- No products
Fado Houses in Portugal: The best in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra
In this comprehensive guide, we invite you to discover the best fado houses in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, to live an authentic and unforgettable experience of this very Portuguese musical genre.
Fado, a unique Portuguese musical expression, is the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. More than music, fado is a soul, a longing that can be sung and that transports us to a world of deep emotions.
Although fado has roots throughout the country, it is in the cities of Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra that we find its greatest expressions and traditions. Each city has its own style of fado, reflecting its history and culture.
Fado Houses in Lisbon: Between tradition and modernity
Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is also the capital of Fado. It is here that we find the largest concentration of fado houses, from the most traditional to the most modern and innovative.
Fado Houses in Alfama
Parreirinha de Alfama:
One of the most emblematic fado spaces in Lisbon, with a history that dates back to 1880. The house offers a welcoming and familiar atmosphere, where you can enjoy a quality fado show while tasting typical Portuguese cuisine.
Clube do Fado:
Located in the heart of Alfama, Clube do Fado is a reference point for fado lovers. Here, you can watch traditional fado shows with renowned artists, in an intimate and authentic environment.
Casa da Severa:
Paying homage to the fado singer Severa, one of the greatest figures in Portuguese fado, Casa da Severa offers an elegant and refined environment, where you can enjoy a high-level fado show.
Fado houses in Bairro Alto
Faia:
One of the oldest fado houses in Lisbon, founded in 1947. Faia is known for its musical quality and its authentic atmosphere, where you can feel the true soul of Fado.
Adega Machado:
Founded in 1931, Adega Machado is one of the most emblematic fado spaces in Lisbon. Here, you can enjoy a traditional fado show in a welcoming and familiar atmosphere.
Café Luso:
Located in a historic 17th-century building, Café Luso offers a unique environment to watch a fado show. Here, you can enjoy quality fado while enjoying a delicious dinner.
Fado houses in other regions
Casa de Linhares:
Located in the basements of a palace destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, Casa de Linhares offers an elegant and refined environment, where you can enjoy a high-level fado show.
Fado em Si:
Located close to Praça do Comércio, Fado em Si offers a modern and welcoming environment, where you can enjoy a traditional fado show with a contemporary touch.
Fado Houses in Porto: Tradition and Innovation
Porto's fado is known for its happier and more festive sound, compared to Lisbon's fado. Here, fado houses offer a wide variety of shows, from the most traditional to the most innovative.
Fado houses in downtown Porto
Fado na Baixa:
This unique space offers a complete fado experience, with shows, workshops, and Port wine tastings. At Fado na Baixa, you can learn about the history of fado and enjoy a quality show.
Casa da Guitarra:
Casa da Guitarra is located on Rua da Vitória, a space dedicated to Portuguese guitar and fado. Here, you can watch fado concerts with renowned guitarists and enjoy a welcoming and familiar atmosphere.
Fado Houses in Ribeira
Mal Cozinhado:
Situated in the heart of historic Porto, with stunning views over the Douro River, Mal Cozinhado is a traditional fado house that has hosted some of the biggest names in Portuguese fado, including the legendary Amália Rodrigues. Here, you can enjoy an intimate and authentic fado show, while tasting typical Portuguese cuisine.
Fado Houses in the Historic Center
Calem Port Wine Cellar:
This winery offers a unique experience: combining a visit to the cellars and a Port wine tasting with a live fado show. It is an excellent option for those who want to discover the culture of Port wine and fado at the same time.
Café Guarany :
One of Porto's most iconic cafés, Café Guarany also offers fado nights on Thursdays and Saturdays. Here, you can enjoy a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere while listening to traditional fado.
Adega Rio Douro:
With stunning views over the Douro River, Adega Rio Douro is a picturesque place to listen to “fado vadio” (amateur fado). On Tuesday afternoons, you can find local musicians playing fado spontaneously while enjoying traditional Portuguese snacks at affordable prices.
Fado Houses in Coimbra: The Student Soul
Coimbra fado is unique in that it is sung exclusively by men, often students at the University of Coimbra. The style is more intimate and melancholic, and the viola from Coimbra, an instrument with a sweeter sound than the Portuguese guitar from Lisbon and Porto often accompanies fados.
There are no fado houses as such in Coimbra. Coimbra fado is traditionally sung in the city's streets, squares, and steps, especially at night. Some of the most typical places to listen to fado in Coimbra are:
Sé Velha, Coimbra's old cathedral:
Sé Velha, Coimbra's old cathedral, is one of the most emblematic places to listen to fado in Coimbra. At night, you can find students singing fado on its steps, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.
Stairs of the Monastery of Santa Cruz:
Another typical place to listen to Coimbra's fado is the steps of the Santa Cruz Monastery, a 12th-century church located in the historic center of the city.
Republic of Students:
Repúblicas, traditional student residences at the University of Coimbra, are also a good place to listen to Coimbra fado. Some republics organize fado serenades, where students sing fado at the window of someone they want to woo.
Live the Fado experience in Portugal
Whether in Lisbon, Porto, or Coimbra, experiencing live fado is a unique and unmissable experience for any visitor to Portugal.
With so many fado houses to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Choose the ideal fado house: define your budget and the desired style of experience. Search online and read reviews to find the perfect home. Consider location, atmosphere, and type of presentation.
Book in advance: in high season, reservations are essential. Use websites or online booking systems or call the fado house directly.
Dress appropriately: fado is an elegant tradition. Dress in comfortable, elegant clothing, avoiding anything too casual or sporty. The goal is to feel comfortable and respectful of tradition.
Relax and enjoy: fado is to be enjoyed with an open heart. Let yourself be carried away by the melodies and the emotion of the moment. Don't worry about understanding all the lyrics, just feel the music and the atmosphere.
If you don't know fado, don't worry! Most houses offer presentations with explanations about the history and culture of fado.
Fado Houses in Portugal: An Unforgettable Experience with Unique Memories
Fado, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is more than music, it is a soul, a longing that can be sung and that transports us to a world of deep emotions. In addition to the memorable musical experience, experiencing fado in Portugal also means keeping unique memories that perpetuate this experience. Portugal Jewels, a traditional Portuguese jewelry brand, presents in its traditional gold or silver collection, pieces inspired by fado, such as the golden silver necklace featuring the Portuguese guitar or earrings inspired by the fado shawl. Discover the Amalia x Portugal Jewels or the Ana Moura x Portugal Jewels collection and remember: fado is more than music, it is an emotion that lasts forever. With the support of Portugal Jewels, your fado experience will be even more special and unforgettable.
