Fado Museum

"Located in the Alfama district, the world-class Museu do Fado details Portugal’s soulful national music with exhibits, audiovisuals, and more. Marvel at the photographic panel of Portuguese musicians dominating the entrance, then listen to music as you tour the museum, stopping at the second-floor auditorium to watch a documentary onthe history of fado. There’s also a great gift store, where you can purchase souvenirs like a four-stringed cavaquinho . By Charu Suri"

"If you've been in Lisbon for a minute, you've probably heard fado music somewhere—in a restaurant or cafe, or a bar dedicated to the brooding tunes. It's one of Portugal’s cultural legacies. Get to know the art form with an immersive experience at this Alfama museum: Photographs, posters, musical instruments, and other artifacts chart the rise of fado from its 19th-century roots to today. Look for José Malhoa’s dreamy portrait O Fado , Constantino Fernandes’ lively depiction of port life O Marinheiro , and an ode to the Portuguese guitar." - Alia Akkam

"So, what’s this place all about? If you've been in Lisbon for a minute, you've probably heard fado music somewhere—in a restaurant or cafe, or a bar dedicated to the brooding tunes. It's one of Portugal’s cultural legacies. Get to know the art form with an immersive experience at this Alfama museum. Photographs, posters, musical instruments, and other artifacts chart the rise of fado from its 19th-century roots to today. Sounds cool. How, exactly, will it tell the story of fado? Fado’s role in Portuguese cinema, radio, and television is profound, and this museum introduces visitors to many of the dynamic personalities who have shaped and defined the craft throughout the decades. Newspapers, magazines, and music scores are buoyed by fine arts pieces, as well. Interesting. We heard there were concerts, too; who's performing? Fado concerts here feature talents like André Gomes and Marta Rosa. The museum also organizes performances elsewhere in Lisbon. That's definitely something to plan around. Can we navigate this place by ourselves, or...? Reserve a guided tour in advance. We're on it. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? It's a good spot to buy fado books and music. Alright. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? This is a compact museum, so you can deep-dive into fado in a relatively short amount of time. Look for José Malhoa’s dreamy portrait O Fado , Constantino Fernandes’ lively depiction of port life O Marinheiro , and an ode to the Portuguese guitar." - Alia Akkam