Arts and crafts Lisbon

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.

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 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...

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!

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.