If you're coming to Pamplona in July for San Fermín and you don't speak Spanish, don't worry: with a couple of preparations you'll connect with everyone and enjoy it 100%. Here's the no-fluff guide.

1. First: it's about the vibe, not the language

San Fermín runs July 6–14. It kicks off with the chupinazo at noon on the 6th from the Town Hall balcony (a rocket that signals the start). It ends with Pobre de mí at midnight on the 14th. In between: bull runs every morning at 8:00, concerts, giants and big-heads (parade figures), fireworks, peñas (festival clubs), and non-stop partying.

Most of Pamplona speaks some English (especially waiters, hotel reception, official festival volunteers). But the real fiesta happens where people are most relaxed — and there many spontaneous conversations are in Spanish or Basque. Not knowing the language shouldn't stop you from joining a peña, sharing a pintxo, or making plans with someone you just met.

2. The 4 things to download before you arrive

A real-time translation app

This is the biggest game-changer. Modern apps don't just translate pasted text — they translate messages, calls and video calls live, while you speak. A few options:

  • Google Translate: the most well-known, decent "conversation" mode, downloads language packs for offline use.
  • DeepL: better translation quality than Google for European languages, but the mobile app is more limited.
  • KAIXO: an app built specifically so you can meet people in their language. Any message you send gets auto-translated to the other person's language, and vice versa. Voice calls have live subtitles. Available in 15 languages. Built with San Fermín in mind.

Whichever you pick, download it before you leave home. Some lose functionality if they don't detect your original SIM.

Google Maps with Pamplona offline

EU roaming works, but the Pamplona network gets saturated on bull-run days. Download the offline map from home: Google Maps → Your profile → Offline maps → Select area. It'll save you not finding your hotel at 3 AM.

Cash (don't rely 100% on Apple Pay)

Old-town terraces and bars sometimes have issues with foreign cards or NFC. Carry 20–50 € in cash in small bills for a normal day. If you're staying longer, opening Bizum (Spain's instant payment app) requires a Spanish bank account and isn't trivial — better to rely on cash or card for the big days.

Official San Fermín app

Pamplona City Council publishes an official app with schedules, event maps, toilet locations and services. Search it in App Store / Google Play as "San Fermín" (the icon changes each year but the official one is from the City Council). Available in Spanish, Basque, English and French.

3. The 6 phrases worth memorizing

Even if you bring a translation app, knowing 4 basic things in Spanish helps break the ice (and people receive you with more warmth):

  • "Hola, ¿qué tal?" — Hi, how's it going?
  • "Una caña / un vino, por favor" — A small beer / a wine, please.
  • "¿Cuánto es?" — How much is it?
  • "¿Dónde está...?" — Where is...?
  • "Gracias / De nada" — Thank you / You're welcome.
  • "¡Viva San Fermín!" — The festival's official cheer. People will yell it back at you.

Practical tip: "Una caña, por favor" at any bar on Estafeta street is the fastest way to start a conversation with locals. Almost always someone says something to you, and that's when you pull out the translation app if you need it.

4. What to bring: clothes, phone, battery

  • White clothes + red bandana. It's the traditional uniform. You can buy it in Pamplona super cheap (5–10 €) at any shop in the centre. Putting it on July 6th before the chupinazo feels weird at first — until you realise everyone looks the same.
  • Red sash (the band around the waist): optional but authentic.
  • Phone with extra battery: if you'll use the translation app, GPS and camera, the battery dies in 6–8 hours. Bring a powerbank.
  • Comfortable closed shoes: the old town is cobblestoned. Flip-flops will hurt.

5. How to meet locals without looking like a lost tourist

San Fermín is the most social festival in the world relative to its size. Over a million people come every year. The probability of meeting someone interesting is huge — you just have to be open.

Three concrete ways:

  1. The peñas. Festival groups with their own venue, brass band and identity. Each peña has its zone in the bullring and around the city. You can approach them — they're welcoming to respectful foreigners. Find them with the City Council app.
  2. Pintxos bars in the old town. Estafeta, San Nicolás, Jarauta streets. You order a caña, stay at the bar, and conversation comes on its own.
  3. Latidos (KAIXO's built-in social feed). When you're in Pamplona during San Fermín, you can post plans ("going to the Plaza del Castillo concert at 10 PM, anyone joining?") and other people using the app see them translated to their language. Useful for spontaneous meetups.

6. What we DON'T recommend

  • Running with the bulls without training. People die every few years. It's serious. If you want to see it, go to the fences or rent a balcony spot.
  • Drinking non-stop for 9 days. Pamplona is hot in July. Hydrate with water between drinks. Your body will thank you.
  • Showing up July 6th without accommodation. Hotels have been booked since February. If you're improvising, look at hostels in nearby villages (Burlada, Villava, Berrioplano) and come in by bus.

In short

San Fermín isn't a festival you come to "watch". It's a festival you come to be part of. With a translation app, white clothes and a willingness, you'll have nine of the best days of your life — no matter what language you speak.

See you in Pamplona.