Palau Dalmases Flamenco Barcelona Review: Is It Worth It?

Trying to decide if the Palau Dalmases flamenco show in Barcelona is worth it? You’re in the right place!

I live in Barcelona, and I’ve had the chance to attend the show myself and see what it’s really like. 

Set inside a gorgeous 17th century palace in El Born, Palau Dalmases offers one of the most beautiful flamenco venues in the city. 

In this Palau Dalmases Flamenco Barcelona review, I’ll share my honest thoughts on the flamenco experience, what to expect, and whether it’s worth adding to your Barcelona itinerary.

Quick Review

Palau Dalmases Flamenco

Pros:
✅ Beautiful palace setting
✅ Talented performers
✅ Convenient location

Cons:
❌ Simple costumes
❌ Back rows have limited views
❌ Not the best lighting

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Yes, I think Palau Dalmases in Barcelona is worth it, and the venue alone sets it apart from many other flamenco shows in Barcelona. 

It’s held inside a historic 17th century palace in El Born with a beautiful courtyard and bar that create a really memorable atmosphere. 

The location is also super convenient as it’s just steps from the Picasso Museum and within walking distance of many excellent tapas bars. 

The performance itself was very impressive, with talented musicians and both male and female dancers who were mesmerizing and brought a lot of energy and passion to the stage. 

My only minor criticism is that some of the costumes felt a bit understated. The opening dress was black so it didn’t really stand out under the stage lighting. 

I also like that this is a show-only experience rather than a dinner package, which gives you the flexibility to enjoy a meal elsewhere afterward. 

If your budget allows, I’d recommend upgrading to the VIP tickets for the best view and a complimentary drink to enjoy before the show.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of Palau Dalmases:

The Flamenco Palau Dalmases VIP ticket is the best ticket you can buy and includes:

• Flamenco show
• Front row seats
• 1 drink

I personally bought the VIP ticket and thought it was worth it because the middle and back rows aren’t elevated.  This ticket will give you the best view of the stage.

The Flamenco Palau Dalmases Zone A ticket is the second-best option and includes:

• Flamenco show
• Middle row seats
• 1 drink

The Flamenco Palau Dalmases Zone B ticket is the cheapest option and includes:

• Flamenco show
• Back row seats

Palau Dalmases has a long history that dates back to the Middle Ages, with the first references to the property appearing in the 14th century. 

The building was badly damaged during the 1697 siege of Barcelona before being purchased and rebuilt by Pau Dalmases Castells, who gave the palace its name. 

Much of what you see today comes from Baroque renovations completed in the 17th and 18th centuries, including the beautiful courtyard and ornate staircase. 

Over the years, the palace was home to several wealthy Barcelona families and even served as the headquarters of important Catalan cultural organizations. 

Today, it’s best known as one of the city’s most unique venues for flamenco performances.

Palau Dalmases is located at Carrer de Montcada, 20 in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood and right next to the Picasso Museum. 

It’s a very convenient location and easy to walk to if you’re staying in the Gothic Quarter or El Born.

It’s also right next to some of my favorite tapas bars in Barcelona like Tapeo and El Xampanyet. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat before or after the show, you’ll have lots of great options just steps away.

When you arrive at Palau Dalmases, you’ll check in at the entrance and receive a small card indicating your ticket type. 

If you purchased VIP or Zone A tickets, you’ll also receive a drink ticket that can be redeemed at the bar before the show.

After checking in, you’re free to relax in the palace courtyard until the performance begins. The courtyard and bar area are really beautiful and were honestly one of my favorite parts of the experience. 

I’d recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early so you have time to enjoy a drink in the courtyard before heading inside.

About 10 minutes before showtime, the staff will open the doors to the performance room. 

Seating is first come, first served within each ticket zone, so if you want the best seat in your section, it’s worth standing near the entrance before the doors open. 

Once inside, you can choose any available seat within your assigned row or section.

The flamenco performance takes place in an intimate theater space with an elevated stage at the front of the room. 

VIP seats are located in the front row closest to the performers, while Zone A occupies the middle rows and Zone B is toward the back.

The rear rows are slightly elevated, but not enough to completely clear the heads of people sitting in front of you. 

There’s also a pillar toward the back of the room that can partially block the view from certain seats. 

That’s why I think the VIP tickets are worth the upgrade if they’re within your budget.

The performance begins with a guitarist taking the stage before the dancers make their entrance. 

Throughout the show, there are both male and female performers, and I was honestly most impressed by the male dancers. 

Their footwork was incredibly fast and precise, and I found myself completely mesmerized watching them perform.

Partway through the show, the female dancer changes into a more colorful dress that stood out better on stage than the original black costume. 

While I would have loved to see even more dramatic costumes, the talent of the performers was really the main focus. 

The show lasts about an hour and keeps your attention the entire time.

Photos and videos are allowed as long as you don’t use flash. But the lighting made it kind of hard to get good photos.

Here are a few tips to make the most of your Barcelona flamenco show experience:

• Buy the VIP tickets for the best view: The seating rows aren’t very elevated, so I’d recommend upgrading to the VIP tickets in the front row, which gives you the best view of the dancers and their footwork. You also get a complimentary drink to enjoy in the courtyard before the show.

• Get there early: I recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before the performance starts. This gives you time to enjoy the beautiful courtyard and bar area before heading inside.

• Stand near the entrance for the best seats: Seating is first come, first served within each ticket zone. If you want the best seat in your section, wait near the doors before they open about 10 minutes before the show.

• Visit a nearby tapas bar after the show: One of the best things about Palau Dalmases is its location in El Born. I went to El Xampanyet after the show, but Tapeo is another favorite of mine and accepts reservations if you’d rather plan ahead.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Palau Dalmases:

I hope this Palau Dalmases flamenco Barcelona review has helped you decide if this experience is right for your trip! 

With the beautiful historic palace setting, intimate atmosphere, talented performers, and convenient location in El Born, it’s one of my favorite flamenco shows in Barcelona. 

I also like how it’s a show-only experience, which gives you more flexibility to enjoy dinner at one of the excellent nearby tapas bars before or after the performance. 

If you’re looking for an authentic and memorable night out in Barcelona, I definitely think Palau Dalmases is worth it. 

Just be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially if you want the VIP seats for the best views of the stage.

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