When: July 7 to 14
Where: Pamplona, Spain
Cost: Free

The Pamplona Bull Run (encierro) is the highlight of the spectacular Fiesta de San Fermín.

Every morning, hundreds of intrepid locals and visitors risk their lives to outpace galloping bulls as they hurtle through the streets towards the bullring.

The event was brought to international renown by Ernest Hemingway in his 1927 novel Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises. Its roots, however, are deeply embedded in Spanish cultural history, with the first recorded instances of runners in the 1600s.

There are three parts to the run, which vary in difficulty. For those whose middle name is danger, Santo Domingo is a fast and furious challenge. Even dicier is the corner of Mercaderes.

The rest take on Estafeta, the easier part of the treacherous course.

A shorter run called the encierrillo takes place in poor lighting conditions at 11 p.m. along the route that the bulls take before they fight the next day, but this one is exclusive and requires invitation from the town hall.

Only the brave and foolhardy choose to run in front of the bulls. This bull run in particular is now fiercely opposed by animal rights campaigners and both bulls and humans can – and often do – end up injured.

Fly to Madrid with Ryanair or Vueling and take the train or catch an internal flight to Pamplona with Iberia.