Lisbon’s Iconic Tiles: A Walking Tour with Context
Audio Preview
00:00
What to expect
🕒 Explore Lisbon’s azulejos, uncovering their history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance in a guided walking tour.
Highlights
🏛 Explore Historic Tile Landmarks – Visit the National Pantheon, Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, and Convento da Graça, home to some of Lisbon’s most stunning azulejo collections.
🎨 See Traditional & Modern Tile Art – Walk through Rua de São Vicente, Mural de Azulejos, and Calçada da Amália, where centuries-old traditions meet contemporary designs.
🏭 Discover Tile-Making Workshops – Visit By Nunes, Cerâmica S. Vicente, and XVIII - Azulejo & Faiança, learning about handcrafted production techniques.
🌆 Enjoy Scenic Viewpoints – Capture breathtaking Lisbon views at Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, framed by intricate tiled panels.
Description
Azulejos, the iconic Portuguese tiles, play a central role in the country’s rich cultural tapestry.
This walking tour delves into Lisbon’s vibrant neighborhoods of Graça and Alfama, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship and historical journey of these tiles.
Originally influenced by the cobalt blues of Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain, azulejos became a hallmark of Portuguese art and architecture.
Starting at the National Pantheon, participants will learn how these tiles arrived in Portugal, their diverse influences, and practical uses, such as temperature control and fire prevention in homes.
The tour includes a visit to the Church of São Vicente de Fora, home to the world’s largest tile collection, with 100,000 azulejos on display.
Another stop is Vila Sousa, a testament to Lisbon’s rich architectural heritage.
The tour also covers the cultural exchanges between the Iberian Peninsula and the Arab world, reflecting in the tile designs.
With techniques dating back centuries, this tour reveals how tiles became part of daily life, from mosaics to religious art, and how the Industrial Revolution transformed ceramics production.
Key locations like Rua de São Vicente showcase Lisbon’s ongoing dialogue with its past through tile-making traditions, offering a unique exploration of the city’s architectural beauty.
What is included
🎧 Digital audio self-guided tour in English 🇬🇧
⚬ Lifetime access to this tour
What is not included
⚬ Entry to attractions along the tour
⚬ Headphones (consider use it for a better experience)
⚬ Mobile device (use your own phone)
⚬ Live Guide
Important information
Address
Campo de Santa Clara, 1100-471 Lisboa
Starting Point
National Pantheon
Cancellation policy
City Games & Self-Guided Tours:
Cancel anytime before you redeem your voucher—super easy!
Attractions:
Need to cancel? Just do it at least 48 hours before the selected date!
Money-Back Guarantee:
Didn't love it? Get a refund on City Games or Self-Guided Tours.
Note: Not available for Attractions.
Reviews
JanJan 12, 2025 • Verified customer
Solo traveler who is not keen to join all-day group tours of tourist spots, so I was happy to stumble upon this option of a walking audio tour. I have done a private tour with Context Tours in Rome and was confident their audio tour would not disappoint. This is an excellent walking tour of notable tile and its history in Lisbon that takes you through historic neighborhoods. The tour can be longer depending on the stops you make and the length of time at each place. It was easy to stop and start and the directions were easy to follow when I didn’t get too distracted. I visited the National Tile Museum first, which gave me more in depth knowledge. Take the tours of the recommended stops, such as S. Vicente de Fora. They are well worth the time and are interesting with beautiful views. I picked up a couple of beautiful tiles from XVIII Azulejo and Faianca and met the charming owner who explained why his tiles are so unique. Tips - make sure your phone is fully charged and try to download the tour before you start. You will probably find yourself making extra stops and taking lots of photos. I highly recommend this tour!
Chris HuntSep 28, 2024 • Verified customer
excellent tour, thank you
july yilmazAug 03, 2024 • Verified customer
very informative
