Photo: Béria Lima de Rodríguez, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credit
Photo: Béria Lima de Rodríguez, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Amateur fado night in Mouraria and Alfama
Your local guide
Inês Rocha
View profile
Highlights
- Fado vadio, where neighbours take turns to sing
- A short history of fado before the first song
- A seat close enough to watch the guitarist's hands
- The Portuguese guitar, explained string by string
- Caldo verde and chouriço on a nearby table
About this tour
This session sits in on fado vadio in Mouraria and Alfama, where neighbours and amateur singers take turns rather than paid performers. The guide gives a short history of fado before the first song and moves the camera close enough to watch the guitarist's hands. It is a look at fado as a neighbourhood habit rather than a staged show.
The call opens with a sound check, then settles into two tascas in turn, timed around whoever happens to be singing that night. Questions are answered between songs, and a short list of other places to hear fado vadio follows once the call ends.
This suits anyone curious about fado beyond its tourist version, or anyone who wants live Portuguese music explained as it happens. It also suits musicians interested in the Portuguese guitar itself.
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 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Lisbon before heading out.
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A tasca in Mouraria 21 min
Inside a small tasca in Mouraria, the camera settles at a table as neighbours and amateur singers take turns performing fado vadio, and the guide gives a short history of the style before the first song starts.
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Close to the guitarist 21 min
The camera moves to a seat close enough to watch the guitarist's hands on the strings, and the guide explains the difference between the Portuguese guitar and the standard one used alongside it.
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A tasca in Alfama 21 min
At a second tasca in Alfama, the guide points out a plate of caldo verde and chouriço on a nearby table, explaining how a late snack fits into an evening built around singing rather than eating.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Lisbon: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas) and Alfama, 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 Lisbon, showing you Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery 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 walk Lisbon live with my phone and you ask anything as we go.
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 17 Dec · 8 seats left From 29,00 €
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