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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Spain, Catalonia, Barcelona, the National Theatre of Catalonia, with the Agbar Tower by the architect Jean Nouvel in the background

    Teatre Nacional de Catalunya

    Barcelona

    The National Theatre of Catalonia hosts a wide range of performances, including dramas, comedies, musicals and dance in this ultra-neoclassical theatre…

  • Thundercat's fierce presence on Calle de Campoamor.

    Thundercat

    Chueca

    They keep it simple at Thundercat – it's rock, as classic as they can find it, with live gigs beginning after midnight and rolling on through the night…

  • A TV in the entrance of Cardamomo gives passers-by a taste of what they can expert at a flamenco show.

    Cardamomo

    Madrid

    One of the better flamenco stages in town, Cardamomo draws more tourists than aficionados, but the flamenco is top-notch. The early show lasts just 50…

  • Razzmatazz

    Barcelona

    Bands from far and wide occasionally create scenes of near-hysteria at Razzmatazz, one of the city’s classic live-music and clubbing venues. Bands appear…

  • Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre

    Jerez de la Frontera

    Jerez' renowned Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art trains horses and riders. On 'thematic visits', you can watch them going through their paces in…

  • Auditorio Alfredo Kraus

    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

    Designed by Catalan architect Óscar Tusquets, this spectacular auditorium is striking in its geometric modernity. Constructed partly of volcanic rock,…

  • Abaco

    Puerto de la Cruz

    This sumptuous historical mansion, about 1.5km southeast of the town centre, hosts classical-music concerts on Sunday evenings and traditional Canarian…

  • Escolania de Montserrat

    Montserrat

    The clear voices of one of Europe's oldest boys' choirs have echoed through the basilica since the 14th century. The choir performs briefly on most days …

  • El Paraigua

    La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

    A tiny chocolate box of dark tinted Modernisme, the ‘Umbrella’ has been serving up drinks since the 1960s. But downstairs in the moody basement, travel…

  • Sala Clamores

    Madrid

    Clamores is a one-time classic jazz cafe that has morphed into one of the most diverse live-music stages in Madrid. Jazz is still a staple, but flamenco,…

  • Kelipe

    Málaga

    There are many flamenco clubs springing up all over Andalucía, but few are as soul-stirring as Kelipe. Not only are the musicianship and dancing of the…

  • Wanda Metropolitano

    Madrid

    The state-of-the-art new home of Atlético de Madrid – they moved in in late 2017 – seats 67,703 people and has already become a firm favourite among fans,…

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