Hotelaholic

Holiday travel · July 6 – July 14, 2026

Top 5 Hotel Destinations for San Fermín

Pamplona's San Fermín festival (July 6–14) is famous for the running of the bulls. These picks put you in the middle of it or in the calmer Basque and Rioja countryside nearby.

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  1. Navarre, Spain

    Why San Fermín

    Overlooks the encierro route on Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the festival.

    Typical weather
    Highs ~82°F (28°C); warm
    Crowds · season
    High · Peak
    Price level
    $$$$
    • culture

    Where we'd stay: Gran Hotel La Perla. Hemingway's hotel on Plaza del Castillo.

    Hotels in Pamplona →
  2. Basque Country, Spain

    Why San Fermín

    San Sebastián's beaches and pintxos, about an hour from Pamplona.

    Typical weather
    Highs ~75°F (24°C); mild
    Crowds · season
    High · Peak
    Price level
    $$$$
    • culture
    • beach

    Where we'd stay: Hotel María Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Belle Époque hotel on the Urumea River near the old town.

    Hotels in San Sebastián →
  3. Basque Country, Spain

    Why San Fermín

    Bilbao's Guggenheim and Basque food scene.

    Typical weather
    Highs ~77°F (25°C); mild
    Crowds · season
    High · Peak
    Price level
    $$$
    • city
    • culture

    Where we'd stay: Hotel Carlton. A five-star stay in Bilbao, a strong base for Bilbao.

    Featured hotel

    Hotel Carlton

    $$$

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    Hotels in Bilbao →
  4. Elciego, Basque Country, Spain

    Why San Fermín

    Rioja wine country, about 90 minutes from Pamplona.

    Typical weather
    Highs ~84°F (29°C); warm, dry
    Crowds · season
    Moderate · Peak
    Price level
    $$$$
    • culture
    • romance

    Where we'd stay: Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Frank Gehry-designed winery hotel.

    Hotels in Elciego →
  5. Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

    Why San Fermín

    Biarritz's surf beaches across the French border.

    Typical weather
    Highs ~73°F (23°C); mild
    Crowds · season
    High · Peak
    Price level
    $$$$
    • beach
    • romance

    Where we'd stay: Hôtel du Palais Biarritz, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Imperial palace built for Empress Eugénie.

    Hotels in Biarritz →