Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Bullring / Concert Venue

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Looking for concerts at Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid? Check out Party Earth for schedules, photos, videos, & more for this amazing bullring! Madrid Spain 40.432037 -3.663361

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Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas - Bullring | Concert Venue in Madrid.

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3 User Reviews

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User Reviews (3)

Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

INFO While many people consider bullfighting a cruel sport, others take pride in its tradition, energy, and style, a truth that is reflected in the fact that toreadores (bullfighters) are still among the highest-paid athletes... ... read more

Neighborhood:

Las Ventas
Address:

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Calle de Alcalá, 237
28028 Madrid

Get Directions

Metro:

Ventas
Phone:

91 356 22 00
Hours:

Su (March–October); Check website for schedule
Links:
Official Website
Tags:

All Ages, All Types, Casual, Cover charge, High Energy, Latin, Live Band, Live Entertainment, Live Music, Locals, Musicians, Performance, Rowdy, Snack Food, Sports, Sports Fans, Tourists

Recommended as:
- Day Spot

First to review Jody P.

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Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Information

While many people consider bullfighting a cruel sport, others take pride in its tradition, energy, and style, a truth that is reflected in the fact that toreadores (bullfighters) are still among the highest-paid athletes in the world – and these facts are no less true at the bullfights at Las Ventas.

The best fights take place in mid-May during the San Isidro Festival when the most celebrated matadors in the world gather in Madrid to participate in this age-old tradition.

Inaugurated in 1931, the bullring features mudéjar architecture that mixes Castilian and Moorish styles, giving the 25,000-seat venue an aura of classic Spanish grandeur that only adds to the experience.

The spectators are excited and rowdy, and though the rest of the world may look upon this custom unfavorably, many Spaniards are still serious about supporting their toreadores.

Those who are sensitive to animal rights or get queasy at the sight of blood may want to take a pass on this event – but for those who think they can stomach it, watching a bullfight at Las Ventas is a strangely alluring artistic sport that combines athleticism, showmanship, history, and culture and that offers a unique view into another side of Spain’s traditions and people.

Entertainment
For important events, musical acts and other entertainment energize the crowds between bullfights.

Food / Miscellaneous
Concession stands throughout the stadium.

Prices
Tickets €20–€70. Sections are divided into sombra (shade) and sol (sun). Tickets in the sun are cheaper, and most of the sun is gone by the time the bullfights start.

When to Go
Every Sunday from March to October, though the most celebrated fights take place during the Festival de San Isidro in May.

Tip
It’s best to buy tickets in advance online, but spectators can also line up at Las Ventas at 9am on the day of the fight to see what they still have available. People who have never been to a bullfight might want to research it a bit first to see if it’s something they’d really be interested in.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas User Reviews

Things Is Cool Feb 20, 2013 2.0 stars It's Not For Everyone You shuffle with the crowd through the tunnel of multi-colored tile away from the Metro platform at the Ventas stop. At the turnstiles, the herd is sifted and then funneled up the stairwells to the street. As you emerge from the station into the dusty plaza, your eyes strain against the harsh sun and you reach for your Ray-Bans. Over the Sunday afternoon bustle, the historic Neo-Mudéjar façade of the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas looms, the center of bullfighting in Spain since its opening in 1931. The sun is relentless. In the dry summer heat, you find your way to the ticket line. The wait is well worth it, for not only do you buy a ticket for that day’s bullfights, but you’re helped by perhaps the most beautiful woman you’ve ever beheld. In broken Spanish, you manage to buy a ticket in the sombra (shade). Then you enter the stadium. It’s immediately clear that you are seated among aficionados. People who, as Hemingway described, have real aficion (passion) for bullfighting. Many are old. Some smoke cigarettes or snack from plastic bags they carry with them. Nearly all settle down on their own portable seat cushions. They chat in gravelly Spanish and gesture toward the ring, the sand of which has been smoothed in a circular pattern and glows in the sun. Over several hours, you soak in centuries of tradition, pageantry, brutality, horror, and even grace. While fleeting, and perhaps imperceptible to some, it is the latter that is most captivating.

Tansy Jan 24, 2013 2.0 stars Fascinating! I went to Plaza de Toros a few months ago to view it out of action. Monday to Sunday when there are no bullfights the plaza is open to the public to visit. It costs about 10 euros but they provide you with an audible guide in English or Spanish and a couple of other European languages. I listened in English to fully understand everything and was pleasantly surprised with how well organised and informative it was. You can visit the seating section and go down to the bullring to take pictures or simply admire it. For me, I don't want to watch a bullfight but it is a traditional part of Spanish culture that one needs to be aware of. There was also definitely a presence or particular feeling down in the ring which I can't describe. All in all, a good, value for money activity for all ages that lasts about 80 minutes, start to finish. I would definitely recommend for those who can't face an actual bullfight!

Jody Pollara Dec 11, 2012 1.0 stars Terrible First a little disclaimer - I don't like bullfighting because of the cruelty aspect of it. The building that houses the plaza de toros is gorgeous and amazing. I can appreciate bullfighting as a historical sport; however, I don't believe that this day and age it should be legal and it is banned in several regions of Spain. That said, I wanted to experience it the first time I went to Madrid so I went to a bullfight as Las Ventas. They seats vary in price based on whether you will be sitting in the sun or shade which makes sense because the arena is round in shape and it gets oppressively hot in the sun in the summertime! If you don't mind the heat, then you can have a pretty inexpensive day. The concession prices are not that high. The bullfighting itself is a little shocking. I've always learned about it but it is different seeing it in person. There are six bulls per fight and the matadors go in order of least experienced to most experienced. If you are on the fence of whether or not you agree with this practice, then I'd recommend going later and skipping the first few matadors. We saw an inexperienced matador and he couldn't kill the bull quickly because he didn't really know what he was doing and we were just watching the animal suffer. It was terrible. The more experienced bullfighters are able to make it quick and relatively painless for the bull. From a personal standpoint, I think this practice is outdated and should be something we read about in history books. I know that this is a Spanish tradition but bullfighting has changed so much over the years that there is little risk to the bullfighter and they almost never award brave bulls with their lives like they used to. So when you see a bullfight, it is going to be very predictable - six bullfighters are going to kill six bulls for your entertainment. I just think it is horrible to make a spectacle of animal slaughter. That said, I have heard that after the trophies are awarded (the bull's ear and/or tail), the bulls are butchered and the meat donated to charitable organizations similar to soup kitchens. I don't know how true this is, and even if it is true, I don't think this justifies the practice.