Looking to visit the Las Ventas Bullring In Madrid? I want to give you all the information you need to have the best possible experience. It is one of my favorite places to visit in Madrid.
To the locals it’s simply known as Las Ventas for short, but you will also hear it called “Plaza de Toros”, Las Ventas Bullring, but whatever you want to call it, it is one of the best sites in Madrid for sure. The area where it’s located is also called Ventas.
I used to live about a mile from the Las Ventas Bullring, and I would go for my morning run and make sure I included a lap of Las Ventas. It’s such a well built building, the thousands of bricks in intricate patterns, the shape of the arches a homage to the past. You have to make this one of your must see sights in Madrid if you will be visiting.
You don’t have to watch the bullfighting at Las Ventas to enjoy this wonderful building. You can take a tour of Las Ventas Bullring, learn all about the history, get to see parts you would not normally see. Or, you can just take a walk around, sit at one of the benches and just take in what a marvel of construction it is.
Everything You Need To Know About The Las Ventas Bullring In Madrid
History Of The Las Ventas Bullring
Back in the early 1900’s, the main bullring of Madrid was the “Plaza De Toros de la Carretera de Aragon”, a mouthful right. The bullring was in pretty rough shape by this time, so Madrid city council started looking for a new site, and settled for where Las Ventas Bullring now stands. Ventas is now part of the city center, but back then it was a largely underdeveloped part of Madrid.
The previous site housed an old livestock market, and Las Ventas gets it’s name from this. “Ventas” literally translates to “Sales” in English. It took 7 years to build the Las Ventas Bullring from 1922-1929. The first bullfight at Las Ventas took place on June 17th 1931 as a charity event to inaugurate the stadium.
The stadium was designed in a Moorish style by Jose Espeliu, who created one of the most iconic and recognizable bullrings in the world. You can see this influence in all the towers, arches and intricate tile and brickwork.
Over the years, some of the worlds best bullfighters “Matadores” have displayed their skills in the ring. Legends such as El Cordobés, and Curro Romero. Then there’s Manolete who was killed by the bull named “Islero” in the ring in one of the most remembered bullfights in Spain’s History.
Facts About Las Ventas Bullring
Bullfighting is a sport that seems to be coming to an end, but there are still many places in the world like Mexico and France you can watch a bullfight. Las Ventas is the third largest bullring in the world, and when the season starts it is full to the brim from day one up until the end of the season.
But in recent years, they have been putting on less and less events with the rise in attention and arguments against animal cruelty. Despite the challenges, Las Ventas is still very popular, and people will travel here from all over the world to watch the bullfights and still a must-see destination here in Madrid.
Here are some more facts about Las Ventas Bullring:
- With a seating capacity of up to 24,000, Las Ventas Bullring is the third largest in the world.
- The arena was built on on the site of a livestock market, giving the stadium its name (“ventas” means “sales” in Spanish).
- The workforce to build Las Ventas involved more than 3,000 workers.
- During the civil was, Las Ventas was used as a Francoist concentration camp.
- The Bullring has two sides, the ¨shade¨ and ¨sunny¨ sides traditionally associated with different social classes. The shade costs more.
- Las Ventas also has a museum dedicated to the culture and history of bullfighting. There are suits from some of the great bullfighters passed, equipment used in the ring and special exhibitions from time to time.
Other Uses Of Las Ventas
So other than watching bullfights, the arena is used to put on other events as well. I think this is eventually what Las Ventas will become, a former bullring that puts on shows and events. They regularly have concerts here from some of the worlds most famous musicians.
Just some of the names to have performed at the Las Ventas Bullring are the Beatles back in 1965, Diana Ross in 1991, Depeche mode, Radiohead, Coldplay and the list continues to grow. Seeing a concert in Las Ventas at night is quite the experience. Such a historical venue mixed with modern music, its just a really cool vibe and I really advise it.
Some other events of note are the Red Bull X Fighters that have been hosted here since 2002. In 2008 the arena was converted into a tennis court for the Davis Cup and in 2014 they converted it into a theatre.
The Bullfighting Museum of Madrid
The Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino de Madrid) was opened to the public on May 15th 1951 by the city council to coincide with the festival of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of the city.
The museum offers visitors an exhibition that will give you a complete understanding of bullfighting and it’s strong ties to Spanish culture making it such a beloved sport in the country. You will get to see some historic costumes, swords, capes, art and a lot of other related items belonging to famous bullfighters.
You will see all of this in the permanent exhibition, but to add to this they regularly host exhibitions and cultural events related to bullfighting and Spanish culture in general.
Festival De San Isidro
The Festival De San Isidro is one of the most prestigious and important bullfighting festivals in the world and takes place every year at the Las Ventas Bullring here in Madrid, Spain. The San Isidro Festival for a few weeks in May-June and named after the patron saint of the city.
This festival has taken place at Las Ventas every year since 1947 and probably the most important even on the bullfighting calendar.
During the festival, there can be over 30 bullfights, each one featuring one of the worlds top bullfighters. Each one of the bullfights during the festival are highly anticipated events. If you want to see any of these events you should really book in advance.
Other than the bullfights, the festival de San Isidro is also a time for Spain to celebrate its culture, so there are parades and festivals taking place all around the city.
Las Ventas Madrid Schedule
The Las Ventas Madrid schedule can very from year to year, but will almost always take place between March and October, with the peak being May and June. During the Madrid Bullfighting season, there is an event every Sunday and on some public holidays. The dates are announced in advance and you can check these dates on the seasons calendar.
There are two main types of bullfighting events in Madrid. The Corridas is the traditional and for experienced matadors. Then you have the Novilladas for the up and coming young talent. Check what type of even you are attending before you purchase your Madrid bullring tickets.
Hotels Near Las Ventas Bullring Madrid
Las Ventas is very close to the center of Madrid. You can walk, catch a bus, taxi, Metro. The transport links from here are great, so if you are considering staying near Las Ventas, I wanted to give you a few options of hotels near Las Ventas Bullring Madrid.
- Ibis styles Madrid Las Ventas hotel: This one literally overlooks the stadium. Just a minute from Las Ventas, a 15 minute metro ride to the center and close to all major attractions.
- Novotel Madrid city las Ventas: This hotel is also a great choice, but a little further out. You can still get to the Las Ventas Bullring in around 20-25 mins walking, or jump on the metro. There is a station right outside the stadium.
These are just a couple of hotels I have stayed at and really liked. There are a lot more hotels in the area, just be sure to check the reviews and get some feedback from people that have actually stayed there.
Getting to the Madrid Bullring (Las Ventas)
- Metro: The closest metro to Las Ventas is ´Las Ventas´ station. Is it on line 2 (Red one), and the station is literally 50 yards from the stadium.
- Bus: The bus routes that stop at Las Ventas Bullring are lines 12, 21, 38, 53, 106, and 110. Always check the busses on the EMT site or app to see if there are any delays or cancellations.
You can also get a taxi from anywhere in the city, or drive. If you drive there, the bullring has its own parking complex, but you will need to get there early to grab yourself a space.
Statues at Las Ventas Bullring
In the Plaza around Las Ventas, you will find a number of bronze statues paying homage to some some important bullfighters of the past. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- The statue of El Torero: A bronze statue of a bullfighter created by renowned sculptor Juan Cristobal in 1929 and one of the most emblematic statues in Madrid.
- The statue of Manolete: This statue is to honor Manolete, one of the greatest bullfighters of all time. He is depicted in a classic bullfighting pose with his sword at the ready and cape extended behind.
- The statue of Pepe-Hilo: Another bronze statue of one of the pioneers of bullfighting shown in a similar pose to Manolete.
- The statue of Dr Fleming: It may have nothing to do with bullfighting, but the bust of Dr Fleming was gifted to the stadium by the British Embassy in 1989. It serves as a reminder of Dr Flemings contribution to medicine.
- The statue of Alfonso XIII: The king was a great supporter of bullfighting in Madrid, and is depicted on horseback carrying a rifle in traditional hunting attire.
Las Ventas Madrid seating chart
The Bullring is made up of four tiers. High, low, bleachers and broadside. Then you also have the sunny/shade sides.
- Seats in the shade (1,2,9 & 10)
- Seats in the sun (4,5,6 & 7)
- Sun/Shade mixed (3 &8)
FAQ´s
Can I tour the bullring in Madrid?
Yes, you certainly can take a tour of Las Ventas. You will learn all about the history, tour the stadium and see parts you normally would not. And you get to visit the museum and see items from some of the greatest bullfighters to ever to it.
Is the area near the bullring safe?
From my experience, most of Madrid is safe and I have never had any troubles. The same goes for Las Ventas. There are never any moments where you will feel uneasy around here, its a great area.
What is the name of the bullring in Madrid?
The actual name of the bullring in Madrid is ¨Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas¨.
Where is the bullring in Madrid?
The bullring in Madrid is Locate in the Ventas Neighborhood of Madrid. The address is Calle de Alcalá, 237, 28028 Madrid, Spain.
When are the bull runs in Madrid in Las Ventas?
Bull runs do not take place inside the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid. The famous running of the bulls takes place during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.
In Conclusion
Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid is a very important cultural landmark in Madrid and attracts visitors from all over the world. You don´t need to watch the bullfighting to appreciate the stadium. The impressive architecture, fascinating history and reputation as one of the best bullfighting rings in the world is enough for you to appreciate it.
Las Ventas really is a testament to Spain’s rich cultural heritage and a must see attraction for those visiting Madrid. If you do get the chance to get there, I would really like to hear about your experiences down in the comments, or you can contact me directly to have a chat.