Azulejos in Portugal are everywhere. Take a walk down any street and you will see a building decorated with these beautifully designed tiles. Sometimes the tiles are intricate patterns with one or two vibrant colours. Sometimes, there are landscapes and sea scapes. Each tile portrays the rich Portuguese culture and history and a great way to experience this heritage is at the National Tile Museum in Lisbon.
As part of the former Madre de Deus Convent, The Tile Museum, also known as the National Azulejo Museum, is a popular cultural attraction in Lisbon, and most certainly needs to be on your list of must sees. The Museum’s vast collection of tiles dates back to the 15th century when the Moors controlled the area and also displays the more modern tiles created by artists such as Bordallo Pinheiro.
On this particular trip, Beth’s sister had been visiting and had a very early flight the next morning so she decided to spend the night in Lisbon. We rode down with her to help her take care of the rental car, etc and to spend some extra time hanging out before she left.
We had a plethora of choices for things to do in Lisbon, but since we all have spent time wandering around, we decided to hit up this museum. All of us were interested in learning the history of the tiles and seeing the grand scapes of the museum.
Azulejos
The term “azulejos” originates from the Arabic word “al zuleique,” which means “small polished stone.” This term was used to describe the colorful ceramic tiles that were introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors during their occupation of the region.
Important info to know about the museum
The hours are from 10 and to 6 pm everyday BUT MONDAY, as most museums are in Lisbon. Tickets are €8 and it takes about 2-3 hours to really see everything. There is also a cafe and gift shop on the bottom floor.
First Floor Azulejos
The first floor has an extensive collection of tiles that meanders from room to room. Some are displayed beautifully on the walls and some are encased. These tiles are not just decorative; they tell stories of the nation’s history, culture, and artistic evolution.
We of course like to be goofy and realised that behind this cutout was the room where they were doing the tile restorations. There are tiles from churches, buildings and houses ready to be cataloged, restored and displayed. If they didn’t get any more tiles at all, it would take them about 10 years to finish what they have.
Second Floor Azulejos
The stairs led us up to several vast rooms full of azulejos. Many of azulejos features a stunning collection of blue and white tiles, showcasing the influence of Chinese porcelain on Portuguese ceramics during the 16th century. It’s fascinating to see how these artistic traditions blended to create something truly unique.
My two favourites were the mural of Alexander the Great in Macedonia and Chicken Wedding. That’s right. If I were going to commission some tiles work, I would totally commission a chicken wedding.
The second floor also featured some more modern tiles such as this beautiful piece from Bordallo Pinheiro. Pinheiro was known for his exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, and contributions to the field of ceramics.
Chapel and Choir room
One of the highlights of this museum is the Chapel of Saint Anthony, an exquisite space entirely covered in breathtaking azulejos. The entire choir room is covered in paintings and displays many reloquies of saints.
We didn’t go down into the Chapel but the view from the reliquary was great! You can see it in the video below.
Map of Lisboa
After you climb the stairs to the top floor, you will enter the room where the great map of Lisboa is displayed. this amazing mural was first painted in 1700 and survived the earthquake of 1755.
Crafted with meticulous detail and adorned with stunning azulejos, this map takes you on a visual journey through Lisbon’s rich tapestry of time. Each tile serves as a snapshot, capturing key moments and landmarks that have shaped the city’s identity.
We love the museum and have it on our top things to do in Lisbon.
If you want to hear more about our trip to the tile museum, check out our podcast 3 Day Trips. You can also see pics and videos on our social media including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.