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 tablaos put on shows very frequently and throughout the year (so there are bound to be several options during your travel dates). Reservations are always made in advance as some venues are small and fill up fast. I 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 most popular and demanded. The Corral de la Morería is also a restaurant of Spanish specialties and is located in the historic center of Madrid. Some of the country's leading flamenco dancers have performed and continue to perform at this tablao.

Flamenco shows at Corral de la Morería can last up to three hours. I recommend adding dinner 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 foods.

Tip! Book well in advance if you have limited time availability and want to attend the show on a certain day. Don't forget to tour 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 another, but they all have in common the traditional bata de cola dresses and singing, guitar and dance as the main elements. The space has the right dimensions to be able to observe all the details of this show up close.

The performance lasts one hour and the venue is located on Calle del Pez, which you can easily reach from the Noviciado metro stop on line two.

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

This is the most economical option and also includes a walk through the sights of Madrid before the show. This night tour of Madrid with flamenco show is adapted to small groups of 15 people maximum. You will walk the tour 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 the flamenco show at Cardamomo, one of the most famous flamenco venues in the capital.

Tip! Wear comfortable shoes to go on the tour (you can dress as you like during the show as there is no etiquette).

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 like 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 because here you will have a sample of the most traditional flamenco.

Technical perfection is the strong point of this quartet formed by two dancers, a singer and a guitarist. The show lasts approximately one hour. After booking online you will receive a voucher that you can redeem at the venue (located in the central neighborhood of Chueca, near Gran Via) for your tickets without waiting in line.

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

This flamenco show by La Cueva de Lola takes place in a restaurant in the popular neighborhood 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 artists with international careers and improvisation is very present in the show.

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

Tip! the duration of the show is one hour. Before or after the show, I recommend you to walk around the neighborhood of La Latina 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 a greater number of foreign tourists, but not for that reason their flamenco shows do not lose in 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 organization that ensures the transmission of flamenco culture internationally.

Las Tablas is a restaurant located in the center of Madrid (you will receive instructions on how to get there 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! the shows, with some exceptions, are on weekends so I recommend you book in advance as it is common that in high season tickets are sold out.

Ana's Traveller Tip

If you find it hard to decide between so many options, you can check 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 come together in 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 book online, it will be enough to present the receipt at the entrance.

Tip! the repertoire of this show is very varied, as it touches the different styles of flamenco. If you are interested in the subject you can get information before attending and try to locate each of the dances of 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, it will be enough to present at the entrance the receipt that they will send you by mail when you complete the reservation.

Tip! if you are interested in learning more about the discipline and not just see the show I recommend this option and I encourage you to ask the hostess any questions you 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 widespread in Madrid due to the large number of visitors who demand this experience. If you are interested in knowing more about the subject or simply want to know more, you should know that other flamenco tablaos, all of them with restaurant, which are mythical in Madrid are:

Ana's Traveller Tip

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

Flamenco in Spain, and especially in certain places like 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 either in Madrid or any other city, but it is very 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 live in Madrid: a guided tour.

What is the relationship? That in a walking tour of the city a specialized 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 for the essence of its people and their customs. You have information about this kind of tours in this article: Madrid Tours.

If you want to complete your trip with a dose of culture, I recommend you to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. Located in the historic center, 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 entrance... Royal Palace of Madrid Tickets and Tours.