A Tale Of Spanish Passion -9 Best Flamenco Shows In Madrid 2023

Where To See the best Flamenco in Madrid

I will never forget the first time I watched a flamenco show in Madrid. I was not sure what to expect, but the live guitar was amazing, the raspy voice of the singer made me emotional. The passion in the flamenco dancers face, movements, the sweat dripping down their faces showing how much effort they were putting in to every move. It was something I will never forget and made me fall in love with flamenco. 

If you are visiting Madrid, visiting a flamenco tavern is a must on your list of things to do. It is an experience to not be missed, and Madrid is one of the best places in Spain and the world to experience an authentic flamenco show. It is a unique and cultural experience experience that allows you to immerse yourself in local culture and tradition.

You can find flamenco shows in Madrid to suit all preferences and budgets. There are intimate, smaller venues where you can see flamenco for as little as €15-20 euros. Then there are larger venues where you can have a meal, a few drinks, and enjoy a longer show if that is what you prefer. But no matter where you see flamenco in Madrid, you will come away feeling amazed. 

What Is Flamenco ?

 Flamenco is really deep rooted in Spanish culture and in 2010 Unesco declared flamenco an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The influence of flamenco reaches far and wide and can heard in other forms of music around the world. 

Origins Of Flamenco

Flamenco was born in the middle of the 18th century in Andalusia. But its roots go back to older times. This art has dance and musical elements that already existed in the different cultures that contributed to its birth.

Flamenco was born in a multicultural environment. Gypsies, Arabs, Jews and Christians mixed elements from their respective cultures with traditional Andalusian elements. They also incorporated African influences that they picked up from the black Africans passing through Andalusia and the Caribbean people arriving in Spain.

Flamenco is almost always associated with gypsies. Perhaps because they are the group that contributed the most to its birth and development. The gypsies intermingled all these multicultural elements in a harmonious way. And then they dedicated themselves to spreading flamenco outside their own group. 

Can you eat at a Flamenco Show?

All of the Tablaos that I have recommended have a range of hot and cold platters with cheeses, hams, and and array of finger foods to keep you going. A couple of them also offer a full kitchen service with full meals, and I have mentioned the ones that do in the additional details below. 

If you are going to have a full meal though, I would say get to the venue about an hour or so before. You don’t want to be distracted trying to cut a steak and clap at the same time. I always opt for a couple of cold platters and go for a late night meal. 

My Favorite tablaos in Madrid

I wouldn’t be able to say I have a favorite, but my preference is the older venues, the ones below ground in a cave. I really like the feeling you get, like taking a walk into the past. You can imagine the rooms being full of smoke and drinks and joy over the years. 

Another thing to check is the performers. All of the tablaos in Madrid have great shows, but once in a while you have some world renowned names in the Flamenco community pass through town. 

Look out for special appearances when you are deciding to buy a ticket. These shows can cost quite a lot more than the average Flamenco show in Madrid. On average you will pay somewhere between €18 – 40, but expect to pay close to €100 for a famous name.  

Dancing, singing and guitar playing in Flamenco

In flamenco, dancing, singing and guitar playing merge into a single artistic expression. When all three elements are present, the dance is what unites all the elements.

The bailaora or bailaor interprets the feelings expressed by the cantaor or cantaora in the cante. To create his or her dance, he or she uses the language of flamenco dance: movements of the arms and wrists, contoneos, turns, zapateos, rhythms and contratiempos. The bailaor or bailaora also becomes a musician. The guitar and the percussion that he or she plays in the zapateo become a complete piece of music.

The interpretation in the dance depends very much on the type of cante that is being performed. Each flamenco cante or palo has its own universe, texture, feeling and rhythm. The bailaor or bailaora creates his or her dance according to these characteristics of the cante. However, he or she does not follow a set pattern of steps and movements.

Instead, the dancer uses the basic structure of flamenco dance in a traditional way or in his or her own way. This structure allows the three elements of flamenco art to merge in harmony.

Where To See the best Flamenco in Madrid