July 4th – July 11th
San Fermín
Every summer the quiet capital of Navarra transforms into a sea of white and red in honor of San Fermin, the city’s patron saint. Thousands of travelers descend on the scenic streets of Pamplona’s Casco Viejo (Old Town) to join locals in celebration, experience the famed Running of the Bulls, and partake in a multitude of social and cultural experiences found nowhere else on earth.
As the only family-owned tour operator with three generations of collective experience enjoying and contributing to the local festivities, we’re uniquely capable of ensuring that you get the most out of this extraordinary festival, and that your experience remains true to local tradition.
Package characteristics
We take care of everything. From the moment you arrive in Pamplona, we make sure to provide you with everything you need to make this an incredible experience, making you feel at home.
Private Transport
Time is precious, especially when you’re on vacation. Don’t spend it navigating public transit, waiting in line for car rentals, finding directions or worrying about speeding tickets. Our private transport will be waiting for you when you arrive, and will handle all of our transportation needs throughout our tour, so just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
4* Hotel
Located just around the corner from the City Hall, Plaza del Castillo, and the path of the Encierro (Bull Run), there’s no more convenient place to stay than Hotel Maisonnave. Officially founded in 1912, this four star hotel is one of the most emblematic and historic hotels in all of Pamplona, and is a traditional favorite among matadors. Renewed in 2013, it has large rooms, excellent views of Casco Viejo (Old Town), a wide variety of amenities, and an exceptional restaurant for guests to enjoy.
Local Gastronomy
Savor true Navarran and Basque cuisine at the top restaurants in the region. Enjoy excellent meat and fish at traditional asadors that have perfected grilling over an open fire, and the creative offerings of pintxos (tapas) bars praised around the world. Experience pairings and tastings at an award-winning winery and Pamplona’s top Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as authentic dishes prepared by our family at private members-only societies. From start to finish you’ll experience the best food and wine the region has to offer, with 10 lunches and dinners as well as daily breakfast buffets included throughout your tour.
Guided Tours
Explore the region’s past, present, and destined future through guided tours led by local experts who share their knowledge and experience with passion. Our trusted guides will lead us through the streets of Pamplona, Olite, and San Sebastian, imparting a foundational understanding of the true stories and beguiling legends of these historically significant cities. You’re sure to enjoy the frequent stops for pintxos (tapas) along the way.
Excursions
In addition to experiencing San Fermin like locals, you’ll also enjoy three days of adventuring to exciting destinations around Pamplona. We’ll visit one of the best-preserved palaces in all of Europe, enjoy an exquisite tour of the top winery in La Rioja, drive dune buggies through the geological rarities of Bardenas Reales Natural Park, and explore the seafaring towns of San Sebastian and Pasaia along the Cantabrian Coast. You won’t find a lineup like this anywhere else.
Professional Photographer
When you tour with us we do everything in our power to ensure you have the time of your life. We want you to look back on your trip with fond memories that never fade, so we’ve partnered with the best photographers in the region to ensure that those special moments are captured and preserved so that you may cherish and share them with loved ones and friends. Of all the industry leading offerings provided within our tours, this may be the one that matters most.
Detailed Itinerary
During these 9 days, you will be able to live San Fermín in the most authentic and close way thanks to our experience as locals and explore the North of Spain through its history, gastronomy, culture and people.
July 4th
Welcome to Pamplona
The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived! Whether you come by train or plane, our private transport will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel so that you can unpack and get comfortable.
In the evening we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in the most storied private-member club in Pamplona where Earnest Hemingway spent much of his time. You’ll be delighted by a variety of family recipes and traditional delicacies paired with our favorite regional wines.
July 5th
Exploring Casco Viejo
After a restful sleep and recuperative breakfast, we’ll get to know Pamplona’s Casco Viejo (Old Town) with one of our trusted guides. We’ll explore the city’s storied streets, learning its history while visiting its most emblematic places. You’ll even learn the ins and outs of the path the bulls run each morning!
After building up an appetite, we’ll enjoy an unforgettable lunch in a charming, picturesque restaurant located in the mountains and operated by the same family since 1896. This special place, famous for its desserts and meats, includes a plot of land where you can see and feed friendly deer.
In the evening, you’ll be treated to dinner in one of the best restaurants in Pamplona, awarded with a Michelin star.
July 6th
Long live San Fermín!
Put on your white and red threads and hit the streets because San Fermin is finally here! The festivities officially begin at 12:00pm with the firing of the Chupinazo (rocket), which fills the streets with sounds of musical instruments, laughter, and joy. Get ready for an epic celebration!
After an exciting morning we’ll recharge with a delicious gastronomic experience in a restaurant where grilling is its specialty.
In the evening we’ll witness the first of nine unique firework spectacles that will surpass even your wildest expectations. A new team will compete each night, so you don’t want to miss a single performance!
July 7th
The Running of the Bulls!
You’ll take in the first Bull Run of the year in our spacious 2nd floor balcony located in the middle of the path, allowing for the longest viewing window of the entire run. You’ll feel the adrenaline emanating from the streets as runners and bulls race beneath your feet. The sight and sound of thousands cheering them on is something you’ll never forget.
Next, we’ll enjoy a private concert and take part in the "Baile de la Alpargata” (Dance of the Espadrille), one of the most joyous traditions of the San Fermín festivities, yet one only locals know/have access to.
Throughout the day, Old Town will be filled with events and activities such as the San Fermín Procession, where you can see Pamplona’s patron saint marched through the streets, witness traditional performances, and meet the Giants, the (Big Heads), the Kilikis, and the Zaldikos.
After an exciting morning, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal in a restaurant with views that will allow you to appreciate San Fermin from a new perspective. We’ll then visit the Bull Pen to get up close and personal with the bulls that will participate in all upcoming runs and fights. They’re massive!
July 8th
A Journey Through Time
For the brave who decide to run with the bulls, this is your first opportunity of the trip! We wish you good luck! Many of our family members and friends have run, some on numerous occasions, and we will gladly share the wisdom of their experience (it may save your life!). For those who prefer to watch the Bull Run comfortably from the Plaza de Toros (Bull Ring), you will enjoy an entire show that will leave you speechless.
At mid-morning we’ll visit one of the best-preserved palaces in the country. We’ll learn its history and secrets in a private tour led by a specialized guide.
We’ll then head to La Rioja, a region famous for its wines, where we’ll tour the winery recently voted #1 in the world by the World Network of Wine Capitals. We’ll explore its facilities, learn how they make their award-winning wines, and cap it off with exceptional wine tasting and pairing experiences.
July 9th
The Desert in the Green Kingdom
Today we’ll explore Bardenas Reales, one of the most impressive Natural Parks in all of Spain beloved by nature and sport enthusiasts alike. Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, its diverse fauna and flora, astonishing geological formations, and ancient heritage dating back to the independent Kingdom of Navarre unsurprisingly provided the perfect setting for the world famous television series, Game of Thrones.
We’ll spend the morning and early afternoon adventuring the biologically rich terrain on dune buggies led by a private guide, followed by lunch on site consisting of southern Navarran fare.
July 10th
Donostia, Pasaia, and the Cantabrian Coast
It’s time to explore one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: San Sebastian. This resort town on the Bay of Biscay is famous for its gastronomy, beautiful beaches, and the film festival that welcomes Hollywood’s brightest stars every year.
Our adventure begins with a guided tour of the city, learning its history while stopping into several world-renown pintxos (tapas) bars along the way.
Next we’ll enjoy a private, chartered boat ride along the Cantabrian Coast to Pasaia, a charming fishing village known for its peaceful harbor, fresh seafood, colorful houses, and cultural history. While there we’ll savor an assortment of appetizers while taking in the picturesque seaside scenery.
July 11th
Pamplona from the Sky: A Bird’s-Eye View
We cap off an unforgettable experience with a hot air balloon ride offering spectacularly rare views of the city as well as the morning Bull Run! Brunch will be enjoyed immediately afterwards in one of Pamplona’s private-member clubs.
Then we will go to the hotel so you can pick up your luggage. For those who head home, this wonderful city and the entire AleVia team will be waiting for you with open arms the next time you want to join another of our tours.
And for those who wish to extend their stay and continue exploring the North of Spain, we invite you to join our Tour of the Pyrenees where, among many other things, we will have the opportunity to travel to France, discover the history, gastronomy and landscapes of Aragon. and to attend the Pirineo Sur music festival.
Booking
Information
Date: July 4th to 11th
Max. Group Size: 16
Price: Please contact us for a custom quote
Guides: Alejandra and Dylan
Payment and cancellation conditions
- 50% of the trip cost will confirm your place on this adventure, and it will be charged at the moment you make the reservation. On April 14th, we will charge the other 50% left.
- If you make the reservation on or after April 14th, we will automatically charge 100% of the cost of the trip.
- If you cancel your reservation before April 28th, we will refund 100% of your payment. If the cancelation is made on or after April 28th, there will be no refund.
- You can pay with credit and debit card and money transfer.
Frequenly Asked Questions
Faqs
One of the truly special things about San Fermin is that once the festivities begin, everyone will be sporting white shirts and shorts/pants along with a traditional red pañuelo (handkerchief) and faja (sash). We will provide you with a locally made, personalized pañuelo and faja so you need only bring white clothing, comfortable shoes, and separate outfits for the excursions you’ll be enjoying outside of Pamplona throughout your trip (visit to Palacio Olite, San Sebastian, Winery…).
The bull runs (“encierros”) take place each morning at 8 o´clock from the 7th through the 14th, so you will have multiple chances to participate in the daring dash through Casco Viejo. You will first view the run from an excellently positioned 2nd-floor balcony along the famed Estafeta Street on the 7th, allowing you to witness the event from above before deciding to participate. We will also be taking you on a walking tour of the path on the 5th, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the path along with the strategies that have been employed by successful runners for generations
Although at AleVia we do not include tickets for bullfights, we can help you obtain them. But in order to guarantee availability, we appreciate that you notify us as soon as possible that you are interested in attending a bullfight, as well as the day and the number of tickets you may want.
