Begin your day by heading to the Azeitão region south of Lisbon, where you can see some of the region’s most beautiful tiles and learn about their origin, starting with the Arabic occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. Visit the renowned workshop of Azulejos de Azeitão to learn about tile-making techniques old and new. Some older techniques are still used to replicate ancestral works.
After learning the basics, you will get to paint your own tile, which will be baked later and sent to your Lisbon hotel or back home (cost not included). Your guide will take you on a short drive to the fishing village of Sesimbra, where you can have lunch at a spot of your choosing. Alternatively, return to Lisbon for lunch, admiring the city’s tile art masterpieces along the way.
In the afternoon, head to the striking 15th-century Madre de Deus Convent, now home to the National Tile Museum. Explore the baroque heritage inside the church, a piece of art itself. Browse the museum’s extensive collection, featuring tiles from the 15th century up through the present and artists from the most prominent international schools such as the Spanish and the Dutch. Conclude your tour by visiting works from famous Portuguese masters such as Bordalo Pinheiro, Raúl Lino, and Maria Keil. Return to Lisbon, where you can spot their work on streets, in subway stations, and beyond.
