To visit Lisbon is also to take advantage of the many activities that the capital of Portugal proposes, like to listen to fado for example, the typical music of Portugal. Whether you are an expatriate or tourist there are some activities not to be missed: a list of essential things to do in Lisbon and Portugal. The visits and activities in Lisbon are now original and different, and the choice is not lacking. Among all these activities to do when visiting Lisbon, Lisbob has chosen to talk about a more than traditional activity: attend a concert and listen to Fado. In fact, restaurants and Fado concert halls have always been present in Lisbon, but the practical information is sometimes not clear. Where to listen to Fado in Lisbon? How to book and attend a Fado concert? What is the price of a fado concert in Lisbon? Lisbob has gathered for you everything you need to know about fado concerts so that your stay in Lisbon is as good as possible.
Warning : It has becoming very difficult, specially during the summer, to find a free seat in a Fado house without having previously book. Lisbob strongly advices to book your Fado concert in advance.
Listening to a Fado concert in Lisbon is a must !
Book your Fado concert right now : don’t miss the opportunity !
Origins of Fado
Although its origins are uncertain, Fado appeared in Portugal in the 1820s to 1840. Fado is a typical Portuguese musical style, consisting of melancholic folk songs accompanied by plucked stringed instruments.
The fadist (singer of fado) often approaches the same sad and melancholic subjects in these songs: grief, nostalgia, forced exile, the pain of living, failed loves, and also this typical and only Portuguese word: the saudade . Fado is sung by women in Lisbon (fadista) and by men in Coimbra (fadist).
This musical genre was first sung in Portuguese neighborhoods before reaching the Portuguese bourgeoisie. During the period of the dictatorship of Salazar the fado was the national and recognized singing of Portugal.
Why you must attend a fado concert in Lisbon
There are dozens of reasons to attend a fado concert in Lisbon. How not to think of this unique sound that is part of UNESCO's Intangible World Heritage. Why not combine business with pleasure, such as listening to Fado in a nook where you can also enjoy delicious donuts of cod with tomato rice. It is comforting to listen to the song of saudade and sadness after drinking and eating well. You will be able to think of what you are missing. The lost and never forgotten loves of Fado, the eternal saudade sung will seduce you in this journey through the centuries of ordinary life in Portugal.
- Intangible World Heritage of Unesco ;
- Ability to listen to Fado while eating ;
- Music that drives introspection.
Traditional Fado Concert in Lisbon
Description of a Fado concert in Lisbon :
Fado is Portugal's most famous traditional music. The Lisbon fado originates from the popular neighborhoods of Lisbon like Alfama, Mouraria, Bairro Alto, Madragoa). It is sung by both men and women, but is generally less lively and less joyful than Coimbra's. The most talked about topics in this fado's songs are the saudade, the sadness, the nostalgia, the little stories of the everyday life of the typical neighborhoods and the Portuguese races. These were the themes allowed under the Salazar regime, with tragic fado, sadness and passion solved in violence, with blood and tears. Words related to social and political problems, as well as claims, were censored by the dictatorship.
That's all you'll feel when you attend and listen to a Fado concert. You have to live it to understand it.
Information about the Fado concert in Lisbon
- Duration: it depends if you take the diner version or only concert, but the Fado is an average of 1h30
- Contraindications: not recommended for people already sad or those who do not like nostalgic music.
Fado is sung by women in Lisbon and men in Coimbra
Pro / Cons Fado concerts in Lisbon:
Pro Fado concerts in Lisbon :
- You can not discover Portugal without discovering Fado ;
- reasonable prices ;
- Traditional Portugal and Unesco World Heritage.
Cons Fado concerts in Lisbon :
- Music sometimes too sad ;
- Offers sometimes "catch-tourists" ;
- The lack of quality offer.
Fado can be enjoyed in a bar, in a Fado house or in a restaurant
Pitfalls to avoid for Fado's concerts in Lisbon
When you go to listen to and attend a Fado concert in Lisbon you have to be careful to follow the rules to avoid some pitfalls. If you see too tempting offers attention, the quality of the proposed show surely leaves something to be desired.
Also to avoid falling into certain traps and scams, it is advisable to book directly via trusted sites. It Well, you're already on it.
Fado from Coimbra
How to listen to fado in Lisbon
To listen to and attend a fado concert in Lisbon is very simple. The procedure to follow is the following. You can book in one of the establishments selected below. Tip: During the summer the establishments are full in advance, do not miss a fado concert and book now the desired establishment.
Avoid lines : book your Fado concert now
Price for attending a Fado concert in Lisbon : the best plans
To attend a fado concert in Lisbon, prices vary enormously from one house to another. The reason is that each institution offers different services. Some also offer to eat, other simply to enjoy a good Portuguese wine, and others have a show scene. The prices vary between 20 € and 200 € per person to listen to Fado.
Listening and attending a Fado concert in Lisbon is one of the unique experiences that Portugal has to offer.
Top 5 best places to listen and book a Fado concert in Lisbon
There are several places to listen to and attend a Fado concert in Lisbon. Here are certainly the best places to listen to Fado in Lisbon that will delight you:
Fado ao vivo
Fado em si
Tasca do Chico
Casa de Linhares
Maria de Mouraria
Here are some places in Alfama, Lisbon, where to listen to fado
Book a concert of Fado in Lisbon :
To book its Fado concert activity in Lisbon, Lisbob has selected for you the best partners. You can make your reservation to attend a Fado concert with confidence, with the best prices guaranteed for all activities. Listening to Fado and visiting Lisbon has never been so easy thanks to Bob, the expatriate's assistant in Portugal.
Attending a Fado concert in Lisbon is well worth it. An unforgettable experience and memories engraved forever. Make your visit to Lisbon a success: do not wait any longer and book your concert to listen to Fado in Lisbon.
