10 of the most beautiful Azulejo tile façades in Lisbon

Do you want to discover the 10 most beautiful tiled façades in Lisbon?

They are everywhere and are a trademark of the capital.

The patterned tiles, produced in the second half of the 19th century, cover thousands of buildings all over Lisbon, having become part of its identity, thanks to the variety of colours and designs that brighten up its streets.

Impressive examples can be found inside palaces and churches, but even on façades you can see dazzling panels, authentic masterpieces that deserve to be contemplated.

The idea of covering the exterior façade of houses with tiles arose from the need to have a coating that could resist the natural wear and tear caused by the passing of time and the climate. But the ingenuity of the Portuguese turned a simple coating into an art form that deserves to be appreciated.

It is worth walking through the streets of Lisbon and paying attention to the many buildings covered with azulejos. But there are some that, due to their spectacular nature, deserve to stand out from the rest. Discover some of the most beautiful tiled façades in Lisbon.

1. Campo de Santa Clara, 124-126 (Alfama)

This is probably the most beautiful tiled façade in Lisbon. It is located near the National Pantheon and dates back to 1860. It was created in the romantic taste of the time, having baroque inspiration, and uses yellow, white and blue to represent busts and mouldings imitating marble. The interior of this building is now occupied by the Casa dell’Arte Club House tourist accommodation.

2. Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Square (Chiado)

This is certainly one of the most photographed buildings in the city, since it is located right in the centre of Chiado. It dates from 1869 and is lined with yellow and orange tiles depicting mythological images representing Earth, Water, Science, Agriculture, Commerce and Industry. At the top, there is a star with the eye of Providence.

3. Widow Lamego Factory (Intendente)

The building, located in Largo do Intendente, was covered in tiles in 1865. It was initially a private residence, but later became the hands of the ceramics factory Viúva Lamego, which occupied it until 2021. The images on the façade include vases of plants and Asian-inspired figures, which recall the trade between Portugal and the Orient.

4. Factory Widow Lamego (Almirante Reis)

This façade faces Avenida Almirante Reis behind the above mentioned façade. This side of the building is all blue and white, and is composed of spectacular tile panels. It is part of the Fábrica Viúva Lamego and it was here that ceramics were produced for many years, including many of the tiles that now decorate the capital’s metro stations.

5. Rua do Sacramento à Lapa (Lapa)

Here you will find a palace that sits between large embassies, which was built in the late 19th century as a noble residence. The Neo-Manueline windows are covered with tiles and ceramic pieces, in a half Baroque, half Art Nouveau decoration, very significant of the Romantic period.

6. Rua do Possolo, 76 (Lapa)

The Palacete dos Condes de Sabrosa was built in the 18th century but is now occupied by the Finnish and Andorran embassies. Its tiles cover half of the façade and classical, naturalistic and even maritime motifs can be glimpsed in these panels.

7. 43-45 Rua de São Domingos à Lapa (Lapa)

Although one passes by this building on the 25 tram, few people notice it, as it is somewhat overshadowed by the palace next door. But the façade of this building, covered with azulejos in floral motifs, deserves to be contemplated and appreciated.

8. Rua do Milagre de Santo António, 14 (Alfama)

The building is often photographed by tourists, as it catches their eye. Around here lived Saint Anthony, and the 20th century tile panels represent the “Miracle of the Fishes”, the “Miracle of the Bilha” and the “Miracle of the Mule”.

9. Rua das Cruzes da Sé, 13-15 (Alfama)

This façade, next to the Sé, is covered with tiles created in 1918. This was an old scale factory, so the panels are allusive to that trade.

10. 70-78 Rua das Janelas Verdes (Santos)

This building, which is near the National Museum of Ancient Art, is covered with tiles with elements in the Art Nouveau style, the result of a more “modern” taste from the beginning of the 20th century, which contrasted with the more baroque and romantic options of other grandiose façades of the city.

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