Fado - Portugal's national music

The national song style of Portugal, Fado, can be found in many restaurants across Lisbon. This moving song is part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and you can enjoy some of the best at ‘O Faia’.

Fado Portugals national music
Area

Lisbon and Alentejo

Type

Culture & People

History

Who

Adults

Older Kids

Young Kids

Fado is the national song style of Portugal. It means fate and it's always sung with emotion - when it's performed by a good singer, which could sometimes be hard to find. 
 
The Portuguese usually say that it's hard to find a restaurant that has simultaneously these 4 important factors: good Fado Singers, good ambiance, good food, and good service! Mainly because of the demands of tourism, it's difficult to have quality and quantity side-by-side. But this personalized experience will provide you with both - a good meal while you are serenaded with a great Fado show. 
 
Fado is usually performed during dinner in a local and traditional restaurant. You can arrive early to the restaurant in time to order your meal before the show starts. Then, the singer and the two guitar players will come to the room and perform 3-4 songs – when they’re in the room silence is requested and the lights are turned off in order to have only the ambiance of the candles on the guest's tables. When they go, you continue eating and chatting, and when they come again after a few minutes, they will perform 3-4 songs again, and this will go on all night long.


Recommended Hotels Nearby

A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.


More Experiences in This Area

Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.

Call us on 212 660 0228 to start planning your holiday