What is the best flamenco show in Spain? Where can you enjoy an evening in Spain and be immersed in the art of flamenco?
“Could you please advise of a non-touristy flamenco show in Spain?”, “I would like to experience authentic flamenco, not flamenco for tourists”, “Please, tell me where I can find the best flamenco show in Spain” and it goes on and on. I get an incredibly high number of these requests from my readers. So I decided to answer to this question, based on my own experience.
OK, let’s get to it.
What is my favorite flamenco show in Spain?
I have no doubt about it: it depends on the city you plan to visit.
Attending a flamenco show is an experience that you must experience. It’s the best way to feel closely the passion and the strength of this amazing art. The cante, the guitar music, the deep singing, the zapateao, the palmas and the beautiful dance create a magical atmosphere that you shouldn’t miss.
If you go to a tablao flamenco, there will be tourists around you. On the contrary, if you go to a flamenco recital, where you are more likely to be surrounded by local flamenco fans.
Nevertheless, flamenco shows that tourists attend are totally compatible with high-quality flamenco. That being said, you want your seat to be as close as possible to the performers, so you can see the expressions on their faces, which is truly amazing.
So there is nothing to worry about, go ahead, get your tickets and enjoy!
Well, it represents second-rate and fake flamenco.
There are many signs that help you recognize a touristy flamenco show:
In other words, it’s a flamenco show that is excessively theatrical and exaggerated. It only exists for commercial purposes, and the owners are focused on captivating tourists (their money and attention) to give them what they believe flamenco is rather than what it actually is.
On the bright side, the idea of touristy flamenco assumes that somewhere in the Seville, around the corner, there is real flamenco going on, staged just for the locals and true flamenco insiders.
In general, the rule of thumb is that you should avoid flamenco shows that include a dinner. The food is almost never of good quality and almost always overpriced. So when in doubt, best see the show and then have dinner separately.
The good news is that you don’t need to do any research. I’ve done it for you!
This article is part of a complete tutorial about flamenco in Spain where you can read all the information you need to enjoy this typical Andalusian folklore.
Here is a complete summary of all the guide:
1. What is flamenco?
2. Where to see flamenco in Spain?
3. The best flamenco show in Spain
4. How to enjoy flamenco dancing in Spain
5. Where to take flamenco dance classes in Spain
6. Flamenco history and origins
7. Understanding flamenco singing (cante)
8. Understanding flamenco dance (baile)
9. Understanding flamenco guitar (toque)
10. The different flamenco styles
11. A flamenco glossary