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The ultimate guide to Alfama’s fabulous Fado Museum Lisbon
When you travel to Portugal, you will hear about Fado. This is the traditional music originating from Portugal, and in Lisbon, you can visit a museum dedicated to the music genre.
When I first heard Fado in a restaurant, I almost cried! The songs are often melancholic and can sound very sad. But there are also some happier tunes, and the Fado restaurants are the best places to experience this!
If you want to learn more about the music and its history, Museu do Fado is the place to be. As an Alfama local, I will share how to get there, what to expect and how to get tickets.
Lisbon Fado Museum overview
What is Fado?
The history of Fado goes back well over 200 years. Its origins are difficult to trace, but the first stories emerged around 1820 in Lisbon. The songs’ themes are about daily life and social subjects.
The music was played indoors and outdoors in places like taverns, parks, and the streets. It was transmitted orally, and Fado was sung in places where prostitutes, bohemians, sailors, and working-class people were found.
The songs could be just about anything but often have a melancholy about them. You’ll hear songs about sentiment, the sea, Lisboa, the lives of people experiencing poverty, and fate. The Portuguese word ‘saudade‘ comes to mind, which means as much as longing or a feeling of loss.
Fado was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011 and is one of two Portuguese music traditions. Cante Alentejano is the other genre.
Fado comes in many forms, and Fado do Pinheiro is the oldest. You might also come across fado aristocrata and fado boémio, for example.
What to see in the Fado Museum Alfama
The Fado Museum in Lisbon is located on Largo do Chafariz de Dentro in the heart of Alfama. It is housed in a former water elevatory station, and Museu do Fado opened in 1998. The museum hosts a rich exhibition about the history of Fado.
The collection includes instruments like the Portuguese guitar, clothes, phonograms, pictures, posters, and more. The basement is reserved for temporary exhibitions.
When you visit the Museum of Fado, you receive a free audio guide that helps you learn about the history and the pieces on display. Along the route, you’ll listen to stories and music.
The exhibits have a number, so you know exactly which number on your audio guide to play. This way, you learn about the technical and historical evolution of Fado Houses, the songs, and the Portuguese guitar.
You’ll also discover more about the media coverage of Fado music on TV, in theatres, on the radio, and in the cinema. In addition to the free audio tour, you can also book a guided tour in Portuguese, Spanish, English, or French. The guided tours cost € 3,00 and last an hour.
Famous Fado singers
Throughout the years, some Fado singers became very famous. Examples are Mariza, Maria Teresa de Noronha, Ana Moura, Helder Moutinho and, of course, Amália Rodrigues. She was even known as Rainha do Fado, in other words, the Queen of Fado!
Did you never hear of Fado before? Click here to listen to a classic song by Amelia Rodriguez. This way, you’ll get a little taster of what’s to come! The song is called Fado Português.
The restaurant at the Museum of Fado
If you’re ready for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink, you can visit A Travesa do Fado, the integrated restaurant with the Fado Museum Alfama. It’s a cosy place with a beautiful terrace, and you can enjoy a typical Portuguese meal here.
The restaurant opens at midday and closes at 11 PM. Before you reach the restaurant, there is also a gift shop where you can buy some Portuguese souvenirs.
Where is the Museum of Fado in Lisbon?
The Fado Museum Lisbon is located in the heart of Alfama on Largo do Chafariz de Dentro, N.º 1, 1100-139. Bus 728, 735, 794, 745, 759, and 790 all stop close to the museum. You can take the metro to Terreiro do Paço or arrive at the train station Santa Apolónia. It’s only a 5-minute walk from both metro stations to the museum.
Opening hours
The Fado Museum in Lisbon is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Please be sure to buy our ticket before 5.30 PM. The museum is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 24th, 25th and 31st.
Alfama Fado Museum tickets
Tickets for the Fado Museum Lisbon are € 5,00 per person, including a free audioguide. Children between 13 and 25 pay € 2,50. Younger children can enter for free, and seniors receive a discount.
The museum is relatively small, and you’ll need around one hour to visit the exhibitions. With the Lisboa Card, you can enter the museum for free.
Other things to do in Alfama
Alfama is the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, and there is much to do! So don’t leave just yet, and discover the tiny streets and beautiful viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Luzia. After all, sights like Lisbon Cathedral, the National Pantheon, São Vicente de Fora, and Castle São Jorge are hard to miss!
You can easily spend an afternoon in Alfama and even book a photoshoot with me on the streets in the oldest neighbourhood! Afterwards, you can complete your day with a visit to a Fado restaurant.
Where to watch and listen to live Fado in Alfama
The origin of Fado traces back to the port districts of Lisbon, such as Mouraria, Bairro Alto, and Alfama. Although there are Fado houses all over Lisbon, the majority are still in Alfama.
I recommend booking a table in a Fado restaurant one evening to experience the songs and beautiful music. You’ll enjoy a fabulous traditional meal, and the fadistas will perform Fado from time to time.
Please note that it’s appreciated not to speak during a performance. You’ll also have a better experience when you fully absorb the world of Fado.
Recommended restaurants are:
- Bohemia LX – Fabulous food, cosy ambience, and fantastic fadistas
- Clube de Fado – Next to Sé de Lisboa, a little pricy, known for the famous fado singers who performed here
- A Baiuca – Authentic Fado house in the heart of Alfama, affordable, cosy atmosphere
FAQ
Is the Fado Museum worth visiting?
Visitors interested in Fado music, the artists and the instruments will enjoy visiting Museu do Fado. You’ll learn more about the tradition, the composers and the musicians.
Is Fado in Lisbon worth it?
Yes! You can learn more about the history of traditional Portuguese music in the Fado Museum and enjoy listening to Fado music in many restaurants. When visiting Lisbon, you can enjoy both experiences, but it would be very interesting to attend one of the performances at least once to learn about Portuguese culture.
What does Fado mean in Portuguese?
The word “Fado” comes from the Latin word for fate.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about Portuguese culture, visiting the Fado Museum is highly recommended. The music genre is classified as UNESCO Cultural Heritage, and in the museum, you can listen to recordings and learn more about the story of Fado and the famous musicians.
You’ll receive a free audio guide, and the interactive panels provide lots of information. The visit will take around one hour, and afterwards, you can enjoy dinner with music in one of the many Fado restaurants in Alfama.
Discover other incredible museums!
- MAAT Lisbon – Discover the city’s favourite art museum in Belém
- Explore Portuguese heritage in the Popular Art Museum in Lisbon
- Visiting the National Tile Museum and Madre de Deus in Lisbon
- Lisbon’s fabulous Fado Museum in the heart of Alfama
- The National Coach Museum and the Old Royal Riding School in Belém
- Enjoy mesmerising historical art at the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon
- Join the Lisbon Art Gallery Tour To Spark Your Imagination
- Quake Museum Lisbon: A shaky but groundbreaking and fantastic experience!
- Discover the ruins of the Carmo Convent in Lisbon
- Beautiful contemporary art at the Serralves Museum in Porto
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