Tile-Painting Workshops in Lisbon

Azulejos, the painted ceramic tiles that cover Lisbon’s churches, façades and stations, are one of Portugal’s great art forms. A tile-painting workshop lets you learn the techniques and paint your own tile to take home. It’s a perfect rainy-day activity and a unique souvenir.

Quick answer: workshops usually last 2 to 3 hours, run in small groups, and include materials, a short history of azulejos and firing in a kiln. Some let you collect your tile the next day, while others ship it. No experience is needed, and they’re suitable for older kids. See tile-painting workshops in Lisbon.

What you’ll do

• Learn the history of azulejos, from Moorish geometric patterns to blue-and-white baroque panels.
• Choose a design: a traditional pattern or your own idea.
• Paint with glazes on a glazed tile, using traditional techniques.
• Firing: the tile is fired in a kiln to fix the colours.

Tips

• Timing: book early in your trip so there’s time for firing and collection.
• Packing: wrap your tile carefully, or choose a workshop that ships.
• Kids: check the minimum age.

See azulejos in Lisbon

Look for tiles on façades in Alfama and the Graça viewpoints, in churches and in metro stations. See azulejos in Portugal and Lisbon’s churches.

More: Lisbon on a rainy day, shopping in Lisbon and the best tours in Lisbon.

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