Lisbon Fado Dinner Show and Panoramic Night Tour

We were so looking forward to the tour as we had heard good things about Fado shows in the area we were staying Alfama and were excited when we were picked up. As the tour doesnt outline where you are going, we were not impressed to be taken to the Bairro Alto area although our guide was thrilled to tell us about how people enjoy the nightlife until after 4 am. Trying to keep an open mind we were ushered into a restaurant and provided a table in the back, even though other tables were free and more desirable. So our group of 8 was wedged between the bathrooms, kitchen and sideboard that the staff kept wiggling past us to get into the get glassware and other things needed for the tables. When our waiter arrived he had no idea we were part of a tour with dinner included. He didnt speak much English and finally noted we could order what we like but not too much so we have no idea what should have been part of our meal. We didnt pay extra so thats something but the food was nothing special and really felt like tourist food, we had sourced much better food near where we were staying. The Fado show itself was disappointing. A gentleman came out and sang 2 songs, than the main event, a lady with a lovely voice sang one. They repeated this once more and then the show was over. Our driver was back way before the food was done so the show is generally very short. He waited for us and took us on a night tour of the city...not sure how that was supposed to be but we drove up to a hill top for a view, then to a local artists street art and back to our hotel. We were very disappointed. We had met a local who took us on day tour for half that cost and was amazing all day. He was shocked when we told him about where we went as part of an expensive tour for a Fado show. My advice, skip this tour - get to Lisbon and ask around and you will find the locals will steer you somewhere awesome, authentic and ensure you have a great time.

The fado show was good. The singers were very talented. We enjoyed the dinner. Was a choice of Cod cakes or pork. I got the cod. My wife got the pork. Both were very good. The waiter was excellent. It came with a bottle of white wine or red wine. We got the white. The night tour was a tour of the Graca distict. I thought it would be a little more comprehensive. I was hoping to see the Belem monuments at night, but no such luck. Our driver was really nice.

Our guide was so knowledgable and we learned so much from her! The night tour is a bus ride around the city, and she did a great job pointing out important spots in Lisbon and explaining their importance. The dinner was delicious, and the fado show was very interesting. There were about four singers that came out throughout the meal to perform three songs each. The dinner did drag on a bit, I think the whole group was ready to finish before the last performance - but the singers were incredible, and it was a great experience!