In the heart of Lisbon’s historic Alfama district, the Fado Museum is a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand the musical soul of Portugal ! Opened on 25 September 1998, this museum is entirely dedicated to fado, the melancholic and passionate Portuguese music genre. Did you know it was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list? Yes, since 2011 !
A Journey to the Heart of Fado
The Fado Museum offers a full immersion into the world of fado and the Portuguese guitar. Through a permanent exhibition rich in objects, photographs, instruments, and audio recordings, the museum traces the entire history of this iconic music, from its origins to its current role in Portuguese culture.
Among the highlights is the famous painting O Fado by José Malhoa (1910), illustrating a traditional fado scene in Lisbon’s streets. Visitors can also use interactive terminals to explore the biographies of hundreds of artists and listen to excerpts of emblematic fados.
The museum is comprehensive, also offering temporary exhibitions, a documentation centre, an auditorium (for concerts and events), as well as a school dedicated to the Portuguese guitar and fado composition.
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Practical Information
Address : Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, 1100-139 Lisbon
Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
Closed : 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
Admission Prices : adults (26-64 years) : €5.00 ; youth (13-25 years) €2.50 ; eniors (>65 years) & Disabled €4.30
Access : by metro (blue line) and train, the nearest station is Santa Apolónia ; by bus, lines No. 728, 735, 759, and 794 ; by car, the closest car park is Campo das Cebolas.
An Immersive Experience
The Fado Museum is more than just an exhibition! It offers a true sensory experience, where visitors can listen, see, and feel fado. Concerts and workshops are regularly held (programmes available online), allowing guests to experience live music and participate in interactive activities.
The museum also features a themed shop where visitors can purchase fado CDs, books, and music-related souvenirs.
Surroundings
Located in the picturesque Alfama district, the museum is surrounded by narrow streets, traditional cafés, and viewpoints offering splendid city panoramas. It’s the perfect area to wander after a visit, enjoy live fado in a local tavern, or simply soak up the unique atmosphere of this emblematic Lisbon neighbourhood, with a coffee and a pastel de nata, of course !
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