When was the Seville Bullring built?

Bullfighting in Seville goes back to 1707, when there was a square-shaped ring in the Arenal district where members of the Maestranza practiced.

In 1730, construction began on a new bullring. But in 1768, King Carlos III banned bullfighting, and the project was put on hold. It wasn’t until 1881 that the bullring was finally finished. Over the years, different parts were added, like the Prince’s Box (built in 1765 for Felipe de Borbón) and which is still reserved for the royal family!

One of the most famous features is the Prince’s Gate. It’s not the main entrance, but it’s the one matadors dream of walking through. It’s their big moment if they do well in the ring.

Visiting the Plaza de Toros in Seville

You don’t need to see a bullfight to enjoy visiting the bullring. It’s a great experience on its own. When you get inside the Plaza de TOros, you’ll also have the chance to visit the Bullfighting Museum and the Chapel of the Bullfighters. The museum is located right inside the walls of the arena and has a wide variety of items, like paintings from the 1700s to the 1900s, old bullfighting posters, colorful costumes, bronze statues, tiles, and sculptures.

All of this helps tell the story of bullfighting and the history of the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza. What I really liked is that you can learn and experience all of this without any bulls being hurt. You don’t have to be a fan of bullfighting to enjoy it—this kind of visit helps you understand a piece of Spanish culture that might otherwise feel unfamiliar. And honestly, the arena itself is stunning. Even empty, it feels powerful.

Seeing a bullfight at the Plaza de Toros

If you do decide to attend a bullfight, especially during the famous Seville Fair, the experience is very different.

This is one of the most important bullfighting festivals in the world, and during the fair, the atmosphere is full of energy. Of course, bullfighting can be emotional and even controversial, but seeing it live can help you better understand its role in local culture. Whether or not you agree with it, the event brings history, tradition, and art together in a way that’s hard to ignore.

Try to get a seat in the sombra (shade) section. It can get very hot, especially in the summer. It’s not rare to see people sitting in the sun (sol) actually fainting from the 110-degree heat, so trust me, shade is your friend. Sections 5, 7, and 9 are usually the best for staying cool. Here’s another tip: Sitting behind the judges and where the bull owners sit gives you a great view of everything! Just know that sombra tickets often sell out early, so if you want a good spot and don’t want to feel like you’re melting, it’s best to book about a month in advance.

The Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)

The museum is small and easy to walk through, but there’s a lot to take in if you pay attention. It’s well-organized, and the 10-euro entry fee includes an audio guide that helps explain much of what you see. One part I found really interesting was the section with the costumes and information about the sport. It really brings the history to life! If you look closely at some of the artwork, especially the expressions on people’s faces, you can tell that bullfighting has never been comfortable for everyone. There’s also a quiet chapel where bullfighters can stop to pray before entering the arena.

The only downside is that there isn’t much written information next to the displays, and most of what’s there is only in Spanish, so it can be a little hard to follow if you don’t speak the language.

Hotels close to the Seville Bullring

If you’re visiting Seville during bullfighting season, you might want to stay near the Plaza de Toros. Here are a few hotels I would consider. The neighborhood around the Plaza de Toros is El Arenal.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	PRICE
Luxury	Casa del Rey Sabio	From € 206 / night
Mid-range	Vincci Molviedro	From € 160 / night
Budget	Hotel Tayko Sevilla	From € 109 / night
Mid-range	Hotel Inglaterra	From € 125 / night

Tips for visiting the Seville Bullring

• If you only want to visit the Plaza de Toros of Seville, it’s a good idea to book online so you can skip the line.
• If you want to see a bullfight though, buy your ticket at the ticket office. It is usually cheaper than online.
• For taking photos, a daytime visit is better. At night, the bright lights in the arena make it hard to see the real beauty of the building.
• If you need the bathroom, go before starting the visit. You won’t come back to the starting point.