FADO IN LISBON

What are the best Fado clubs in Lisbon? With our guide of suggested fado clubs in the Alfama www.madaboutlisbon.com aims to direct you to the one that suits your taste perfectly. Some clubs have excellent restaurant facilities whereas others focus solely on the quality of the music. We also offer a range of tours and ready-made experiences for your convienence.

Fado's literal meaning "destiny" or "fate" is the embodiment of what the Portuguese call "to Saudade" – to long for or to miss. A manifestation of the melancholic side of the Portuguese psyche, the origins of Fado are ambiguous. Some believe that it is descended from a woeful dance of Congolese slaves shipped to Brazil, or as some would have it, the forlorn character of Fado came from Portuguese seafarers who sang about home during their long sea voyages. In either case, Fado has a close association with the sea and grew in popularity in the early 19th century primary in the port areas of Lisbon, chiefly the Alfama, a district still associated with fishermen. Fado is generally sung by a solo singer called a "fadista" and is most commonly accompanied by the Portuguese guitar and the classical guitar.

Fado's oldest style originates from the Alfama and it's here you'll find some of the most famous of Fado clubs (casa de Fado), artists and the museum of Fado. The genre has diversified and travelled to other parts of Portugal, notably to Coimbra where it's generally sung by a group of male students. However, the Alfama remains Fado's spiritual home: