Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
Plaza de Toros de Pamplona is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Pamplona audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Pamplona Pamplona guide
About Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
The third-largest bullring in the world, built in 1922, with a capacity of 19,720, it is the final destination of the encierro each morning and the venue for the afternoon corridas, considered among the most prestigious in the global bullfighting circuit.
The Plaza de Toros de Pamplona (formally the Plaza de Toros de la Misericordia) was built in 1922 and is the third-largest bullring in the world by capacity (after Las Ventas in Madrid and the Monumental de Mexico in Mexico City), seating 19,720 spectators. During San Fermín, it hosts nine corridas, one each afternoon from July 7 to July 14, and a special matutinal corrida (morning bullfight) on July 10, plus the bullfighting school exhibitions and the running of the bulls arrival. The ring is octagonal in plan with a sand floor (changed daily) and the traditional division into sol (sunny) and sombra (shaded) sections, with sombra tickets costing significantly more. The bullring is also the end point of the encierro: the bulls enter the ring after running the full 875-metre route, and the crowd already seated or standing in the ring can see and interact with the bulls before they are guided to the corrals below the ring.
Did you know? The matadors who perform at San Fermín are considered to be competing at the highest level of the bullfighting world. A successful faena (bullfighting performance) at Pamplona, particularly during San Fermín, is often considered a career-defining moment. The award of an ear (or two ears, or ear and tail, increasingly rare) is granted by the audience's sustained petition to the president of the ring, who waves a white handkerchief to confirm the award.
How long should you spend at Plaza de Toros de Pamplona?
Plan about ~60 min at Plaza de Toros de Pamplona. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Plaza de Toros de Pamplona worth visiting?
Plaza de Toros de Pamplona is one of the 15 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Pamplona, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Pamplona
Hear the story of Plaza de Toros de Pamplona
Preview the Pamplona tour free in the Gingerguide app.