El Cartujano Spanish Night – A dazzling evening of horses, flamenco and paella
Between the mountains and the sea, up from Mijas and close to Fuengirola, is a venue that offers an altogether different flamenco encounter. El Cartujano Spanish Night is a package that combines horses, flamenco and authentic Spanish hospitality in a finca setting. The W2SF team had the pleasure of visiting on a balmy Thursday evening for four hours of congenial entertainment, mixing with international guests for a very Andalusian-style experience.
A car picked us up outside the Maria Zambrano train station in Malaga. Normally, the organisers run a bus from the centre of town to pick up guests. However, because this was the first event of the season, there were not so many guests coming from Malaga. So we had the privilege of our own car and a very interesting driver who gave us all the lowdown on the show. We drove along the A-7 Autovía del Mediterráneo with the sea on one side and mountains on the other. After about a 30-minute drive, we arrived at the farm for a packed evening of flamenco, food and equestrian skills. El Cartujano is managed by the Sánchez family. In addition to Thursday night flamenco and horses, there are also riding classes for adults and children and facilities for corporate events and weddings.
We were a little early and soaked up the location, taking in a drink on the long terrace. We watched a father and son trying their hand at mini-golf on the course next to us. It looked fun, but soon the time slipped by and it was time to go into the ‘bull ring’ for the horse show. There were cushions for hire for 1€, or you could just sit on the steps, which were not at all uncomfortable. It depends on your natural padding, perhaps, whether you take the cushion option!
The riders and the horses showcased their considerable skills, working sublimely in harmony together. We saw traditional Andalusian horses in this lovely sunny setting. They showed us various dressage techniques. We saw doma vaquera, which is rooted in Spanish cattle herding. The rider used a long pole, called a garrocha, with astonishing skill. And of course for us flamenco fans, the highlight of the horse show was a flamenco dancer and a horse and rider dancing together. The horse even tapped out some steps on the tabla (wooden board) located on the ground for the dance. The horses all looked in beautiful condition and seemed to be enjoying the show as much as we were. The horse show lasted the best part of an hour and in itself was well worth the trip. There was still much more to come.
The horses were now back in their stables, and guests were invited to take a look around the area. Each horse had its own stall, clearly marked with the horse’s name on the door, which gave a sense of their individual presence. The animals were striking and approachable, standing calmly as people walked by. It was clear from the well-kept stables, and the overall atmosphere, that there was a strong dedication to caring for the horses and a genuine passion for working with them.
We now had some more time to soak up the lovely Mediterranean evening and then it was time to go into the restaurant for dinner. The restaurant felt wonderfully traditional and Andalusian. There was a decent-sized stage in the middle and the tables were arranged in such a way as to permit all diners the best possible view. We shared a table with six other guests and soon we were chatting along and getting to know each other and sharing experiences. We were from three different countries and there was a wonderful blend going on of Andalusian and very international.
The dinner was plentiful. There was a starter, then the main course of paella, and a tasty dish of ice cream to finish it all off with. There was a vegetarian option too. As the tables were cleared of plates, the lively chat gradually quieted down, replaced by a growing sense of anticipation. The excitement for the culminating event was steadily building throughout the room.
The show itself was impressive and well-executed. Two dancers, a singer, and a guitarist took the stage and delivered solid performances across most of the common palos, the traditional flamenco rhythm forms. Each piece was distinct, and the group moved through them with skill and confidence. Towards the end, a few guests were invited up to the stage to join in, and their dance efforts were not too shabby either. It added a light, engaging touch to the end of the performance
All in all, a fabulous evening with a very Andalusian feel to it. But there was still more to come. Our driver back to Malaga was an expert on flamenco and performed as a singer himself. He seemed to know the whole local scene and everyone involved. He was a veritable source of information for us. And to cap it all, he dropped us off right in front of our block. That was seriously a nice touch. We stumbled into the lift and up to our flat. Very contented after a wonderful outing
This package is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys flamenco, horses, or dining in a convivial and international setting.
📍 El Cartujano – Spanish Night
Location: Camino Campanales, s/n, 29651 Mijas, Málaga, Spain
Phone: +34 680 336 342
Website: spanishnightcartujano.com
Shows: Thursdays from 18:00 (Horse Show), 19:45 (Dinner), 21:30 (Flamenco)
Facebook: facebook.com/spanishnightcartujano
Check out our new flamenco guide, Where To See Flamenco Costa del Sol
