nimz - we went to see the opera y flamenco at the palacio di musica, and, though i don't think that we paid as much as €45 each, it was barely worth what we did pay, though the palacio is lovely.

I am no flamenco expert, and I enjoyed the dancing, but I do know a bit about music and the opera part really wasn't very good.

you can do a guided tour I think which may be better value.

Barcelona is as you say not the hotbed of flamenco, but it's a total misunderstanding that you don't find fabulous flamenco up here. There is a strong and very much alive flamenco culture in Barcelona and Catalunya in general, not only among the large number of immigrants from Andalucía. Many of the finest artists on the current scene comes from the area (the fantastic singers Miguel Poveda, Duquende, Mayte Martín, Alba Carmona, the fierce dancer Belén López just to mention a very few). The greatest artists tour the city all the time. The best flamenco dancer of all times - Carmen Amaya (1913-1963) - was from the poor Sommorostro district in Barcelona, close to the Barceloneta beach.

But Los Tarantos at Plaça Reial is not where to experience flamenco in Barcelona!

Tablao El Cordobés on Las Ramblas is one of the best and most traditional tablaos in the country, and it has got a high standing among the artists themselves. Only top artists will perform here. http://www.tablaocordobes.com/historia/

Also great artists at Tablao de Carmen. Established in homage to the greatest flamenco dancer of all times, the barcelonesa Carmen Amaya.
http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/index.php?lang=en&m=1

Carmen Amaya made her public debut sixteen years old on the site of the later Tablao de Carmen and in front of king Alfonso XIII at the opening of Poble Espanyol in 1929. Only very talented performers, some up and coming and some well established stars. Here is the fabulous bailaor El Junco at Tablao de Carmen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENoCuTQYPs

Bookmarking as I'm gonna spend few days in Barcelona in Aug end.

annhig, the best tickets are worth 45 euro each in their website, but i got your point - show is not worth 45 euro but a guided tour is better value.

Kimhe, i was looking at Tablao de Carmen as an option, but read mixed responses from people. Obviously, different people have different taste. I might still consider it. Thanks

Tablao El Cordobés is the most renown tablao in the city, full of history and only great artists perform here. Often huge stars who want to try out new work in front of a close-up audience before bringing it to the major theaters and festivals.

I was neverthless way too tough on Los Tarantos, sorry for my ignorance. I knew flamenco in Barcelona can be great, but didn't know the scene well enough to know that great artists also perform here. Only 30 mins sets, but if you are lucky you could have a short but powerful introduction to this beautiful art in those 30 mins. And it seems as you are very lucky! Karime Amaya (the great-niece of legendary Carmen Amaya!) dances through all of August at 21.30, 22.30 and 23.30. Karime Amaya danced at the world's most prestigious flamenco dance festival earlier this year in Jerez to great reviews. If you catch her inspired, you might get hooked. I would definitely say, go to Los Tarantos! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILTxjH8vTo

Review of her Jerez performance earlier this year in one of the major flamenco magazines: http://www.deflamenco.com/revista/pa...sp?codigo=3348

And Los Tarantos was the title of the last movie of her fabulous great-aunt Carmen Amaya, finished shortly before she died: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwVODokMJYo

... and people seem to be quite happy about Tablao de Carmen: http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserRe...Catalonia.html

Kimhe, I had not seriously considered a Flamenco show, but now I'm tempted. Thanks for the info.

Kimhe, i saw Karime Amaya's performance last night at Los Tarantos and was highly impressed...she danced with such passion....i am a fan now. Thanks

Glad to hear that!