A short pilgrimage to Lillie Ceramics is the highlight of any visit to Funchal. From the moment you cross the threshold, you are greeted with Finnish charm and island hospitality. The Lillie sisters produce hand-thrown ceramics which they paint individually by hand. This is labour intensive "career choice" which is reflected in a artisan studio quite unlike anywhere else. Lillie Ceramics offer a number of thoughtfully chosen "collections" based on Madeira themes (decorative sardines, fig harvest, glowing pomegranates, magnolias in springe etc.). But it is the generous shapes and soulful colour palettes that are their unique selling points. "When you capture the imagination, you can do something with it! I was incapable of demonstrating any restraint when it came to purchases...... Naturally I wanted a piece of everything! Shop well and choose the items that will enhance your lifestyle at home. That way, Madeira will never leave you. Imagine the joy of wrapping your hands around a warm soup cup as you navigate another long zoom meeting? Or perhaps a hot buttered muffin, served on a dainty oval plate for days, when it feels impossible to "rustle up" anything else. Lillie Ceramics is a life-enhancing experience. Miss it at your peril. The sisters "wrap well" and can ship internationally. Dishwasher & microwave safe, so you will never be without. Jo Brompton UK

This was our second visit to Lille Ceramics and even though they said online that the shop was very low on stock after a busy Christmas we still found some lovely bits to take home. The two girls are so nice and very talented. All the pieces we bought have been expertly wrapped and should survive in our suitcase. I would very much recommend a visit. One of the first pieces we bought is a deep bowl. This has been through the dishwasher, in the oven and placed on a hot log burner to keep food warm. Very good quality!

I was in luck. A knock on the door the lovely girls opened, even though they were in production mode an closed. With limited stock, for the moment, I still managed to find a beautiful, large tea mug. I feel blessed with great conversation and a memory in bright colours to use every day in cold Sweden. Thank you 🥰

Nice pottery with beautiful artistic art. The ladies were very helpful and friendly. We loved the pink blue with black dots decorated pieces so we bought them!! They pack in very well and they survived the flight to Holland ;) Thank you!

All of the pieces in the shop are so beautiful and make wonderful gifts or souvenirs to remember this beautiful island. I stopped by to grab gifts for some family members and went back a second time to pick up more items because I loved everything so much. The owners are so kind and talented! They packed everything very carefully for the journey and added lovely ribbon for the gifts I selected. This is a one of a kind place that is definitely worth a visit!

Beautiful ceramics studio with really stylish pieces, run by the kindest, friendliest people. It's lovely to look round and there's no pressure to buy. Prices are very reasonable considering the work that goes into each piece. Gifts are packaged up beautifully, with lots of protection for the journey home. Highly recommended ✨

We randomly found this small shops while walking in the Armazem di Mercato (worth a visit if you like art and if you want something a bit more special/different to bring home as a souvenir - also just 2 mins away from the famous Mercado dos Lavradores so absolutely worth it!) and we immediately felt in love with the ambience. Whatever you find inside this shop (house items/earrings/necklaces etc) is completely hand made and absolutely beautiful. The two owners were extremely nice and it was a pleasure to purchase some items and have them back home as a memory of that nice experience. Really suggest a visit! Fede

Strolling through the streets of the old city of Funchal near the Mercado dos Lavradores suddenly we saw and entered a nice ceramic art work and shop called Lillie Ceramics . Two ladies were welcoming us with a honest smile , we admired the beautiful ceramics , some special ones took our interest . We got a very good explanation about the making of the ceramics and the story been two sisters from an island of Finland near to Sweden and why they loved Madeira and the reason they decided to stay . It was a very friendly conversation , and we took a nice flower in ceramic as a gift . We did not dare to buy more because of transport of the fragile aspect , so they explained that they can guarantee international shipping if we like to . If you are in the old town we advise you to visit Lillie Ceramics because each piece is a beautiful and unique one , and the welcome is very warm . Lieve and Joris

Amazing find in Madeira. It is close to the food market and worth seeking out. I can't rate this place highly enough. The 2 owners are so friendly and chatty we had fun just visiting. We were so tempted by all the beautiful ceramics. There was one vase we particularlu liked but the colour was not in stock. That was not a problem we ordered one to be made to order and have it shipped. It arrived safely a few weeks later and we are delighted with it. We will definitely be heading back here when we next visit Madeira