Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino de Madrid)
Calle de Alcalá 237, Madrid, Spain, 28028
Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid is Spain's most famous bullfighting stadium, and its uniquely Spanish sport is celebrated in the Bullfighting Museum. Visitors find everything from painting and sculpture, to memorabilia and costumes. With its chronological exhibition, expect to leave with a historical perspective of Spain's bullfighting tradition.
The basics
Most travelers visit the Bullfighting Museum by purchasing a Las Ventas Bullring ticket in advance. Tickets are a great value, since you get access to the museum along with a complimentary audio tour, and have the chance to learn the history of the sport. You can also arrive on your own, and purchase a same-day ticket—but if there's a bullfight happening, you need to plan accordingly, since the tour stops three hours before the show.
Things to know before you go
- Visitors that want to understand Spanish culture appreciate the museum's presentation of this uniquely Spanish sport and spectacle.
- Bullfighting enthusiasts shouldn't miss the museum's Suit of Lights (Traje de Luces) worn by the legendary bullfighter, Manolete.
- This museum isn't suitable for squeamish visitors, and the audio tour includes the bloody details of the sport.
- Architecture fans shouldn't miss the stunning building, designed in the Neo-Mudéjar style, and adorned with hand-painted tiles.
How to get there
You find the Bullfighting Museum inside the famous Las Ventas Bullring on Calle de Alcalá, in Madrid's Salamanca district. Because of its central location, you can arrive at the museum by metro. Take the 2 or 5 subway lines to the Ventas stop, and see the grand building just outside the station.
When to get there
Even if you don't attend a show, you can visit the Bullfighting Museum for free, daily, all year round. In the winter, the museum is open from 10am to 5:30pm, and in summer, from 10am to 6:30pm. For a different view of the Bullring, arrive for an evening visit in the summer, on Thursday or Sunday. During the tourist season, be sure to arrive early in the week to avoid the crowds, and expect the museum to be busy if there's a bullfight.
Attending a Traditional Bullfight
Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid is perhaps the most significant bullring in the world, making it the ideal place to experience bullfighters (toreros) taking on a bull. To attend a bullfight, visit on a Sunday, between February and mid-October. Though more than 70 events take place during the season, it's best to secure tickets in advance, online, or at the box office during the week of the show.
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