San Fermín in 2, 3 or 4 days: the itinerary that fits your time

You don't need to come for all nine days to experience the festival in full. Every day of San Fermín, from 7 July onward, repeats the same structure — running of the bulls, giants' parade, lunch, bullfight, evening dancing, fireworks — with its own nuances. If your time is limited, here's what to prioritize depending on how many days you have.

The routine that repeats every day

From the second day of the festival onward, Pamplona follows an almost fixed rhythm: wake-up tunes from the La Pamplonesa band early in the morning, the running of the bulls at 8:00, a churros-with-chocolate breakfast, the Giants and Bigheads parade around 9:30, a pintxo route at midday, a bullfight at 18:30, folk dancing in Plaza del Castillo at night and fireworks around 23:00. Knowing this skeleton helps you fit any itinerary, whether you have two days or a whole week.

If you only have a weekend (2 days)

Prioritize a running of the bulls watched from the double-fenced barriers — arrive with an hour to spare — the Giants and Bigheads parade right after, and a pintxos lunch around the Old Town. Save the evening for the fireworks from Vuelta del Castillo park or the City Walls. If your second day falls on 6 July, swap the morning plan for the Chupinazo in the City Hall square: arrive before 10:00 if you want a spot.

With three days to spare

Add a bullfight in the afternoon and a full evening of dancing in Plaza del Castillo, with folk dances and jota, to the previous plan. That's enough time to alternate between the bustle of Estafeta and quieter areas like Navarrería, and to unhurriedly try the food at more than one pintxo bar.

With four days or more

Now you can afford a "relatively restful" day: no early rising for the running of the bulls, dedicated instead to visiting the City Walls, taking in the old town at a relaxed pace and a museum or two. Also take the chance to head to the Ensanche Market, with dozens of stalls selling Navarrese produce, and to book a sit-down meal at a gastronomic society or peña club, where the after-lunch chat with jotas is one of the most authentic experiences of the festival.

"The festival repeats the same script every day, but each day has its own nuance: choose yours wisely."

Advice valid no matter how long you stay

Book accommodation and, if you want to watch the running of the bulls from a balcony, book that spot too, months in advance: it's the first thing to sell out, no matter how many days you're spending in Pamplona.