Fado literally means \u201cfate\u201d and is an expression of longing and sorrow. The neighborhood of Alfama is considered the birthplace of this very Portuguese combination of voice and guitar and\u00a0Mouraria, one of Lisbon\u2019s oldest districts, it is also associated with fado, as its mournful strains have echoed through the streets here for more than a century.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s melancholic music was born in Lisbon\u2019s old quarters where there are several taverns and fine dining restaurants known as \u201cFado Houses\u201d with both amateur and professional performers.<\/p>\n
No taste of nightlife in Lisbon would be complete without a visit to a fado house. Most of the larger \u2018genuine\u2019 fado houses are located in the Alfama and Lapa districts and of course there are\u00a0also \u00a0scattered throughout the Bairro Alto.<\/p>\n
Although many of these places are packaged specifically for tourists, \u00a0there are plenty of smaller ones hidden off the beaten track just waiting to be discovered, as well as some of the biggest names in fado such as Senhor Vinho.<\/p>\n
Portugal\u2019s unique musical style is also suitably honored at the\u00a0Fado Museum\u00a0by way of a permanent exhibition that traces the origins of fado music and the Portuguese guitar since the 19th century.<\/p>\n