Plaza de Toros de Santamaría

Updated April 6, 2026

Plaza de Toros de Santamaría is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Bogota, Colombia. With a rating of 4.3 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find Plaza de Toros de Santamaría at Calle 6 #26-50, Bogotá, Colombia.

Visiting Plaza de Toros de Santamaría

Located in Bogota, Colombia, Plaza de Toros de Santamaría is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at Calle 6 #26-50, Bogotá, Colombia. GPS coordinates: 4.612971, -74.068469. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

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The Plaza de Toros de Santamaría stands in Bogotá’s San Diego neighborhood, and honestly, you can’t miss it. Built way back in 1931, this circular arena is all about that gorgeous Neomudéjar brickwork—seriously, it pops from several blocks away.

You’ll find the plaza tucked between those iconic Torres del Parque apartments and the Planetario Distrital. It’s right in Parque de la Independencia, making it a pretty central starting point for a day out.

The building can seat over 14,000 people, which is wild when you see it up close. If you’re into architecture, don’t forget your camera—the details on the facade are worth a second look.

Most tourists breeze past, but here’s a tip: the plaza sits in a sweet spot for walking to other sights, so you can easily make a whole day of exploring central Bogotá.

Key Takeaways

• Plaza de Toros de Santamaría is an 88-year-old cultural venue with standout Neomudéjar architecture in central Bogotá.
• The venue now hosts concerts, art events, and sports—it’s left its bullfighting days behind.
• You’ll find this 14,500-capacity space near Parque de la Independencia and a bunch of other central attractions.

About Plaza de Toros de Santamaría

This landmark in Bogotá’s Centro Internacional has been around since 1931. Nearly a century later, it’s still a cornerstone of the city’s cultural scene.

It started off as a traditional bullring but now, it’s all about concerts, sporting events, and the occasional art performance.

History and Significance

Ignacio Sanz de Santamaría, a local businessman, donated the land for the plaza—hence the name. When construction wrapped up in 1931, it was actually Bogotá’s first reinforced concrete building.

Architects Adonai Martínez and Eduardo Lazcano were behind the original design, but the current facade is the work of Spanish architect Santiago de la Mora. That Neo-Mudéjar brick style is a real blend of Spanish and Moorish influences.

The government declared it a National Monument in 1948, not long after it opened. Locals clearly saw something special in it.

The arena holds about 14,500 people and sits just steps from Torres del Parque and the Planetario de Bogotá.

After the city banned bullfighting, the venue reinvented itself as Plaza Cultural La Santamaría. That shift really saved it from fading into obscurity.

What Makes It Special

The brickwork is hands-down the first thing that grabs your attention. Those Neo-Mudéjar patterns? You won’t see them anywhere else in Bogotá.

But the surprises keep coming inside. I’ve seen everything from international tennis matches (the 2010 Davis Cup was here!) to huge concerts and even a pop-up beach for kids. The circular design makes every event feel a bit more intimate, no matter where you sit.

Getting here’s a breeze. Just hop off TransMilenio at Museo Nacional and walk a block toward the mountains. Official hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but events can run at odd times—best to check locally for what’s on.

What to See and Do

Plaza de Toros de Santamaría is this quirky mix of cultural activities and knockout architecture. You’ll stumble onto everything from art exhibits to a kids’ beach area—all inside a 1931 bullring.

Main Attractions and Highlights

The facade is the showstopper. Santiago de la Mora’s Neo-Mudéjar brickwork is just so intricate—you’ll want to run your hand along the wall.

Step inside and the space opens up as a cultural venue. The old sand ring is now a children’s beach play area, which is pretty unexpected.

Art exhibitions and cultural events rotate in and out, so you never really know what you’ll find. Local Colombian artists get a lot of love here.

Key things to see:

• The original 1931 reinforced concrete structure
• All that Neo-Mudéjar detail in the brickwork
• Rotating art installations and cultural exhibitions
• The children’s beach play area (yes, really)

Sports tournaments and concerts pop up throughout the year. Occasionally, there are guided tours focused on the building’s history and its National Monument status, but you’ll have to check locally—no guarantees they’re running.

Best Time to Visit

If you can, time your visit for the Festival de Verano or another big cultural event. The whole plaza lights up with performances and activities, and you really get to see what this place means to Bogotá now.

Weekday mornings are quieter if you’re after photos or just want to soak in the architecture. Being so close to the Museo Nacional TransMilenio stop, it’s easy to pair with other sights.

Always check the event calendar first. Sometimes the plaza’s closed for private events or tournaments, and you don’t want to show up to locked gates.

Visitor Information

Plaza Cultural La Santamaría sits in the San Diego area, right in the heart of Bogotá. Getting here? Piece of cake, whether you’re on foot or using public transit.

Location and How to Get There

You’ll find the plaza in the Centro Internacional, smack in the Santa Fe district, between Calle 27 and the Planetario Distrital. The brick building is inside Parque de la Independencia, with Torres del Parque on one side.

The simplest way is TransMilenio—hop off at Museo Nacional or Calle 26, both just a short walk away. From Museo Nacional, it’s maybe five minutes east on foot.

You can also enter from Carrera 7 at the Museo Nacional level, or from Carrera 5. If you’re already out exploring, the plaza is basically neighbors with the Planetario de Bogotá, so it’s easy to double up.

Tips for Visitors

The venue usually opens from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, then again from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM for general visits. Still, you’ll want to double-check locally—especially if there’s a concert or some big sporting event on the calendar.

Plaza de Toros de Santamaría isn’t about bullfights anymore. These days, you’ll find it buzzing with cultural festivals and the occasional sports tournament.

Capacity hovers around 10,000 for most events, a bit less than its original 14,500. Expect the vibe to shift—a sold-out concert will fill every seat, but on a quiet weekday, you might have the place nearly to yourself.

Seriously, don’t forget your camera. The neomudéjar brickwork is a photographer’s dream, and I’m always surprised how many people walk right past the intricate details on the facade.

Spanish architect Santiago de la Mora really left his mark here. If you’re into architecture, linger out front and soak in the craftsmanship—there’s a lot hiding in plain sight.