The best place to watch a flamenco show is in the Cave House in Granada Spain

Halfway of our Spain tour, we have reached the city of Granada which is also known as one of the birthplaces of flamenco which was named as a World Heritage Treasure in 2010.

We had arranged for a night flamenco show in a cave house high above the city. There is a bus to pick us up from our hotel to reach Albayzín neighborhood. Then we have to walk for about 5 mins to reach El Templo del Flamenco for dinner and show.

Albayzín neighbourhood

It was dark at night when we reached the Albayzín neighbourhood and I notice the neighborhood has preserved its old framework of Medieval Moorish narrow streets. The Albayzín neighbourhood was known under Muslim rule in Granada which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984, along with Alhambra. This place is also a great spot to check out the view of Alhambra Palace.

Cave House

The Albayzín & Sacromonte neighbourhood contains many cave homes and our flamenco show was in one of the cave houses too. Below is the entrance to the cave house of El Templo del Flamenco.

One of the characteristics of cave houses is easier to heat in winter and cool in the summer. The average ambient temperature usually stays around 20 degrees Celsius. You will notice the wall is being constructed in uneven stone. The cave house for the flamenco show is not big but very narrow. However, it feels warm and cozy.

Some famous flamenco artists’ photos hang on the cave wall.

Food Review

Before the flamenco show starts, our dinner was served.  I won’t say the food is excellent but decent.  We had Show + Special Flamenco Menu: 50 Euros.  The venue offers ticket options for the show with drink or a fixed price menu which features regional cuisine.

Our package allowed us to choose one drink, wine, beer or Sangria or soft drink.  I order the Spanish national drink – Sangria.  Entree is the salad with lots of raisins.

Main is the dish and potatoes.

Dessert is the caramel flan, nothing too fancy.

The flamenco shows in El Templo del Flamenco are lasting one hour and fifteen minutes with six artists which include 3 men and 3 women.

Flamenco usually has guitar music, singing, handclaps, heel stamps, castanets. It is danced by a man and a woman in traditional Spanish costumes. It has both fast and slow tempo but rising to a climax near the end. With roots in Indian, Arabic and Spanish culture, flamenco dance is known for its sweeping arm movements and rhythmic feet stomping. (Some believe flamenco to be the invention of the gypsies).

Who are the gypsies? Gypsies are believed to have arrived in Europe from northern India in the 1400s. They were called Gypsies because Europeans thought they came from Egypt. Their skin are slightly darker and have darker hair.  Gypsy often move around and have a nomadic lifestyle.

Passionate, Intense, Deep and Emotional

You will notice the flamenco dancer show an expression of deep emotion and it creates a connection with the audience.

Flamenco singing (Cante is the vocal expression) are passionate, intense, deep and emotional. It is often sung of sorrow, heartache, and lost love.  It is also an important element of flamenco music!  The song is sung in a mixture of Andalucian Spanish, Romany, and the gypsy language which is thought to derive from the ancient Indian Sanskrit.

Deco in the Cave House

At the little bar corner, I notice some Spanish decor with a vibrant and colorful design style – the Spanish Ceramic Plates.

Little Altar in the cave house

The stage is located strategically in order to offer a perfect view from each corner of the venue.

Final thoughts:

The fact that the restaurant & show takes place in a cave really adds to the incredible atmosphere. Overall, the experience was wonderful. The flamenco show was outstanding, the location is very unique and the dinner is good.  Highly recommend this place – El Templo del Flamenco!