Are you looking for the best flamenco tablaos? Madrid offers you many good options. If this is your first contact with the flamenco culture, the easiest and most enjoyable option is to go to a tablao.
Why? Because you should definitely immerse yourself into the contagious passion of a flamenco show and experience it first hand in all its glory.
Whether you want to go to a tablao flamenco, you’re looking for a small venue or you prefer an genuine flamenco show, Madrid offers you a full array of experiences.
And if you don’t know where to go with so many choices, this is the best flamenco show in Madrid.
Flamenco tablaos: Madrid is full of good options
What is a tablao flamenco?
It’s the place where flamenco shows are performed. They started to become very popular in Spain in the 1960s and are the natural substitute of the traditional cafés cantantes.
They are called tablaos because the stage on which the artists perform is made of wood. This material offers an ideal sound for the zapateado (intensive footwork, where the heel hits the floor in rhythmic patterns) and also helps to protect the joints of the dancers.
Tablaos offer a very professional show, where you can get to see the 3 forms of flamenco expression: singing, dancing and playing the guitar. In addition to this, every show has a great choreography allowing you to enjoy different palos. Besides the quality of the artists, the dresses and the set up are excellent.
Why should you go to a tablao flamenco?
Flamenco is an art of deep feelings and emotions. It’s an intense experience that awakens all your senses and is really worth living once in a lifetime.
So your future trip to Madrid could a great chance to enjoy a show.
As you’ve just read, tablaos are part of Madrid’s history.
In a tablao flamenco you can see how singing and dancing complement each other in total harmony. It’s the best place to enjoy this art with genuine and professional artists.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the most special and original tablaos in the city.
How to choose the best flamenco tablao in Madrid?
Some claim that these kind of shows are just a tourist trap. While it’s true that you’ll hardly find any Spaniard (not to say a Madrileño…) among the crowd, the tablaos have a legitimate purpose: to communicate and honor the flamenco traditions. As a result, you’ll get to see and know one the most ancient and acclaimed dances.
Unfortunately, some tablaos are part of the touristic circuits and can be packed.
That’s why I suggest you go straight to the next section, where you can read more about my personal selection of the best flamenco tablaos in Madrid.
What if you don’t want to go to a tablao flamenco?
If you are looking for an espectáculo flamenco full of experts and true fans, then you should try somewhere else. But remember that flamenco is based on improvisation so you may only see a music performance and no dancing, or nothing at all because these performances aren’t announced well in advance.
As usual, I’ve done all the work for you and here are my best bets.
My personal selection of flamenco tablaos: Madrid’s top 3
Madrid offers a wide range of flamenco shows.
With so many choices, I have made a selection of the best flamenco tablaos in the city to help you decide where to go during your holiday.
In the list, I have included what I consider to be the best flamenco show in Madrid as well as 2 other options, in case the first one is sold out.
My preferred option: Corral de la Morería
Shows: Every night. 1st show at 19:30 and 2nd show at 21:30 (Sun-Thu) or 22:15 (Fri & Sat).
Tickets: Drink + show, tapas + show or fixed-price menu + show (available online)
Corral de la Morería may be the most famous tablao flamenco in the world and one of the most recognized flamenco establishments in Spain. National leading artists of flamenco perform every night and of course the excellence in service, with a warm and personalized hospitality.
The tablao was founded by Manuel del Rey in 1956, making it one of the oldest, continuously run flamenco establishments in the country. Over the years the establishment has featured a long list of famous flamenco artists.
Book your skip the line tickets for a flamenco show at Corral de la Morería in Madrid »
Teatro Flamenco Madrid
Shows: Every night. 1st show at 18:30, 2nd show at 20:30, and 3rd show at 22:15.
Tickets: Drink + show, tapas + show or menu à la carte + show (available online)
The Teatro Flamenco Madrid hosts a unique and different way of feeling and living flamenco. Feel the rhythm of the guitar and the stomping of dancing feet on the stage during this flamenco show in a small and intimate theater.
The program features a group of top level artists (singers, dancers and guitarists) who combine their art to offer different performances in two nightly shows. The performance offers a unique experience in a venue with an intimate atmosphere, capable of creating a special connection between the spectator and artist.
Book your skip the line tickets for a flamenco show at Teatro Flamenco Madrid »
Las Tablas
Shows: Every night. 1st show at 19:00 and 2nd show at 21:00.
Tickets: Drink + show, tapas + show or menu à la carte + show (available online)
Founded in 2003, Las Tablas has been carefully designed and directed by Marisol Navarro and Antonia Moya, two very well-known artists in the Spanish flamenco scene.
The owners have a strong dedication to the local and national flamenco scene and often include special flamenco themed nights outside of only the music. The performances can vary from traditional to more contemporary versions of flamenco, depending on the artists each night.
Book your skip the line tickets for a flamenco show at Las Tablas in Madrid »
Map of flamenco shows in Madrid
Apart from the list that I just shared with you, you can go to many other venues in Madrid and enjoy a nice flamenco show.
Here you have a map where you can locate them.
This article is part of a complete tutorial about flamenco in Madrid 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 Madrid?
3. The best flamenco show in Madrid
4. Flamenco tablaos in Madrid
5. Small flamenco venues in Madrid
6. Flamenco bars in Madrid
7. 6 tips to enjoy flamenco dancing in Madrid
8. Where to take flamenco dance lessons in Madrid
9. Flamenco history and origins
10. Understanding flamenco singing (cante)
11. Understanding flamenco dance (baile)
12. Understanding flamenco guitar (toque)
13. The different flamenco styles
14. A flamenco glossary