Best Places in Madrid To See Flamenco

Many of the flamenco shows featured on this list so far are historic, with performances dating back decades. Las Tablas offers something a little different, being one of the newest flamenco establishments in Madrid. The venue opened around 13 years ago and has quickly risen to near top of the list of best flamenco shows in the city. There are two shows each evening and ticket packages vary, with deals including dinner, tapas or just a drink to accompany the show. Any vegetarians out there will also be glad to know that Las Tablas has a dedicated veggie menu, making it a great place to visit for non-meat eaters. Las Tablas can be found in the heart of Madrid, between Gran Via and Princesa, meaning dinner and a show here is a great way to round off a day of sightseeing in the city.

Another historic flamenco venue, Torres Bermejas first opened its doors to revellers way back in 1960 and has attracted guests as prestigious as the Queen of Spain. The venue is styled in a similar fashion to the flagship Torres Bermejas located in the Alhambra Palace of Granada, bringing some traditional southern flair to the centre of Madrid. The site attracts some of the most notable flamenco artists in Spain to perform and there are shows on every single night of the week. It is also known as something of a talent pool for rising stars, with now-well known performers Camaron and Paco de Lucia performing their first shows at Torres Bermejas. The restaurant also serves up a fabulous choices of traditional Spanish cuisine.

Casa Patas is a particularly small and intimate venue, showing one or two shows per week from Monday to Saturday. As well as the classic dinner and a show package, Casa Patas offers many more interactive services to visitors as well. There is a flamenco school and a flamenco foundation on site, so if you are spending a few days in Madrid and would like some flamenco lessons from a professional instructor, then this is a great place to start. As with the majority of venues on this list, Casa Patas books up quickly, so some organisation and pre-planning is required to secure your tickets. The popularity of these flamenco venues just goes to show how coveted flamenco is in Spain, with locals and travellers alike.

A flamenco show is a fantastic way to round off a day of sightseeing in the Spanish capital. With so many shows to choose from, it is worth shopping around a bit, with plenty of different packages available including dinner, drinks and more. But wherever you set your heart on, make sure to book your ticket well in advance because the chances of turning up on the night and being able to get a ticket are slim to say the least. Once inside, the best thing to do is to settle back with some traditional Spanish food and a glass of wine and wait for the show to begin – you won’t be disappointed.

If you've got the time to spare, why not try out one of these top 10 day trips from Madrid, or check out our top tips for tapas or paella while you're in town.

If you’re after a slightly longer flamenco show then Café de Chinitas may be the venue for you. Two 90 minute shows are performed each day of the week, excluding Sundays. Located in the heart of Madrid near the lively street of Gran Via, the café is known as much for its mouth-watering paella as it is for its flamenco. Whilst tucking into this traditional Spanish dish, you can admire the Andalusian themed décor of the venue, which takes flamenco back to its roots. The venue gets very busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, so advance booking is a must.

One of the oldest tablao flamenco shows in Spain, the award-winning Corral de la Moreria is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. Opened in 1956, the small establishment offers an intimate way to experience flamenco, with just a handful of tables seated at any given time. Dinner is enjoyed during the hour-long show, which the New York Times included in its list of “1000 Places to See Before You Die”. In fact, the venue is so famous and historic that celebrities including Hugh Grant, Sandra Bullock and even US presidents John Kennedy and Richard Nixon have visited the venue in the past. There are performances every day of the week, but tables are hard to come by so be sure to make a reservation well in advance.