Located in the northern province of Navarre, Pamplona (or Iruña to the locals) is in the heart of Spain's Basque country and is most famous for the annual San Fermines festival July 6th-14th where locals and tourists alike gather to watch the Running of the Bulls through the streets of the old city. A prominent fortress city in old times, Pamplona's rich hestory can be seen in its Baroque civil architecture and the medieval palace of Saint Peter. Today, Pamplona is home to about 200,000 residents and hosts up to 1 million visitors during the San Fermines festival.
Bars and Nightlife
True to Spanish tradition, Pamplona's variety of bars is seemingly endless. It is rumored that Pamplona has more bars than Bangkok! Be sure to try some of the drinks inherent to the festival including Kaiku y congnac (a sweet but fiery drink served mid-morning), sangria, and kalimotxo (a Coca-cola wine mix).
The Weather
Summer in Pamplona tends to be hot and dry, but a torrential downpour can be an occasional occurrence so pack accordingly. Expect hot days with a little cool-down at night.
Language
For some people, the lack of language is no problem, but for others it is. In Pamplona, people speak Castilian (Spanish) and Basque (another official language of Spain). English is not very common among locals, so don't expect to have profound conversations with them if you don't speak Spanish! While you don't need to learn the language to attend the festival, a basic understanding is helpful to have so that you can have a better idea of what's going on around you. And like in any country, it is always appreciated when you embrace their culture!
