Review: I did this unique Moorish tile-painting workshop in Sintra
There are a dozen or so tile-painting workshops you can join in and around Lisbon, but I’ve only found one in Portugal focused on Hispanic-Moorish techniques. Aldina’s beautiful creative studio is in Sintra, close to Lisbon, and I joined her tile-painting workshop a few months ago. In this workshop, not only did we paint a […]
The best tile painting workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
Among Portugal’s artistic treasures, it’s the azulejos that matter most. Steeped in centuries of tradition, hand-painted tiles adorn the facades of buildings, palaces, and churches, narrating stories of Portugal’s past with vibrant colors and intricate designs. If you’re visiting Portugal – or live here – you may have an interest in a tile painting workshop […]
Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos
It doesn’t matter how many times I visit Porto, I’m always blown away by the city’s cultural legacy: tiles. Hand-painted tiles adorn the facades of buildings, palaces, and churches, some dating back centuries with many narrating stories of Portugal’s past with vibrant colors and intricate designs. Azulejos are really one of Portugal’s most important artistic […]
Controversy & a court case: Aveiro Train Station’s tiles
One of my favourite things about Portugal’s many tiled train stations is that they double as a tourism brochure. If you arrive in Aveiro by train, take the time to lap the original Aveiro Train Station building where 50 blue, yellow and white tiled panels detail the history of the city, its culture, people and […]
Tile of the day: Santarém Train Station
On the journey from Lisbon to Porto I often look out the window when we pass stations to see if the platforms and buildings have gorgeous hand-painted tiles. I finally had a journey finishing in Santarém, so naturally I took the chance to see the train station’s tiles up close. While the Estação de Santarém […]
Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
Portugal’s azulejos or tiles seem to be everywhere you look across Lisbon, Porto and Portugal’s smaller cities. It’s hard not to fall in love with the unique patterns and colours that blanket whole buildings and make this small European country and its streets beloved for their beauty. Of course, if you’re visiting Portugal you’ll want […]
Tile of the day: Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina in Porto
The tiled churches of Porto are simply insane. One minute you’re peacefully wandering the old streets and – boom – you turn a corner and there pops out yet another church or chapel clad in impressive blue-and-white illustrative azulejos. Today’s #tileoftheday is diving deep on Capela das Almas de Catarina or Capela de Santa Catarina, […]
Tile of the day: Sé Cathedral do Porto
Sé Cathedral do Porto is covered in some of the most spectacular blue-and-white tile scenes to check out. Visit in winter to enjoy a magical sunset from the top of a tower.
Tile of the day: Nazare’s Ermida da Memória
A tiny chapel perched on the edge of a cliff filled with tiles? This is Ermida da Memória, a little capela in the coastal city of Nazare that is loaded with religious legend.
Tile of the day: Porto’s famous São Bento Station
Once a year Lisbon Open House swings open the doors to some of the city’s most interesting and exclusive buildings for one weekend. Today’s #tileoftheday takes us to Convento de Chelas.
Inside the Convento de Chelas with Lisbon Open House
Once a year Lisbon Open House swings open the doors to some of the city’s most interesting and exclusive buildings for one weekend. Today’s #tileoftheday takes us to Convento de Chelas.
Tile of the day: Igreja de São Lourenço
Azulejos have been used to decorate Portuguese buildings for more than 500 years. Today’s #tileoftheday is all about the blue azulejos of Lisbon.