where there is shade, or at dusk.
Local tip Walk a stretch of the top and look over the valley. The paths can be uneven and the drop is steep in places, so stay back from the edge.
Photo: José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 8 min walk0.6 km
4
EveningSensitive, your choice
Plaza de Toros
The bullring at the end of the encierro route, one of the largest in Spain. Bullfights are held here in the evenings in fiesta week and are part of the festival's tradition. Views on them differ widely: some people love them and others object strongly, and you can simply skip them. Look at the building from the outside.
Go when Evening, from outside, whether or not you go to a fight.
Local tip Bullfights are part of the fiesta and are a matter on which people differ strongly. You do not have to go, and the building is worth seeing from the outside either way.
Photo: Constantino14, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
Ajoarriero
Salt cod cooked in oil with garlic, peppers and tomato, a Navarre dish with muleteers' roots. A rich, warm dinner from the small old town restaurants.
Local tip It is a fish dish, so tell the staff about any fish allergy. It is also garlicky.

If it rains. Pamplona Cathedral is covered, so keep it. Move Calle Estafeta, Walls of Pamplona and Plaza de Toros to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. The old town and its squares and The cathedral and the Navarrería

4 stops · 1.1 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningCheck ahead
Church of San Lorenzo
The church with the chapel of San Fermín, where the saint's image is kept. On the 7th the procession of San Fermín usually sets out from here in the mid morning, after the run, with clergy, giants, bands and the city council. It is a religious procession, so keep your voice low and give the crowd room. Check ahead for the route and time.
Go when Mid morning of the 7th, for the procession.
Local tip Give the procession room, keep your voice low and do not cross in front of it. Details of route and time change, so check ahead.
About 5 min walk0.4 km
2
MiddayCrowded, optional
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The town hall square, where San Fermín opens at noon when a rocket, the chupinazo, goes up from the balcony. The square fills hours early and is extremely tight, and people throw wine and other liquids. It is not for children, wheelchairs or anyone who dislikes crowds, and many watch from a screen or the edge of the streets. Details change, so check ahead.
Go when Very early on the 6th, if you choose to be there at noon.
Local tip The square is extremely tight, and the crowd pushes. It is not for children, wheelchairs, or anyone who dislikes crowds, and wine and other liquids are thrown. Watching on a screen elsewhere is a fine choice. Check ahead.
Lunch
Pintxos in the old town
Pamplona is known for its pintxos, small bites on bread or on a stick, laid out on bar counters in the lanes of the old town. Choose a few, eat standing and move to the next bar.
Local tip Point at what you like and keep your toothpicks for the count. Ask what each contains if you have an allergy.
About 3 min walk0.2 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Museum of Navarre
The regional museum, in an old hospital building, with Roman mosaics, Gothic painting and a famous portrait by Goya. A cool, quiet retreat from the heat and the crowds. Check ahead for entry.
Go when Afternoon, in the heat.
Local tip Start with the Roman mosaics and the Gothic painting, then look for the Goya portrait. Check ahead for entry during the fiesta.
Photo: Kent Wang, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 5 min walk0.4 km
4
EveningWorth the time
Plaza del Castillo
The big square that is the living room of Pamplona, ringed by arcaded cafes and a bandstand. On the eve the benches and terraces fill, people start to dress in white and red, and music drifts through the streets. Plan a meeting point here.
Go when Evening, for the first night of the fiesta.
Local tip Pick a meeting point and tell your group. Keep your bag in front, drink water and expect to be splashed. Leave a path clear when music passes.
Photo by Alain ROUILLER on Unsplash
Dinner
Menestra de verduras
A Navarre vegetable stew of artichoke, peas, green beans and asparagus, simmered gently with a little ham. Regional, light and warm, and often on menus in the old town.
Local tip It often contains ham, so tell the staff if you avoid pork or have a food allergy.

If it rains. Church of San Lorenzo and Museum of Navarre are covered, so keep them. Move Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Plaza del Castillo to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The fiesta runs on until the night of 14 July, so buses and trains out of town are busy. Check ahead.Details

Check-out: The streets are cleaned in the early hours, and the old town is quietest in the morning after a late night. Ask your hotel to hold your bags, and pack the evening before so the last morning is slow.
Leaving town: Buses and trains fill during the fiesta, and the nearest airport is small. Book your way home ahead, leave a wide margin and check ahead for road closures around the old town.
The fiesta goes on: After you leave, the bull run continues each morning to the 14th, and the closing song, Pobre de mí, is sung on the night of the 14th. The crowds do not thin until the end.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Pamplona?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Pamplona. This plan is built for early July, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Pamplona, planned for early July. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 1.1 kilometers between its stops, and 2.2 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.