Lisbon, Fado & Hostels

Sing your sorrows in this wonderful city!

Fado is a unique musical tradition in Portugal. It means 'fate', and it is a mandatory experience for all the broken-hearted backpackers out there. You will undoubtedly identify with these melancholy and nostalgic lyrics and melodies if you need to nurse your heart back to health. Don't think that these dramatic tales about love, passion and hatred will tear you down, though; on the contrary, it is known that tragedies and music can allow the relieving of your emotional tensions on a catharsis-like basis! In case you're on a happier love trip, you can also just enjoy it for what is is: a very expressive art labeled as trademark entertainment.

Solo ballads and acoustic guitars will make you feel as if something sharp and cold is turning in your heart, because that's what the listener is supposed to feel. Fado is not for everyone - you can only feel it if you are mature enough to handle it. Although powerful, the voice of a 'fadista' trembles out of emotion; in fact, this is one of the most prominent characteristics of this musical style. Moreover, singers of fado usually dress in black, which makes them look like the mourners of their own life of faded glory and unrequited passion. Still, they do it with pride and keep their heads high while they sing astonishingly.

The greatest singer of fado of all times is Amália Rodrigues (1920-1999). She was known as the 'Queen of Fado' and popularized it worldwide during her 40-year career. She also wrote a book with the rules of fado: how it should be sang and performed.

This is one of the reasons why she remains a Diva and a source of inspiration for all the singers of fado that came afterwards. Another well-known international fado artist is Mariza, her heiress. Born in 16th December 1973, she grew up in one of the most traditional quarters of the capital, Alfama and Mouraria (near Bairro Alto). It was here that she learned how to sing fado, since this is definitely the best place in Lisbon for top-quality concerts of this music. She has performed in many places such as Pavilhão Atlântico, Central Park, Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall and she is now one of the most important names in the New Fado movement.

You can come to Lisbon to listen to fado anytime, since there is no such thing as a high season for fate. Visiting this city is in your 'destiny'...

Check out Lisbon hostels