You come down a flight of stairs beside the cathedral and leave today’s Lisbon up in the street. Down here, under the arches of the city’s medieval wall, with a glass of wine in your hand and the singers a few steps away, Fado sounds the way Lisbon heard it long ago. And you will follow every word, because before each Fado the singers tell you, in Portuguese and in English, what the poem says.
An evening of Fado in the Sé room
The room is two minutes from the door of the Sé, Lisbon’s cathedral. A single flight of stairs takes you down into a vault of eleventh-century stone. Its arches were once part of the city’s medieval wall and its old sea gate, and under them the acoustics lift the whole evening. Just behind the cathedral begins Alfama, one of the old neighbourhoods where Fado was first sung.
Here you’ll hear four of our passionate musicians: a woman and a man who sing in turn, a Portuguese guitar and a classical guitar. You don’t need to know anything about Fado, or a word of Portuguese, to follow them.
They sing traditional Fados and more recent ones, and you have a glass of Port, Moscatel or Portuguese wine while you listen. There’s no dinner and no kitchen. Nothing interrupts the singing, and for fifty minutes the old Lisbon under these arches belongs to you and the Fado.
22€ per person, wine included
The musicians
Every night they give a heartfelt show, each with a voice or a touch of their own, true to the tradition of Fado.
Bárbara Santos
Fado singer
Francisco Pereira
Portuguese guitar
Marta Alves
Fado singer
Sebastião Pereira
Portuguese guitar
Nelson Aleixo
Classical guitar
Válter Cristovam
Fado singer
Sérgio Costa
Portuguese guitar
Francisco Moreira
Classical guitar
Carolina Gomes
Fado singer
António Neto
Classical guitar
In our guests’ words
4.8 out of 5 on Google
“Absolutely fabulous! It’s down in an old cavern that has been redone. The acoustics are incredible. […] The singers and musicians pour their heart and soul into every song and you feel every note deep inside. I didn’t take pictures because I was entranced by the soulful songs and guitar rhythms. […] Do not miss this particular Fado. There are others, but this one to me was beyond comparison because of its atmosphere.”
Ams · April 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google “We grabbed tickets for Fado & Fado, and I’m glad we did. Seeing Fado performed for the first time was a memorable experience. The music was rich with emotion, and the performance had a quiet intensity that stayed with me. The setting was fantastic, and I loved the explanation of the origins of the music. Yes you could experience Fado in a restaurant, but I preferred this approach which felt much more intimate.”
David B · March 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google “This was a wonderful experience in a magical and intimate setting beneath the old streets of Lisbon. The culture of Fado was well explained and the music and voices were exquisite and hauntingly memorable. It was one of the jewels of our brief visit to Lisbon. Thank you.”
Charles & Tessa Proudfoot · March 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google “Kind, passionate, talented people running this place. Was a truly memorable hour. The artists perform from their heart, happily. Despite being in a tourist center of Lisbon, there was nothing “touristy” about this place - and I mean that in the best way. The fado was remarkable, the venue was intimate, and we left feeling happy.”
Shaan Mehta · October 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google “Fado e Fado is an intimate basement venue — a cozy place that makes you feel part of something authentic. On the night we visited (thank you, Google Maps!), two singers and two musicians delivered a 50-minute fado performance — an excellent introduction to this unique Portuguese art form. […] A wonderful concept, beautifully executed. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a genuine fado experience in Lisbon.”
Siniša Margetić · October 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google “This venue boasts a privileged location and perfect acoustics, creating a charming ambience that is hard to match. The Fado history and explanations provided are just right—not too little, not too much. The English is clear and easily understood. Overall, a real gem of a place that offers an unforgettable experience.”
Den Chuang · January 2025(opens the review on Google in a new tab)Google
How to find the Sé room
Largo de Santo António da Sé 51100-499 Lisboa
- Tram: 28 or 12, stop Sé, at the door
- Walk: 2 min from the cathedral, 8 min from Praça do Comércio, uphill
- Look for: the arches of the old city wall, next to the Church of Santo António
Calls are charged at national mobile network rates.
Questions
Is this a dinner show?
No. It’s a concert and we don’t serve food, so there are no plates coming and going and nothing between you and the singers. Your ticket includes the concert and a glass of wine.
How long is the show?
Fifty minutes. Doors open half an hour before the concert and close fifteen minutes after it starts.
How much is it, and what’s included?
22€ per person online, 25€ at the door. That includes the concert and one drink: a glass of Port, Moscatel or Portuguese wine, or another drink if you’d rather not have wine.
Do we choose our seats?
Yes, when you arrive. Seats aren’t numbered, so the earlier you come, the more choice you have.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, up to 24 hours before your session. Use the link in your confirmation email, or email info@fadoefado.com with your booking number. Until the same deadline you can also move your ticket to another session or another night. After that, tickets can’t be refunded or changed.
Can I pay at the door?
Yes, if there are seats left. At the door it’s 25€. Online it’s 22€ and your place is guaranteed.
Is it accessible?
The Sé room is below street level and you reach it by a flight of stairs, so it isn’t wheelchair accessible. If stairs are difficult for you, write to us before you book.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No. Before each Fado the singers tell you what the poem says, in Portuguese and in English. The Fados themselves are sung in Portuguese.