Fado Museum

The Fado scene, connected to the traditional Portuguese music, is very alive in Lisbon. A museum celebrates the centennial history of this moving music.

Listening to fado music in a traditional tavern is one of those unmissable experiences that you should try in Lisbon. If after attending a moving fado exhibition you want to learn more about this charming music genre, visit the Museu do Fado.

It was created with the help and collaboration of the main protagonists of the history of fado who donated several personal objects that are now exhibited in the museum. It opened its door in 1998 and it was recognized as the Best Portuguese Museum by APOM, the Portuguese Museum Association. It is definitely a must-see attraction.

What to see at the Fado Museum

This is the place where you will satisfy all your curiosities about the intense melodies of the canto do fado, as well as all the personalities who have written the centuries-old history of this unique music genre. You will find arrangements and music instruments, stage costumes and objects, and any other tool that belonged to the characters who contributed to keep alive the centennial fado tradition, like instrument makers, researchers, and students.

The museum doesn’t celebrate only the past but also the present and the future of one of the symbols of Lisbon and of Portugal. Besides permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museums holds workshops, exhibitions, books and records presentations. The museum indeed is not just an exhibition center; it is also a school, a document center, a rehearsal hall, and an auditorium (90 seats).

Once you have finished your visit, you can enjoy a coffee or a snack at the museum cafeteria; if you are lucky enough to arrive at the right time you can attend a free concert. Spend some time at the museum shop where you can find some original souvenirs like records, books, postcards, music instruments, and much more.

The permanent exhibition

The permanent exhibition hosted inside the Museu do Fado is the core of your visit. Documents, objects, and multimedia contents will take you through a fascinating and complete journey across the universe of Portuguese music. The exhibition involves all the most important aspects and characteristics of Portuguese fado:

History of fado: from its origins, which date back to 1800, to today
The historical and technical evolution of the Portuguese guitar, the traditional instrument of this folkloristic music
“Fado Houses”, that is to say the places where fado music is performed; their main goal is to keep the tradition alive
Personal and artistic portraits of the greatest protagonists of fado; singers, musicians, composers like Alfredo Duarte, Amália Rodrigues, Ercília Costa, Berta Cardoso, Raul Ferrão, Frederico Valério, Alberto Janes, Alain Oulman and many others
Fado and the Portuguese society; visual arts made by important Portuguese authors who study and explain the strong relationship between fado and the Portuguese society.

All visitors will receive an audio guide; inside the museum there are several interactive stations for those who wish to learn more about specific topics.

Getting there

The Fado Museum is located in the center of Lisbon, about 10 minutes walk from Sao Jorge Castle. It can be easily reached by train (getting off at Santa Apolónia) or by bus.