Authentic Flamenco Shows
One of the most well known attractions in Granada are the Sacromonte caves and the Flamenco shows that can be enjoyed all along that road. Since the end of the 17th century Flamenco has been popular in Granada and Andalusia. Here´s information about the different places to see and experience Flamenco in Granada now.
In the Sacromonte there are many different caves along the winding road into the hills. The narrow road situated to the edge of the Albaicin directly opposite the Alhambra palace and the Generalife is magical part of the city. Natural caves hollowed out into the hillside and the prickly pear trees lining the road. Pictured above is the cave La Buleria. Other well known ones are Los Tarantos, La Canastera and the Museum in the Sacromonte or the Flamenco Interpretation Centre.
La Canastera pictured above and below feels quite authentic. I think it is just the right size to feel the energy as the dancers perform. You need to check show times but you are always welcome to see the cave itself.
Flamenco caves are cool inside and the walls are usually decorated with copper bowls and local ceramics, as well as photos of previous flamenco artists in their family or famous dancers that may have performed there.
This photo (above) was taken at Cuevas El Rocio, a large place with several different caves which has been there since 1951. Here you are guaranteed a show pretty much anytime you arrive, large groups of people are rounded up and packed into the different areas. A few years ago when Michelle Obama visited Granada this cave was where she saw Flamenco dancing.
My own personal favourite is Auditorio La Chumbera. (pic below) This is an indoor theatre with professional Flamenco dancers and groups. From September to end of June they perform mostly on Saturday nights at 9pm. Tickets cost just 8 euros. Excellent value for a great night out.
Information and tickets for La Chumbera are available at Teatro Isabel La Catolica in the city centre. (Photo below) This is at Puerta Real or Acerca del Casino. Not far from Corte Ingles or the main post office Correos. They are open from 11am – 2pm or from 5pm – 8pm. To get to the Chumbera you can get the bus that goes to Sacromonte or a taxi. Make sure you go with plenty of time to spare as the road is narrow and can get busy in the evenings.
Flamenco Show in Granada (near to Plaza Nueva)
Another recommedation particularly in summer to find out about the Flamenco festivals that are held each year in Granada.
The best one is the one called Los veranos del Corral Festival Website running through July and August. The setting is unbeatable. Close to the Granada Town hall in Corrala del Carbon (pictured below)
This provides a cool and historic setting to watch the Flamenco performance in the open air on a summer evening. Buy tickets at the venue in person or online at the website (link above) Another outdoor summer festival is the Festival of the Flamenco Caves.
Held in the Sacromonte cave museum from July to September this is supported by the Flamenco School Carmen de las Cuevas. Get tickets from Discos Gran Via (a music shop on Gran Via 21) or from other shops listed on the flyer above. Get there early as seats are not allocated with numbers. The earlier you arrive the better the seats are.
Every June the Festival International of Music & Dance takes place in Granada and there is a huge offer of different music and dance styles. Also worth looking into is the Generalife outdoor theatre as often Ballet and Flamenco shows take place there in the summer. Tourist information can always inform you of the current shows.
Still want to know more about Flamenco? Read this blog post written by Susan Nadathur about Gypsies in Granada
Want to know more about Granada? Here´s my A – Z guide to Granada
Thanks Molly
Hello Molly,
I don’t know if you can help with my question, but I have been intrigued with YouTube videos of a dance company “Ballet Alhambra”. They seem to be 6 or 7 years old. I love watching them and cannot find any information about the group or if they are still together. I want to know the dancers’ names, especially the principal woman dancer and her male partner in many of the videos. Please research this if you can. Thank you. Hope you are safe from COVID.
Hi Carol
I have had a quick look at this. There are few details on those videos. As many are back in 2014 it´s perhaps more difficult to trace. This Ballet Academy could be anywhere in Spain. If you look on google the company name doesn´t come up now. Sorry couldnt help further.
Thank you for responding back to me, Molly. Looks like it’s impossible to find anything on them. It’s so frustrating to me because a person can find almost anything on the internet going back for decades and yet it’s as though this group didn’t exist. If they performed at the Alhambra, wouldn’t that theater have a record of that? Or can’t you tell if the performances are from there? Well, I appreciate that you looked at it for me.
The problem is that the name of the Dance group although it is called ´Alhambra´ it doesn´t actually mean that they ever performed there. It is a name that is used often for many things..