Flamenco Shows in Barcelona

Flamenco – with its passionate cantes, gypsy guitars and flamboyant dresses and castanets – is the first thing that springs to mind when one thinks of Spanish culture (apart from maybe a spot of bullfighting, although that “sport” is banned in Catalonia).

Although this lusty, life-affirming art form originated in Southern Spain, in Andalusia, Barcelona has its own close association with flamenco…

And although this lusty, life-affirming art form originated in Southern Spain, in Andalusia, Barcelona has its own close association with flamenco: after all it was here that the star-crossed lovers Juana La Zoronga and Rafael El Taranto fell in love in the famous Somorrostro shanty town and danced their way through the city in the hit 1963 musical Los Tarantos.

The Somorrostro was destroyed in the 1980s to make way for the Olympic Games – although interestingly it was the real birth place of Carmen Amaya, a dancer and singer of Romani origin who starred in Los Tarantos.

Flamenco has its origins in the folk music of Spain and was influenced by Spanish, gypsy and Moorish instruments and styles. The art form matured in the 19th Century when it enjoyed its so-called golden era and was performed in cafés cantantes around Spain.

The medium consists of all three of song, music and dance, with the traditional view stating that flamenco began as a style of singing (cante), and later these songs were accompanied by guitar (toque), hand-clapping (palmas), foot-stomping (zapateado) and finally dance (baile). Some modern flamenco shows in Barcelona even contain an aspect of theatre, so that they become almost operatic or balletic performances.

Flamenco has its origins in the folk music of Spain and was influenced by Spanish, gypsy and Moorish instruments and styles.

The attraction of flamenco lies in its intense emotion, evoked in the songs and first-time goers will be surprised how soul-stirring (not to mention noisy!) the simple use of hand-clapping, foot-stomping and acoustic guitar can be, especially when these accompaniments build up to a blistering crescendo.

Whilst the musical aspects of flamenco – sometimes tragic and dirge-like, other times light and humorous – arrest the ears, the dances meanwhile beguile the eyes: female artists perform sinuous arm movements and coquettish swirls of their shawls and dresses to stir the passions, whilst the men stomp and scowl, at one time spinning like a ballerina, at others striking imperious stances, much like a macho bullfighter commanding an entire arena!

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Best Flamenco Shows in Barcelona

There are a host of sensational tablaos in Barcelona offering some of the best live flamenco shows anywhere in Spain, and if you’re dead set on witnessing the passion of a performance you’re in the right city.

Whereas the traditional gypsy concert was a small and ad hoc affair, often with no telling when it would begin or end (if the artists even remembered to turn up at all!), things are a bit more professional these days. Most of the top flamenco venues in Barcelona offer two or three shows a night, with the option to enjoy an in-house meal before the live performance.

In essence these tablaos cater more for tourists than locals, but this is not necessarily a bad thing at all as it enables people to experience an important part of the cultural history of Spain.

Meanwhile the concerts that take place in Barcelona are of the very highest order anywhere in the country. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to buy tickets at least a bit in advance, as the most popular shows will be sold out during summer.

Below we list seven of the very best places to watch a performance:

1. Tablao Cordobes

This popular venue on Las Ramblas has been a favourite with locals and tourists alike since the 1970s, and invites musicians from around Spain to perform in its cavern-like auditorium. The crowd are pushed quite close together to the stage, and the result is an intimate performance – in fact the artists do not even use microphones or amplifiers. There are usually 3 shows a night (7:15pm, 9pm and 10:30pm) each lasting 70 minutes. You can choose to buy a ticket to the show that includes one free drink with the performance, or add a buffet dinner with 40 tastes of Spain. The buffet is not served with the show, but eaten beforehand in their Arabic-style dining halls. Overall, a truly authentic experience right in the city centre, and probably the best Barcelona has to offer. Read more about Tablao Cordobes here, or simply use the button below to book tickets on Get Your Guide.

BOOK FLAMENCO CORDOBES

2. Tablao Flamenco de Carmen (with Dinner)

Could there be anywhere more appropriate to watch flamenco than in Barcelona’s very own Poble Espanyol, or ‘Spanish Village’? This tablao is named after Carmen Amaya (we mentioned her in the introduction!) and it introduces its guests to all the most important traditional styles of flamenco, highlighting the art’s different forms of expression: instrumental, vocal and dance. Unlike other venues, Tablao Carmen serves food with the show itself, so you can enjoy a delicious Spanish dinner with the performance. The classic dinner menu is a 4-course menu, which you can check here, and costs €85 in total with the show (guests can also select a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or halal version of the menu). For extra special treatment you might also consider upgrading to their VIP tasting menu, which you can see here… this costs €154 with show (note: menus correct at time of press, but may change seasonally). They offer two seatings a night, at 6pm and 8:30pm, with the shows beginning 45 mins later. You can reserve your places on Get Your Guide.

BOOK FLAMENCO CARMEN

3. Flamenco & Tapas Night

If you want to experience the magic of Spain’s most famous art form, followed by dinner in an authentic tapas restaurant in the Gothic Quarter, then this popular choice might be for you. Start the night by visiting Los Tarantos, the oldest tablao in the city (it opened in 1963), for a fantastic 30-40 minute performance that will leave you in no doubt about the meaning of the mysterious ‘el duende‘ (soul, or spirit!) that permeates real flamenco! Then complete your Spanish-themed night with a trip to a local tapas restaurant to dine on some of the city’s most typical dishes. The total price is great value at just €55. To reserve, you can either email info@barcelona-life.com with your dates and group size and we’ll put you in touch with the organisers. Need your tickets within 48 hours? Then better to book this activity via Get Your Guide.

BOOK FLAMENCO & TAPAS

4. City Hall Theatre

One of the most affordable tickets in town, the City Hall Theatre hosts four shows a night (at 5pm, 6:45pm, 8:30pm and 10pm) offering travellers plenty of flexibility. The venue is not the most romantic on this list (it’s more famous as a nightclub!), but it is centrally located (just above Plaça Catalunya) and the 1-hour show is still as good as any you’ll find. A basic ticket towards the rear of the hall starts at €25, while you can upgrade to middle (€30), front row (€40) or VIP section (€55). All ticket options available via Get Your Guide.

BOOK CITY HALL TICKETS

5. 23 Robadors

Feeling brave? Want to enjoy a contemporary experience with locals that might imitate the casual, ad hoc flavour of flamenco performances of old? Then make your way down to one of Raval‘s shadiest streets (yes Carrer Robadors does translate as “Robbers street” and the name of this alleyway is not entirely unjustified!). At number 23 you’ll find this dimly-lit venue favoured by some of Barcelona’s more Bohemian denizens who don’t seem phased by the sex workers and assorted unsavoury characters that prowl this corner of the capital. While I’m not a big fan of the area (as you might tell), the bar at least is very cool and, best of all, live music jams are usually only €7-8 to attend. There’s something different every night (jazz, balkan, blues), but you should find at least one flamenco concert a week on their agenda. The bar is pretty tiny, so expect to sit cheek to jowl.

6. Flamenco & Guided Tapas Tour

Combine culture, gastronomy and entertainment in this one well-designed package, that makes for a perfect evening for the curious traveller. The activity starts with a small-group walking tour through the Old Town districts of El Born and also Barceloneta. En route you’ll stop off at two tapas bars to try Spanish and Catalan cuisine and learn how to eat like a local (it’s all about sharing small plates!). The experience finishes with an hour long flamenco performance, with drink, in a historic medieval palace. The experience begins at 6pm and lasts until 9:30pm. You can book it via Get Your Guide, where the activity has attracted some great reviews.

BOOK FLAMENCO + TAPAS TOUR

7. Palau Dalmases

Another great option in Barcelona, I would recommend Palau Dalmases to travellers looking for a more romantic venue than City Hall, but with a more affordable price than the two top venues: Tablao Cordobes and Tablao Flamenco de Carmen. Palau means palace in English, and this show takes place in a beautiful 17th-century townhouse in the heart of the city, just opposite the Picasso Museum. The palace’s converted cellar even does a good job of imitating the vibe of a traditional Andalusian cavern-club. Tickets at Palau Dalmases start at just €30, and they host four shows a night, each about 50-55 mins long. You can book tickets on Get Your Guide.

BOOK PALAU DALMASES

Location Map

Find the above venues on a map. Most are located around the Old Town, while the Tablao de Carmen in located in Poble Espanyol (the Spanish Village), some 10 minutes walk from Plaça de Espanya.