Photos: Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Coimbra fado, before the show
Your local guide
Renato Dias
View profile
Highlights
- A Portuguese guitarra, tuned on camera
- Coimbra fado, sung only by men
- A room filling before the songs start
- Student tradition behind a musical style
- What separates Coimbra fado from Lisbon's
About this tour
This session goes behind the start of a Coimbra fado performance, a tradition distinct from the better-known Lisbon style and sung only by men in academic capes. Renato shows the Portuguese guitarra being tuned before the room fills with the students who will perform. He explains what separates this style from fado elsewhere in Portugal.
Renato keeps the camera steady on the instruments and the room as it fills, narrating over the quieter moments before a performance begins. He takes questions about the tradition's history and its ties to student life throughout. A short note on the evening's likely songs follows the call.
This suits anyone with an interest in music and tradition who wants context most performances do not explain. It also suits viewers who cannot attend a live performance but want a genuine sense of it.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Coimbra before heading out.
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A guitar being tuned 15 min
The camera holds on a Portuguese guitarra as Renato tunes it, its distinctive pear shape and twelve strings unlike the classical guitar beside it. He explains what makes the instrument suited to the Coimbra style.
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The venue filling up 15 min
As the room fills, Renato points out the black capes worn by students who will perform later, part of an academic tradition rather than a costume. He explains what separates Coimbra fado, sung only by men, from the better-known Lisbon style.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Coimbra: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Queijo da Serra and Baixa, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Lisbon time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 8 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Coimbra, showing you A guitar being tuned and The venue filling up live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Is this suitable if I do not drink?
Yes. Say so when you book and the guide will focus on the atmosphere and venues rather than the drinks list.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I show you the venue live before the songs start.
Times shown in Lisbon time (WET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 5 Nov · 8 seats left From 19,00 €
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