Casa de la Guitarra is the sort of venue you could walk past without noticing. It stands on Calle Mesón del Moro in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, a few minutes from the Cathedral, and its calling card is its size. The venue lists room for about sixty people, the stage fits only one dancer at a time, and a collection of guitars on display gives the room its name and its character. In a space this tight, flamenco becomes a physical event. The guitarist is an arm's length from the front row, you can see the tension in the singer's neck when a long phrase begins, and the dancer's footwork is so close that the floor seems to carry it into your chair. The programme follows the classic tablao structure, with guitar, voice, dance and palmas, and it tends to emphasise the older, more serious forms of flamenco rather than showy choreography. That makes it a favourite with visitors who have already seen a bigger production and want to feel what the art is like at close range, and it is a gentle introduction for newcomers who do not want spectacle. Shows are normally offered twice in an evening, an earlier session and a later one, and the whole thing lasts about an hour. There is no dinner service in the room, so you are free to eat before or afterwards in the streets around it. Because the room is so small, seats are limited and good dates book out in advance, particularly in spring and autumn.
Why choose it
It is hard to find a more intimate flamenco setting in a central location. If you want to be near enough to hear the dancer breathe and the guitarist's fingers on the strings, this is the place, and the Santa Cruz address means you can combine it with an evening wander through the lanes. It is less suited to anyone who wants a big stage, lighting and a costume parade, and to those who dislike being close to performers, since there is nowhere to hide in a room this size.
Practicalities
The show runs about an hour, with two evening sessions in the venue's usual schedule, though the exact times and days can vary by season, so confirm when you book. Seats are close together and the front row is very close indeed, so bring a small bag and expect to be quiet during the performance; the music depends on silence.
Tickets are delivered to your phone. Ask about photography before the show, since many performers prefer that you do not film. The surrounding lanes are narrow and cobbled, so allow a few extra minutes to find the door.
Making an evening of it
Santa Cruz is full of tapas bars, and eating before an early show or after a late one is easy. The Plaza de Santa Cruz and the Jardines de Murillo are a short stroll away, and the Alcázar walls are at the end of the lane for a night walk. Pair the evening with a daytime visit to the Alcázar or the Casa de Pilatos, and you will have seen the Moorish and the flamenco faces of the same city.
What to expect
The experience
A one-hour flamenco show in a very small room in Santa Cruz, with a guitarist, a singer and a dancer, and a collection of guitars on display. Usually offered twice an evening.
Best time
Either evening session works; book the earlier one if you want a late dinner, the later one for a calmer atmosphere.
How long
About one hour for the show.
Tips
Book early, since there are only about sixty seats. Expect to sit very close to the performers. Ask before taking photos.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want the closest possible flamenco experience in the heart of Santa Cruz.
- Families
- Better for older children who can sit still; the room is tiny and quiet attention matters.
- Couples
- Take the later session and then walk through the Santa Cruz lanes.
- Pair with
- The Barrio de Santa Cruz, the Casa de Pilatos and tapas on the Plaza de Santa Cruz.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a half including arrival.
Good questions
Where is Casa de la Guitarra?+
On Calle Mesón del Moro in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, a few minutes on foot from the Cathedral and the Alcázar.
How big is the room?+
The venue lists room for about sixty people, and the stage fits one dancer, so every seat is close to the performers.
How long does the show last?+
About one hour, usually offered in an earlier and a later evening session. Check the times for your date when you book.
Is dinner served?+
No, the venue is a flamenco room rather than a restaurant, so eat before or after in the streets of Santa Cruz.
Is it a good first flamenco show?+
It is excellent if you want intimacy and the older, more serious forms. If you prefer a larger stage and more spectacle, consider a bigger venue.
