Seville Bullring (Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza de Cabellería de Sevilla)

The Seville Bullring remains a site of historical and cultural importance in the southern city. If you prefer not to watch the spectacle, opt instead for a visit to the museum, including the chapel where matadors pray and the infirmary where they’re patched up. The bullring is included as a stop on many guided walking and bike tours, along with other points of interest such as the Alcázar, Santa Cruz Quarter, Plaza de España, and Seville Cathedral.

• The bullring is a must-see for history buffs.

• Visit the bullring as part of a small-group or private guided tour of Seville.

• If you plan to see a fight, book your tickets as far in advance as possible.

• The ring can get quite hot, so remember to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

The Seville Bullring is centrally located and serviced by several city bus routes. The nearest metro station is Puerta de Jerez, a few minutes’ walk away. Most guided tours meet at a central location or include transportation.

Bullfighting season runs from Easter Sunday through mid-October. During the Seville Feria, a week-long celebration in the spring, the season's most prestigious fights are held. Every afternoon, crowds pack the Plaza de Toros (or “the Cathedral” as the locals call it) to see the fighters take on the bulls.

In the Prosper Merimée novella,Carmen, (and later Georges Bizet’s beloved opera), the main character Carmen is stabbed to death in the Maestranza bullring. Other real-life Seville sites mentioned in the opera include the tobacco factory where Carmen met her husband and Puerta de Jerez.