Lisbon Tile Art Private Tours

Visit the National Tile Museum, the former Mother of God Monastery. The collection features tiles from the 15th century until the present. The permanent exhibition shows the materials used in making the tiles and the techniques used in their manufacture. You will see the baroque church with its blue and white tiles and gold altar and ceiling. On the monastery's roof is a large tile panel depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake that destroyed most of the city.

Cross the river and head to the village of Vila Nogueira de Azeitao, where we will first visit the Quinta Bacalhoa Palace, gardens, and winery. This palace contains many beautiful tile panels, and the winery has many delicious bottles of wine, which we will sample.

Finally, our journey will end in a tile factory, where you will watch the artisans make and decorate the tiles, then a workshop to make one of your own.

Visit the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. First, we will visit the Sintra National Palace, known as the castle of Moors, which dates to the 8th century. As we wander through its ornate rooms, we will see many different styles and techniques of tile art. Next, our afternoon will continue through the beautiful town of Sintra. Finally, our journey ends at the Constance Piriquita Factory, where we will enjoy Sintra's delicacies – travesseiros, a puff pastry filled with almond cream, or queijadas, a sweet cake made of cheese, eggs, milk, and sugar.

Visit the Arrabida Natural Park, a 42-mile protected habitat in the district of Setubal that offers some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the Lisbon area. Marvel at the mountainous landscapes and cliffs reaching the ocean. Look for unique flora and fauna. Then, sunbathe on two of the park’s spectacular beaches, popular with the locals, Portinho da Arrabida and Figueirinha.