Arts and crafts Portugal

Tara and Sylvain welcome you in their workshop and their open-air art gallery, in order to make you discover their sculptures. In a tropical garden of 3 000^m2 are installed more than 200 sculptures that they have made. You can walk through ponds, fountains and waterfalls fed by a natural spring. To get there, you have to go through the house with granite walls, which is used as an exhibition shop for objects to bring back as souvenirs. In another house, the production workshop with its large ovens can be visited.

Vanessa Marques Cabacinha, a talented young woman in her thirties, paints pretty modern azulejos patterns on tiles in this cosy little shop in an alleyway in Alfama. You can watch her painting on the spot and she will explain everything about her art to you if you are interested. But Vanessa does not make simple tiles, she had the ingenious idea of transforming them into coasters or other decorative objects with motifs in the spirit of the times. It's both pretty and useful! Here is an original souvenir to enjoy or to offer.

In the heart of the historic center, this store offers quality and original handicrafts, such as ceramic sculptures, flower-shaped saucers, and objects diverted from religion (without offending but transformed with bright colors). Meia Tigela also proposes several typical gourmet products of the region that make your mouth water. A nice and friendly store to discover to bring back original souvenirs that you will only find here. Smiling and pleasant welcome. Stop by, you won't leave empty-handed.

A tiny and antique store that will delight curiosity lovers. Often stored in display cases: hundreds of shapes and colours and even wonderful scented candles. Follow the advice of an old lady.... A little expensive, but they are really works of art meticulously made in the back shop where the factory workshop has been installed since 1789. Anecdote: since the arrival of the Hungarian Franz Liszt, at his request for the lighting of his concert in 1845, candles in Portugal have been coloured.

This municipal facility has workshops where local artisans work under the eyes of visitors and a sales area to buy their products: black clay pottery, basketry, weaving, lace, embroidery and various objects are sold here at reasonable prices. It is a nice place to discover the handicraft know-how of the region. One could stay for hours watching the meticulous work of the artisans before leaving with the object that piqued our curiosity. The team on site is very welcoming and passionate.

A boutique that offers wooden, terracotta and a whole host of local crafts.

This internationally renowned azulejos factory regularly exports its production to the four corners of Europe. A few kilometres from Estoril, it offers a wide choice of 17th and 18th century azulejos, as well as another speciality: the restoration of ancient azulejos. You can go there to do your shopping to redecorate your bathroom, but it is also possible to visit the factory if you inform us in advance of your visit. The factory can also be reached via Facebook (always good to know and perhaps more responsive).

This shop offers beautiful decorative objects and many potential gifts from the famous Bordallo Pinheiro earthenware factory. You can find reproductions for museums as well as current pieces (tableware) but all at a price defying all competition. Enough to redo all your dishes or your decoration. In addition to these beautiful services, some linens and children's accessories complete the shelves. Don't go without, especially since we'll be able to make you a serious package for the return flight!

When you enter this store, your eye will immediately be drawn to the large wall on the right where the azulejos are exposed. A multitude of colors and patterns that are offered to you. Cortiço & Netos is a family business founded by Joaquim José Cortiço. For a long time he bought collections of tiles from factories that closed or stopped some lines. A collection that includes tiles from the 1960s to today. Today, he resells these treasures in order to perpetuate this Portuguese tradition.

Arraiolos is a town located in the heart of the Alentejo, a region in central Portugal. It is known for its carpets and tapestries, a tradition that goes back more than five centuries. If at the beginning the influences were rather Persian, the motives evolved to give place to the proper style of the city. In this store you will have a large choice of carpets and will be able to discover this ancestral art. Floral, oriental or geometrical patterns, it's up to you to see what you prefer.

A Arte da Terra aims to promote Portuguese culture. They had, for a while, a store near the cathedral (Sé) on the way to Alfama but it closed during the Covid-19 period. The range of handicrafts and souvenirs offered, for the moment online, is rather large and of good quality. You can look at the azulejos section with original and colorful patterns and very affordable prices, but also the paintings and embroideries. A rather interesting store to find the souvenirs to bring back...

A small art craft shop with objects of all kinds to decorate his house (candleholder, jewelry, frames). The manager manufactures trinkets with natural materials that she finds in the vicinity. It's original and ecological, it's worth a detour!

In this store, where every item deserves special attention, "the Office" is king. Le Burel is the brand name for a 100% woollen fabric made in Manteigas in northern Portugal. A technique that has existed for more than a century. In this shop you can choose from designer objects, carpets and blankets in a wide range of colours and sizes. Everything is produced in the Serra da Estrela (north-central Portugal), in the middle of the mountains. A successful combination of craftsmanship and design, all 100% handmade!

You will inevitably want to stop in front of the window of this store. Formerly a surf store (run by Magic Quiver), it is now a store of decoration, clothes and accessories. A bit like a souk in itself, this store will make you travel to India, Latin America, while offering you quality and responsible items, as well as local crafts. Take your time, because there are many things to see everywhere (even the ceiling!). The saleswoman is very welcoming and will know how to advise you.

If you are lucky, you will meet at the entrance of Mercado 48 the mascot of the social networks of the store, "cãozinho Bala", the adorable dog that announces the atmosphere of the place: relaxed! Inside, you will find original and creative products, mostly handmade, between vintage and contemporary. Art and decoration objects, bags, wallets, t-shirts with landscapes and allusions to Porto, even humorous messages and also beautiful wooden bikes. A place that promises unusual gifts.

In 2011, when the shop was in danger of closing, Filipa and Leonor Pinto Basto saved it. Armazém Dos Linhos specializes in the sale of fabrics stamped with traditional Portuguese motifs. The managers had the idea to combine old patterns with more contemporary ones. Here you will find fabrics for all kinds of projects as well as bags, wallets, household and kitchen linen. You can bring back a nice typical souvenir with the certainty of "Made in Portugal". Stop by, especially since the welcome is warm.

After walking through the green decorated entrance, you are immersed in a fantastic universe of quality objects of Portuguese origin. Coração Alecrim is the result of Rita and Filipe's common passion for Portuguese artisans and second-hand objects. The spirit of upcycling, which recreates from existing material, is floating in the air. The two partners have created their own brand of clothing and boots, but also offer other national products. A nice store for quality and original gifts.

All we can say about Icon is that we love their selection of ceramic objects. It's impossible not to walk in when you pass their window. The store isn't very big, but there's plenty to choose from, and not just ceramics. There are also accessories and small objects of all kinds. You'll be warmly welcomed and advised if you wish. Most of the things you'll see are by Portuguese designers. Across the street is their art gallery, where you can see a variety of exhibitions.