A Guide to the Best Music Spots in Seville
Did you know that in 2006, Seville was named the first creative city of music? This means that in Seville, music is everywhere. From guitar strumming at bars to traditional flamenco singing in local tableaus, the music scene here feels alive. If you love to listen, watch or discover musical experiences, this is your ideal destination. We’ve put together a list of the best music spots in Seville so you can uncover the authentic sound of Andalusia during your visit.
Flamenco
There’s no better way to begin your exploration of Sevillian music than with flamenco. This is the truest sound of Seville, and Andalusia in general. Flamenco dance and music has been popular in Andalusia for centuries. It originated from the Roma people who migrated from India to Spain in the 9th and 14th centuries. There are three classic types of song: cante jondo (deep song), cante flamenco (intermediate song) and cante chico (light song). Cante jondo is known to be the oldest form and it conveys intense emotion, usually dealing with death and anguish. One of the essential experiences during any visit to Seville is to experience this traditional singing first hand. You’ll often find this in a tablau (a bar which shows flamenco performances).
Here, you’ll be able to listen to the soulful notes of the singer and watch as the flamenco artist moves her body to express the passion of the music. It is a truly incredible experience completely unique to the area, and a must-see for anyone interested in discovering the music of other cultures. You can also catch flamenco performed at the Plaza de Espana and Puerta de Jerez square for free. After experiencing the moving lyrics and incredible flamenco movement, you’ll be able to truly appreciate why these traditional venues are the very best music spots in Seville.
Take a music class
What’s a better way to discover new music than taking part in a music workshop? We know that if you follow our earlier advice then you’ll be desperate to learn more about flamenco. It’s an addictive sound once you hear it and it lingers throughout the city. Sitting at a bar it won’t be surprising to hear the strumming of a guitar two tables down. Take part in the action! We offer a flamenco box percussion workshop for beginners which will have you beating to the strong rhythm in no time. You’ll learn the ancient techniques that bring flamenco music to life and will be able to create your very own sound.
Once you’ve mastered the beat, why not learn the dance moves? Take a flamenco dance class and learn the basic choreography from a world-class flamenco artist. Although it’s less obvious, a music class is one of the best music spots in Seville to get a whole new perspective of the music itself!
Discover Seville’s strong relationship with opera
Seville is famous in the world of opera. In total, it has inspired one hundred known operas around the world. Perhaps the most famous is the Barber of Seville and you can even visit Rosina’s famous balcony on one of our walking tours! Alongside this well known example, Seville has inspired Mozart’s Don Giovanni which depicts the Sevillian story of Don Juan. Meanwhile Mozart’s other work The Marriage of Figaro is also said to be inspired by the city, with many people claiming that Figaro’s house resides on Calle Santo Tomas.
Lastly, there’s the bright and alluring Carmen, one of the most popular operas in the world. This classic depicts strongly recognisable locations from Seville, including the Tobacco factory, the Callejon del agua and La Maestranza (you can also see some of these locations on our walking tours). Even the Real Alcazar was a setting for two operas! You can also enjoy a musical concert in the famous palace itself! In the summer, you can spend an evening listening to classical, jazz, opera or blues according to the Alcazar’s diverse music programme.
Wherever you go in Seville, it’s history with opera is visible. Make sure to catch a performance at La Maestranza or the Seville Opera house during your visit. Cajasol also provides a programme of mixed music genres including opera and jazz throughout the year. Opera may be a historic music form, but it remains some of the best music spots in Seville today.
Music Festivals
Everybody in Seville loves a festival! The famous Feria de Abril draws crowds of tourists every year for the colourful display of Sevillian identity. So, it’s no surprise that Seville is also host to two famous music festivals. La Bienal del Flamenco takes place in September and is one of the world’s most famous celebrations of flamenco. September is a great time to visit Seville due to the perfect warm weather, but you’ll also be immersed in the musical heritage of the region. Over three weeks, the best artists from around the world perform in the city in recognition of their strong flamenco heritage and it’s not a sight to be missed! This is without a doubt one of the best music spots in Seville but if you’re looking for different styles of music, you might want to time your visit with Monkey Week.
This music festival featuring an eclectic mix of styles takes place in the hipster area of Seville, the Alameda de Hercules. Here you can find electronic pop, indie and indie rock at the same time as supporting local artists and businesses. Whatever the month, Seville never fails to deliver an electric musical atmosphere!
Best Live Music Venues
Now, you might be asking yourself: where can I find this great music in a bar when I visit Seville? Nothing is better than having a drink with friends and feeling the worries of the week disappear to the sound of live music. Seville has opera and flamenco, but it also has no shortage of cool and slightly hidden in plain sight venues. On the Alameda de Hercules you’ll find Fun Club and Cafe Tarifa. In Fun Club, you’ll easily find a student crowd eager to hear the latest indie rock classics, whilst Cafe Tarifa offers a variety of genres as well as a variety of unique craft beers.
Moving out of the Alameda and onto Calle Feria, you’ll find La Bicicleteria. Although, you may have to look before you find it, as on the outside it will pass for an abandoned building. This venue is known as being one of the most iconic for live music in Seville with a bohemian atmosphere and a plethora of local artists performing. It is popular on a Tuesday night, so maybe you stop by at the right time!
Best Jazz music spots in Seville
In the heart of Seville’s historic centre, you’ll be able to hear more than just flamenco. Naima Cafe Jazz is a small and traditional looking jazz cafe, home to live performances of authentic blues music. You can settle in the bar with a drink and catch one of the nightly live music performances. There’s also a shop inside where you can purchase second hand records before you hear the musicians play.
Casa del Blues Sevilla is another fantastic venue for blues music, as well as a meeting point for blues lovers. The foundation organises talks, conferences, courses and jazz sessions. If blues is your thing, this is one of the best music spots in Seville. Other popular jazz clubs are Jazz corner, Taifa and La Tregua. There’s no shortage of soft or lively jazz to transport you to another time, where you can relax or dance depending on your mood.
Seville is a city of music unlike any other. Constantly celebrating its own tradition as well as supporting new artists, it’s the ultimate destination for any music lover. Get in touch so that we can help you discover one of the best music spots in the world.
(Disclaimer: the availability and opening times of these venues may be subject to Coronavirus restrictions.)
Post written by: Rhiannon Morris
Hi, I’ve heard there in Sevilla are quite many bars/cafes/restaurants to listen jazz/blues. I wonder if anyone of those offer dinner options. No need to be “exclusive”, but a dinner with gentle jazz/blues is something we are searching for, I believe you understand what I’m meaning 😊
We’ll arrive to Sevilla in November and we’ll stay 2-3 weeks.
Hi Riku,
As far as I know there is no place where you can have Jazz/Blues and have dinner. But I might be wrong. Flamenco is possible but personally I’d prefer those flamenco venues that don’t offer dinner as they are smaller and more authentic. The Cartuja museum used to offer Sunday brunch with music in their cafe. You can check if they continue and it was the closest thing to Jazz.
I would be happy to arrange for you for a nice and intimate flamenco and a tapas evening. This evening is quite exclusive as it is hosted by a flamenco dancer and you will visit her favorite bars in Triana and watch an authentic show apart from getting to know behind the scenes.
Let me know if you need anything else to make your time as memorable as possible. Below you can find some of the “must-do activities” among the most loved tours by our clients:
– A tasty Tapas Tour in Triana
– A private Panoramic Walking Tour of the Old Town. It is the best way to get an introduction to the city and have insider tips at the beginning of your stay
– An in-depth private visit of Alcazar and Cathedral. best to book ahead as tickets get booked out fast.
– An intimate Flamenco Show combined with a Tapas Evening hosted by a flamenco dancer. She will show you her favorite tapas bar and you will enjoy one of the most intimate nice flamenco shows in Seville. VERY UNIQUE! A beautiful sunset rooftop tour to enjoy Seville’s skyline.
Hope you like the ideas.
Have a great day!
Can you suggest a some bars for Blues or Jazz please.
Hi Norman,
Seville has a vibrant music scene, and there are some fantastic bars where you can enjoy jazz and blues. Here are a couple of recommendations:
Naima Café Jazz: A cozy spot in the historic center of Seville, known for its live jazz performances every night. It’s a great place to relax with a drink and enjoy authentic blues music.
Casa del Blues Sevilla: This venue is a meeting point for blues enthusiasts. They host various events, including talks, conferences, courses, and live jazz sessions. It’s perfect for a deep dive into the blues scene
Jazz Corner: A popular jazz club known for its lively atmosphere and talented musicians. It’s a perfect spot to relax or dance, depending on your mood
Taifa: Another fantastic jazz venue where you can enjoy live performances and a vibrant atmosphere. It’s a favorite among jazz lovers in Seville
If you want to explore Seville’s nightlife and musical heritage more, I highly recommend our Tapas and Flamenco Night Tour. It’s a fantastic way to experience the passionate art of flamenco along with delicious local tapas and it is hosted by a flamenco dancer. This way you meet the artists and can see behind the scenes. Very unique!
If you like to get hands-on and have a fun time while learning about the culture you can also check out our flamenco dance workshop or flamenco drum lesson. There is no need to be a musician as it is with the idea of giving you a nice and entertaining time.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Best,
Ela
Also any other venues you recommend for traditional Spanish or for good musicians?
Thanks so much 🙂
Hola Simone,
Thanks for getting in touch. Flamenco is very popular among tourists and locals alike. Some venues only focus on tourists and some are meant for the locals too. Also, each day can be different according to the program of each venue. So it is best to know your dates. I’d suggest you book our flamenco and tapas evening. Here is the link. It is hosted by a flamenco dancer and she or he can give you a lot of information about flamenco, its history, and live music venues in Seville It is an amazing opportunity even for the locals to meet the artists and their families (often the entire family plays) and see behind the scenes first-hand. It will not be only watching but learning, participating, interacting, meeting the people behind and of course, enjoying authentic tapas in local tapas bars while chatting about flamenco and Seville.
I hope this gives you some idea. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
My wife and I will visit Sevilla for the first time in October. Are there any classical music performances including opera ? We have never experienced flamenco music. Are there any performances in October? How do we purchase tickets before we arrive? We live in Pasadena California.
Hi Brian,
Oct is an amazing month to be in Seville. There is an opera house which you can check and book a performance: There are also a few other venues where there are concerts and other types of events. If it is your first time in Spain you really want to make sure that you watch an authentic flamenco show and Seville is the perfect city for that being one of its birthplaces. I will send you some ideas and I can also choose and book the show for you or even combine it with a flamenco evening with a flamenco dancer. Basically, in my opinion, it is best to avoid any large flamenco shows to enjoy a more intimate setting.
Thank you!
Mahsa
Hello, I’m visiting Seville shortly, and also love to have your recommendation for small intimate not touristy place for Flamenco.
Please can you send me details?
Many thanks 🙂
Best flamenco show in Seville and can I find Fado in Seville? Thanks
Hi Roth,
There is no Fado in Spain. That is from Portugal. In Seville, we have many different venues and most of them are quite good. It depends if you wish a bigger or more classic venue or a smaller one and with more authentic or improvised.
Let me know what you look for and your dates and I’d be happy to guide you or book it for you.
Thank you,