While I love all things made in Portugal I have a particular soft spot for Portuguese handmade ceramics. There are simply so many incredible small artisans and bigger factories producing truly beautiful, high quality and affordable plates, jugs, cups, bowls and more.
In this guide I’ve listed a bunch of my favourite Portuguese ceramic brands, plus any cool shops and factories around the country where you can drop in to buy ceramics at the source. There’s nothing cooler than watching the potter throw a jug together before your eyes.
>> Visiting Lisbon and want to visit an artisan tile-maker? This full-day azulejo tour takes you to the tile museum, and then into the countryside where you’ll paint-your-own ceramic tile at a small-scale artisan workshop. Very cool!
Send me a message if you discover any cool ceramic brands, shops or factories I should know about.
The best Portuguese ceramic brands
Bordallo Pinheiro
I’m obsessed with the whimsical world of this 19th-century Portuguese ceramics brand. Started in 1884 by cartoonist-turned-ceramicist Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, somehow his tableware is still on trend some 130 plus years later. I am obsessed with cabbage-shaped bowls, giant tomato tureens, fun fish vases and fruity pineapple plates. If you want to add fun to the table, look for the colourful and eccentric pieces from Bordallo Pinheiro.
Where to shop: Online, or in stores across Portugal.
Read next: The best tile painting workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
Casa Cubista
The duo behind Casa Cubista has taken the traditional terracotta ceramics from the Alentejo and made it modern with bold stripes and splatters. The range is fun, colourful and I like to mix it with Bordallo Pinheiro for an old-new feel.
Where to shop: Casa Cubista stocked at D’Olival in Lisbon (and a huge range of amazing olive oil) plus other stockists around the world.
Anna Westerlund
I love the organic shapes and feel of Anna Westerlund’s ceramics and the way she often finishes her ceramic pieces with other materials like beads, jute and thread. Made by hand on the outskirts of Lisbon, you can shop her work at Together by Anna Westerlund in the heart of the city.
Where to shop: Online, or in Lisbon at Together.
Vista Alegre
This is Portugal’s answer to the UK’s Royal Daulton. Since 1824 this Portuguese ceramic brand has been making fine porcelain and bone china pieces at its factory near the city of Aveiro. Apparently the President of Portugal, plus the White House and some royal families across Europe use the tableware.
Where to shop: Online, or stores throughout Portugal.
Related Blog: Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
Costa Nova
With a more raw and organic feel, Costa Nova produces high quality, fine stoneware inspired by the sea. Each piece is made in a single firing system at 1180ºC, which apparently bonds the clay and glaze to create super resistant, sturdy pieces.
Where to shop: Online, or stores throughout Portugal.
Related Blog: Where to shop for authentic souvenirs in Lisbon
Margarida Fabrica
Designer Margarida M. Fernandes started her ceramics studio since 2010, inspired by simiplity, food and time spent in the kitchen. Her delicate ceramic bowls, plates, napkin rings and even lam shades have a simple, rustic and organic appeal. Most are in neutral earthy tones, with only the old slick of cobalt blue paint.
Where to shop: Online, or organise to visit her studio at the LX Factory in Lisbon.
Planning a trip to Portugal? I can help! ✨ Book a one-on-one video call and get custom help organising your perfect Portugal itinerary, filled with artisan finds, fantastic restaurants, and the best destinations. Find out more about my Portugal travel planning service here.
Duro Ceramics
This lesser-known Portuguese ceramics manufacturer from Caldas da Rainha produces durable and modern everyday pieces. You might spot their beautiful fish plates or colourful tableware in some of the better souvenir shops across the country.
Where to shop: Via Instagram, or local boutiques. US customers can try WeArePortugal.
Cerâmica Edgar Picas
If you’ve been to Portugal you will have seen a huge amount of terracotta pottery, some of it very rustic. The Picas family have been master artisans of this Barcelos-style red clay pottery for generations, but it was only in 2009 that Edgar founded this company to preserve the traditions and knowledge of his parents and grandparents. This sort of pottery is brilliant for cooking – you can use it in the oven, on hot stoves, or for decoration.
Where to shop: Direct website, you’ll find pottery like this at “feiras” or markets.
Read next: The best cooking classes in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Azores & Madeira
Faireal
Alcobaça is more famous for its apples than ceramics, but there’s a long pottery tradition in the region north of Lisbon. Faireal is a family-owned workshop that’s been producing traditional ceramics the old-fashioned way for more than 50 years. Apparently the artform came from monks at the Alcobaça Monastery, and today this family continues the tradition, hand-painting every piece with the Alcobaça Cobalt Blue.
Where to shop: Direct online. US customers can try WeArePortugal.
Stores and villages to visit in Portugal for ceramics
Portugal’s ceramic city: Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha has a grand reputation for ceramics and it’s here that Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, the famous cartoonist turned ceramicist, opened his pottery factory in 1884. To this day they still make his famously fun lines of tableware, sometimes still using the 19th century moulds. Explore the ceramic town with this two-hour guided walk. You can read about more things to do in Caldas da Rainha on my guide to the small creative city.
Terracotta town: São Pedro do Corval village
The tiny town of São Pedro do Corval has made a name for itself as Europe’s largest pottery centre. Step inside one of some two dozen pottery houses and you’ll likely find both a shop and workshop. Men covered in red dirt spin terracotta clay into plates, jugs and cups on the wheel, while others paint the final pieces with colourful patterns and local designs. Read my guide to Corval here.
Hot tip: Plan a road trip to visit the magnificent medieval Monsaraz village and spend an afternoon at São Pedro do Corval nearby. This is easily one of my top Portugal adventures.
Cerâmica Paraíso in Sagres
When is a ceramics warehouse more than just a store? When they turn the outside into a place worth photographing. The outside of Ceramica Paraiso is covered with the gorgeous handmade plates and bowls they sell inside. This mega ceramics warehouse sells all things made in Portugal. If you’re in the market for new plates, bowls, cups or mugs then take a look here as everything is usually a few euros.
Planning to visit the Algarve? Explore where to eat and the best things to do in the Algarve.
Cerâmicas na Linha and Luza in Lisbon
In the heart of Chiado, Lisbon’s downtown shopping heart, this backstreet ceramic store sells Portuguese-made crockery of all colours, shapes and styles by the kilo. Yep, more often than not you simply pay for the weight of each plate at Ceramicas na Linha. It’s like a candy store with every colour under the sun – perfect to pick up souvenirs. At the back there’s a second shop called Luza that stocks Portuguese-made ceramic brands including Bordallo Pinheiro and Costa Nova.
Related Blog: 10 best souvenirs to buy in Portugal
This list is just the start. If you know and love a Portuguese ceramic brand that should be included, let me know in the comments below. I’ll be updating this article and hopefully creating more guides highlighting where to shop for tiles, homewares and sustainable fashion.
If you found this post useful, consider buying me a coffee to support my work.
Planning a trip to Portugal? I can help! ✨ Book a one-on-one video call and get custom help organising your perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more about my Portugal travel planning service here.
Keep reading…
- Best vintage and second-hand shops in Lisbon
- Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
- Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
- The best tile painting workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
- Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Lagos, Algarve
- The best pastel de nata cooking classes in Lisbon and Porto
- Made in Portugal: 24 Best Portuguese Sneaker Brands
- Made in Portugal: 20 Portuguese T-Shirt Brands
29 Responses
What street were you on with the plates wall?
The address is Ceramica Paraiso at N125, 8650-282 Raposeira, Portugal – it’s the highway/main road into Sagres. You can’t miss it!
Great post, thank you, Daniela. I’ve found couple of stores that I will visit soon. By the way, have you ever heard of a Portuguese brand named Rustico Stoneware? They are being sold in UK and even Russia but not Portugal. I wasn’t able to find any information about them here in Portugal but everyone says that it is a Portuguese company.
Glad to hear that Andrei! I’ve not heard of Rustico Stoneware, but that doesn’t surprise me – it’s probably a brand designed for export. In my research I find many overseas brands that work with Portuguese factories. Perhaps Rustico is locally owned and produced, but focused on international sales
Hi – we are staying near Faro for a few days. Can you suggest anywhere a little closer to here? Many thanks 🙂
Faro is super cute and has a few gorgeous giftshops in the town that stock Portuguese made ceramics – Sardinha do Papel and Espaço Luzitano are a couple to seek out. Nearby the town of Olhão has a couple more – Ze e Maria, Ideia Cerâmica and Pinto Roxa. If you have a car, I’d suggest driving to Porches Pottery and Olaria Pequena if you want to visit a source/workshop.
Hi Daniela, my wife a is an artist and has been passionately working also with ceramics for several years. We will be in Portugal / Algarve near Lagos from October to mid December and I want to make her a very special birthday present: A few days spending in a pottery studio looking over the shoulders of the ceramic artists an also working with them. Do you know where this would be possible?
Hi Gerald, what a lovely idea! There are not too many ceramic studios/artisans in the south. I am not sure if they can fulfill your request, but I’d reach out to both Porches Pottery and Olaria Pequena and make your request. You could also try messaging Loulé Criativo and they may be able to connect you with a local potter. Good luck!
I have been trying to open an account with Oficina Do Castelo with no success. I purchased a horse theme designed porcelain cup at the Tile Museum in Lisbon and would like to sell them and other horse related Portuguese porcelain/ tile items at my small farm shop in the USA.
Do you have any suggestions of porcelain manufacturers in Portugal who have horse related designs that would export? Thank you very much!
Marla Merante
Hi Marla, I would try them a few times. Portugal is more of a phone-call country so sometimes you won’t receive a reply until the 3rd email. I can’t think of any horse-specific porcelain products here, but you could commission one of the smaller workshops in my “where to buy tiles” guide to design some for your shop http://oladaniela.com/where-to-shop-for-portuguese-tiles-azulejos/
Hi there Daniela,
You have an amazing website, and thanks for the strong content! I’m looking for a producer of fine ceramic products, such as plates, mugs and bowls. Do you perhaps have a factory in mind, or some other contacts who can help me further? Visiting Portugal is not a problem.
Thank you very much, and wishing you all the best!
Kind regards,
David Melis
Hi David, Thanks for your message! I’ve just reached out to somewhere that might be appropriate. Let me see if they come back to me! Best of luck
Is it common or possible to have ceramics bought in Portugal shipped by the shop from Portugal to the USA? Thank you!
Hi Tim, I can’t say if it’s common or not. You’d have to check with the individual shops. US tourism in Portugal has been rapidly growing, so I’d say there is quite a good chance you can get them to ship – or they can suggest a US stockist of their products. Good luck!
I am currently in the lagarve area and am looking for 16-18 in diameter large blue and white ceramic planters with plates with a fine finish. Any suggestions?
Hi Rita, in the Algarve your best best are Ceramica Paraiso or Porches. Porches is a manufacturer, so they might be able to custom make them for you. Pariaso is a big warehous with loads of stock, but I can’t guarantee you’ll find exactly this.
Or you can look for established Portuguese brands. I’d suggest seeking out a stockist of Costa Nova or Vista Alegre. Both are a bit pricey, but the quality is very very nice
Hi Daniela, We are visiting the Algarve coastal towns this October. Where are some great restaurants to visit as well as tile for homes to ship back to Florida, U.S.
Appreciate any help and guidance.
Will continue reading your comments. We have been to Portugal a few times and between Spain and Italy would love to have a residency there.
Thanks, Mark & Julie
Hi Mark, sorry for the delay. I have a few great Algarve spots I can recommend in this guide https://oladaniela.com/where-to-eat-in-the-algarve/. I’m yet to add a new spot called Austa that is simply beautiful with a focus on all things local. For ceramic tiles for home, I know of a few ateliers closer to Lisbon but haven’t found a tile spot down south. I’d try Azulejos de Azeitão – I know they ship to the US a lot. Hope that helps! Good luck with your future residency
Hi Daniela,
What a fantastic piece of content. Thanks very much for writing it!
My partner and I live in Lisbon and wanted to find a small factory who maybe able to assist us in making some pots to add to our home product range. Do you happen to know of anyone who could be suitable, or a particular region that we could embark on? We speak a little Portuguese so could get by a little by visiting and introducing ourselves.
Best wishes
Chris
Hi Chris, Glad you found it useful! To be honest, I’m just the messenger. I try to write super comprehensive guides and I openly share what I know. For pots of some sort you could look at Corval, for not terracotta I’d try Caldas da Rainha or just south of Aveiro, I’ve been meaning to add Oficina da Formiga. Hope that helps!
Hi there
There was a wonderful shop in Faro that sold large ceramic boats from around 1998 -2007? Would you have seen these on your travels? They were bright colours and some had big funnels that held candles. I still regret not buying a large boat when I was travelling with my friend all those years ago ☺️
Hi Lucy, Hmm I’m afraid I’ve never seen such a shop down there. There is a man in Nazaré that has a tiny shop where he builds and paints small wooden boats.
Ola Daniela, do you have a website or recommendation for sophisticated Catholic religious iconography and ceramics. I’m struggling to source. Thank you!
Hi Janine, it’s not something I’ve come across in my searches. I did find this Portuguese website that may have what you’re looking for – https://www.holyart.pt/artigos-religiosos. I have an article about hand-painted tiles too, and any of those small tile painting workshops will definitely paint the various saints. Hope that helps
Ola Daniela! 🙂 What a great article and amazing blog! I’m planning my tripo to Lizbon at the end of May and I’m so glad I’ve found you! A lot interesting content to explore before going to Portugal!
Olá Karolina! I’m glad you like my blog 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment <3
Hi Daniela, thanks for this great content! We found a few items from Duro Ceramics in Ferragudo last week and fell in love. Do you know a shop which offers a wide range of Duro Ceramic items? (Portimao? Lagos? Albufeira?) I tried to get in touch with that company on Instagram, but they do not answer.
Kind regards, Ingrid
Hi Ingrid, Ooo good question. I’m afraid I don’t know where you’d find Duro down there. If you are up in Lisbon at any point, there is a stall at the Feira da Ladra market that always has it, plus More Than Wine in the LX Factory. Hope that helps!
Thank you!