El Puerto de Santa María Bullring
Real Plaza de toros El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz
The bullring of El Puerto de Santa María, located in the province of Cádiz, is a striking example of eclectic style, built in 1880 with a capacity for 12,186 spectators.
El Puerto de Santa María boasts a deep-rooted bullfighting tradition, and its monumental bullring is one of the most beautiful and historic in Spain. Over the years, it has welcomed some of the most renowned figures in the history of bullfighting and stands as one of the most significant venues of the season.
"Anyone who hasn’t seen a bullfight in El Puerto doesn’t know what a true bullfight is." - Joselito "El Gallo"
History of the bullring and bullfighting in El Puerto de Santa María
This Andalusian city has always been steeped in bullfighting tradition. The earliest bullfights in El Puerto date back to the 18th century, taking place in the Plaza de las Galeras, a wooden ring located in San Francisco’s common land. In 1768, this venue hosted an impressive ten bullfights to benefit the Hospital of Our Lady of Miracles. It was also in this arena that the bullfighter José Cándido met his fate after a goring on 23 June 1771.
Due to the growing popularity of bullfights, a new bullring was built in 1802 in El Puerto, standing until 1876 despite several renovations and rebuilds.
Finally, on 5 June 1880, the current bullring of El Puerto de Santa María was inaugurated with a historic mano-a-mano fight between two of the era’s greatest bullfighters, Antonio Carmona ‘El Gordito’ and Rafael Molina Lagartijo, with bulls from the herd of D. Anastasio Martín.
The bullring was built by a small company led by the distinguished Don Tomás Osborne Böhl de Faber, a descendant of the illustrious writer Fernán Caballero.
The bullring in El Puerto de Santa María is a second-category venue with three tiers and a distinctive polygonal shape featuring 60 sides. It has a vast diameter of 99 metres and a sand arena measuring 60 metres, making it one of the largest bullrings in Spain.
Visitors are greeted at the main entrance by a grand bronze statue honouring the Spanish fighting bull, while at the rear entrance stands a statue of the great bullfighter Paquirri performing a ‘cambiada’ at ‘portagayola.’
Since its opening in 1880, every major figure in bullfighting has graced the ring of El Puerto de Santa María, from Manolete and Dominguín to José Tomás, José Mari Manzanares, and El Juli.
Such is its significance that in the passageway of the main entrance there is a mosaic bearing a famous quote from the renowned bullfighter Joselito El Gallo: ‘Anyone who hasn’t seen a bullfight in El Puerto doesn’t know what a true bullfight is.
Where is the bullring in El Puerto, and how do I get there?
The bullring in El Puerto is located at Elías Ahuja Square, No. 3, just a short walk from the city centre. It’s recommended to go on foot or by bus, as parking can be quite challenging in the area.
"A Unique Spectacle: Two Bullfights Held Simultaneously in the Bullring of El Puerto." (José Miguel Arruego) - Read more
INTERESTING FACTS The bullring of El Puerto de Santa María in numbers
Second Category
Capacity
Subscribers
Bullfights per year
Bullfights per year
When are the bullfights held in El Puerto de Santa María?
While El Puerto de Santa María doesn’t have a specific bullfighting festival, its bullfighting season is in the summer, coinciding with the city’s busiest time when the population triples with tourists eager to enjoy the beaches, local cuisine, and, of course, the bullfights.
In fact, almost every Sunday in July and August, bullfights are held in El Puerto, so if you plan to visit this summer, you’ll likely have the chance to experience the unique bullfighting atmosphere at this historic Andalusian ring.
Attending a bullfight in El Puerto de Santa María during summer is a longstanding tradition, enjoyed by locals—known for their passion for bullfighting—as well as tourists and holidaymakers visiting Cádiz.
Although this year’s lineup isn’t yet confirmed, in August 2024 alone, a total of 8 bullfights took place in El Puerto, featuring renowned bullfighters like Andrés Roca Rey, Morante de la Puebla, José Mari Manzanares, and Sebastián Castella, alongside prestigious herds such as Murube, Núñez del Cuvillo, and La Cercada. This demonstrates the significance of El Puerto as a major venue in the bullfighting world.
Buy your bullfight tickets for El Puerto de Santa María at Servitoro
Since the bullfights take place in summer, when the city is bustling with tourists from all over the world, the events in El Puerto de Santa María often sell out quickly. Therefore, it’s important to plan ahead if you want to ensure your spot in the ring.
If you’re travelling to Cádiz this summer and want to enjoy the incredible bullfighting atmosphere at this venue, you can purchase your tickets for the bullring in El Puerto de Santa María in advance at Servitoro. You can do this conveniently through our website in just a few minutes, avoiding the long queues that form at the box office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all children over 4 years old must pay the adult ticket price.
Access with food depends on the rules established by the organiser of the show. Before entering the venue, it is advisable to check directly with the bullring ticket office to confirm whether you are allowed to bring food.
The organisers reserve all image and intellectual property rights of the show. It is therefore forbidden to film or take photographs (with or without flash) during the bullfight.
The venue opens two hours before the show. This allows you to avoid crowds and find your seat in peace and quiet.
Spectators may not enter or leave their seats during the bullfight. This rule is fundamental to guarantee the safety and the correct development of the show.
Tickets are sent in PDF format, so you will need to print them out at home. The PDF file will be sent to the email address you used to make the purchase.
The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to the venue to any user who does not present their ticket in physical format (printed on paper).
Images: Circuitos taurinos