Flamenco shows in Madrid

Flamenco is one of the most deeply rooted cultural traditions in Spain and in Madrid you have the opportunity to see some of the most prestigious shows of the genre in several renowned tablaos.

The first thing you should know is that the tablaos put on shows very frequently and throughout the year (so there are bound to be several options during the dates of your trip). Reservations should always be made in advance as some venues are small and fill up quickly. I'll tell you all about the most popular shows in Madrid:

Another of the most emblematic and traditional tablaos in the capital and therefore also one of the busiest and most popular. The Corral de la Morería is also a restaurant serving Spanish specialities and is located in the historic centre of Madrid. Some of the country's leading flamenco dancers have performed and continue to perform in this tablao.

Flamenco shows at the Corral de la Morería can last up to three hours. I recommend adding dinner to the show, both for the duration of the show and because you will have the possibility of a tasting menu, so you can try several typical Spanish dishes.

Tip: book well in advance if you are short of time and want to attend the show on a certain day. Don't forget to walk around the area before or after the show.

The Teatro Flamenco de Madrid has flamenco shows practically all year round. Depending on the date of your trip to Madrid you will come across one or the other, but they all have in common the traditional dresses of bata de cola and the singing, guitar and dance as the main elements. The space is just the right size to see all the details of this show up close.

The performance lasts an hour and the venue is located on Calle del Pez, which is easily accessible from the Noviciado metro stop on line two.

Tip! There is a bar service, but it is only available until five minutes before the show starts, so if you want to order something make sure you do so before or after the show.

This is the most economical option and also includes a tour of the sights of Madrid before the show. This night tour of Madrid with flamenco show is suitable for small groups of 15 people maximum. You will walk around the city with the help of an expert guide who will tell you interesting stories about the city of Madrid. At the end of the tour it will be time to relax with a flamenco show at Cardamomo, one of the most famous flamenco venues in the capital.

Tip: wear comfortable shoes for the tour (you can dress as you like during the show as there is no need to wear a dress code).

Itinerary

• Royal Palace
• Puerta del Sol
• Plaza Mayor
• Gran Vía

Flamenco is a dance that has many branches and it is possible that some of the shows you see in Madrid or in cities such as Cordoba, Seville or Granada are far from the preconceived idea that you may have of flamenco. If you buy tickets for the show at the Centro Cultural Flamenco de Madrid this will not happen to you, as here you will have a sample of the most traditional flamenco.

Technical perfection is the strong point of this quartet made up of two dancers, a singer and a guitarist. The show lasts approximately one hour. After booking online you will receive a voucher which you can exchange at the venue (located in the central Chueca neighbourhood, close to Gran Vía) for your tickets without waiting in line.

Tip! If you have never had any contact with flamenco dance, this show is one of the best options to start with.

This flamenco show by La Cueva de Lola takes place in a restaurant in the popular neighbourhood of La Latina, so you can book just the ticket for the show or also dinner or drinks. The flamenco troupe is made up of a group of four to six internationally acclaimed artists and improvisation is very present in the show.

Once you book online for the day and time of your choice, you will be sent a voucher that you can present at the entrance of the venue to access the show.

Tip! The show lasts for one hour. Before or after the show I recommend that you stroll around the La Latina neighbourhood in search of a good wine and some tapas; they are delicious in the area.

This is one of the most famous tablaos in Madrid and one of the places that welcomes the largest number of foreign tourists, but its flamenco shows are of no lesser quality. There are several shows a day and the duration is one hour. The highlight of this tablao is the prestige of the artists that make up its line-up and its collaboration with the Círculo Flamenco de Madrid, an organisation that ensures the transmission of flamenco culture at an international level.

Las Tablas is a restaurant located in the centre of Madrid (you will receive directions when you make your reservation) with vegetarian tapas and food options; if you want to make use of the show with drink or dinner option you have different options to choose from depending on your budget.

Tip: shows, with some exceptions, are on weekends so I recommend booking in advance as it's common for tickets to sell out in high season.

Ana's Traveller Tip

If you're struggling to decide between so many options, you can check out Youtube for videos of the most famous tablaos in Madrid to compare styles.

This flamenco tablao is an institution in Madrid and has one of the longest shows. Guitarists, singers and dancers perform at this venue, which is also a restaurant, located in the vicinity of the Plaza Mayor.

The meal will consist of a menu of traditional dishes and dessert and drinks can be one or several. Once you have booked online, you only need to present your receipt at the entrance.

Tip! The repertoire of this show is very varied, as it touches on the different flamenco palos. If you are interested in the subject you can find out more before attending and try to locate each of the dances in the show.

This option is one of the most complete for flamenco lovers. Before the show at Taberna El Cortijo you will also have a workshop in which professionals of the genre will show you some of the steps of this discipline and you will have the opportunity to play the castanets. This pack also includes a menu with several options to choose from.

The whole experience lasts three hours and the flamenco show is divided into two sections of forty minutes each. Taberna El Cortijo is located in a secluded area of central Madrid, but you can get there by taking metro line 1 from Atocha or Sol and getting off at Portazgo. To access the workshop, all you need to do is show the receipt that will be sent to you by email when you complete your booking.

Tip! If you are interested in learning more about the discipline and not just watching the show, I recommend this option and I encourage you to ask the hostess any questions you may have. Flamenco is a fascinating world that deserves to be explored.

As you can see, the options available when it comes to enjoying a traditional show are many and there are even more. Flamenco shows are very popular in Madrid due to the large number of visitors who demand this experience. If you are interested in knowing more about this subject or you simply want to know more, you should know that other legendary flamenco tablaos in Madrid, all of them with restaurant, are:

Ana's Traveller Tip

If they try to sell you tickets for a flamenco show in the street, always check the history of the venue and the veracity of the tickets.

Flamenco in Spain, and especially in certain places such as Andalusia, is much more than a musical genre. It is a culture in itself that is based on expressing oneself through movement, looks and the strings of a guitar. For many people flamenco is a way of life and that is why I encourage you to learn a little more about this discipline before going to any show, so you can enjoy it more.

The curiosity to get closer to the world of flamenco by seeing a show implies that you like tradition and the traditional. It is difficult to find an experience similar to that of seeing a flamenco show in Madrid or any other city, but it is quite possible that this curiosity and respect for tradition will make you enjoy an experience that, for me, although in a different line, is one of the most authentic you can have in Madrid: a guided tour.

What is the connection? That on a walking tour of the city a specialised guide will tell you about many more traditions and anecdotes that will allow you to remember your trip to Madrid not only for the Puerta del Sol or the Prado Museum, but also for the essence of its people and customs. You can find information about this type of tour in this article: Madrid Tours.

If you want to complete your trip with a dose of culture, I recommend you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. Located in the heart of the historic centre, the building will charm you from the outside, but inside it is a real gem. In this article you can check opening hours, prices, types of tickets... Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets and Tours.