The Las Ventas bullring is part of the true spirit of Madrid. First opened in 1931, 12 years after the construction started by architect José Espelius, this is the biggest bullring in Spain. It's got a capacity for 23,798 spectators and a history that's connected as much to bullfighting as to the cultural life of the capital, thanks to the many concerts that have been held here over the nearly 90 years since its inauguration.
The singular Neo-Mudéjar style of Las Ventas has turned the bullring into a major tourist attraction, a place where, in addition to admiring its architecture, bullfighting fans can enjoy Las Ventas Tour: a complete look at the history of bulls that allows you to discover all the secrets of the most important bullring in the world.
During the tour you can visit, via 13 points of interest, highlights of the bullring, among them the Puerta Grande ('Gate of Triumph'), the stands, the terraces and even the spaces normally closed to the public, such as the alley where bullfighters would wait their turn. You can also set foot in the ring itself and visit the chapel. The visit ends at the Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum), where you'll find a complete collection about the history of bullfighting in Spain.
Located in the bullring's Patio de Caballos, the Museo Taurino is one of the most emblematic spots of Las Ventas. Here you can see suits of lights that marked the era, cloaks that forged legends, some of the most significant bull heads in history, and an impressive collection of posters, including the one announcing the inaugural run at Las Ventas, on June 17, 1931.
With the Las Ventas Tour, you get to experience just a bit of what it's like to stand before a fighting bull. The exclusive and innovative Juego de Toreo Virtual (Virtual Bullfighting Game), the only one of its kind in the world, allows you to put yourself in the skin of a matador during a fight, feel the excitement of the audience during big festivals such as the San Isidro Fair, and feel like you're being carried on shoulders like a champion through the bullring's Puerta Grande. What's more, the new Juego Virtual de San Fermín (San Fermín Virtual Game) will transport you to the famous running of the bulls in Pamplona. Do you dare?
One of the biggest stand-out sections of the Museum you can visit on Las Ventas Tour is that which spotlights Manuel Laureano Rodríguez, aka Manolete (1917-1947), who was a true legend of Spanish bullfighting. Hugely famous in the 1940s, he became a big part of Spanish history thanks to his unmistakable style and bravery. A goring ended his life in the bullring of Linares (Jaén, Andalusia), although his legacy remains alive in the memory of fans.
If what you're after is a personalised experience, Las Ventas Tour offers the chance to have the run of the bullring for yourself and your group of friends. Your guides will explain all the events and anecdotes that have taken place in the bullring. Discover all the secrets of Las Ventas in your special hour-and-a-half private tour.