Nine days of non-stop fiesta take a toll on any city. In 2026, according to the City Council's own figures, programmed events gathered around 1.5 million people, urban buses made almost two million trips and cleaning crews collected more than 1,250 tonnes of rubbish. Pamplona has learned to manage that, and as a visitor you are part of it. This is how to enjoy San Fermín safely and leave the city as you found it.

Your health first

  • Emergency number: 112. It works from any phone, free of charge, and connects you with ambulances, police and fire services.
  • First aid is everywhere. Red Cross and DYA teams are deployed along the bull run route and around the Old Town. In 2026 health services attended 487 cases during the fiestas, mostly injuries from falls and fights.
  • Heat and alcohol are a bad mix. Drink water, eat properly and find shade in the middle of the day. Our practical tips go into more detail.
Medical volunteers treat an injured runner after the bull run (2014).
Medical volunteers treat an injured runner after the bull run (2014). Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Consent: Pamplona against sexual harassment

For years Pamplona has run a municipal campaign against sexual aggression during the fiestas, recognisable by its red hand symbol, with an information and support point in Plaza del Castillo. In 2026 that point attended more than 12,000 people. The message is simple: no means no, and touching, cornering or harassing anyone is not part of the fiesta.

  • If something happens to you, or you see it happen, call 112 or go to any police officer or the information point.
  • Look after your friends: agree a meeting point, don't leave anyone alone and watch drinks.
  • If you witness harassment, get involved safely: approach the person, ask if they are OK and alert security.

Crowds: how to move safely

The big acts, like the Chupinazo, the bull runs and the Pobre de mí, concentrate thousands of people in narrow streets. Avoid the centre of the crush, move along the edges, keep your arms in front of your chest if it gets tight and never go against the flow. If you're travelling with children, read San Fermín with kids before deciding which acts to attend.

The running of the bulls: respect the rules

The bull run is the riskiest act of the fiestas, and most accidents involve people who break its rules: running drunk or without sleep, carrying a phone or stopping in the middle of the street. If you are going to run, read the official rules and the real risks. If you are going to watch, do it from behind the fences or from a balcony, as explained in where to watch the running of the bulls.

A street of the Old Town on July 14, hours before the farewell (2018).
A street of the Old Town on July 14, hours before the farewell (2018). Photo: San Fermin Pamplona Navarra (Flickr) · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Rubbish and recycling

More than 1,250 tonnes of rubbish in nine days is a lot. Cleaning crews work around the clock, but small gestures make a difference:

  • Use the bins and the glass containers, even if they are a few metres away. In 2026 glass collection grew by more than 11%.
  • Avoid glass in crowds: broken bottles are one of the most common causes of cuts.
  • Bring your own bottle for water and choose reusable cups when they are offered.
  • Don't throw anything from balconies and don't leave rubbish on the bull run route: it is cleaned and washed every morning before the run.

Respect the people who live here

The Old Town is also a neighbourhood where people live, work and sleep. Use public toilets (urinating in the street is fined), keep the noise down near doorways late at night, don't climb monuments or fountains and don't sleep on doorsteps. Pamplona welcomes the world every July; returning that welcome with respect is the best way to enjoy it.

Planning your trip? Start with our San Fermín 2027 guide and the day-by-day itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

What is the emergency number in Pamplona?

112, the European emergency number. It is free and connects you with ambulances, police and fire services.

Is there help for victims of sexual harassment during San Fermín?

Yes. The City Council runs a campaign against sexual aggression during the fiestas, with an information and support point in Plaza del Castillo. You can also call 112 or go to any police officer.

Is San Fermín safe for tourists?

Generally yes, if you look after your belongings, avoid the densest crowds, drink water and respect the rules of the bull run. Most incidents involve alcohol, falls or fights.

How much rubbish does San Fermín generate?

In 2026, cleaning services collected more than 1,250 tonnes of rubbish during the nine days of the fiestas.

Can I drink in the street during San Fermín?

Drinking in the street is part of the fiesta, but avoid glass in crowded areas, use the bins and respect the neighbours, especially at night.