Pamplona: Accommodations

While you probably won’t sleep much during San Fermín, you’ll find that having a place to unwind, shower, and change clothes is a luxury that will make your experience that much better. Unfortunately, getting a hotel or hostel reservation in Pamplona during the festival is difficult, and staying in a nearby town is neither cheap nor easy. There are some affordable or even free options to consider, but be aware that those choices are clearly not as safe or clean as the more coveted spots.

If you want to spend just one day in Pamplona and you don’t mind pulling an all-nighter, then your best bet is to arrive in the afternoon and store your bags in the train or bus station, or at the luggage storage center in the Escuelas de San Francisco, at the end of Plaza San Francisco. Then you can simply party all night, watch (or run with) the bulls in the morning, and then move on. However, if your all-nighter days are over or you just can’t do without a bed and a shower, then take a look at the accommodation options below. And don’t worry if you end up having to stay in a neighboring town – you’ll have plenty of company, the bus and taxi systems are fine, and you probably won’t have to shuttle back and forth too many times. To ensure the best possible experience, though, you’ll want to book your reservations the second you decide to visit Pamplona for the festival.

Hotels and hostels, most of which you will find in or near the old part of Pamplona, vary widely in both price (€80–€480/night) and in quality, and are often booked a year in advance. Staying at a hotel or hostel in town will put you close to the action, but be aware that the noise will not subside just because you need some rest, so pack a few earplugs along with the Advil. Staying outside of town will provide a little more peace and quiet but will require more effort in getting to the festivities. Prices will vary depending on your accommodation, but any travel booking website will give you plenty of options to choose from.

As an alternative to hotels and hostels, you might want to consider renting an apartment or a room in a private home, both of which you can find in Pamplona and the surrounding towns. Again, planning ahead will land you the best locations. Websites like Carven Servicios and Bull Balcony are dedicated to listings by private citizens willing to rent their homes, apartments, or just a room during the festival. If you find yourself in Pamplona without a reservation, make your way to the Tourist Office (Calle Eslava, 1, Plaza San Francisco) where you’ll find people outside offering last-minute accommodations in their homes. Most of these sellers are reputable, but keep in mind that this option leaves you flying blind when it comes to both quality and safety.

Camping may not be the most luxurious option, but the grounds do offer some comfort and quiet accommodation, and save you a sizable chunk of change you can spend on more important things like parties and drinks. Camping Ezcaba, (948 330 315) is located in Eusa just six kilometers from Pamplona and has space for over 700 people. As is to be expected, the grounds fill up quickly, so reserve or show up early to claim your spot. Individual tent sites cost €12, or reserve ahead to snag one of the dorm beds or bungalows onsite (cost varies/minimum stay required). A bus will take you to town, but late-night service back to the campground is spotty or nonexistent – you might need to plan on an all-nighter, or make friends with someone who is car camping nearby.

Many visitors opt out of the high-priced accommodations altogether, choosing instead to sleep in a park or any other free piece of land they can find – although this is certainly not the safest or cleanest option. The town doesn’t encourage such behavior, but they do support it somewhat by enabling you to check your bags (€2) at the train or bus station or – perhaps the best option – at Plaza San Francisco, which is cheap and always open, and also provides public restrooms and showers. Variables (like the weather) and constants (like unruly revelers) should also factor into your decision to rough it, because the ground gets muddy if it rains and the town “wears” considerably as the week progresses. At a minimum, a sleeping bag is a must.