Best Place to See Flamenco in Spain: Madrid, Seville, or Granada? 

There are several times throughout the month when I'll catch Dan listening to Flamenco, staring out into our garden, recalling times in Spain. The moving Spanish music and dance have a way of finding their way into your heart. While Flamenco in Spain originated in Andalusia, it has become a form of artistic expression that has spread throughout the country.

There are flamenco dancers and singers all around Spain. We have seen flamenco in Spain's capital, Madrid, and towards the coast in the Andalusia area of southern Spain, in Granada and Seville. But where is Flamenco in Spain best and why?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase, at no cost to you. We were hosted by Devour and Walks. We truly only recommend hotels, products and services we personally use. 

Three Spanish Flamenco Shows in Three Major Cities

We spent two months in Spain and saw three flamenco shows in three cities. Spoiler alert: It was best in Seville, and we explain why below. We also share how to get tickets for the flamenco shows we attended, which were among the most memorable experiences during our eight weeks in Spain. Two of the performances we saw were part of a larger tour, which we highly recommend.

But each city has its charm and thus its own reason to see flamenco there, which is precisely why we saw three shows:

If you can only see flamenco in one of these three cities, then go, regardless of where, to support the artists and witness a beautiful national art form.

Seville Food Tour with a Flamenco Show

The show we saw in Seville was the finale to a combination food tour and flamenco experience with Devour, our favorite tour operator. What we loved about this experience was that it combined many of our favorite things: learning about the culture, performing arts, creative expression, and food.

We appreciated that, while enjoying some food at a small local bar and restaurant, our guide took the time to explain the history of flamenco to us in a way we'd never heard before. It was enlightening and elevated our curiosity, giving us new eyes for the flamenco show we were about to see, despite our prior experience with flamenco.

There’s not a bad seat in the house at this Seville flamenco show. Two rows of seating in a “U” formation surround a square stage in the middle. You’re up close and personal with the performers. 

One of the things we valued about this show was that they don’t allow videos or photos during the performance. They only permit recording of the performance at the very end.

In a digital world, where so many people lose themselves in their phones and cameras, the special thing about this Seville flamenco show wasn’t only how amazing the performers were, but also that we could be fully present because our devices were put away. It was completely unplugged, if you will. We cannot wait to go to this show again! 

Understanding Seville's Culture Before the Flamenco Show

Our Devour tour in Seville ended with the flamenco show. However, to begin, we visited local tapas bars, where we sampled the local fare. As he expertly navigated our way through the city, we gained insight into the neighborhood as well. Over tapas and wine, and with the help of an illustrated family tree tracing the history of flamenco, he showed us the two different types of flamenco. He explained which of the two we’d see that evening.

Another highlight of the tour was visiting a restaurant that we enjoyed so much that we ended up returning there to experience the same entrees three weeks later, before we left Seville. 

Flamenco in Madrid

Although Madrid is not where flamenco originated, many tourists spend time there, thanks to the city's major airport and the plethora of things to do in Spain’s capital. It’s a city full of vivacious energy and a great place to see flamenco. Truthfully, living in Madrid for four weeks turned out to be the most fulfilling time we spent in Spain, even though we preferred the Seville flamenco performance.

Notwithstanding, the flamenco we saw in Madrid was memorable and moving. Combined with a food tour and information about the city, it was magical and a must-do.

How We Experienced Flamenco in Madrid

We joined a tapas and flamenco tour in Madrid that took us to local places we wouldn’t have otherwise known about or visited. The evening culminated in a locally owned and operated flamenco show. 

Flamenco Show in Madrid 

The Madrid show was our second-favorite of the three we attended in Spain over a two-month period. 

The nice thing about attending the show in Madrid, which we went to with Devour, was that a prime table was reserved for our group. We were able to order a drink, which was included with our tour, and were served Spanish olives and a traditional Spanish tortilla to accompany it. Dan and I ordered an additional glass of wine, which we paid for in addition to the included glass. 

Flamenco in Granada 

Years ago, I went to a flamenco show in Granada, Spain. It was the only one I went to during my time in Spain that trip. Wanting Dan to experience it as well, we decided to go back together. One of the reasons is that the setting of this Granada flamenco show is so unique. Specifically, we went to the Zambra María la Canastera show, which accepts reservations via email. It's a cash-only show, and payment is due upon arrival. 

Setting for the Granada Flamenco Show in Sacromonte

The show we saw takes place in a cave, with copper pots and pans hanging all over the venue. You’re in the Sacromonte area of Granada, a historical town known as THE BIRTH PLACE OF FLAMENCO! This is why seeing a show here is singular. 

We didn’t feel the dancers' passion was as deeply expressed in the performances as the shows we saw in Seville or Madrid. However, they were excellent performers nonetheless. 

The Flamenco Show at Zambra Maria La Canasta

The Zambra María la Canastera show was very good and memorable, if for no other reason, because of the acoustics and the aesthetics of the cave. And because the setting, even walking up to the place, feels so authentic. It's like a movie!

We appreciated that a drink was included for each guest (we chose wine) and that the cave feels very intimate, even though there’s likely to be a full house of guests each night. We also loved the performers' costumes, which we admired during the one-hour experience. It gets rave reviews for a reason!

If you see this Granada flamenco show, be sure to:

• Make reservations directly on their website (don't fall for third-party reservations that charge extra) well in advance. Receive a confirmation reply to your inquiry to be sure the reservation is solidified.
• Bring cash; you need euros to pay for your reservation upon arrival.
• Leave plenty of time to arrive at the venue in advance of the performance start time. Sacromonte is a bit of a way outside Granada's historic city center, and you don't want to be late.

Important Note About Flamenco Shows in Spain

The variable of what the best show is at any given time, no matter where you see flamenco, is the performers you’ll see. This could vary nightly or weekly. However, if the venue and show are reputable, then the dancers, singers, and musicians at any show will match the venue's reputation. They want to maintain great reviews and high customer satisfaction, after all. 

Yet it’s worth noting that a portion of what made our experiences what they were was the performers we saw on the evenings we attended. But because you can’t control who is performing, the best thing you can do is take our advice and sign up for the tours we did in Madrid and Seville, or go to the Granada show we experienced to set yourself up for the best flamenco around. They all had a very high-quality standard of performers!