Teatro San Pol

Teatro San Pol sits on Calle de San Pol de Mar, in Madrid's Príncipe Pío area, right by the Manzanares river and next to Casa de Campo park. For more than forty years it has run one of the few programmes in Spain built entirely around young audiences.

What makes this theatre different?

Teatro San Pol opened in 1982 as the first stage in Spain devoted exclusively to children's and family theatre. It has stayed in continuous operation ever since, mixing traditional fairy tales with newer stage productions. Its resident company, La Bicicleta, has been based here for over twenty years and is behind most of what appears on the programme - 44 in-house productions to date, including stage versions of "Pinocchio," "Cinderella," and "One Thousand and One Nights."

Who is the programme aimed at?

On weekdays the seats are largely filled by school groups attending as part of organised educational visits. Weekends belong to families with children. Alongside the regular Spanish-language shows, the theatre also runs performances in English and offers theatre workshops for kids. The auditorium seats around 600 people.

What else does Teatro San Pol offer?

Besides watching a show, families can book the venue for a child's birthday party. There's an on-site catering area, and a baby-changing facility for parents travelling with infants. The box office opens an hour before each performance, and ticket prices vary by production - current prices are listed on the theatre's own website.

How do you get there?

The easiest way in is by metro to Príncipe Pío, served by lines 6, 10 and R - the same station used by Cercanías commuter trains. City buses 41, 46 and 75, plus night line N20, also stop nearby. Cyclists will find BiciMAD docking stations a short walk away on Paseo de la Florida. Because the theatre sits right on the riverbank next to Casa de Campo, a visit pairs easily with a walk through this quieter, greener stretch of the city, away from the busiest parts of central Madrid.

When's the best time to go?

Families without a school-trip connection tend to go for weekend mornings and afternoons, when the programme is aimed squarely at that audience. It's worth checking the current schedule before planning a visit, though, since weekday slots are often taken up by school groups and the productions on offer change from season to season.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Teatro San Pol? It has been running since 1982, making it one of the longest-established children's theatres in Spain.

Are the shows only in Spanish? No - besides its Spanish-language repertoire, the theatre regularly stages performances in English.

How many people does the venue seat? The auditorium holds around 600 spectators.

Can you hold a birthday party there? Yes, the theatre offers the option of hosting a child's birthday celebration on-site.

Which company performs there most often? La Bicicleta, the resident company, has been based at the theatre for more than two decades and produces most of what's on the programme.