Barcelona is home to a lively flamenco scene with a myriad of show options, each with their own unique charm. From traditional taverns like El Tablao de Carmen, where intimate performances evoke the essence of flamenco's roots, to large theatrical performances like those at City Hall Theater, flamenco in Barcelona won’t disappoint.
The city’s rich flamenco scene weaves together history, passion, and creativity, ensuring an unforgettable experience for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Keep reading to discover Barcelona’s best flamenco shows.
About
PATRICIA PALACIOS
España Guide Co-Founder
Patricia is an engineer turned content creator who for over a decade has been helping travelers navigate her native Spain. In addition to her own website, her tips and recommendations have been featured on BBC Travel, CNN, El País & Lonely Planet, just to name a few.
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Patricia is an engineer turned content creator who for over a decade has been helping travelers navigate her native Spain. In addition to her own website, her tips and recommendations have been featured on BBC Travel, CNN, El País & Lonely Planet, just to name a few.
This article might include affiliate links, allowing us to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check our disclosure page for more info.
Located in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Palau Dalmases is the city’s most picturesque venue.
The show takes place in a historic 17th-century palace that provides a stunning backdrop for the passionate performances that unfold within its walls. The experience starts on arrival, by entering into a Baroque-styled patio where you can enjoy a drink before the show.
Picturesque patio
Passionate dancer
Once inside, the intimate setting allows guests to immerse themselves in the captivating energy of the show, while the stone-walled room with arches adds a touch of old-world charm.
As the lights dim, skilled musicians, mesmerizing dancers, and soulful singers come together to create an electric atmosphere filled with raw emotion and fiery rhythms.
Live flamenco show at Palau Dalmases
The artist lineup at Palau Dalmases changes frequently but usually includes two singers, one guitar player and four dancers. There are four daily flamenco shows (at 5:30, 6:45, 8:00 and 9:15pm) and ticket prices start at 30€.
Barcelona’s City Hall Theater is located at the beginning of the iconic street Rambla de Catalunya, in the center of the city.
This is the only permanent show that takes place in an actual theater. Because of this, it’s much more, well – theatrical. Everything is bigger – the seating area is bigger, the stage is bigger, the dresses are bigger, and there are more artists performing at one time. Even the acoustics are pumped up like in a movie theater.
Overall, the City Hall Theater offers a solid show. We particularly enjoyed the two female dancers with long-tail gown and shawl (bata de cola and mantón) - simply hypnotic! The drink service offered during the show with the VIP ticket was also a big plus.
City Hall Theater, one of best flamenco shows in Barcelona
This very popular flamenco theater puts on four daily shows at 5:00, 6:45, 8:30 and 10:00pm. Ticket prices start at 25€ for seats at the back rows and go up to 55€ for VIP seats (including 2 drinks). Since the bar is in the same room as the stage, drinks can be ordered both before and during the show.
The City Hall theater's prime location, comfortable seating and captivating performances make it a great option for seeing live flamenco in Barcelona.
This legendary tablao is located on the Rambla street in the heart of the city. And if you’re a purist at heart, then the Tablao Flamenco Cordobés might be the perfect choice for you.
What makes this venue unique in Barcelona is its intimate setting and the fact that they don’t use any microphones or speakers. Instead, you get an up-close and personal encounter with the artists and you can really feel the music much more than in any other establishment in Barcelona.
With that said, the intimate nature of the venue also means that the audience is packed together pretty tightly. People are only let in in a very specific order depending on the type of ticket purchased and once you are in your chair, you won’t probably be able to move without having to make a bunch of people around you stand up. So, make sure you go to the restroom before the show starts!
Live Show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes
The venue itself is beautifully decorated with ornate Moorish designs created by the same craftsmen that restored the Nasrid Palaces in the Alhambra of Granada.
Tablao Flamenco Cordobés puts on two to three daily shows (usually at 7:15, 9:00 and 10:30 pm). Prices start at 46€ (show + drink) but it’s also possible to book a ticket that includes tapas or dinner. If your ticket includes a meal, note that it’s served before the show on a separate dining room.
Note that photos are not allowed during most of the show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobés. However, they are permitted during the last couple of minutes.
Nestled in the recreated Spanish village of Poble Espanyol, Tablao de Carmen offers an exceptional flamenco show that combines artistry and cultural immersion.
It’s also the only venue in Barcelona that offers dinner with the show. So if that’s important to you, then the Tablao de Carmen is the obvious choice.
Live flamenco show at Tablao de Carmen
Tablao de Carmen offers two daily shows (at 6:45 and 9:15pm) approximately 5 to 6 days a week. You can choose among several types of tickets: show+tapas dinner for 68€, show+Spanish dinner for 85€ or a flamenco VIP experience for 154€. Note that the meal starts 45 minutes before the show.
Also, note that all tickets include free entrance to the Poble Espanyol, where you can see examples of architecture and artistic crafts from all corners of Spain.
Passionate flamenco singing in Tablao de Carmen
Although Tablao de Carmen might not be the cheapest flamenco show in Barcelona, the fusion of exceptional talent and an authentic ambiance make it a worthy choice.
Los Tarantos is one of the oldest tablaos in Barcelona. It opened its doors in 1963 and is tucked away in Plaza Real, in the Gothic quarter.
Offering a 40-min flamenco showfor 25€, Los Tarantos is also one of the cheapest flamenco venues in all of Barcelona. There are usually three daily shows at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 pm. Sometimes, there is an extra show at 9:30pm.
The artist lineup changes weekly. It usually includes 4 to 6 performers. During the show, you can feel how passionate the dancers, singers and guitarist are. They feed off of each other's energy, leading to an authentic and amazing performance. The audience’s proximity to the stage is another plus.
Intense flamenco dance at Los Tarantos
It’s also possible to visit Los Tarantos as part of the following activities:
2-hour tour: flamenco show at Los Tarantos + tapas crawl
4-hour tour: guided tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter + tapas crawl + flamenco show at Los Tarantos
Note that seats at Los Tarantos are assigned on a first come first served basis. Therefore, it’s recommended to arrive early.
Bailaora with abanico (fan) during the Gran Gala Flamenco show
At Gran Gala Flamenco, they’ve been putting on a show for 18 years uninterrupted, so they must be doing something right.
Shows take place in two of the largest and most iconic stages in the city: Palau de la Música Catalana and Teatro Poliorama. The majestic Palau de la Musica Catalana is a modernist gem and has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Both venues feature great audio and lighting technology. The theater style seating is comfortable and roomy – especially when compared to other flamenco venues.
Two bailaoras with gorgeous long-tail gowns and shawls
With that said, this flamenco show is very, very different from what you would see in a traditional flamenco tablao. It’s very much choreographed and lacks improvisation. The music is also quite different from your typical flamenco and relies heavily on classic violin. The show can best be described as a flamenco fusion. In the end, the spectacle is full of eye candy – the dresses and lighting effects are next level.
If you are interested in Spanish music but are looking for something a bit different from the standard flamenco show, then a guitar concert might be the perfect alternative for you.
Actually, the Guitar Trio & Flamenco Dance show is more than just a guitar concert. During this 90-minute show, you will have the opportunity to admire three renowned guitarists, accompanied by a captivating duo of flamenco dancers and an exceptional percussionist.
Together, these artists present an unforgettable homage to Paco de Lucía, seamlessly blending the essence of flamenco with Spanish guitar mastery.
Moreover, the show takes place at the impressive Palau de la Música Catalana. The bad thing is that it only happens a few times per month, so make sure to check the schedule.
Prices for the Guitar Trio & Flamenco Dance show start at 44€. But the venue is so special that it makes it worth it.
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