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It opened to the public in 1998, and since then celebrates Fado as a symbol of Lisbon, its role in the consolidation of Portuguese cultural identity and its importance as a source of inspiration. Museu do Fado (Fado Museum) takes us on a journey through Portuguese culture, tradition, and history, promoting the knowledge related to this musical expression without ever forgetting the feeling associated with it.

The permanent exhibition of Museu do Fado is a tribute to music, composers, and Fado singers who promote this form of art. During the tour, we are invited to learn about the history of fado (from the 19th century), the means that made it more dynamic, the evolution of the Portuguese guitar, the typical atmosphere of fado houses, and also the artistic paths of dozens of personalities who took Portugal beyond its borders and who presented this fado universe to new audiences. Besides all this, the Museum also portrays society's relationship with Fado, through a collection of plastic arts.

Among the objects presented, you can find musical instruments, specialized newspapers, trophies and traditional stage costumes, but there are also scores and other elements to explore and learn about. To help you understand what you are observing, there is the possibility to use an audio tour, and don’t forget that each visitor can do the tour at their own pace, without time constraints and without having to follow other visitors or groups. A visit to Museu do Fado is really a must for lovers of music in all its forms - throughout the many rooms, it is very rewarding to understand the impact of music on the organization and the development of Portuguese society, so explore the exhibits, the auditorium, and the store, and let yourself be carried away by our cherished fado. Keep an eye out for temporary exhibitions, they too promote Portuguese culture and music, and will certainly teach you more than you think!

The museum visit costs €5 per person, with discounts for Lisbon Card holders, people with disabilities (who can be accompanied by another visitor for free), young people (aged between 13 and 25), and seniors (over the age of 65). A few times a year, such as International Museum Day, the admission is free, as it is every Sunday until 2 p.m. Don't miss it!

Cool Tip: After learning about the history of fado, visit Casa-Museu Amália Rodrigues, located at Rua de São Bento. Amália was – and still is – one of the greatest fado singers in the world, so a visit to her house is essential to understand the true importance of this art.