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Best tile workshops in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
If you’re looking for a tile workshop in Lisbon, you might assume they’re all fairly similar: choose a Portuguese tile pattern, pick up a paintbrush and leave with a pretty souvenir.
We thought so too, until we tried several ourselves!
One of our classes was fantastic. We learned about the history of Portuguese azulejos, traditional painting techniques and why certain patterns look the way they do. Another was basically: here’s a tile, here’s a stencil, off you go. There was barely any explanation, and we weren’t even given clear information about when our finished tiles would be ready.
That matters much more when you’re visiting Portugal and have a flight home in a few days.
Between us, we’ve joined tile workshops both as solo travellers and with friends, visited traditional tile makers such as Fábrica Sant’Anna and spent plenty of time admiring azulejos at Lisbon’s National Tile Museum. Our favourite so far was the traditional azulejo class in Benfica.
In this guide, we’ll help you choose a tile painting workshop in Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve based on the things we now look for ourselves: how much you actually learn, the style of designs available, how much creative freedom you get and, very importantly, how long you have to wait for your finished tile.
No time to read the whole guide?
We love getting creative (and getting our hands a little dirty), so Portuguese tile painting workshops are exactly our kind of activity. After trying a few ourselves and researching plenty more, these are the tile workshops in Portugal we think are actually worth considering.
Here are our favourites at a glance:
- Little artists welcome – best tile activity for families (minimum age is 4)
- Short on time? – best quick tile painting experience (1 hour)
- Design it, take it – best if you want to leave with your tile the same day
- Go all in on azulejos – best full-day immersive tile experience
- Our favourite one in Lisbon so far – create your own azulejo in Benfica
- Paint & pour – best tile class with Port wine or even cocktails (both in Porto)
- Bring your favourite people – best activity for friends
- Best Algarve option – a 2.5-hour experience in Silves
- Ready to master the craft? – best for longer courses and learning traditional techniques (60 hours)
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Our favourite tile workshops in Lisbon
Best for a quick tile session
We realise many of you are on holiday, and only visit each location for a few days. You want to see all the highlights, eat as many pastéis de nata as possible, but also want to add something creative and bring home an amazing Portuguese souvenir!
The tile painting experience at D’Orey – Azulejos e Antiguidades is a good option if you don’t want to dedicate half a day to an activity. It lasts around one hour and takes place inside an antique shop, which already makes the setting a little more interesting than your average art class.
You’ll use the traditional majolica technique, where you paint onto a glazed surface, and paint two tiles per person, with the option to purchase additional tiles if you get carried away. You can choose between using a stencil or painting freehand, so you don’t need any artistic experience to join in.
It’s also one of the more family-friendly tile workshops in Lisbon, with children aged four and over welcome to take part.
There is one important catch for anyone on a tight itinerary: the azulejo class might be quick, but your tiles aren’t ready immediately. They need to be glazed and fired, which takes around three to four working days.
We’d therefore book this near the beginning of your Lisbon trip rather than saving it for your final afternoon.
Best for a traditional experience in Lisbon
The painting experience at A Casa do Azulejo is so far one of our favourites. The studio is located in Benfica, which is a bit off the tourist path, but well worth it for a more traditional approach.
Our teacher Ana explained a lot about the history of the tiles, the process and how to use more traditional techniques. We liked it because it was a more substantial experience rather than simply being handed materials, and they even teach long-term courses!
The patterns are more traditional Portuguese designs with classic blue paints, but she also offered some vibrant colours. And although we actually tend to prefer slightly more whimsical and modern designs for our home, the bird has a lovely place on the wall.
If your priority is understanding the craft rather than simply painting a cute souvenir to take home, this is the session we would choose. Instead, if just tracing the design with a pencil, we used a very different technique as you can see in the image.
Our tiles weren’t ready immediately, so check the current collection time when booking, particularly if you’re visiting Lisbon for only a few days.
Best tile painting workshops in Lisbon for kids
Our friends with kids really enjoyed the art class at Art of Azulejo, and they allow children aged 4+. The experience includes two tiles, and combines painting with some background on the origins and development of Portuguese tiles.
The tiles need firing, so they aren’t available immediately, and it’s located near the National Tile Museum (currently in Marvila until the museum reopens).
Another child-friendly option is offered by D’orey – Azulejos e Antiguidades. The studio is centrally located near Baixa-Chiado metro station and Praça Luís de Camões. As this one is only 1 hour, most children will enjoy this hands-on experience without it being overly long.
Best if you don’t have time to collect your tile
If you’re unable to wait for glazing and want to take a finished tile after the experience, you can book a formettes drawing experience at Azulejos’design. This allows you to design your own geometric patterns and with the help of a thermal press the design gets transferred onto your tile.
So it’s not the traditional glaze-and-fire tile painting, but there is no waiting involved, and after 2.5 hours you walk out the studio with an awesome piece you created! You can make tile coasters for example, or a fun piece for your wall! It is currently unsuitable for children under 10.
Love Portuguese tiles?
Capture them in your Lisbon photos
Painting your own azulejo isn’t the only way to take a little bit of Lisbon home with you. The city’s tiled façades also make some of our favourite backdrops for photos.
Marga offers photoshoots around Lisbon, including colourful streets in Alfama and Bairro Alto, where we can incorporate beautiful azulejo-covered buildings into your pictures.
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends, it’s a fun way to come home with something a little more personal than another souvenir.
Best for a full tile-themed day
This experience is for someone who doesn’t merely want to paint. If you are eager to learn more about Portugal’s azulejo history, traditional production, painting and tile sightseeing, this is for you. This is an 8-hour long full-day activity, and it includes a trip to the nearby Azeitão region!
At the studio you have the chance to create your artwork and the tiles are later sent to your hotel in Lisbon, or back home for an additional cost. After a creative morning, you will enjoy lunch in the fishing village of Sesimbra.
Enjoy a full day with tiles and book here!
In the afternoon you go back to Lisbon to visit the National Tile Museum in Lisbon. We’ve been here several times and the museum is located in the 15th century Madre de Deus Convent. Please note that the tile museum is currently closed for renovation (due to reopen late 2026), but the tour guide will give you alternative options such as the beautiful Palácio Fronteira.
Tile painting workshops in Porto
We haven’t personally taken a tile painting class in Porto yet, so unlike our Lisbon recommendations, these are the activities we would shortlist rather than experiences we have personally tested.
We have been in touch however with the Boiler Studio for a future tile painting experience, and we hope to join them on the next trip. They also offer cocktails while painting your own tiles, and as Ulisses worked as a bartender for years, we will definitely book a trip sooner than later! And the best thing? It’s ready to collect right after you’re finished!
We love quiet places and the experience Azuleique Azulejos offers in her local artist studio sounds perfect! The studio looks super cosy, and we might stop a little longer to see the books on the shelf! Drinks and pastéis de nata are also included, and your creation is ready to pick up the next day. Where do we sign up?!
If you prefer Port wine you can book a two-hour class at Domus Arte. They also serve non-alcoholic drinks and children aged three and over are welcome.
Porto Alchemy also offers Port wine, but what is even more interesting is that it’s a design-focused experience with patterns that are inspired by Portugal’s tile heritage. You can use a template from the design collection and create your own. They use porcelain paints, and you can take it home straight away!
Don’t want to paint? Take a Porto tile walking tour instead!
Tile workshops in the Algarve
We usually spend sunny Algarve days hiking or at the beach, so admittedly tile painting wouldn’t be our first choice when the weather is glorious. On a rainy afternoon, though, this is exactly the sort of activity we’d look for. There are fewer options in the Algarve, but we found some worth booking.
The first is the tile painting class in Silves. You’ll learn more about the history, and you get to practice a little before picking a classic 17th-century design! Feeling creative? You can design your own, and you can make more than one. You can collect your masterpiece around three days later. AlgarvianRoots also offers pottery workshops if that’s more your cup of tea.
A slightly different azulejo-souvenir is the mosaic class in the old centre of Olhão. MosaicOlhão offers 2-hour mosaic tile experiences and the atelier has more than 300 designs for inspiration! It’s ready straight away, so no time to wait or organise shipping.
Monchique is a stunning mountain village in the Algarve and Atelier da Clara offers private tile workshops that will unleash your creativity. There are discounted rates for children and it’s open for all ages. You can book your preferred time online.
What we wish we knew before booking a tile workshop
When is your tile ready?
Your tile might not be ready before you leave. Glazing and firing take time, and this depends on the experience you book. Book your experience at the start of your trip or arrange shipping.
At one tile painting class in Lisbon we tried, the painting itself was enjoyable but communication throughout was poor. We weren’t given particularly clear information about when the tiles would be ready, and afterwards the pick-up date and location were changed several times. That’s inconvenient if you live locally, but if you’re flying home in two days, it’s a much bigger problem.
Only in a location for a day or two? Choose the Formettes option or another activity that explicitly offers same-day collection.
Check how much history is actually included
We also attended a class that provided us templates and brushes. No tile info, no explanations of materials, just not much at all. If you just want to paint that’s fine, but we realise most tourists would like to learn a little more about Portugal’s azulejo heritage also.
Traditional doesn’t always mean it’s better, though. We love contemporary designs and getting a bit creative. See which style suits you best and how much history you’d like to learn.
Check whether you can freestyle or need to use a stencil
The Lisbon tile painting experiences we have done so far all had stencils. For us, that is a live safer as we are certainly no Picasso, but we have seen people creating some beautiful tiles by themselves! Are you creative and want to put your own design on the tile? It’s best to check if this is available.
Extra tiles can be surprisingly inexpensive
Most listings currently include one or two tiles and many offer additional ones for €5 or €10 each. Some studios offer a small tile with a size of 10×10, and others offer 15×15 centimetres.
Think about getting the tile home safely
You can bring the tiles back in your carry-on luggage or in your suitcase. Just be very careful wrapping it properly so it won’t break during transportation. Many ateliers have wrapping materials available.
Shipping outside the EU can involve customs forms and additional fees, depending on your destination. If you can bring the finished tile home, that is most likely the cheapest and most convenient option.
The colours look different before firing
Don’t worry if the colours on your freshly painted tile don’t look quite how you expected. The ceramic pigments develop during firing, so the finished colours can look much brighter and deeper than they do while you’re painting.
Your instructor will normally explain this as you go. For example, a cobalt blue can look rather dull or grey-green before the tile goes into the kiln and emerge as a much richer blue afterwards.
It does make choosing your colours feel like a tiny leap of faith, but seeing how different the finished tile looks is part of the fun!
Where to buy Portuguese tiles in Lisbon
Would you rather buy tiles? There are several places in Lisbon we love. The best spot is Fabrica Sant’Anna, where you can also enjoy a tour of the factory. The tiles are more traditional and the factory is near Belém. You will have to arrange a tour upfront as spots and tours are limited.
For our own home we prefer the unique designs from Surrealejos. As the name suggests, they are pretty surreal and that’s what makes them so pretty! Their pieces are colourful and full of imagination!
An overview of nice Lisbon stores:
- Fábrica Sant’Anna – with your first-hand tour experience.
- Surrealejos – they also sell DIY kits
- Cerâmica S. Vicente (near Alfama) – they also have workshops!
- By Nunes
- Loja dos Descobrimentos
- Cortiço & Netos
- Solar Antiques
- d’Orey Azulejos
Please don’t buy antique tiles at Feira da Ladra, as many have no clear history and may have been removed from buildings without permission.
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Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What are azulejos, and where do they come from?
Azulejos are decorative ceramic tiles found all over Portugal. The tradition was influenced by Moorish tilework and later developed into distinctive Portuguese styles. You’ll see them covering churches, palaces, train stations and everyday homes.
What happens during a tile painting workshop in Lisbon?
Most activities start with a short introduction to Portuguese azulejo tiles and painting techniques before you choose a design and paint your own tile. Most traditionally painted tiles then need to be fired in a kiln, so you may need to collect yours a few days later.
How much is a tile painting session and what is included?
In Lisbon, most tile painting activities cost around €50 per person, while Porto tends to be a little cheaper at around €35. The price usually includes the workshop, materials and at least one tile to paint, although some experiences include extras such as drinks, a tour or additional tiles.
How long does a tile workshop take?
Most take between one and three hours, although some more immersive experiences can last much longer. The shortest option we found was around one hour, while a full-day tile experience can take up to eight hours.
Can I take my painted tile home the same day?
Usually not. Most painted tiles need to be glazed and fired in a kiln, which can take a few days, but some art classes use alternative techniques that let you take your finished tile home straight away.
Are tile workshops suitable for kids?
Yes, many tile painting classes are family-friendly, with several accepting children from around age four. Just check the minimum age before booking, as some are better suited to older children.
Do I need to be good at drawing?
Thankfully no, as we would not have enjoyed it as much as we did! Most workshops offer stencils or sample designs to follow, while others let you paint freehand if you prefer to create something completely your own.
What is the difference between tile painting and tile making?
Tile painting means decorating a ready-made ceramic tile, while tile making involves creating the tile itself from clay before it is dried, fired and decorated. The experiences mentioned here are specifically for painting.
Can I do tile painting in Lisbon or Portugal as a solo traveller?
Absolutely. I went to one alone and ended up meeting several lovely people during the activity.
Can I take the painted tile on a plane or cruise ship?
Yes, you can usually take a painted ceramic tile on a plane or cruise ship. We recommend wrapping it well and keeping it in your hand luggage if possible, as tiles can chip or crack quite easily.
Are you ready for your tile painting class in Portugal?
After trying several Lisbon tile workshops ourselves, we can confidently say they are not all created equal. For us, the best experiences are the ones that teach you something about Portuguese tiles and ceramics and their history, while still giving you enough freedom to create something you actually want to take home.
If this is your first tile workshop in Lisbon, we’d choose one that includes some history and traditional techniques. If you’re travelling with kids, short on time or simply want something more relaxed and creative, there are plenty of great alternatives too.
Whichever style suits you, we recommend booking your tile painting class early during your trip, so there’s enough time for your masterpiece to be fired and collected before you leave Portugal.
→ Check availability and book your favourite tile workshop here.
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