Tile Making Experiences in Lisbon


 

The city of tiles is not something to easily comprehend prior to actually visiting Lisbon. One can imagine a lot of tiles, but seeing the way in which Lisbon has incorporated them across the buildings and up to the roof tops is a whole other story.

The influx of tiles began in Lisbon with the Moorish people a long, long time ago. At the National Museum of the Azulejo in Lisbon one can follow the exact journey of how the city came to be filled with these beautiful relics, and where each different style originated.

Lisbon tiles – by Diego García – Unsplash

As you make your way through the streets of Lisbon you’ll find ample opportunities to purchase new or vintage tiles of your own to take home . One would think that finding places that let you make your own tiles would be as frequent, but unfortunately this is not the case.

At present there are very few tile making experiences on offer in Lisbon. Here’s where to go:

Loja dos Descobrimentos in Lisbon

This establishment is close to the Alfama and is both a tile retailer and custom store for objects made to order.

Loja dos Descobrimentos specializes in tradicional Portuguese tile techniques, usually depicting events and scenes on blue and white themed ceramics. They also dabble in the geometric and repetitive colored tiles that one sees throughout the city center.

When visiting Lisbon many travelers make it a mission to find unique tiles to take home as gifts. Loja dos Descobrimentos offers customers the option of having individual, custom tiles made to one’s personal taste.

In store you’ll also find ranges of ceramic bowls, trays, plates and pots — all with the distinct Portuguese tile design across them.

Loja dos Descobrimentos in Lisbon – by Loja dos Descobrimentos – Uploaded by them

Loja dos Descobrimentos offers weekly tile making workshops for all who are interested. You’ll work closely with a professional tile maker and produce a design of your own, which is then sealed and fired in a kiln.

It’s a co-creative and interactive experience. Being able to take home a tile designed and produced by you right in the Portuguese capital? Not an opportunity one stumbles upon everyday.

To book yourself a tile workshop day you’ll have to get in touch with Loja dos Descobrimentos either over the phone or via their social media. Always better to bring a group of people but solo bookings are suitable as well.

Loja dos Descobrimentos in Lisbon – by Loja dos Descobrimentos – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday: 9am to 7pm
ADDRESS: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 12, 1100-070 Lisboa
METRO STATION: Terreiro do Paço

A Casa do Azulejo in Lisbon

While in Lisbon, I encourage you to take a free guided walking tour through the city center and spend some time actually observing the tiles of the buildings up close.

From afar, Lisbon’s tiles appear uniform and perfectly repetitive. Take a closer look and you’ll notice that most of the tiles are actually individually painted and completely unique to the next one, even if the general pattern is the same.

There is nothing quite like handmade tiles, especially as an adornment for one’s home. A Casa do Azulejo maintains this notion and is the most renowned tile making experience available in Lisbon.

At A Casa do Azulejo, groups of excited tile makers gather for a day of making art. The classes tend to start with a brief history of Portuguese tiles and the architecture of the cities that display them. Anyone with mild interest in either of these areas will be hooked from the beginning.

A Casa do Azulejo in Lisbon – by A Casa do Azulejo – Uploaded by them

After coffee you’ll find a spot somewhere in the charming little studio and settle in for tile making of your own. Casa do Azulejo has a wide range of tools, stencils and paints to bring your creations to life.

You’ll be guided by experts where necessary. Once your creations have dried they will be sealed and fired in the kiln so that you can take them home with you.

Book with them directly either over the phone or through their website. Classes take place daily.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
ADDRESS: R. Manuel Bernardes 35, 1200-356 Lisboa
METRO STATION: Rato

Airbnb in Lisbon

Airbnb is not the most major housing platform in Lisbon as of yet; hotels and hostels are still the most popular form of accommodation for travelers to the city. But Airbnb in Lisbon is growing!

A new sector on the Airbnb platform is allowing creatives to offer their personal skills the same way one usually would their apartment. Airbnb now offers unique experiences in cities around the world, ranging from cooking classes, to private tours, to personal shoppers, and even tile making experiences in Lisbon.

To find a tile making experience happening near you you’ll simply have to enter the website and browse the upcoming events under the Lisbon category.

Airbnb tile making – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website

New tile making experiences are added each day, and while they won’t take place in a formal classroom setting, you will be in the capable hands of individuals who genuinely love the craft.

Airbnb tile making experiences are also far more affordable when compared to formal tile making sessions.

When looking to book one of these experiences I recommend finding one at least three days prior to your exit from Lisbon. This gives the class coordinator enough time to have your creations fired and delivered back to you before you leave, which saves you the courier fee should they have to send them to you elsewhere in the world.

Bookings and payments for Airbnb experiences take place on the Airbnb website at the time of booking. Group bookings are welcome, too!

Airbnb tile making – by Airbnb – Sourced from their website