Destino Fado — Attraction in Porto

Attending the Fado concert was an unforgettable experience. Claudia's voice was absolutely mesmerizing, and her heartfelt explanations added so much depth and meaning to the performance. As a solo traveler, this was truly the highlight of my trip—a moment of pure magic that felt like my heart was being gently healed. Every emotion was heightened to its fullest; it was as though my soul was reconnecting with something profound.

The music was perfectly complemented by the two guitars, especially the Portuguese guitar, which is so integral to Fado. It acted as a second voice, weaving a melody that melted my heart with its beauty. The combination of Claudia's voice and the soulful accompaniment created a performance that was deeply moving and utterly captivating. This was not just a concert—it was an emotional journey I will...

What an experience! Destino fado was an absolute highlight of our trip to Porto.

Tucked away in a side street is a grand house, decorated with pastel-coloured frescos of famous composers, and looking much like something out of a Jane Austen novel. Up the stairs in a beautiful drawing room we were served a glass of red port wine and traditional Portuguese biscuits by our warm and welcoming host… who turned out to be the evening’s singer, Claudia!

The singing itself was like nothing I’ve heard before. Songs ranged from melancholic to joyful, giving us goosebumps and causing me to tear up more than once. Claudia’s voice blends so perfectly with Miguel and Manuel’s guitars – and a performance from a guest singer (Lulu?) brought an extra dimension to the hour-long show.

Every seat was taken, so be sure to book ahead!...

We went to this show after our first full day in Portugal (and in Porto). It was a fabulous way to be introduced to the culture, the traditions and the experience of Fado. The venue is intimate and comfortable and the artists were passionate and emotive. Our singer was Cláudia Madur, accompanied by two impressively proficient guitarists who... I'm sad to admit... I am not confident of their names and can't match them up to the artists on the website due to facial hair differences. Heartfelt thanks for the memorable night out and (bonus!) our first taste of a tawny port, which invigorated our explorations of Vila Nova de Gaia the...