Bullfighting in Madrid

Love It or Hate It, Bullfighting Is a Big Part of Spain's Heritage

By Damian Corrigan

Updated 10/30/18

Bull Fight in the arena of Valdemorillo (Madrid)
Thomas Vilhelm/The Image Bank/Getty Images

Bullfighting is deeply rooted within global historic traditions. But today, local public opinion leans against the tradition. Though the site includes information for tourists interested in attending the events, TripSavvy trusts its readers to make their own decisions on the ethics of bullfighting as an attraction.

You can find everything in Madrid—and that includes bullfighting. Despite most people's impression of bullfighting as being unique to the whitewashed villages of Andalusia and Costa Blanca, Madrid is a great place to see a bullfight. Read on for more information about watching bullfighting in Madrid.

When Are Bullfights Held in Madrid?

Bullfights are every Sunday (during the season) at 7 p.m. from mid-May (during the San Isidro festival) until October. There is no bullfighting Madrid outside the season.

Where Can I Buy Tickets to See a Bullfight in Madrid?

Ticketstoros sells tickets for Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Malaga bullfights. Alternatively, tickets go on sale on the Friday or Saturday before the event at the bullring (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.) or on Sunday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Tickets rarely sell out, so you shouldn't have a problem even if you turn up at the door without a ticket.

Other Ticket Offices

  • La Taurina. Pasaje Matheu. Tel: 91 522 9216
  • Galicia. Plaza del Carmen, 1. Tel: 91 531 27 32
  • Plaza de Las Ventas. Alcalà, 237. Tel: 91 356 22 00
  • Teyci. Goya, 7. Pasaje Comercial Carlos III. Tel: 91 576 45 32
  • Localid. Parking Pza. de Santo Domingo. Tel: 91 559 50 28
  • El Corte Inglés. Tel: 902 400 222

Where Is the Bullring in Madrid?

There were two bullrings in Madrid: Vista Alegre and Las Ventas. Las Ventas, with a capacity of 20,000 is the more important of the two and is where the fights take place today. Vista Alegre is used now as a concert and sports venue. Find Plaza de Toros Las Ventas on Calle Arenal (No. 237) or the Ventas stop on the metro.

Is Bullfighting Popular in Madrid?

Yes. Madrid and Andalusia are the dual epicenters of bullfighting in Spain. Madrid is one of the best places to see a bullfight in Spain; it attracts fewer tourists and more real aficionados then some of the bullfights in Andalusia.

Madrid Bullfighting Festivals

In addition to the weekly bullfights, there are six weeks of almost daily bullfights around the San Isidro festival and adjacent festivals (from the start of May until mid-June) and for the Feria de Otoño (four days around the start of October).