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 or class where you’ll learn more about Portugal’s tile heritage, and take one home as a souvenir. Tile-painting workshops are quite popular, for good reason. A tile painting class is a hands-on way to learn more while making a unique treasure to take home with you.
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⭐ My top picks for Lisbon – ➡️ I’ve done both this two-hour Hispanic Moorish Tile Workshop in Sintra, or this super relaxed tile-painting workshop in Chiado.
⭐ My top pick for Porto – ➡️ I did this two-hour class at Gazete Azulejos, and I love that their workshops support their non-profit project cataloguing Porto’s unique tile patterns.
⭐ My top pick for Algarve – ➡️ Book this two-hour tile painting workshop
⚠️ All tile workshops require 48-72 hours to bake the tiles ⚠️ If you’re short on time, they can be shipped (at extra cost) to you – or instead do this same-day tile design workshop in Lisbon.
Lisbon’s love affair with tiles dates back to the 15th century with the Moors. Over the years it evolved, incorporating influences from the Baroque period through to geometric patterns. While the days of covering a whole building in hand-painted tiles are behind, azulejos continue to be an integral part of the architectural landscape of Lisbon, Porto and other established cities or towns in Portugal.
⚠️ Warning! Do not buy tiles or azulejos at a flea market ⚠️ They are likely stolen from buildings and can never be replaced. Instead of supporting stolen heritage, buy tiles from artisans, certified antique dealers (D’orey or Solar in Lisbon) or make-your-own with one of these tile-painting workshops!
How to choose a tile-painting workshop
Tile-painting workshops offer a chance to delve into the depths of this ancient craft with the guidance of skilled artisans. All tile painting classes are different, so I’ve scoured the country to find every tile-painting workshop – and tile-focused tours. I’ve split the article into simple two-hour tile-painting workshops, intensive tile-making courses, family-friendly workshops, and a few alternatives (wine tasting in an insane historic palace? Hello!)
When choosing a workshop think about the style of tile you want to leave with. Some offer freestyle tile painting workshops where you can go wild and express your creativity, others do traditional stencils with no creativity required. The more intensive ones will show you how to mix pigments, while the shorter ones are just for fun.
Simple, two-hour tile-painting workshops
This is the most common format, so most tile ateliers offer this type of workshop. If you’re keen to learn a little bit about tiles, the process, history and take home two homemade souvenirs from your time in Portugal, this is the style of tile workshop for you.
Some run stencil workshops, where you work with the semi-industrial techniques you’ll see across Lisbon and Porto, while others offer free-hand painting.
Lisbon tile-painting classes
- ⭐ D’orey Tiles in the heart of Chiado (city centre) this stunning antique tile store has a relaxed tile-painting studio on the top floor. Sit surrounded by 800 years of tile history and choose to paint your two tiles freehand or with stencils. I’ve done this class myself and while it was a little bit light on the workshop and history side, it’s a fun activity with a lot of freedom to paint in peace. It’s perfect for all ages and levels of creativity. While it says you have an hour – you can likely paint for a few hours. It takes 2-4 days to fire the tiles, but you can pay for shipping if you need.
- ⭐ Estudio Lazuli close to Sintra train station offers a really awesome two-hour Hispanic Moorish Tile Workshop. This workshop is extra cool as you’ll actually create a 3D Moorish clay tile in a mold, then paint a dried one with colourful glazes. I’ve done this class myself and it is a really fun and unique experience and the host Aldina is so lovely and offers detailed guidance. (You can read about my experience here.)
- Near the National Tile Museum, the Art of Azulejo is a top-rated studio where you’ll paint two tiles while learning about tile history (Wednesdays & Sundays).
- Cerâmica S.Vicente near Alfama run two-hour or 3.3-hour tile-painting workshops (with drinks!)
- This full-day top-rated tile tour & workhop combines touring with visiting my favourite artisan tile studio, where you’ll learn about tile history before painting your own tiles.
- Galeria 1758 offers a tile-painting workshop within the gallery near Belém, which includes a detailed explanation of tile history and painting techniques.
- Loja dos Descobrimentos in Alfama offer tile-painting classes. Just email them.
- Casa do Azulejo in Benfica is a cute local studio in Lisbon with short or intensive courses. Good for those keen to go beyond a simple class.
⚠️ Don’t have time for the tiles to bake? (1-3 days) ⚠️ For something different, Azulejos’design offer a tile design workshop. You draw your pattern on paper and it gets thermally transferred to a ceramic tile that’s ready to take with you on the same day.
✨ Have all day in Lisbon? ✨ ➡️ Book this top-rated private tile tour includes a visit to the National Museum of Tiles and to my favourite artisan tile factory in Azeitão.
Read next… I did this unique Moorish tile-painting workshop in Sintra
Porto tile-painting workshops
- ⭐ I’ve done the two-hour class at Gazete Azulejos in Bonfim and it’s fantastic. You paint two tiles with (or without) the stencil technique, and they will be ready for collection between 4-5pm the next day. Beyond tile-painting workshops, owners Alba and Marisa research, share and preserve the history of Portuguese tile making in Porto. Workshops support their non-profit digital archive called Os Azulejos do Porto. Very cool!
- Tiles AND cocktails? Sign up to this class with (a different) Daniela at Boiler Co-Work Studio.
- Domus Arte run two-hour tile-painting workshops.
- A local artist runs tile-painting workshops in one of Porto’s most beautiful gardens.
- Agostinha, a ceramics studio in Porto that offers tile painting classes.
Love tiles and history? This three-hour “Tiles of Porto” walking tour covers both as you explore the cultural heritage of Portugal’s second-largest city. ➡️ Book the Porto tile tour here.
Algarve tile-painting workshops
- AlgarvianRoots offers a simple two-hour tile painting workshop.
- In Olhão, in the west, you can join this two-hour mosaic tile class at MosaicOlhão, and create your own artwork souvenir.
- Arti Arte Azulejar in Ferragudo fishing village offers tile-painting workshops with classes in both Portuguese and English.
- This tile-painting workshop in Albufeira might include pastries and you can book online.
- Monte da Ribeira offers a three-hour tile painting class in São Brás de Alportel.
More intensive tile workshops in Lisbon
Casa do Azulejo in Lisbon is one of the few spots I’ve found that offers both beginner tile painting workshops and more intensive speciality workshops, like a 60-hour complete tile course. If you’re serious about tiles, this might be the place to take your love deeper than a two-hour workshop.
Also in Lisbon, Mariana Sampaio Studio also offer a range of six-hour long workshops covering a single style each time.
Read next… Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos
For an immersive tile tour & tile-painting experience
If you want to go deep, like really deep on tiles, I found this special experience – a 1-day experience that’s ALL about azulejos.
You’ll visit the beloved National Tile Museum, set within a 16th-century monastery, to explore its collection of tiles from the 15th century until the present. The highlights are the gilded baroque church and the mammoth tile panel that depicts Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake that destroyed most of the city. You’ll cross the river south to Azeitão to visit a small tile artisan that still manufactures and hand paints azulejos using old methods. You’ll learn about the different techniques and tile history before painting one yourself!
Read next… Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
Tile workshops for families
Most tile-painting workshops are family friendly. Recently I joined D’orey’s tile-painting class in Lisbon where some primary-aged kids and their parents were having a great time getting creative with two tiles to paint.
You could also book a private workshop designed just for children through Lisbon For Kids. You can choose to meet at the tile museum or at their workshop in Benfica.
For supplies and alternative ceramic workshops
Ceramista, located in Lisbon, Porto and Oeiras (near Lisbon), offers workshops. I get a very local vibe and think these workshops will be held in Portuguese – so if you’re learning the language, this could be a chance to immerse yourself.
Ceramista is also a supplier of tools, clay and ceramic goods. Beyond tile-painting you can join workshops to learn pottery.
That’s the list! If you love tiles, check out my photo-heavy #tileoftheday blogs and read about Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
Planning a trip to Portugal? I can help! ✨ Find out more about my Portugal travel calls here.
Keep reading…
- Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
- I did this unique Moorish tile-painting workshop in Sintra
- Where to shop Portuguese ceramics by weight (cerâmica ao kilo) & pottery outlets
- Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and Lagos, Algarve
- The best pastel de nata cooking classes in Lisbon and Porto
- Best vintage and second-hand shops in Lisbon
- Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
2 Responses
Dear Daniela, thanks for contributing in such a valuable way to spread notice about this Portuguese art expression – the Azulejo. I have an Art Studio in Sintra (@estudiolazuli.pt) where we offer workshops on tile painting. Due to the beautiful National Palace of Sintra nearby our workshops are mostly known for our approach on the Hispano Moresque tile decoration techniques of the 15th cent. i.e. the aresta technique we teach requires nicely engraved molds with typical geometric patterns of arab influence, and of course tile crafting and painting with colourful glazes. It can be offered as a 2 hour workshop or as long version of 10 hours along 5 sessions. Maybe you can visit us one day! Estúdio Lazúli, Rua Gago Coutinho 18, 2710-566 Sintra. Thank you.
Hi Aldina, Thanks for the kind words. Yours sounds like a fantastic workshop – I’ll message you to find out more! Thanks so much, Daniela