A Casa do Fado -São João Novo — Attraction in Porto

I attended a Fado session at Casa do Fado, located near São João Novo in Porto, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the proprietors. Since I got there a bit early, the host kindly showed me the stunning panoramic view of Porto — absolutely breathtaking.

Before the performance began, the host shared the history and traditions of Fado in several languages, explaining what we were about to experience and the two main types of Fado. We were also offered a delightful glass of Port wine, setting the perfect tone for the evening.

The session took place in a century-old building with exceptional acoustics, creating a supernatural aura that perfectly complemented the music. The three musicians were unbelievably talented, with special praise to Vânia Leal, the singer, whose voice was both powerful and deeply moving.

“Fado” in Portuguese means destiny, and if you understand the language, you can truly feel the fate and soul of the Portuguese people woven through the lyrics. The music evokes a profound sense of saudade — nostalgia for lost loves, better days, and the simple joys of life. The Portuguese guitar seems to cry, as if mourning times that will never return.

Even if you don’t understand a single word of Portuguese, you will still be touched by the emotion and artistry of the performance. Casa do Fado offers a magical, heartfelt, and authentic experience that I will cherish forever.

Highly recommended to anyone who loves music that moves the soul. Obrigado, Casa do Fado, for an evening I will...

This place really made my night in Porto. They offer one hour of very passionate, emotional performance with a little glass of Porto wine. I was here during the low season so I got to experience an intimate show from the front seat. When it’s a full house, I supposed the vibe will be fun as well. Miguel Silva (the father and the son) and Fernanda Moreira really poured their hearts into the performance. They also explained the historical background of the music. So if you want to appreciate the traditional Portuguese music with the some context with a special atmosphere of a heritage building, this is the...

My husband and I went to A Casa do Fado in October, 2025. We enjoyed quality Fado music in a beautiful historic building while tasting Porto. The level of the musicians and the singer was excellent, and the small, intimate atmosphere allowed us to focus on the emotional and impressive music. Between songs, the musicians gave explanations about Fado and took questions from the audience, making the concert even more enjoyable. It was one of the most memorable moments of our week-long trip to Portugal. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to experience the authentic culture rooted...