Lisbon Food & Fado Tour: An Evening Out in Mouraria & Alfama

Our tour guide, Raquel, made this evening the spectacular experience it became. Her knowledge about the origins, history and evolution of Fado through Portugal’s history was extensive and passionate. The tour introduces you to some of the most famous Fado musicians as you wind your way through Alfama, where it all began. You see where they lived and played their music. The stop at a small neighborhood cafe for a drink and a delicious variety of Portuguese appetizers was much appreciated after hiking up the steep hills of Alfama. The views of Lisbon from the heights are worth the climb, but this is not the adventure for anyone with mobility issues. The visit to the home of the woman who makes her own cherry liqueur was a delightful surprise, especially since she served it in a small chocolate cup. The Fado restaurant and show were captivating, especially since we now understood what makes this expressive art form so uniquely Portuguese. This is a must do experience for anyone who wants to see a medieval section of Lisbon that wasn’t destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. You suddenly feel like you really are in Europe and this tour makes you fall in love with Lisbon in a way that visits to all the great monuments can’t achieve. If you want to connect with the soul of Portugal, you must experience fado.