Las Ventas Bullring

We chose to tour the bullring itself, but not view a bullfight. We found the self guided audio tour interesting and informative. The building is impressive and aside from a few other visitors, we had it to ourselves. No need to hiy tickets in advance. We appreciated learning about the history of the sport and it's place in the culture of Spain. This site is very easy to reach via metro from city center, with the train station only a few steps from the building entrance.

Visiting the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid offered a unique and distinctly Spanish experience. The facility itself was impressive—getting in and out was a breeze, thanks to the well-organized layout and clear signage, which is always a relief at large events. As someone accustomed to attending sports events like baseball, soccer, and basketball in Canada, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly everything ran here. Additionally, the drink prices were quite reasonable, especially when compared to what I'm used to in Toronto. However, I must admit that bullfighting itself was not to my taste. While I appreciate the cultural significance of this traditional Spanish spectacle, it didn't quite resonate with me personally. Nonetheless, the experience of visiting such a historic and well-maintained venue was certainly a must-do!

Nestled in the heart of Madrid, the Bullring stands as a testament to both history and architectural prowess. Its striking red brick exterior catches the eye from afar, drawing visitors in with its timeless charm. The intricate detailing and craftsmanship of the architecture transport you to a bygone era, where tradition and spectacle intersect. One of the highlights of this magnificent structure is the awe-inspiring "running of the bulls" metal statue adorning its side. This iconic symbol pays homage to the city's rich cultural heritage and the exhilarating tradition that has captivated spectators for generations. Its dynamic depiction captures the intensity and excitement of the event, inviting visitors to delve deeper into the vibrant tapestry of Spanish culture. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply seeking an authentic experience in Madrid, the Bullring promises to leave a lasting impression. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this historic landmark, and prepare to be transported on a journey through time

The venue has a vintage feel and hasn't changed from the time it was built. A lot of energy from the crowds. My own opinion is bullfighting is hard to watch, but I wanted to see what it was like. Aside from the ethics of it, the bullring is a cool place

Steeped in history and traditions, this is a must-see. The building is beautiful. The bull's story is tragic and unsettling, and some of the matadors have some pretty tragic stories as well.

Always a great experience here. Only thing that could be improved is adding railings for people with mobility issues to walk up the stairs. We had someone in our group who’s 84 and it took a bit to help him up to his seat.

It's a deadly sport and yet very alluring. It's not for everyone but it is an old tradition and should be kept alive. The atmosphere in the arena was great. It was always such a close call between the bull and the matador on the horse. Man up and watch it live at least once in your life.

It is like to be back in time, in the book... However, when you see the eyes of the bull, so powerful and beautiful animal, even when the art of the torero, banderillers, picadores is there... bull blooding all the time and then the death (on 3rd try or even if it would be from the first try...)... the excitement of a theatre and history vanishes, and the question is if actually the level of the emotional development of a human being could be measured with how the people treat animals...

This was an amazing experience! Just my luck I go to Spain in November when bullfighting season is over.....extremely upsetting :-( Fortunately, I was able to tour the stadium and still feel a little of the excitement that goes on in there. The tour was around 13€ and you go at your own pace. You get a recorder in your language, a map, and the stops are numbered. You can explore the whole stadium and take pictures without being rushed or having to stay with the group. I've learned so much about the history of bullfighting and it's significance to the people of Madrid. The last portion of the tour is the museum. There were still socks with blood on them from the matadors' last matches.....Grossly Awesome! You are not allowed to take any pics in the museum and don't try because there is always someone watching. I definitely plan to revisit Madrid during bullfighting season to see everything live!

Nice visit for my first bullfight...although offensive to some animal rights activists the pageantry and ceremony is worth checking out. Beautiful classic bullring. Recommend sitting in the shaded areas, directly below the Presidential Box, if possible.

We went here to watch bull fighting. The stadium itself was very clean and everyone was very nice to us. The events all started on time.

If you are looking to do something unusual (at least for us living in US) or want to experience a traditional sport that is still displayed in several countries, I would definitely recommend watching bullfighting at least once. In this venue, the whole setup was superb and classy. It is obvious that everyone involved is passionate about what they do and proud of their heritage, as they should be. But before you book your ticket, make sure you are not faint at heart or an animal lover. This whole sport is about executing a bull, and they killed 6 of them while I was there. That part I understood from the beginning. What rather surprised me was when riders on horses came on the field and basically allowed the bull to maim the horse is it so desired. I initially thought that horses were wearing some kind of protection, but when I saw the cloth over the horses drenched in blood, I realized that they were not. The process is simple, tire out the bull, let him tire himself by attacking the horse, cut the bull so that it looses blood, and when it can hardly move, let the matador come in with the sword to deliver the final blow. Now, I am not here to discourage you from watching this event, but I think you should know the facts before you go. Everyone in my party left after they killed the 4th bull.

Las Ventas is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain. I visited at here on January 4, 2020. So bullfighting wasn't held. The bullfighting season starts in March and ends in October; bullfights are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta, and every Sunday or holiday during the season. Bullfights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two to three hours. When I visited at here, the bullfighting wasn't held, but the tour in this building was opened, and I could enter into this and had the look around. So nice tour. I attracted the bullfighting. Especially the Bullfighters respect a fighting bull. Before they fight with fighting bull, they pray for happiness of the fighting bull. What do you think of that? Is it good respect for animals?

If you love animals, don't go. It's sad and embarrassing that they still do this. We went for 5 mins and we left because it was horrible.

We went on a Wednesday afternoon and there were probably 5 others in the whole place. This was good as we were able to take our time and be able to see the interior of the ring. There were no scheduled bullfights so the place was empty. We found out that fights occur every Sunday but every day in the month of May. I'm so passed at myself for not planning ahead as would have loved to see a bullfight. I thought the ring was incredible to see but the museum was the star of the attraction. So much information on the history of bullfighting from the bulls to the Matadors and all the associated details involved in this spectacle. Now I really want to see a fight! If I had more time I would go especially having known its history.

For the show I would have given 1 star because I didn't realize how terrible they treat the bull and would end with a kill...but to think it is part of their culture and the experience, I do recommend to any visitors who doesn't mind the slaughtering of the bull. You can purchase the tickets in advance or buy it at their booths before opening time. I got sol seats that were pretty close up front for 12 euros. Sol seats tend to be the most expensive because you're in the sun for about an hour...but since the show starts in the evening, the sun quickly moved away from my view. The seats are made of stone and they rent cushions for a few euros.

Bullfighting is a bit too brutal for my taste, but I must admit I was swept away with the romantic aspects of the Neo-Mudéjar architecture, history, and grandeur of it all. Anything that old deserves some respect. So, if you're anything like me, take the tour, snap your pics, and admire the craftsmanship. The tour was insanely comprehensive, as we were able to see every part of the ring. What I loved most were the statues round the stadium. They paid homage to the toreros and toros that made this place famous. My favorite part of the stadium was was the statue honoring Alexander Fleming. Truly moving. The worst part was seeing a short film on an actual bullfight. I had to turn away. Too brutal for my taste. Yes, I eat meat, etc, but that was crazy torturous. I'll leave it to the enthusiasts. On a better note, while there, we saw a couple taking their wedding pics in the plaza. Seeing those crazy kids crazy in love brought a tear to my little cold heart. I highly recommend doing the tour and taking in every bit of history. Bottom line, you do have to visit. Like it or not, it's part of the history of Spain. Vale!

It was quite interesting that when I was visiting this place, that was almost nobody here. Well, I know part of the reason was because there were huge celemory in the city centre. ( I visited this place a round easter) also probably the place wasn't open that day. Plus I was here after 18. It was actually great that less people here, that I could enjoy this cool architecture better. I think when peopke speak about Spain, bullfighting is one of the things that will come to the mind. Although that's not really something for me, I still put it in my check list because it's culture. The building itself was something I have seen in other cities which I visited. So it was quite unique for me. I went around the whole place, it was just brilliant. I only saw at the front (which close to the metro station) offer ticket window to sell ticket. Anyway, I wasn't into this sport, so I just had a quick look. And then I was just spent something to read and taking picture. Although it wasnt so close to the rest of the sightseeing location, It was quite easy to get to because of the metro. I am glad I managed visited this place, brilliant.

Plaza de Toros is a large bull fighting arena in Madrid. I didn't attend any bull fights here, but I spent some time wandering around the outside on a day it was closed to go inside. The building is lovely and colorful. The building is round and has a variety of colors in the brick. Spain is full of color! There are a bunch of bronze sculptures outside the building including famous bull fighters. There are several bull fighter sculptures, but my favorite sculpture outside is the very large procession of bulls along one wall. I would not personally attend a bull fight because of animal cruelty, and I spoke to many Spanish who feel the same way. But, I completely appreciate that bull fighting is part of the Spanish culture, and I love the building they have for the event. Even if you don't go to a bull fight, you can certainly come and appreciate the structure and sculptures dedicated to the event.

#1 . Buy snacks outside and bring in, they did not have many options inside. #2. Buy seats in the shade. #3. Pay for the seat cushion. #5. You cannot get up during the bull fight so plan your breaks accordingly. #6. They kill the bull, there is lots of blood so if you can't handle that don't go. Would recommend and return, but buy the cheap seats next time.

Beautiful building built in 1929. You can see the Roman, Arabic as well as Spanish influence. Ventas metro stop directly in front. The best bull fighters were in town but I could not bring myself to go. A few vendors selling items out front.

We only saw the outside of the plaza, but it looks very nice. Not too many tourists taking photos on this beautiful Thursday afternoon.

It was my first time to go see bull fighting. I've never liked the fact that they kill bulls, but it was very fascinating to see a bull and a matador fight. There were 6 fights and matadors fight against stronger bulls as it gets more. Don't forget to borrow seat cushions (€1.20 + tip per cushion) or you end up sitting on a hard & cold (or hot in summer) cement bench for 3 hours and that's not comfortable. Also you can bring some snacks & drinks (they'll let you bring anything in). I didn't know if we could do it, so I bought a sandwich (€6) and it was good. They also sell beers and chips as well.

Great show! They put on a a good performance. This is authentic Spanish culture if you can handle bullfights. -1 star because they are sticklers for when you can reenter the arena after getting a beer. I had to wait 15 minutes for one of the 6 bullfights to end.

Free as part of the Madrid Card the exhibition was really worth it if you've read Hemmingway's writing about bullfighting and Spain in general. It was a hot day which made the tour almost suffocating. We've watched a bullfight here 15 years ago during Easter break and it was awesome! This time we opted to skip the corrida as the timing was weird - we had too much time to kill before the festivities were to start at 7pm. The seats in the Sombre (shaded area) was reasonable at 35 Euros, including a guide who will explain the proceedings. That was a lucky move as a thunderstorm broke out exactly at that time and lasted a couple of hours. If this happens, there is no refund or reschedule. Saved some money!

It is a bizarre experience to get off the subway and join the droves of eager sports fans congesting up otherwise busy streets in central Madrid... to go see a bullfight. You feel like you're in any large American metropolis heading out to see a ball game and grab a hot dog, except you're heading out to see a bullfight... and probably eat some tapas or jamon or something. Regardless of your feelings on bullfights, and my own aren't sympathetic, this place was a hell of a venue to take in one of Spain's most prized past times. It's a romping and lively arena with killer views of an unsettling and archaic exhibition. There isn't a bad seat in the house so I would not recommend coughing up more money for the more expensive seats. The crowd seethes with passion, applauding a great feat performed one moment and then booing a poor showing the next moment in the same breath like a bunch of blood-crazed, Spanish Eagles fans. I was lost and had no idea what was going on the whole time; a horn kept blowing, these guys on horseback came out with spears, some guy was given an ear and everyone cheered mightily... I might as well have been watching a quidditch match for as little as I understood. As far as the bullfight is concerned, it's straight-up culture shock for us Americans. It would be one thing if a healthy, uninjured bull faced out toe-to-horn with a man, even one brandishing a sword, but that's not at all the case. The bull get tortured, mauled and horribly wounded for over ten minutes from every angle by these Spanish rodeo clowns of some sorts before he even sees a matador. Then when the bull is on the brink of exhaustion and his will has been broken, now here comes the matador: a cocky, flamboyant, Castilian Tom Brady-esque tall glass of sangria, whom goes sauntering out there and takes all the credit for winning a fight he never even fought. Worst of all, I saw the bull win and he still lost! The matador got too close to the exhausted bull and the bull caught him in the thigh with his horn, tossing the matador in the air like a rag doll, and then proceeded to gore him once he hit the ground. I was like, "Go bull, go!" But then the rodeo clowns came back to distract and confuse the bull long enough for the matador to get away. Obsessed with being too cool for school, the matador ungraciously shoved away one of the responders who came to his aid, then with a snap back of his skinny neck and then a whip of his hand he smoothed back his disheveled, greasy black hair a second before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and fainted. Then they carried him out of the arena and brought out another matador to finish the bull. BOO! GO BULLS!

Second bull fight here for me. It's incredible and the fans are awesome. If you don't like bullfights obviously don't go and complaint. But if you understand the history of the sport and it's place in Spanish society you'll love it.

Inhumane, brutal, violent ? Possibly. But it's also historic, fascinating and definitely something you will always remember. I'm pretty sure the meat we see neatly wrapped in the supermarket is subjected to worse treatment but I understand if bullfighting is not your thing. If you do go : 1. don't bring your fucking kids. Seriously I watched a 5 yr. old break down two minutes into the bullfight when she realized it was way more intense than a bullfight in a cartoon.. There's lots of blood, stabbing and amputation of an ear, this is NOT kid friendly. 2. don't be cheap. The difference between sitting in the sun and shade is about 3-4 euros. Sitting in the shade is a no brainer. 3. Do buy a cushion for your ass. Those old cement "seats" get annoying after 20 mins or so. Buy a cushion, don't walk back to the train funny. 4.( for photo geeks) -- avoid blur -- set your shutter speed fast (1/500 or even 1/1000) , use a telephoto lenses and a monopod if you have one. I don't know if I would be a regular spectator, but as a tourist this was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Spain.

The bullfight I saw was incredibly brutal. Definitely not for the weak of heart... or stomach. I came here solely for the cultural experience. I insisted we go for the bullfight and planned the Madrid visit around it because I felt there were two things we had to experience in Spain, both a very real part of Spanish culture: the flamenco & the bullfight. Boy, was the latter brutal. Traumatizing, even. We couldn't watch the whole thing and just basically walked out before the intermission ... I don't know what I expected it to be like but I guess in the movies and stories they don't actually show or talk about the worst but most real part of it; the fact that they actually have to kill the bull - and that it's often a slow process. Eventually I found myself silently cheering for the bull instead of the matador. And yes, the bull did win once. I'm not going to go into the gory details of how they slowly weaken the bulls enough to take them down, but I strongly recommend you read up on that before you decide whether or not you'd like to go. The arena itself is beautiful and worth taking pictures of. Talk to any Spanish local of our generation and you'll find that most of them abhor the practice and are even ashamed that it's still done for sport. Still, no regrets ... I'm glad I got to go - if only once.

As I was visiting Spain for the first time, I wanted to make sure I experienced everything and anything the cities had to offer. I wanted to take in the culture, history, and food as best as possible. Bullfights are a big thing in their culture, and for that reason I had to see one for myself. I have to say that I am not a fan of watching animals get killed, so I wasn't sure what to expect when stepping into the Plaza de Toros de La Ventas. We got there a little late, so we had to wait outside of the door until the first bullfight was over. They sell these little butt cushions at the entrance and around the arena, I would highly recommend renting one of these. I think it was just 2 euros, but it's totally worth it. The first guy was trampled and gored by the bull. I kind of wish I saw that in person, but we had to settle for watching it on the screen. The poor guy had to finish his bullfight with ripped pants (almost seeing his underwear). Watching it outside on the screen definitely did not prepare me for what I was about to experience. If you don't want to know exactly what they do at a bullfight, please stop reading here because I'm about to explain in detail how these things go down. First, the bull is introduced into the ring and is teased by different banderilleros with these pink capes. They are testing out the bull to see how it charges the capes and if it favors certain directions. Shortly after, two picadors are introduced into the ring. They are men seated on top of blindfolded horses covered in a bamboo like protective covering. The bulls are encouraged to charge the horses while the picadors stab the bull in the back of the neck/shoulder area. This occurs a number of times. Next, the banderilleros come out and try to place the banderillas into the bulls shoulder. They run towards the bulls, as the bulls are charging them and stab the bulls in the shoulders with the banderillas. The banderillas and picadors are introduced into the ring to weaken the bulls neck and shoulder muscles. This is all done to prepare the bull for the matador. Once the bull is ready, the matador is introduced into the ring. I know that it takes a TON of courage to face a bull, so I give the matadors a ton of credit. There is also a beautiful artistic quality to their form and the passes the bulls make which I was able to appreciate. After a number of passes, the matador waits for the bull to be exhausted before pulling out the sword. I was told that there is a specific way the bull needs to stand in order for the matador to kill him properly. Also, the mark of a good matador is having the bull kill itself by running into the sword. We had a number of guys try to stab at the bull and the sword fell right off the bull. After the sword is properly placed in between the shoulder blades and potentially through the heart of the bull, the banderilleros come back out to further wear the bull down by throwing the pink capes around. Eventually the bull stumbles to the ground. The puntillero then uses a dagger to stab the bull straight into the neck to further sever the spinal cord. One puntillero stabbed the bull 5 times, not killing it, and the bull ended up getting up and charging the banderilleros again! The matador had to use the sword again and re-stab the bull correctly the second time. If the puntillero does it right, the bull quickly spazzes and then lays over on its side. The banderilleros then remove the banderillas, sword, and dagger from the bull. The horns are tied to a rope that is connected to three horses. The bull is dragged around the arena, with bloody streaks following it, and then finally out of the ring. The first time this happened, I was somewhat just dazed and confused. I was in awe of the art form of bullfight, but also totally and completely traumatized by the way the bull was killed. I witnessed this another 6 times or so and was a little lightheaded at the end of it. The air smelled like a mixture of iron (from the blood), dirt, and cigars. I am definitely glad that I experienced this and appreciated the culture and history of the bullfight, but can safely say that I will never go to another bullfight for the rest of my life.

I came here for a tour, so I did not actually see a bull fight, so my review will be based on the tour and the grounds themselves. Plaza de Toros is an easy to get to place. The metro actually stops right in front of it which makes transportation here a breeze. The exterior of the building is quite impressive and epic. Very large and beautifully kept. Tickets are pretty reasonably priced and the tour starts at the bottom of the plaza and then goes to the top where you can see the entire ring, which is neat. The place is wrapped in history. Lots of bull fights have happened here and the president shows up every now and then to watch bull fighting. As far as culture, bull fighting is integral to Spanish heritage. I found the tour very informational and interesting, and found the place itself to be very clean and beautiful. I would probably not watch a bull fight, however. We saw a video of the bull fight on our way out and it seemed a little too graphic for me!

If you're looking for a one time experience at a bull fight this maybe the one for you. We've always wanted to see a bull fight but alas we always had other things to do. After visiting and touring the bull ring in Ronda we felt it was time. May in Madrid is synonymous with bull fights. Just a warning this is the REAL DEAL. Once each bullfight starts you CAN'T leave. You must wait until it's over. In almost alL cases the bull is killed. There are exceptions where a particularly brave bull is spared, usually only one oo it of the 8 or so that fight. It's interesting that bullfights still exist, but it's a cultural thing. Here's another consideration the cheapprf the seats the more likely you are to end up I in the sun or an area w viewing issues. The regulars and bull fight royalty have the best seats. The church also has prime seats set aside. We left after 4 before we'd seen enough. This was a once in a lifetime experience. I don't plan on ever doing it again

This Sunday afternoon three matadors executed six black fighting bulls from Andalucia. Our first view of Spain's largest bull ring came from the top steps of the Ventas Metro station. Las Ventas was built in 1931 out of red brick in the Moorish style. Its exterior arches are decorated with ceramic crests of the 50 Spanish provinces. Feeling nervous and a little queasy, we passed by the snack vendors located outside of the entrance. At the ticket window, we purchased seats on the sunny side of the ring for €7.70, and rented seat cushions for an additional €1.20. Inside, the 25,000-seat arena was less than half full. As a small brass band played, the matadors paraded into the ring with their entourages. Once safely hidden behind wooden barriers, the energized bull was released. Appearing disoriented and confused, he charged any motion. A blind-folded horse wearing mattress-like armor took body blows, as the picador lanced the bull with a long spear. Just out of reach of the horns, nimble banderilleros placed colorful barbed sticks into the bull's enormous neck and shoulder muscles. The agitated bull was then addressed by the torero with his red cape and concealed sword. After a series of passes, the torero drove the sword deep into the bull's neck. Blood poured out of the bull's mouth, its legs buckled, and it fell to the ground. The lifeless animal was hooked to a team of strong mules and cheered as it was dragged out of the ring in a trail of blood. On this day, the kill was efficient and swift, and the matador was applauded and awarded an ear. At Las Ventas, we gained an appreciation for the tradition of bullfighting, how it exalts the skilled matador, and respects the feared fighting bull.

As a practice, I can't quite square myself with bullfighting. When we visited Las Ventas, I baulked at the idea of attending the contest, and we just wandered the grounds for an hour. It was worth the visit though, even for that. The arena is incredible to look at. A decent photographer would have a field day here with the amazing architecture of the place. Similarly, the plaza is filled with statues and monuments to bullfighters that show the sentimental feeling some people in Spain feel towards the sport.

Bullfighting is not for everyone! With that being said, you might want to check out a fight while you are in Madrid. If you can stomach it. The prices vary for the event. We spent about 60 euros each buying them through our hotel. The event was only once a week and we didn't want to miss out. However, the arena was half empty and their were tickets left at a lot cheaper prices. I would suggest going the cheap route. I would also suggest getting a cushion for the chairs, If you want to call them chairs, more like hard granite. That is all part of the charm. All in all, it was interesting to see and a highly entertaining experience. But once you see one or two fights, you will be done for the night or for the rest of your life.

The architecture of the plaza is incredible. We came here in July and I'm glad we experienced the bull fighting show as a tourist but definitely not something I would go to regularly if I lived there. It's torturous to the bulls but we get that it's a part of Spanish culture so we had to experience it. You can leave whenever you want but you just need to time it where you leave after a full fight because the security guards won't let you stand/be in obstruction of the viewers. There were a total of 3 bull fights but we left after the first one. No need to get tickets weeks in advance like you do for museums. You can get cheap tickets the day of the show. We went a few hours in advance to get them in the ticket booths so we wouldn't have to wait in a long line. The guy spoke little English but it was fine, he chose our seats. Prior to walking in, there are vendors in the front that sell snacks- chips, candy, beverages. *Have some euros on you so you can buy a seat cushion! It's cement seats so this came in clutch.

An amazing venue for such a historic and cultural event like a bull fight. We went with a bunch of people (300+)--many of whom didn't really appreciate the event due to the somewhat brutal and savage nature of the event. The stadium itself was incredible with not a bad seat in the house. All the seats are concrete, so you might want to pick up one of the padded cushions for just over 1 euro--it will save a bit of discomfort over the two hour event. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life and an event that everyone should experience at least once. When in Spain, do as the Spanish do! Happy Travelling!

If you love animals and have a heart STAY AWAY from this place. I came here not knowing what a bull fight is or what they do to the bulls. I didn't last 30 minutes before I walked out. The bull fighters taunt the bulls and stick swords down the bulls back so they bleed from early on. At one point a bull rider comes out on a horse and the horse is blind folded and the bull unintentionally harms the horse. The main bull fighter in the first act got a bit cocky and the bull got him and knocked him out, stomping on him. Over 10 staff members had to intervine. I hope the bull rider makes it out alive b/c he looked dead. Not 5 minutes after the incident 4 other bull riders slaughter the poor bull. This "sport" should be vanished and illegal to practice. I am so ashamed of not reading into this place before attending the event.

Like for some of the other reviewers, I will say that this was solely a cultural experience, and I will never attend another bullfight in my life. The stadium is beautiful and I really appreciated the arches all around. There are vendors outside selling t-shirts and other memorabilia. I actually had my eye on one of the shirts. The seats in the stadium were concrete and we were there for over 2 hours; good thing we rented seat cushions outside which were 1.5 euros each. Other reviews go into detail about the bullfight, so I wont bother. I definitely recommend taking a hat if you're in the sol area. The sun actually kept us warm because it was a brisk spring afternoon, but it was not good for our faces. Also, if you are averse to smokers (like me), just note that there are smokers all around you and wont care if all you're breathing in for 2 hours is smoke. I could appreciate the art of bullfighting and the subtle movements of the matadors. The brutal stabbing and killing of the bulls, not so much. Be warned that you can actually see the blood spewing from their necks like a broken faucet. Needless to say, I didn't purchase a shirt afterwards.

Awsome! Brutal but must see great job!!!! Nice costume great training. Perfect weather for the time pick. Very relaxing no rush pretty organized but @ the end they rush you out when you are in the restrooms they turn off the light. No very nice they even cut off the line from restroom waiting...... I don't know about that?!

Watching a bull fight is a worthwhile cultural experience if you do not have it where you are from. The stadium is about a 10 minute taxi ride from the the tourist area of Madrid. There is also a metro stop right in front of the stadium. If you are worried about catching a taxi when leaving, don't be, there are a lot of taxis lined up on the street. There's food and drinks sold outside and inside the venue. The gates open promptly at 6pm and the event starts right at 7pm. The entire match lasts roughly around 2 hours. You can purchase your tickets beforehand online at taquillatoros and pick up the tickets at the stadium right before the match (Just bring the printout of the ticket confirmation with you and scan the barcode to get your tickets to print out. You don't need to bring ID or the credit card you used to pay like the instructions say) . Or you can purchase tickets at the box office on the day of the match. The seat map is quite confusing for purchasing tickets, but it breaks down to the section you want to sit in and the row. The cheapest seats are high up and exposed to the sun the entire time, while the most expensive are in complete shade and closer to the ring. Be aware that there are scalpers that sell tickets at the stadium. Just ignore them and purchase a ticket right at the box office. Inside the stadium right by your seats, they sell seat cushions. I highly recommend purchasing one for 1.20 euros since the seats in the stadium are all made of stone.

You need to see a bullfight once in your life if you go to Spain. Yes it's gruesome and yes it looks painful for the bull. However, it's an experience to see something that's so engrained in Spanish culture. We got the shaded upper level seats for 4 euros. Cheap! It's 6 fights long and I only got to see 5 b/c I went with a bunch of girls and you know girls and sports. No patience or interest for it.

If you are there to see a bullfight and that it your thing, ok. If there is no bullfight and you want to photograph the outside ok. Otherwise there is no reason to pay €15 to enter this place. Moreover, when we went the place was set up for a concert, which meant the entire ring was covered with a stage and a three story tent which obstructed the view of the bullring. Mind you, they don't tell you that when they take your money. We couldn't take any pictures, and really there is nothing else to see in the place. Even if the place were empty it wouldn't be worth the money, €5 tops, if even. It was a total waste of time and money.

We took the metro to get here and got off at the Ventas stop. There are small booths outside for beer, water, and snacks. I purchased tickets beforehand and picked them up at a location near our hotel. There is a list of places for ticket pickup, and it's all listed on their website. The tickets I purchased was for the sun section. It got really hot that day, so we moved up to the shade section since it was empty. Overall, bullfight was a lot of fun to watch!

I will start off by saying that I messed up when planning my trip. I was here on Sunday but didn't realize that I wanted to see a bull fight until like Tuesday. There was only one Sunday in my trip so I had to settle for the tour. The tour was great. It cost 15 euros which include the audio device. If you are a student then it is 12 euros. There are 13 points of the tour while only 12 of them provide audio. Number 11 doesn't have audio. Between points 3 and 4 your photo is taken and then shown to you at point 10 for purchase. The picture is 10 euros and shows you winning a bull fight. The tour is definitely worth the price. I believe there were videos at points 6, 8 and 10. These videos showed highlights of a bull fight which made me realize that it is probably better that I didn't see the bull fight. During the tour it was stated that the bull fight can cost as little as 3 euros. This is a must whether you do the tour or the fight you can't come to Spain without indulging in culture and experiencing Plaza De Toro. In addition, the tour shows a museum where you can not take pictures but can see all of the Matadors appareal and see 6 stuffed bulls heads.

Everyone below seems to be just as shocked by what takes place here as I was. Yes, the bullfights were extremely brutal and inhumane..BUT these events are a part of Spanish culture that may or may not exist for much longer (especially if PETA gets their hands on 'em). I'm very glad that I had the chance to experience this. The arena is beautiful. We don't see any of kind of historical architecture like this in the U.S. Take a chance to walk around the stadium and admire. Ticket prices range from 20-100 euro and I believe they're categorized by "sunny" and "shady" seats. I paid 28euro and had no problems with where I sat. I would only recommend you grab one of the seat cushions --sitting on cement seats for 90minutes is NOT comfortable. Bring a nice camera! Take good pics because after seeing it once, you may not want to see it again.

Although not the largest on Earth, this is the world's most important bull-fighting ring, and as you would expect, it is steeped in the history of the sport. A massive red-brick building in the Arabic style, the place is a marvel which must be visited, especially since the museum behind it is free and only a nominal fee is charged for the excellent tours which take you round both the front- and back of house areas, explain the sport and its history to you, and let you handle some of the props of the matador. While I am no great fan of bullfighting, watching a fight here is impressive and strikes you as typically madrileno something which must be experienced before you leave.

If you're visiting Madrid you cannot leave without visiting this monumental bull fighting ring. The architecture is so impressive you can't help but stare at it from the outside and admire its beauty. It is very easy to access by Metro since the Las Ventas station is right outside of it. You just can't miss it. I was hoping to get a guided tour of the place but I was dissapointed to find out they only offered audio guided tours. If you wanted a guided tour you had to pay much much more for it. I'm a young budget traveler so I had to settle for the audio guide. Nonetheless I still enjoyed the tour very much. I still didn't understand the art of bullfighting until I reached Seville and had a guided tour of the bullring there. I did not attend a bullfight at this ring but I read they occur on Sundays around 7pm. I know bullfighting is a brutal thing to watch for some but try to visit this place on a day there are no bull runs. It truly reflects the culture of Madrid and Spain.

La Plaza de Las Ventas was wonderful! I got my tix in the USA through the web and they were really easy to pick up once in Madrid. I bought them through ticketstoros.com and picked them up TEYCIS OFFICE, located in Pasaje Comercial Carlos III (Goya Street, in front of the Plaza de Colon). It is within walking distance from Goya metro station. Teyci does charge a markup but I was in Madrid only for 4 days so I really did not want to miss the chance of seeing a bullfight and secured my tix in advance. I visited during August and it was hot so I would highly recommend that you buy tickets on the Sol/Sombra or Sombra section ONLY. Sombra = shade. And you will need it! The plaza is right off the Ventas metro station and it is a majestic view right after coming up the station's stairs. ^_^ Make sure to come with plenty of time in advance so you can take pics of you in front of the plaza and by the sculpture. Do rent one of the seats so your bum doesn't get sore after sitting 1 hour in cement. The beer prices are ok and I recommend not to get the big beer glasses because they get hot quite fast. Better buy beer in smaller portions so it lasts cold longer. Beware that if you are planning to take the metro back once the show is done, there will be large lines. It is a good idea to buy your return ticket upon arrival so you can head straight to the train and avoid the crowds.

The most famous bullring in the world built at the beginning of the 20th century. Apart from the museum and the incredible building, it is highly recomended to visit a bull fighting or any of the other shows that take place there (concerts, sports...)

In Madrid, beer costs EUR5 and so does a bullfight. It was a Sunday evening show, starting 8:30, and the difference between sol o sombra, sun or shade, didn't matter. I was late, rushing through a park, tearing up old blisters, and had to watch the end of the first fight on the tv outside the arena, with other latecomers. One spaniard was trying to persuade the barman to put whisky (probably Ballantine's) in his coke, but the barman said one of his supervisors was watching. The bull, a piebald, took 20 minutes to die, probably the best kill of the evening. Gate 4 opened and i was rushed to my stone seat. Cushions were available for another EUR1.20. A chinese woman next to me had brought her child, and the kid loved it. The brass band high in the arena were playing interval music, and were interrupted by the band just to my right, the signal band I suppose you'd call them. A fat man in an odd blue suit jacket carried in an enormous sign presumably saying which if the three new matadors was fighting. The senior matador checked everyone was ready, then the bull stormed in. In the abandoned ring it looked enormous, a great black charger. The matador's helpers made it run round the ring, tiring it slightly before, with another banging and blowing, the horses entered. They are heavily padded and bandaged with sweaty Aragon flags. The bull tried to tip one up and got a spear in his back for his trouble. Then the bandilleros (thanks feedback guy) took turns sticking their spiky sticks in the bull, which strikes me as the most dangerous part of the evening, since the bull isn't tired yet. They basically stand in front of the bull, wait for it to run at them, then plant their sticks. Another signal, the horses left and the matador entered again for his second fight. The kill happened on the far side of the arena (a la sombra) and then as the matador made his farewells round the arena the arena lights went on, making his suit light up. I suppose during the heat of the day this looks really fantastic, as it did here. Two men to my right were getting drunker and drunker on a huge cooler of Mahou. The second two young matadors (novilleros thnx) were not so good. They all wanted their bulls to die quickly, but none did, brown, golden or black. All had to be finished off by a picador, sticking his knife through their spines, hacking until the bull stopped twitctching, at which point three donkeys yoked together and garlanded with flowers drag the bull away as running men at their sides crack whips (on the floor of the arena, not on the donkeys.) The fourth bull caused the most problems for the horses, getting stuck on a horse for a good ten minutes as the spear went into his back repeatedly. It appeared to die on its knees but twitched a lot as the sword was removed. The fifth bull wouldn't take the cape at the end, but the matador killed him anyway (it is a competition between matadors.) When a matador leaves the arena, the crowd wave white handkerchiefs and throw personal possessions so the matador can throw them back. If it hits the floor one of his assistants picks it up. At the end of the evening, the crowd threw their cushions into the arena, which I presume was ironic. The best fighters come in may, when there are daily fights, but i would guess those are more expensive. Easy to get to on the underground, the stop is Ventas.

Spain is amazing, when I visited madrid this summer, I just couldn't NOT go see a bull fight, and it sure didnt disappoint. Typically Spanish, and brilliant. It was a great performance, and was a bargain! my seat was 5 euros! which is about VERY CHEAP! the arena itself was beautiful.

bull fighting is great. it's hard to understand why people protest. all they do is spear the animal a few times, slam some hooks into its back, stick a sword through his heart (ideally) and then cut off its ears and tail (depending on how good the fight was). make sure to get seat in one of the front rows. seeing the bloos drip makes the experience all the more fun. tickets are fairly cheap and there is public parking. also the metro gets you there pretty easily. if you decide to take your children make sure to bring them pillows to sit on, the stone seats can get rather cold.