Plaza de toros de la Maestranza (Maestranza Bullring), Seville (must see)

The Maestranza Bullring is one of Seville’s most famous landmarks and one of the oldest and most prestigious bullrings in Spain. Construction began in 1749 under the patronage of the Royal Cavalry Brotherhood of Seville, an aristocratic institution originally devoted to military training and horsemanship. Unlike many bullrings built later in the 19th century, the Maestranza developed gradually over decades, which explains its distinctive slightly oval shape rather than a perfect circle. The elegant Baroque-style entrance gate and the bright white and yellow exterior walls have become instantly recognizable symbols of Seville.

The arena can seat roughly 12,000 spectators and is considered one of the most demanding venues in the bullfighting world. Its long history, distinctive layout, and highly knowledgeable audience give it a reputation as a particularly challenging arena for matadors. In Seville, bullfights held during the April Fair represent the highlight of the city’s bullfighting calendar. The regular season usually runs from March or April—depending on the dates of Holy Week—until late September. Each year, the Real Maestranza commissions an artist to design the official poster announcing the upcoming season at the Royal Bullring.

Today the Maestranza is also one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions. Even for visitors who do not attend a bullfight, the site offers insight into a long-standing Andalusian tradition. Guided tours allow access to areas normally hidden from the public, including the chapel where matadors pray before entering the arena, the royal box, and the bullfighters’ gate through which the toreros make their entrance.

The complex also houses the Bullfighting Museum, which displays historic costumes, paintings, posters, and memorabilia tracing the evolution of bullfighting in Seville.