This angel can be seen on the exterior of Capela das Almas in Porto.Painting Portugal: Exploring the Art of Azulejos
If you’ve been to Portugal, you’ve likely seen the stunning tilework known as azulejos. These intricate ceramic tiles adorn churches, train stations, and even grocery stores. They tell stories of history, culture, and everyday life.
When we first moved to Portugal, we thought the tiles were called azulejos because they were blue. Azul is the Portuguese word for blue. It made sense to us. We were wrong. Azulejos comes from the Arabic term for ‘polished stone.’ The tilework is often blue and white, but not always.
I often walked by these buildings while doing errands in Porto. One has red and green azulejos.
Here is a close-up of the tiles on the building.While in Porto, we not only admired azulejos but also tried painting a couple ourselves at Gazete Azulejos.
Top Places to See Azulejos in Porto
Before heading to class and picking up our brushes, we visited Porto’s most iconic azulejo-clad spots to gather inspiration. Each is worth a visit, whether you plan to try making your own azulejo or not.
Rua das Flores, Flower Street
According to our instructor at Gazete Azulejos, you can see every type of azulejo tile if you walk down Rua das Flores street. It’s one more reason to visit vibrant Rua das Flores (Flower Street). The street is lined with shops, restaurants, and rich history. Built between 1521 and 1525, it’s one of the oldest streets in Porto.
São Bento Train Station
Chris at São Bento Train Station.São Bento Train Station is home to over 20,000 azulejos. These tiles, masterfully crafted by artist Jorge Colaço, depict key moments in Portuguese history.
Sé Porto, Porto Cathedral
There is much to see at Sé Porto (Porto Cathedral).
Its 14th-century Gothic cloister enchants visitors with its 18th-century azulejos depicting scenes from the “Song of Songs,” the mystical dialogue between God and the Virgin Mary.
One of the panels in the cloister at Porto Cathedral.A Perola do Bolhão, The Pearl of Bolhão
The entrance to A Perola do Bolhão, a small traditional grocery store near Mercado Bolhão, is adorned with Art Nouveau azulejos. Inside, you may want to buy a small snack or a bottle of wine.
Igreja do Carmo, Carmo Church
Located near Livraria Lello (one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world) and Clerigos Tower (climb Clerigos Tower for stunning views of the city), the azulejos outside Igreja do Carmo depict the founding of the Carmelites.
Capela das Almas, Chapel of Souls
People often pose for pictures on the side of the church, while their friends take photos of them from across the street. If you’re looking for a beautiful and iconic photo op, this is a great spot.Capela das Almas’ vibrant tiles depict the lives of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Francis of Assisi. People take photos of this church from sunup to sundown most days.
People posing for pictures on the side wall of Capela das Almas.A Hands-On Experience: Painting Azulejos
Here are the tiles I made at Gazete Azulejos. One was made with a stencil, and one by transferring an outline of a famous azulejo from Capela das Almas that they had available for us.Our small class at the Gazete Azulejos workshop included couples from France, Germany, and England. The Portuguese instructor led the class in English, and we all enjoyed casual conversation in English. After an introduction to azulejos and their history, we chose designs from their pre-designed Porto tile replicas, or, for the more daring and skilled artists, created designs of our own. Chris is a braver and better artist than I am.
Chris’s cartoon azulejos.I’m nervous and self-conscious about drawing, painting, and the visual arts in general, so I stuck to the pre-designed options. Our instructor, the patterns available, and the relaxing, convivial environment made the process therapeutic for me. Chris embraced his creative cartooning side. We both had a great time.
Should you add an azulejo tile workshop to your Porto itinerary?
If you enjoy hands-on experiences while traveling, add this to your itinerary. It’s great for all skill levels. Thanks to the class, we developed a greater appreciation for the tiles we walked by so many times while living in Porto.
This activity is best suited for those spending at least a couple of days in Porto. Tiles must be fired in a kiln at over 1,000 degrees and are not available for pickup until the next day, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Tile Painting Workshop: Gazete Azulejos, R. do Duque de Palmela 230, 4000-372 Porto, Portugal, +351 912 891 581
For other tile painting classes and hands-on cultural experiences in Porto, check out our Get Your Guide link.
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See more azulejos and our class in action:
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