Sevillanas: the most universal flamenco dance

Sevillanas: the most universal flamenco dance

The Rocío Pilgrimage this year, which is held on the second weekend of June, will be one of the latest of those held in recent years, since the Andalusian pilgrimage season usually ends when spring arrives. In each and every one of them, as in the dozens of fairs that are celebrated in the region (and even outside Andalusia) during these months, there are some indisputable protagonists: the Sevillanas.

The flamenco style par excellence in the festivals, the Sevillanas, are still a very peculiar way of understanding this universal Andalusian art. It is a kind of song, of which, in reality, there are actually 4, each one with a different choreography.

The simplicity of the lyrics, with themes linked mainly to love, traditions, and daily affairs, as well as their ability to sing them more or less correctly, make the Sevillanas a style that almost anyone can try. The beauty of the dance by Sevillians, or their own way of doing it, as a duet, make them undoubtedly one of the most popular folkloric dances not only in Spain, but in many parts of the world.

When Sevillanas are danced by a professional group, the result is a dynamic and colorful show. Perhaps it is the characteristic joy of this style, the flutter of the ruffles in each turn, the accompaniment of the castanets, or the erect pose of the dancers in their poses and leaps, that this dance has produced so many affinities.

In Andalucia, in Madrid, and in Japan, dance schools proliferate for Sevillanas dancing, a choreography that, despite a certain complexity, can be easily learned (another thing is the grace of each one) and with

steps that are repeated regardless of the type of Sevillanas in question (las ferias, las corraleras, las rocieras, las alosneras, and las boleras are the most popular), since the structure is the same and only changes with the rhythm at which they are sung.

The best way to enjoy an example of the dance by professional Sevillanas dancers can be found in a tablao flamenco in Seville,,spaces that have become true custodians of flamenco art in its entirety.

Origin of Las Sevillanas

The geographical origin of Las Sevillanas is not known exactly, although there is a certain consensus that they started in Renaissance Seville; however, it was not until the 17th century that it began to be configured as a group dance and, a hundred years later, as an independent style.

However, it was in the middle of the last century that Sevillanas really became popular. The Toronjo brothers, from Alosno (Huelva), released their first Sevillanas album, the mythical “Bíblicas” that inspired many other writers and performers. The revolution came with the Sevillian Hermanos Reyes (Castilleja de la Cuesta), followed by writers such as Manuel Pareja Obregón and Sánchez Pernía, and then the groups and soloists who elevated this style’s fame like never before: Los Marismeños, Los Romeros de la Puebla, Amigos de Gines, El Pali, María del Monte, Ecos del Rocío, and the unstoppable Cantores de Híspalis.

Las Sevillanas, with their heyday during the second half of the last century, are today the best-known regional dance in Spain and a fundamental style to learn if you want to fully enjoy the fairs and pilgrimages that still speckle the calendar.

In addition, and beyond its popular character, you can appreciate Las Sevillanas live and with special intensity by attending a flamenco show in Seville, a city that was the cradle for this regional event and where the people there indulge in it with special affection, one of the most loved cities in Andalusia.



4.5
Based on 1,666 Reviews
Yanina Yunes
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Yanina Yunes
21 April, 2025

Muy buena experiencia y me ha sorprendido lo bien que cenamos. La atención excelente

Tiffany Tang
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Tiffany Tang
13 April, 2025

The best experience in Spain!! This was a top highlight of my trip.

yann cuinier
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yann cuinier
13 April, 2025

Superbe expérience. Très beau spectacle. Nous n'avons pas pris la formule dîner.

Galen
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Galen
12 April, 2025

Amazing experience! Food was great, wine was great, the performance was amazing!

DAVID VARGAS
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DAVID VARGAS
12 April, 2025

Ir a un tablao flamenco a cenar es algo muy de guiris. Pero la verdad es que fue toda una experiencia que mereció la pena. Hay que reservar con antelación.

laurine ub (laurine)
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laurine ub (laurine)
10 April, 2025

Excellent spectacle

Hector del Bagno
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Hector del Bagno
8 April, 2025

Extraordinario. Hacía tiempo que no veía un espectáculo tan maravilloso poniendo todo lo que puede poner alguien para bailar. Caro pero vale cada centavo.

Diana Rogus
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Diana Rogus
3 April, 2025

Food and show were fantastic! You are not allowed to take pictures.

Carlos Paz
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Carlos Paz
2 April, 2025

Muy bueno el Tablao, buen Show

Pieter van Veen
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Pieter van Veen
31 March, 2025

Goed eten (tapas) en een mooie show

David ROSSAT
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David ROSSAT
25 March, 2025

J'avais vu du flamenco à Madrid. Autant dire qu'il n'y a rien à voir. Celui de Tablao Flamenco El Arenal était magistral. Une véritable histoire dans la danse, l'expression des mains, du visage et finir en toute beauté. Les chants accompagnés de la guitare sont magnifiques. Bref un moment magique un peu trop court pour les spectateurs je pense lol mais largement suffisant pour les artistes qui se donnent à fond. Merci encore Très bon repas mais un peu trop rapide vu la contrainte horaire.

Won j
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Won j
24 March, 2025

언어의 장벽은 크지만 한시간이 정말 아깝지 않아요최고

Patrick Harris
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Patrick Harris
24 March, 2025

Great place to watch authentic Flamenco. So much passion in the performance of the dancers. Only issue was seating behind column making stage partially visible.

Scott Chaplin
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Scott Chaplin
23 March, 2025

Well done show, great dancers, singers and guitar player. Well worth the visit.

Shobha Iyer
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Shobha Iyer
20 March, 2025

Was very good, the dancers vert energetic, only downside was were not allowed to click any pictures

Nita Fraga
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Nita Fraga
19 March, 2025

Muy buenos todos , me encantó . Lo único q no me parece es no poder grabar a las personas para llevarte un recuerdo del lugar donde estuviste …… creo q eso no resta nada a la actuación ….

Mauro Pezzoli
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Mauro Pezzoli
19 March, 2025

Ristorante molto antico con spettacolo di flamenco. Emozione da vivere!!! uno spettacolo davvero coinvolgente loro sono artisti e ballerini professionisti a tuttotondo . Non dovete perdere questa opportunità!!! Consiglio

STEPHANE MOTTET
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STEPHANE MOTTET
17 March, 2025

Magnifique spectacle Les tapas très suffisant pour un repas

Jozina Prepametnatv
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Jozina Prepametnatv
16 March, 2025

Easy booking online with payment. For around 70 euros you get a drink with 6 course meal and a great flamenco show. The food was great. Luckily we went with tapas menu since there was plenty and we were full! Flamenco show was top notch, great singers and dancers. The venue is not the biggest and is traditional and not overcrowded which we liked. We arrived at 6pm for dinner and the show was at 7pm. It was over around 8pm I think which was great because we then walked about 10-15 minutes to reach the La Setas for 9pm entry.

Robert Rogers
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Robert Rogers
1 March, 2025

A totally wonderful evening! The food was excellent,the show fantastic and the management went out of their way to make it a memorable birthday for my wife. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a real treat in Seville!

W Roelandt
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W Roelandt
1 March, 2025

Loved the food and entertainment

Deborah Nefussi
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Deborah Nefussi
25 February, 2025

Lugar super agradável e show de flamenco magnífico ,com destaque para a bailaora Cristina Aguilera maravilhosa!

Jojanneke Last
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Jojanneke Last
22 February, 2025

Heerlijk eten; flamenco show was leuk (wel erg luidruchtig)

Bruno Fablet
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Bruno Fablet
14 February, 2025

Très belle soirée très beau spectacle 1h30 avec repas très bon avec boissons le personnel très à l' écoute et sympathique très beau souvenir merci à vous continué comme ça

Karina Kazi
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Karina Kazi
12 February, 2025

If you ever visit Seville going to this flamenco show is definitely a must. We deserved the package with a drink (no meal) and left in awe after witnessing such an amazing performance. Def recommend the sangria, it is delicious and one of tastiest I’ve tried in Seville

Gabriela Gamarra
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Gabriela Gamarra
11 February, 2025

No puedes irte de Sevilla sin vivir esto lo mas espectacular que he vivido. El servicio de Jualu y Alfonso especial y único. Pudiera dejar mas de 5 Estrellas las Daria todas.

LAURA GUTIÉRREZ BELTRAN
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LAURA GUTIÉRREZ BELTRAN
11 February, 2025

Ha sido increíble el espectáculo, no dejan grabar ni hacer fotos pero es increíble el arte que tienen, repetiria sin dudarlo, merece la pena ir a verlo en Sevilla se vive diferente el flamenco. Me ha encantado

A.M C.C
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A.M C.C
3 February, 2025

Llevé a mi marido obligado por estar de visita en Sevilla. Muchos turistas y marido mosqueado pensando menudo sitio de guiris me llevas. El menú de tapas muy bueno en relación calidad precio y el espectáculo muy bueno también. Salimos ambos encantados y asegurado que una buenísima relación calidad precio en todo.

Marie Laure Naviner
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Marie Laure Naviner
28 January, 2025

Une réservation pour l'anniversaire de mon mari 🎁 Une soirée magnifique..un menu choisi auparavant "Tapas"vraiment pas déçu ..j'ai signalé mes intolérances alimentaires et ils ont tenu compte 🤗 Sangria en apéritif..et vraiment tout est excellent 🤗 vraiment très belle soirée de spectacle des danses magnifique avec beaucoup d'émotion Merci .

Ursula Schwede
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Ursula Schwede
25 January, 2025

Eine tolle Veranstaltung, hervorragendes Essen, ein Dreigängemenü höchster Qualität, die Show mitreißend und imposant. Wir kommen wieder Ursula &Torsten