Bullfighting and bull festivals (corridas and correbous): what to know

Terms used

• Corridas — Corridas are bullfights held in a bullring, where the bull is fought and killed.
• Encierro — An encierro is a bull run through closed streets, usually ending at a bullring.
• Correbous — Correbous are bull events in Catalan streets, where bulls are run or led and not killed.
• Bous a la mar — Bous a la mar are Valencian events where a bull is released toward the sea or harbour and people run and jump.

Key rules

• Legal status: Bullfighting is legal nationally, but Catalonia's ban was annulled and the Canary Islands ban it, so there are none there.
• Correbous: Correbous are not bullfights: they continue in Catalonia, without killing the bull.
• Minors: Many regions set a minimum age of 16 to attend, and it varies by region.
• Your choice: Nobody has to attend or take part, and many locals respect either decision.

Where bull events are legal and where they are not

Bullfighting (corridas) is legal across Spain as a whole, and the state treats it as protected culture. Some regions have tried to ban or limit it, with mixed results.

• Catalonia: a ban took effect in 2012, but the Constitutional Court annulled it in 2016. In practice there are no regular bullfights in Barcelona.
• Canary Islands: bullfights have been banned since 1991 under animal protection law. There are none.
• Balearic Islands: a 2017 law set conditions on bullfights. The Constitutional Court partly annulled it in 2018, so limits remain.
• Other regions: each regulates bullfights through its own rules. Bullfights are most common in Andalusia, Madrid, Castilla y León, Valencia, Navarra, Aragón and Extremadura.

Rules differ by region and even by town, so check each event before you plan around it.

The types of bull event

Not every bull event is a bullfight. Know which one you are looking at:

• Corrida: the bullfight in a ring.
• Encierro: a bull run through closed streets to a bullring. The best known is Pamplona's San Fermín, 6–14 July. Others include San Sebastián de los Reyes, Cuéllar and Tafalla.
• Correbous (bous al carrer): bull events in the streets of southern Catalonia and the Terres de l'Ebre. They are still allowed in Catalonia, without killing the bull. Some include bulls with fire on their horns (bous embolats).
• Bous a la mar: Valencian events where a bull is released toward the sea or a harbour and people run and jump. Valencia sets rules on how long they last and on age limits.
• Toro de la Vega (Tordesillas): the spearing was banned in Castilla y León in 2016.

Age limits

Many regional rules set a minimum age of 16 to attend a bullfight. Some regions have gone further, for example by banning minors from taking part in bull schools. Check the rule for the region before you bring children.

How to decide whether to go

Opinion in Spain is split. Supporters see tradition and heritage tied to rural life. Opponents, including animal-welfare groups and, in polls, a majority of young Spaniards, see cruelty. Attending is legal where events are allowed, and nobody has to take part. If you object, you can simply stay away. Many locals will respect either choice.

If you go:

• Watch from behind barriers.
• Do not run unless you are fit and experienced. Gorings, falls and crowd crushes happen every year at runs such as Pamplona's.
• Do not drink beforehand.
• Follow police and organiser instructions.
• Read your travel insurance to see if it covers bull events.

Avoid raising the debate at an event. Attitudes vary by region and by family.

The checklist and warnings below cover the practical points in short form.

Checklist

• Check whether bull events are allowed in the region you are visiting, since Catalonia bans bullfights and the Canary Islands have none.

• Find out what kind of event it is: a bullfight (corrida), a bull run (encierro), correbous or bous a la mar.

• Check the regional age limit before bringing children, as many regions set a minimum age of 16.

• Decide whether you want to attend, knowing that opinion is split and no one has to take part.

• Read your travel insurance policy to confirm it covers bull events.

• Plan to watch from behind barriers and follow police and organiser instructions.

What to watch out for

• Injuries at bull runs: Running events such as Pamplona's encierro cause gorings and falls every year, and crowds can crush people. Tourists running without experience are at particular risk. Stay behind the barriers. Only run if you are fit and experienced, and follow police and organiser instructions.

• Alcohol and bulls: Drinking before an event raises the risk of injury a lot. Do not drink before you attend or run.

• Insurance may not cover it: Some travel insurance policies may not cover injuries at bull events. Check your policy before you go.

• Strong local feelings: People are split, and attitudes differ by region and family. Avoid bringing up the debate at an event. If you object, simply skip it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see a bullfight in Barcelona or the Canary Islands?

No, you will not find regular bullfights in Barcelona or the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands banned them in 1991. Catalonia's 2010 ban was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 2016, but in practice Barcelona still has no regular bullfights.

Are correbous the same as bullfights?

No, correbous are not bullfights: bulls are run through the streets in Catalonia's Terres de l'Ebre and the bull is not killed. Some events use fire on the horns (embolat). Catalonia allows correbous but restricts practices that harm the animal.

Is there a minimum age to attend a bullfight?

Yes, many regional bullfighting regulations set a minimum age of 16 for attending, but some regions have gone further. Valencia, for example, has age restrictions for its bous a la mar events. Check the regional rules before bringing children.

Will locals mind if I say I object to bull events?

No, many locals respect either choice, since opinion is split. Still, avoid raising the debate at an event, because attitudes vary by region and even within families.