Best Flamenco Shows in Madrid: The Ultimate Guide

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There are a few must-do activities at the top of every traveller’s bucket list when visiting Spain: tasting tapas, sipping sangria, basking in the sunshine and of course, going to a flamenco show. Outside of Andalusia, the Spanish capital is the next best place to catch this passionate performance, and we’re going to tell you exactly where to go to watch the best flamenco shows in Madrid.

A Brief History of Flamenco

Like cowboys are to the USA, sugar skulls are to Mexico, and an overall arrogance is to France (just kidding!), Spain is associated with the passion of flamenco dancers and guitar players busking on street corners in lieu of a hard day’s work. This complex art form combines a mix of poetry and song (cante) with guitar (toque) and dance (baile), consisting of finger snapping (pintos) and clapping (palmas). Amid the chaos, there’s jaleo, a raucous call-and-response featuring stomps and shouts that break the fourth wall between audience and performer. Why is it called flamenco? Nobody knows, but everyone agrees that the dance originated in southern Spain.

Although UNESCO has recognised flamenco as an intangible cultural heritage, the art form has been a point of contention for Spanish people over the decades. The elite members of society criticised it for being  “immodest” and performed in dodgy urban areas, typically by ostracised members of society. Despite the controversy surrounding it, though, it still remains one of the most recognisable facets of Spanish culture and has become a huge selling point for tourists in search of an authentic local experience. From intimate venues to world-renowned tablaos, here's our list of the best flamenco shows in Madrid.

Top tablaos for the best flamenco shows in Madrid

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La Cueva de Lola

Address: Calle de los Mancebos 2

Shows: From Monday to Thursday & Sunday 18:30 - 23:45h, Friday, Saturday 18:30 - 00:45h

Price: Ranges from €28-€50 (depending on ticket type)

Duration: 1 hour

If you’re looking for an authentic flamenco show in the heart of Madrid, look no further than La Cueva de Lola. Just steps away from Plaza Mayor, this 17th-century cave hosts one of the best flamenco shows in the city, expertly blending tradition with a modern-day twist. Conceived by four flamenco artists, this tablao features up-and-coming talents including singers, guitar players, and dancers who seamlessly transmit passion through music and movement. For just 50 euros, you can enjoy a pica pica selection from a tapas platter of Iberian cold cuts and cheeses, and sip a drink while watching one of the best flamenco shows in Madrid. Oh, and did we mention the 17th-century cave? I mean, talk about a unique experience!

Corral de Morería

Address: Calle Morería 17

Shows: Every day starting at 17:30

Price: €50

Duration: 70 minutes

At the top of the list is Corral de Morería, a multi-award-winning flamenco tablao and named the best in the world by the International Cante de las Minas Flamenco Festival. Since its opening in 1956, they’ve been committed to providing audiences with unparalleled customer service and a unique experience every night of the week. The venue pulses with the stomps and shouts of professionally trained dancers, directed by one of the most influential choreographers in the history of flamenco, Blanca del Rey. What’s more, you can also enjoy dinner with the show, cooked by a Michelin-starred chef, David Garcia. It should come as no surprise that this isn’t a budget-friendly option; the cost of a single ticket without dinner is 50 euros, but if you don't mind a bit of a splurge, you most definitely won’t be disappointed!

Cardamomo

Address: Calle de Echegaray, 15

Shows: 4 shows every day starting at 18:00

Price: Ranges from €39-€60 (depending on ticket type)

Duration: 1 hour

No list of Madrid flamenco shows is complete without Cardamomo. One thing that sets this tablao apart from the rest is its diverse lineup of artists. Every week without fail, they feature new talent from all over Spain and the world. They pride themselves on creating a welcoming atmosphere where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the performers, and unlike many other venues, they also allow kids to enter the show, offering a special price for the little ones. 

Among its many accolades, Cardamomo was catalogued in 2014 as part of the “Cultural Heritage of the City of Madrid” by the Madrid City Council. Another great feature of this tablao is its use of technology in serving the art of flamenco. Each table is equipped with a tablet to display artist backgrounds, allowing audience members to follow the program in detail. It’s also the only flamenco show in Madrid where you can choose your seat at the time of booking, a great feature for travellers who want to get up close and personal.

Torres Bermejas

Address: C. de Mesonero Romanos, 11

Shows: Monday to Sunday with shows at 17:00, 19:00 and 21:00 (+ an additional show at 15:00 at the weekend)

Price: Ranges from €28-€80 (depending on ticket type, €18 for children aged 4-12)

Duration: 1 hour

You don’t need to travel to Andalusia to get the full flamenco experience. At Tablao Torres Bermejas, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous Alhambra-inspired decor, making for an Andalusian atmosphere unlike any other. Awarded the Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice award for two years running, Torres Bermejas boasts 60 years of history as one of the best flamenco shows in Madrid. The shows themselves feature some of the top flamenco artists in the country, and since flamenco is usually enjoyed over some nibbles, you’ve got several gastronomic menus to choose from if you’re feeling peckish. Feast your eyes on the flamenco and your taste buds on Iberian ham, paella, croquettes, and artisanal cheeses perfectly paired with Spanish wine. 

Small venues for a more intimate flamenco experience in Madrid

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You might have heard that real Madileños don’t go to tablaos, and it’s true. Before being presented as an art form to the public, flamenco started off as improvised performances in salas and taverns or at private family gatherings. Tablaos are a relatively new concept and serve as dedicated performance spaces for flamenco, but before you write them off as places created for tourists, it’s important to consider that they have always been an important meeting point for flamenco artists from around the world to come together. Locals typically forgo the tablaos and are more likely to attend flamenco events in the city, such as the Círculo de Flamenco de Madrid, but unless you magically end up in Madrid during one of these events, you could miss out on seeing this ethereal art form live. 

For the most authentic flamenco experience in Madrid, skip the top tablaos and opt for one of these smaller venues, featuring real flamenco artists in a more intimate setting.

Essential Flamenco

Address: C. de la Cruz, 26, Centro, 28012 Madrid

Shows: Monday to Sunday with shows at 18:00, 19:30 and 21:00 (+ an additional show at 22:30 from Thursday-Saturday)

Price: Ranges from €39-€44 (depending on the time)

Duration: 1 hour

Forget the bells and whistles, Essential Flamenco wants you to experience the art form as it was back in the day when it was performed in tiny tavernas, without microphones or amplifiers. This show is not for the claustrophobic, as you’ll sit close to the stage in a 180-year-old brick cave, just like spectators from long ago and experience flamenco as it was during its inception. There’s no frills, no food, just pure flamenco.

Centro Cultural Flamenco

Address: C. del Conde de Xiquena, 6, Centro, 28004 Madrid

Shows: Monday to Sunday with shows at 18:00 and (+ an additional show at 21:00 on Saturday and Sunday)

Price: General Admission €25, €20 for Madrid residents/students, Children 6-12 €15

Duration: 1 hour

With only 50 seats, this venue promises an immersive flamenco experience in Madrid right in the heart of the Chueca district. While Centro Cultural Flamenco prides itself on giving a bare-bones, traditional flamenco show without distractions like dinner service or amplification, they also strive to showcase the creativity of the craft in all forms. In addition to standard flamenco shows, audiences can see “special cycles”, where, two days out of the month, top-level artists seek to surprise audiences with the latest innovations in the art form.

Taberna Flamenca El Cortijo

Did you know that much of flamenco is improvised? At Taberna Flamenca El Cortijo, they place a great emphasis on improvisation and passion through dance, and the venue is located in the Vallecas district for an off-the-beaten-path flamenco show in Madrid that not many tourists know about. You’ll get a bit of a behind-the-scenes education into the world of this spectacular dance and enjoy the ambience of a traditional tavern, much like the ones where flamenco was born.

Experience more of Madrid with a Tapas Tour!

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Once you’ve got your fill of flamenco, why not fill up on tasty tapas on an epic food tour in Madrid? Connect with fellow food enthusiasts while savouring classic tapas and drinks on our Tapas Tour, led by a local guide.

Spend three lively hours exploring the best tapas bars and eateries in Madrid’s vibrant La Latina neighbourhood. Enjoy mouthwatering traditional dishes and refreshing drinks, all while uncovering the fascinating stories behind the city and its cuisine from the locals who bring it to life. And yes, you might just get a bit tipsy along the way. What’s not to love?

Reserve your spot now!

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Alexander Meddings
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Alexander Meddings is a professional copywriter and postgraduate in Roman history from the University of Oxford. After graduating with his MPhil, he moved to Florence and then Rome to carry out his research on the ground and pursue his passion at the source. He now works in travel, as a writer and content consultant, and in education as a university lecturer and translator.
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