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.
No time to read the whole article? No worries ↩️
⭐ My top picks for Lisbon – ➡️ This two-hour Hispanic Moorish Tile Workshop in Sintra, or a two-hour class at Art of Azulejo in Marvila (Wed & Sun). Or, if your schedule doesn’t allow time for tiles to bake overnight, this same-day tile design workshop is popular.
⭐ My top pick for Porto – ➡️ Book this creative tiles and cocktails class with another Daniela.
⭐ My top pick for Algarve – ➡️ Book this two-hour tile painting workshop
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 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
- 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. (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!)
- 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.
- VisitMylisbon run workshops close to the National Tile Museum too.
Don’t have time to wait for the tiles to bake overnight? 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.
Related blog: I did this unique Moorish tile-painting workshop in Sintra
Porto tile-painting workshops
- 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.
- Gazete Azulejos in Bonfim. 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!
- 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, or you can join their full-day experience, which combines nature, gastronomy and a 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 Silves might include pastries and you can book online.
- Monte da Ribeira offers a three-hour tile painting class in São Brás de Alportel.
Intensive tile workshops
Casa do Azulejo in Lisbon is one of the few spots I’ve found that offers both beginner tile painting workshops and more intensive specialty 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
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. I can connect you with local artisans and suggest the best workshops. Find out more about my Portugal travel planning service here.
For an immersive tile-painting experience
If you want to go deep, like really deep on tiles, I found this special experience – a private 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, a cute town where you’ll visit a palace and winery filled with historic tiled panels. Of course, you’ll taste wine too. Finally, visit a small tile factory where you’ll see artisans make and decorate tiles, then join a workshop to make one of your own!
Read next… Where to shop for tiles (azulejos) in Portugal
Tile workshops for families
Let the kids get creative with tiles and paint when you book a private workshop designed just for them 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.
For tiles and tuk-tuks
Learn about Lisbon’s tiles as you zip around the city in a tuk-tuk. I found this cool sounding three-hour tuk-tuk experience that specifically takes you to Lisbon’s great tiled murals and azulejo artworks dotted across the city. Love it.
For tiles and history (and wine)
This 1-day tile workshop in Lisbon is a full-day experience that combines tiles with history and wine tasting. You venture south of Lisbon, explore the beautiful Palmela Castle, visit a wine cellar for a tasting of local wine and one of my favourite Portuguese cheeses. Then you explore a historic vineyard palace filled with incredible tiles. After lunch you bop over to a small tile artisan that still manufactures and hand paints azulejos using old methods. You’ll learn about the different methods and history. While this day trip doesn’t include a painting workshop, I’m sure you could request it.
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