Live Music · FADO SHOWS IN LISBON
Rooms of forty seats where the lights go down between songs. These 15 are priced with dinner, with wine, or on their own, with the hour the first set starts in each house.
Spend 50 minutes at Lisboa em Fado in Baixa Chiado with two singers, Portuguese and classic guitars, 10 Fados, an instrumental section, short English insights with Portuguese subtitles, and a complimentary Port wine or juice.
“We enjoyed the music and learning about the history of Fado music.”
Near Lisbon Sé Cathedral, this 50-minute Fado performance takes place beneath medieval stone arches and includes Portuguese guitar, singers, song explanations in English and a glass of wine or another drink. It is a compact, atmospheric introduction to Lisbon’s most emotional musical tradition.
“A lovely hour of music and brief introductions to the art form. Recommend!”
Meet guides such as Melissa, Carol, or Antonio at Praça Luís de Camões for a short introduction to Fado, then walk to a traditional Bairro Alto restaurant. Enjoy a Portuguese starter, main course, drink, ginjinha, and a 1.5-hour show with song explanations in English.
“This was such a special experience! Absolutely loved experiencing Fado and traditional Portuguese food. Our guide, Melissa, did a phenomenal job talking us through the cultural importance and history of Fado. She went the extra mile for us by translating and re-telling the stories behind each Fado song. We had the best time!”
Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Miguel or Catalina, walking through Mouraria and Alfama before a set Portuguese dinner and live Fado. Expect steep cobbles, city views, one included drink, and a traditional evening in Lisbon’s oldest quarter.
“Catalina was an exceptional tour guide! From start to finish, she made the experience memorable. She explained everything in great detail, ensuring we understood all the historical and cultural highlights. During dinner, she went above and beyond, checking in with everyone to make sure we had everything we needed and making us feel truly cared for. Highly recommend :))”
Spend three hours in an 18th-century chapel built over a Roman theater, sharing Portuguese finger food and wine while three or more fadistas sing with Portuguese guitar accompaniment. Expect an intimate, informal evening at the Associação do Fado Casto, with food served throughout the performance.
“The fado was wonderful. The tapas were just that…but plenty of it. If you like fish and beans, you’ll enjoy the food, but the highlight was by far the fado. Three singers…a few sets with breaks between. For what we paid it was more than expected. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”
In central Lisbon, you’ll watch a 50-minute fado performance with one male and one female singer, classic guitar, and Portuguese guitar. The show adds film images of Lisbon, some audience participation, and a choice of seating areas. It’s an easy, family-friendly introduction to Portugal’s signature music.
“I’m Portuguese and I loved the show. It brought me back to my roots. It was the perfect amount of time.”
Spend one hour with fadista Mário Lundum and fellow musicians in historic Alfama. Learn how Fado shaped Lisbon, hear Portuguese guitar and soulful singing, and enjoy a complimentary glass of Port wine. The show is in Portuguese and English, with first-come seating.
“This was the most amazing experience experience ever!!!, the show was spectacular, the music beautifully haunting. So well done, a wonderful insight to the history of Fado. So inexpensive and worth so much more ❤️😍😲”
Spend 2.5 hours at Mesa de Frades, a former 17th or 18th-century chapel in Lisbon’s Alfama area, for a traditional Portuguese dinner and live Fado. You’ll hear several singers and guitarists in a small, candlelit room, with food included and drinks ordered separately.
“Good food and beautiful fado in a perfect setting.”
Start at 7 p.m. near Rossio with a guide such as Miguel or Rodrigo, then walk through hilly Mouraria and Alfama before dinner and live Fado. Expect old streets, viewpoints, Portuguese food, wine, and an intimate show. Comfortable shoes are essential.
“very enjoyable night of music. Guide, Miguel, was great. Group setting allows you to meet nice people”
Meet the guide beneath a yellow umbrella by the Fado Museum, then walk three minutes into Alfama for a small-venue Fado show. You’ll hear two singers with Portuguese guitar, learn why Fado matters, and enjoy traditional appetizers with Port wine. Guides have included Ricardo, Juan, Kate, and Franco.
“Our guide Franco was outstanding explaining the whole experience & very kind with the group”
Spend about 50 minutes in Lisboa em Fado’s small Baixa Chiado concert hall with two Fado singers, Portuguese and classic guitar, short history videos, and a complimentary glass of Port or juice. The 6pm show is intimate, acoustic, and designed as an accessible introduction to Lisbon’s traditional music.
“Great experience. Got a good background about Fado music. The singers and guitarists were great. Thoroughly enjoyed it.”
You’ll see Lisbon’s illuminated center and Belém, sample a Pastel de Belém, then enjoy Portuguese dinner and live Fado in Alfama. A private guide, hotel transport, and flexible photo stops make this a convenient four-hour introduction, though the meal and show can vary.
“Did not follow itinerary, Pastelería belém was closed because the tour was not done in order specified Belem tower was also closed Sadly Dinner show was not the best. We were brought back in 3 1/2 hrs for a 4 hr tour.Sincerely, the tour was done in a particular manner so it could not be completed.”
Begin at 7:30 pm with private hotel pickup, then see Lisbon’s night views by car before a 2.5-hour Alfama dinner and Fado show. Drivers such as Carlos, Nuno, Martin, and Fred have helped shape memorable evenings, though the depth of sightseeing commentary can vary.
“Carlos was a wonderful guide he was friendly knowledgeable and knew exactly what I wanted to doing although the set menu at the restaurant could have been better”
Start at 7 p.m. with hotel pickup and a private drive through Lisbon’s historic streets and viewpoints. Guides such as Bernard, William, Goncalo, Tiago, and Paolo have led guests to photo stops before dinner and live Fado at O Segredo de Alfama. Allow about four hours.
“We had a wonderful time on this excursion. Paolo picked what’s up at our hotel Promptly at 7 o’clock. He was actually even a little early. And then drove us around to some beautiful sites in Lisbon and took us up so that we could get pictures and some of the viewpoint of the castle. After that we drove back through Lisbon and went to the restaurant where we were gonna be having our meal and fado music. We had the typical Portuguese meal of bacalhao a bras, olives, vinho tinto and a dessert. The music was wonderful as was the meal. Paolo then picked us up At the restaurant…”
You’ll tour Lisbon’s lit-up landmarks, stop in Belém for a traditional pastry, walk through Alfama, then dine with live Fado around 20:30. Hotel pickup, dinner, transport, and drop-off are included. Groups are limited to eight, with English, Spanish, or Portuguese guides.
“Tour guide provided good customer service and transportation. We enjoyed very much the Fado dinner show. All singers and musicians were excellent. Dinner menu included good food and wine!”
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