Ten brilliantly fun things to do in Spain this July

San Fermín Bull Running Festival, July 7th-14th

Photo: Ville Miettinen/Flickr

At Pamplona’s annual week-long party that was immortalized in Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises,  every day begins with a herd of bulls hurtling through the narrow streets after hundreds of red and white clad daredevils. After a goring or two, there are concerts, bullfights, and much drinking until the early hours. 

PHotoEspaña, June 6th-August 26th

Photo: PHotoEspaña

Madrid’s PHotoEspaña celebrates its 20th anniversary with a diverse range of exhibitions – highlights include the Magnum showcase ‘Players’, a retrospective of lensman to the stars Cecil Beaton and Spanish film legend Pedro Almodóvar’s first photographic effort.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, July 5th-8th

Photo: mbfwmadrid.ifema.es

The cream of Spanish design takes to the international stage from July 5th-8th in this showcase which brings some of the biggest names in fashion to Madrid.

Moors and Christians Festival, July 24th-31st

Photo: Heather Ramsden/Flickr

These festivals commemorating the conflicts between Moors and Christians during the Reconquista are held all over Spain, but one of the best takes place in Villajoyosa, where Moors and Christians is the most important event of the year. Expect reenactments, concerts, dances and firework displays.

Music festivals

Cordoba Guitar Festival, July 4th-14th

Photo: guitarracordoba.es

As well as performances from skilled musicians from around the world, Cordoba Guitar Festival offers classes and workshops that teach various playing styles such as classical, flamenco and medieval.

Bilbao BBK Live, July 12th-14th

Gorillaz, Florence and the Machine and Childish Gambino headline the ever-popular Basque Country festival. Meanwhile ‘festival-within-a-festival’ Basoa takes place in the forest, with underground dance music heroes Optimo and Hunee leading the party.

Benicassim, July 19th-22nd

Photo: AFP

Sun, sea and great music abound on the Costa del Azahar at one of Spain’s biggest summer music festivals. The Killers, Pet Shop Boys and Liam Gallagher headline the main stage.

Sport

Windsurfing World Championship of Sotavento, July 26th-August 4th

Photo: pwaworldtour.com

Some of the world’s most skilled windsurfers gather at Sotavento beach on Fuertaventura for ten days of competition in an area infamous for its harsh winds.