18 Best Performing Arts in Andalusia, Spain

Catch an authentic professional performance in the heart of Santa Cruz on the atmospheric patio of a 15th-century house where the excellent acoustics mean there's no need for microphones or amplifiers. Shows start daily at 7 pm in winter and 8:30 pm in summer.

Celebrated throughout the Spanish-speaking world, this ancient festival is a highlight of Córdoba’s calendar of events, with lots of flower-decked crosses and other floral displays, processions, and music in early May.

This is a good spot for authentic flamenco shows, staged nightly at 8, 9, 10, and 11 pm.

There is no stage here, which means the flamenco shows at this venue (nightly at 9 and 10:30) take place among the spectators—who can number 150.

In the heart of the Albayzín, this small venue showcases local flamenco talent with concerts usually on Friday and Saturday nights. Book in advance to guarantee a seat.

Slightly off the beaten track (take a taxi to get here) and less touristy because of it, this venue has shows at 8 and 10 pm daily.

Some of the country's best performers are featured in this early-December event in Granada.

Held two weeks after Easter, this secular celebration focuses on horses, pageantry, and bullfights.

This celebration, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012, is held during the second week of May, a fun time to be in the city, when owners throw open their flower-decked patios to visitors (and to judges, who nominate the best), and the city celebrates with food, drink, and flamenco.

In September, this festival in Jerez celebrates the grape harvest and includes a procession, the blessing of the harvest on the steps of the cathedral, and traditional-style grape treading.

This show doesn't take place in a cave, but the music and dance are some of the most authentic available. Daily flamenco shows are at 8 and 10 pm.

This venue in Triana presents reasonably authentic shows and hosts "flamenco afternoons" Thursday through Saturday—check the website for details. Entrance to some shows is free, but there's a one-drink minimum; others cost from €22. Booking is advised.

This intimate club in the heart of Santa Cruz attracts mainly tourists. Flamenco performances are entertaining and reasonably authentic. Shows at 7 pm and 8:45 pm daily.

Córdoba's most famous flamenco club offers performances by established artists on a pleasant open-air patio. Admission is €23 (including a drink), and the 90-minute shows take place Monday through Saturday at 8:30 pm from September to June and at 9:30 pm during July and August. Book by phone or the website (in Spanish only).

This modern venue on the Isla de la Cartuja stages theater, dance (including flamenco), and classical and contemporary music. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office.

Long prominent in the opera world, Seville is proud of its opera house. Tickets go quickly, so book well in advance (online is best).

Classical music, ballet, and musicals are performed here. Tickets are best booked online.