Fado isn’t found only in Lisbon and Coimbra. In Porto, the melodies of this musical genre—recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—can be heard where you least expect it: within the walls of the Monastery of São Bento da Vitória. With construction beginning in 1604 on a part of the city’s former Jewish quarter, this is one of the most imposing religious buildings in Porto.
Designated a National Monument in 1977 and located in Porto’s Historic Center—itself a World Heritage Site—the monastery holds many layers of history worth (re)discovering. In 1808, during the Peninsular War, it became a military hospital, and in 1835, following the dissolution of the religious orders, it served as a military court and barracks. Today, it houses the Porto District Archives, and part of the building is occupied by the São João National Theater.
After being closed for about ten months for renovations costing 4.85 million euros under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Monastery of São Bento da Vitória reopened on October 1. And in the late afternoon on specific dates, it reveals one of its most unexpected facets: a self-guided tour of the church followed by an hour of live fado, accompanied by Port wine and Singeverga liqueur—produced by the Benedictine monks—for €26 (for adults).
13 November 2026 18:30 + more dates
Rua das Taipasº 94
Fado in Porto, amid gilded woodcarvings, with wine (and a monastic liqueur)
Before the show, the experience begins with a tour of the church, which opened in the early 18th century. If you’re a history buff, be sure to pick up the printed guide available in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish. Afterward, enjoy an hour of live fado, featuring a singer accompanied by the Portuguese guitar and the fado viola. And it’s no coincidence that music echoes here: the Benedictine monks turned this monastery into a veritable school of music and singing, of which the church’s imposing organ remains the emblem. Take a closer look: there are two organs, but one of them is silent and exists solely to maintain symmetry.
To make the experience even more special, take the opportunity to toast to music and life with a glass of Port wine and a glass of Singeverga Liqueur, made by the Benedictine monks of the Singeverga Monastery in Santo Tirso and cited by some sources as the only monastic liqueur produced in Portugal. They say the recipe is a well-kept secret, but there’s nothing better than tasting it to see if it lives up to its reputation.
Useful Information
📍Where: São Bento da Vitória Monastery, Rua das Taipas, 94. The entrance is at the rear of the monument
⏰When: sessions at 6:30 p.m., on various dates to be selected using the ticket selector
🎟️Tickets: adults pay €26; teens €19; and children €14 (minimum age of 6 to attend the event)
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