The best place to behold the Running of the Bulls is from the comfort of a private balcony, and we are here to help you find the very best Pamplona balcony rentals. Reserve your spot early for the ultimate vantage point of this action-packed and always unpredictable spectacle. By renting a balcony for El Encierro (the bull run), you will have the perfect base to watch the hair-raising moments as man and beast bolt furiously down Pamplona’s narrow streets. Feel the intensity of the chase, the roar of the crowd, and revel in the stellar views afforded from our prime balcony locations in the heart of the city.
Pamplona Balcony Rental
Experience the glory of San Fermin Festival’s main event with our Running of the Bulls balconies. If you prefer an up-close seat to the wild energy and hectic moments, choose a first or second-story apartment balcony. Or, balconies on higher floors are better options for panoramic vistas and longer views of the run. Find the right balcony for your budget and secure the best views for the centuries-old Running of the Bulls. The best way to rent one of our balconies is with one of our Running of the Bulls vacation packages. Our packages include balcony spaces, tickets to the bullfights in Pamplona, and stays at the best hotels in Pamplona, Spain.
Our convenient Trip Plans app with GPS leads you straight to the balcony door, where an English-speaking guide welcomes you and remains with you for the duration of your balcony experience.
Running of the Bulls balcony rental rates vary depending on the street and floor level of the balcony you choose. We have a range of basic to premium balcony spots along the bull run route. We always recommend securing your Pamplona balcony spot early in the season, because balconies and spaces are extremely limited. All of our spots guarantee you a front-row view on a shared balcony, and we never over-book our balconies. Whether you book a basic, mid-range, or premium balcony, we always strive to deliver a great experience.
Renting a balcony for Running of the Bulls? Here’s our advice.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience during this iconic event, choosing the right balcony will make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll cover key details to consider when selecting a Running of the Bulls balcony rental, ensuring you have a front-row seat to one of Spain’s most exhilarating traditions.
San Fermin Balcony Views Aren’t All Created Equal
Some sites and tour operators may place you on a balcony with a less-than ideal view of the bull run. It could be blocked by a sign or building, or be set at an odd angle. In a worst case scenario, it may not really even be on the bull run route.
So that you don’t have to worry, we guarantee that each of our balconies faces the bull run route and offers an unobstructed view of its section of the route.
Look for a Commitment to Cleanliness
Let’s be honest, not all balcony rentals in Pamplona are held to the same standards. Many sellers work from afar with the folks who live in Pamplona and have no clear picture of the apartment attached to the balcony. Because of this, there’s no assurance that the apartment will be clean and fully prepared to host guests come each morning’s bull run.
Fortunately, we have team members on the ground in Pamplona year-round. This team vets each and every one of our balconies (and its apartamento) to ensure they’re ready for you when San Fermin comes around.
The Best Balcony to Watch Running of the Bulls Won’t Be Too Crowded
When booking a balcony space, you’ll want to look for a seller that ensures you have a front-row view of the action. A San Fermin balcony could be located right on Dead Man’s Curve with what seems to be a perfect view. But, some sellers have been known to overcrowd balconies to boost their own sales, which means that you could be left trying to peer around someone else’s shoulder for a glimpse of the famous bulls.
With our balconies, you’ll never have to worry about someone blocking your view. In our process leading up to the Running of the Bulls, we measure the amount of space on each and every balcony. From there, we calculate the balcony’s capacity so that each person receives a front-row view, and we never fill the balcony more than that.
Accessible Balconies for All Humans
At Running of the Bulls®, we strive to make watching the San Fermin bull run possible for everyone. Modern accessibility is a feature that can often be overlooked, especially in Old Town Pamplona. Most balconies will be located in apartment buildings that are literally hundreds of years old, with narrow staircases. Because of this, it’s rare to find wheelchair or walker access.
Each year, we also maintain relationships with apartment owners that live in buildings with elevator access. If you’re interested in Running of the Bulls balcony rental, but have concerns about accessing a higher floor, we’ve got you covered.
Early Morning Bull Runs Mean Coffee
The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona begins around 8:00am each morning, from July 7th to the 14th. Prior to that, the entire bull run route is cleared at 7:00am, allowing the city of Pamplona’s employees time to clear any debris from the previous night’s festivities. You’ll arrive at your bull run balcony by 6:45am, just in time for our guide to escort you up to the apartamento.
Since this is such an early morning — especially if you’ve only arrived in Europe the day before — coffee is essential. Each of our balconies will feature coffee paired with Spanish pastries, every single morning of the bull run. When searching for your ideal balcony, we always recommend looking for an assurance that this is included.
Choose Your Dates Wisely
When you’re deciding when to watch from a balcony during the Running of the Bulls dates 2024, the day matters. Every single bull run is an intense, exciting rush, as crowds uniformed in white and red sprint away from the bulls, which run at nearly 25 miles per hour. But, certain days can be better than others depending on your preferences.
The first days are always the most crowded, which can make navigating the streets to your balcony more challenging. The mid-fiesta days see a slight decline in the number of runners, but the wildest bulls are set upon them. The final days of the fiesta often see the most magnificent, powerful bulls — including ones from the ranch which inspired the Lamborghini logo. For more information, take a look at our Running of the Bulls 2024 schedule.
Bull Run Balconies – by Section
Section 1: Santo Domingo
The first stage of the route extends from the Corralillos de Gas (Gas Corrals) to Pamplona’s Town Hall. It is a fairly short section compared to the longer Estafeta street, but offers an intense, if often overlooked, view from its Running of the Bulls balcony spots. Balconies in this section will see the bulls immediately after they’ve left the corrals in a wild burst of energy. The bulls will then make an uphill sprint on Santo Domingo before turning onto Mercaderes Street.
An especially narrow section, Santo Domingo provides an adrenaline rush as you watch the runners harrowingly dodge (and often, get caught by) the bulls as they all run up the hill to Mercaderes.
Section 2: Mercaderes
Calle Mercaderes is the second stage of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls, and this 100-meter stretch is one of the shortest but most anticipated as it leads up to Dead Man’s Corner. Apartment balconies along this portion of the old quarter offer amazing views of valiant runners stumbling, pushing and jostling alongside bulls as they try to keep pace and avoid injury. For an unparalleled view of the chaos, the danger and the heart-pounding excitement, a Mercaderes balcony spot does not disappoint.
Section 3: Dead Man’s Corner
The Running of the Bulls is staged along several streets of Pamplona’s old quarter. Of all the extraordinary places to witness the action from above, none surpass the balconies overlooking Dead Man’s Corner. Known locally as “La Curva,” the corner of Mercaderes and Estafeta Street is one of the most dangerous sections of El Encierro. This infamous curve is where both runners and bulls are forced to make a perilous 90-degree turn, and the results make for spectacular photos. Some beasts collide into the barricades and others wipe out completely, as runners maneuver around pointed horns and cloven hooves. Dead Man’s Corner is arguably one of the best spots to watch the run, and our balconies keep you safely out of the fray as you view the charge toward the bullring! This is where photographers get incredible snapshots of all the chaos, and you can too with our premium Dead Man’s Curve balcony spaces. These spots are some of our most requested and sell out quickly. Experience the adrenaline, the danger and the thrills of Dead Man’s Corner, where beasts and people collide.
Section 4: Estafeta
At just over 300 meters, Calle Estafeta makes up the longest portion of the Running of the Bulls. Pamplona’s most famous street is lined with private apartment balconies boasting exceptional views. Balconies on the first and second levels of Calle Estafeta are the most popular and priced accordingly, but keep in mind that higher floors yield more expansive views at considerably lower rates. Another great option is to rent a balcony spot closer to the end of Estafeta, which marks the penultimate stage of the event. From this vantage point, you can see the beasts and runners make a gradual left turn through the Telefonica section of the bull run. A visible change of pace among bulls and runners makes this stretch particularly exciting.
Private and Shared Balconies at the Running of the Bulls
Private balconies are the safest and most comfortable way to experience the pandemonium and drama of Pamplona’s El Encierro. If this remarkable event is on your bucket list, don’t delay in reserving your spot soon as balcony spaces along Estafeta, Mercaderes, Santo Domingo and Dead Man’s Corner sell out fast!
Once you get your Pamplona balcony rental, here’s a few tips you’ll want to know.
The Running of the Bulls starts every morning at 8:00 am. Make sure you arrive at your bull run balcony by 6:30 am. Please check the Running of The Bulls 2024 schedule. The Encierro route gets extremely busy and crowded. It can be quite challenging to navigate your way around the throngs of people and barricades. Pamplona police are well trained in crowd control and it’s easy to get blocked from where you want to go and need to be by a certain time. It’s smart to locate your Running of the Bulls balcony the day prior to your rental. This can help alleviate a very stressful start to your day on a morning you may have been anticipating for many years. One of our guides will be waiting for you at the door of your assigned Pamplona balcony, and you’ll be taken inside and up to the apartment once it’s time. The guide will show you around, serve as your host in the apartment, then take you downstairs after the streets have been cleared and it’s safe to re-enter. Whether your desire is to have the very best view of the bull run, or to save some money on your Pamplona balcony rentals, we have an option for you.