Fado, the music of the Portuguese soul, was born in the lanes of Alfama in the 19th century. Today it is UNESCO heritage and the best sonic souvenir you can bring back from Lisbon.
Fado: the melancholic soul of Lisbon
Fado (from the Latin fatum, fate) is the quintessential Portuguese popular music, declared UNESCO intangible heritage in 2011. It was born in the lanes of Alfama and Mouraria in the 19th century, spread with Portuguese emigration around the world and today enjoys a second youth thanks to a new generation of singers.
How fado sounds
A fadista (female or male, but female voices are dominant), accompanied by the viola baixo (12-string Portuguese guitar) and the guitarra portuguesa (classical guitar), sings of saudade - an untranslatable word that holds nostalgia, melancholy and longing for something lost.
Where to hear it
Tasca do Chico (Bica): the most authentic fado venue in Lisbon. Small, warm, with home cooking and an intimate atmosphere. Book at least a week ahead.
Mesa de Frades (Alfama): a former 17th-century chapel converted into a fado restaurant. Elegant, expensive, unmissable.
Sr. Fado (Alfama): great for those who want an authentic experience without spending too much. The fado is free with dinner.
The Museu do Fado
Alfama houses the Fado Museum: an interactive journey through the history and evolution of the music, with guided listening and live sessions. Essential as an introduction before an evening in a tasca.