Do They Run With Bulls in Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

If you’ve ever heard of the Running of the Bulls, you might be wondering if this event takes place in Madrid. The answer is no, but there are other events that involve bulls that take place in the Spanish capital.

One such event is the San Isidro Festival, which takes place every May and June. This festival is a celebration of Madrid’s patron saint and includes bullfights at Las Ventas Bullring. Bullfighting has a long history in Spain and remains a popular tradition, with Las Ventas being one of the most important bullfighting arenas in the world.

Another event that involves bulls in Madrid is the encierro or bull run. This event takes place during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, but there are smaller versions held in other towns across Spain, including Madrid.

During an encierro, participants run alongside a herd of bulls through narrow streets to reach the bullring. It’s a dangerous activity that requires skill and bravery.

While these events may be controversial due to animal welfare concerns, they remain an important part of Spanish culture and attract tourists from around the world. If you’re interested in experiencing these events firsthand, it’s important to do your research and make informed decisions.

If you’re not comfortable with attending bull-related events, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Madrid. The city is known for its art museums like the Prado Museum and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, as well as its beautiful parks like Retiro Park.

In conclusion, while Madrid doesn’t have a Running of the Bulls event like Pamplona does, it still has plenty of opportunities to experience Spanish traditions involving bulls through events like bullfights at Las Ventas Bullring or smaller versions of bull runs during festivals like San Fermin. However, it’s important to consider animal welfare concerns and make informed decisions when deciding whether to participate in these events.