Must-see entertainment in Spain

  • Jazz group playing in Cafe Central.

    Café Central

    Madrid

    In 2011 the respected jazz magazine Down Beat included this art-deco bar on the list of the world's best jazz clubs, the only place in Spain to earn the…

  • Sala El Sol venue in Madrid

    Sala El Sol

    Madrid

    Madrid institutions don’t come any more beloved than the terrific Sala El Sol. It opened in 1979, just in time for la movida madrileña (the Madrid scene),…

  • MADRID, SPAIN, OCTOBER 2018 - Aerial view of Santiago Bernabeu stadium
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Aerial view of Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid

    Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

    Madrid

    Watching Real Madrid play is one of football's greatest experiences, but tickets are difficult to find. They can be purchased online, by phone or in…

  • Filmoteca de Cataluña, Spain, is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation of film material and the dissemination of film culture

    Filmoteca de Catalunya

    El Raval

    Relocated to El Raval in 2012 as part of plans to revive the neighbourhood's cultural offerings, Catalonia's national cinema occupies a modern 6000-sq…

  • Details of an ornate retro mosaic facade of the restaurant called Villa Rosa famous for flamenco performance in Madrid, Spain

    Villa Rosa

    Madrid

    Villa Rosa has been going strong since 1914, and in that time it has seen many manifestations. It established itself as a flamenco venue and has recently…

  • Teatro Flamenco Madrid

    Teatro Flamenco Madrid

    Malasaña & Conde Duque

    This excellent new flamenco venue is a terrific deal. With a focus on quality flamenco (dance, song and guitar) rather than the more formal meal-and-floor…

  • Casa de la Memoria entrance with figures on balcony.

    Casa de la Memoria

    El Centro & El Arenal

    Occupying the old stables of the 16th-century Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija, this cultural centre stages authentic, highly charged flamenco shows, as…

  • Actors perform during the presentation of the opera LA ROSA DEL AZAFRAN at the Zarzuela Theater in Madrid. January 23, 2024 Spain.

    Teatro de la Zarzuela

    Madrid

    This theatre, built in 1856, is the premier place to see zarzuela (Spanish mix of theatre, music and dance). It also hosts a smattering of classical music…

  • Palau de la Música Catalana

    La Ribera

    A feast for both the eyes and ears, this Modernista confection doubles as the city’s most traditional venue for classical and choral music, though the…

  • Peña Juan Breva

    Málaga

    You’ll feel like a gatecrasher at this private peña, but persevere: the flamenco is muy puro. Watch guitarists who play as though they’ve got 24 fingers…

  • Corral de la Morería

    La Latina & Lavapiés

    This is one of the most prestigious flamenco stages in Madrid, with 50 years of experience as a leading venue and top performers most nights. The stage…

  • Kafe Antzokia

    Bilbao

    Within a former cinema, this is the vibrant heart of contemporary Basque Bilbao, featuring international rock, blues and reggae, as well as the cream of…

  • Jimmy Glass

    Barrio del Carmen

    Atmospheric Jimmy Glass is just what a jazz bar should be, with dim lighting and high-octane cocktails. It has four live performances a week, many of them…

  • Valencia Club de Fútbol

    Valencia

    The city's principal team, and a major player in Spanish football, with famously demanding fans. A move to a new ground in the city's northwest has been…

  • Casa das Crechas

    Santiago de Compostela

    There's no better place for Celtic and other live music. Head to the tightly packed downstairs bar at about 10.30pm most Wednesdays from September to May…

  • GRANADA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 28, 2015: Pena La Plateria in Barrio Albaicin in Granada, Andalusia, Spain; Shutterstock ID 469465823; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Guides app - Granada

    Peña La Platería

    Granada

    Founded in 1949, La Platería claims to be Spain's oldest flamenco club. Unlike some of Andalucía's more private clubs, it regularly opens its doors to…

  • Teatro Chico

    Santa Cruz de la Palma

    Once located on the site of an old house-hospital founded in 1514, this magnificent but very petite former theatre originally opened in 1866 and reopened…

  • Auditorio de Tenerife

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife

    One of Santa Cruz' top photo ops, Tenerife’s leading entertainment option has dramatically designed curved-white concrete shells capped by a cresting,…

  • Peña Flamenca La Perla

    Cádiz

    Paint-peeled, sea-splashed La Perla, set romantically next to the crashing Atlantic surf in the Barrio de Santa María, hosts flamenco at 9.30pm most…

  • Rock Island Bar

    Corralejo

    For almost 30 years, Mandy and musician husband Gary have made this bar one of the most popular in town. There is acoustic music nightly, playing to an…

  • 500px Photo ID: 8618472 - Camp Nou - Barcelona - Spain

    Camp Nou

    Barcelona

    The massive stadium of Camp Nou ('New Field' in Catalan) is home to the legendary FC Barcelona. Attending a game amid the roar of the loyal crowds is an…

  • Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía southern view.

    Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    A spectacular arts venue, part of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, that offers mostly opera, but also concerts and recitals.

  • Gran Teatre del Liceu

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    Barcelona’s grand old opera house, skilfully restored after a fire in 1994, is one of the world's most technologically advanced theatres. Taking a seat in…

  • Cartuja Center

    La Cartuja

    This 2000-seat high-tech auditorium in Isla Cartuja has a front stalls section that retracts to provide standing space, expanding capacity to 3800. Live…

  • Auditòrium

    Palma de Mallorca

    This spacious, modern theatre is Palma's main stage for major performances, ranging from opera to light rock, ballet, musicals, tribute bands and gospel…

  • Teatre Principal

    Palma de Mallorca

    Built in 1854 on the site of a 17th-century predecessor, destroyed by fire in 1858, rebuilt in 1860 and again restored in 2007, this is the city's…

  • Tablao Los Gallos

    Catedral & Barrio de Santa Cruz

    Located on a pretty Santa Cruz plaza, this is Seville’s oldest tablao (choreographed flamenco show), dating from 1966. Its two-nightly shows feature a…

  • RCD Mallorca

    Palma de Mallorca

    Palma’s RCD Mallorca, which plays at the Iberostar Estadi, about 3km north of central Palma, is one of the better sides battling it out in La Liga. Never…

  • Jazz Voyeur Club

    Palma de Mallorca

    Tiny, intimate Voyeur hosts live bands nightly for much of the year – jazz is the focus, but you'll also hear flamenco, blues, funk and the occasional jam…

  • Las Tablas

    Madrid

    Las Tablas has a reputation for quality flamenco and reasonable prices; it's among the best choices in town. Most nights you’ll see a classic flamenco…

  • Sunset Jazz Club

    Girona

    On the north end of the historic centre, this intimate, low-lit space makes a great setting for well-mixed cocktails and live jazz. There's live music…

  • Wah Wah

    Valencia

    For many, Wah Wah remains Valencia’s hottest venue for live music, especially for underground and international indie, though classic Spanish garage and…

  • Novo Café Lisboa

    Palma de Mallorca

    One of Palma's best live music/DJ venues, the New Lisbon Cafe's curved wooden bar is thronged three-deep on the more popular nights. Expect jazz-funk,…

  • Loco Club

    Western Valencia

    This popular, long-established venue puts on bands and solo acts, usually between Thursday and Saturday. Entry, depending on the band of the day, is €5 to…

  • Clarence Jazz Club

    Costa del Sol

    A great venue for live music five nights a week, this popular club recently reopened in spacious brand-new digs in Torremolinos. It hosts regular jam…

  • Casa Anselma flamenco bar with chairs around stage area

    Casa Anselma

    Triana

    True, the music is often more folkloric than flamenco, but this Triana institution is the antithesis of a showbiz flamenco tablao (choreographed show),…

  • El Junco, in the late afternoon before opening hours begin.

    El Junco Jazz Club

    Chueca

    El Junco has established itself on the Madrid nightlife scene by appealing as much to jazz aficionados as to clubbers. Its secret is high-quality live…

  • Naima Jazz Cafe instruments, pictures on wall, bar

    Naima Café Jazz

    La Macarena & Alameda de Hércules

    This mellow bar is an evergreen favourite for jazz and blues, staged most nights. Drinks are reasonably priced and its tiny interior – you could easily…

  • Casa de la Guitarra name on wall.

    Casa de la Guitarra

    Catedral & Barrio de Santa Cruz

    Ensconced in an 18th-century town house, this is a tiny flamenco venue (no food or drinks served). Its two evening shows are intimate affairs with three…

  • Hemisfèric with boats.

    Hemisfèric

    L'Eixample & Southern Valencia

    The unblinking heavy-lidded eye of the Hemisfèric is at once planetarium, IMAX cinema and laser show. Sessions are roughly hourly, with a break at…

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