About this experience
If you haven't listened to Fado yet, then before your trip to Portugal is the perfect time to enjoy the sound of this emotional, melancholic traditional Portuguese music. This genre is over two hundred years old and combines Arabic and Roman melodies with Greek and even Brazilian motifs.
In the self-identification of the Portuguese, Fado plays a very important role, as their Spanish neighbors also have their own music - bright, lively, perfectly matching the boisterous Spanish character, while here in Portugal, Fado is filled with loneliness, nostalgia, and the longing of love.
In Lisbon, Fado is performed in the so-called Fado houses (Portuguese casa do fado) by both men and women. The queen of Portuguese Fado is considered to be Amália Rodrigues. Be sure to listen to her singing! Your heart will not remain indifferent...
We invite you to wander the ancient streets of the Moureria and Alfama districts / where Fado was born / in the company of professional musicians and experts in the history of Fado - Sergey and Christina. You will stroll through narrow streets where the influences of Arabian culture are still clearly visible. Here you will find many grocery stalls and tiny restaurants hidden deep in the quarters. When you are here, you can't help but feel like time has turned back and the Middle Ages rule around you.
Our route will pass through Madalena and Santo Antonio da Se streets. Passing by the cathedral and the Museum of the Roman Theater (Museu do Teatro Romano), you will walk along the narrow streets of Alfama. Sergey and Christina will take you to the Fado Museum, where everything related to this true treasure of Portugal is kept. The museum houses a collection of paintings related to Fado, and it is easy to trace the development of this unique genre here. There is also an excellent multimedia room where recordings of songs and biographical films about famous Fado performers are broadcast. During the tour, we will also visit the National Pantheon, where the remains of the queen of Portuguese Fado - Amália Rodrigues - rest. At the end of the walk, the guys will tell you where the oldest Fado houses in Lisbon are located. In one of them, you will be able to hear its magical sound live and taste amazing dishes of traditional Portuguese cuisine, as well as excellent homemade wine. Be sure to try bacalhau - codfish, without which no Portuguese feast is complete. Portuguese housewives have thousands of bacalhau cooking recipes; try at least one of the variations.
Alfama is also famous for its grilled sardines served with fresh green salad. In early June, on the feast day of Lisbon's patron saint, Saint Anthony, thousands of people flock to the Alfama district who, as a tradition, feast on sardines and excellent sangria in taverns set up on every corner to commemorate this solemn occasion.
And don't forget to try unique Portuguese green and sparkling rosé wines! Portugal is the only country producing these types of wines, not to mention Vinho do Porto. But that's a whole different story ;D
Additional Expenses:
- National Pantheon ticket - 2.50 euros
- Fado Museum ticket - 5 euros
- Dinner at the Fado House - optional for travelers
