We will be in Lisbon in May. We are looking for tiles to use in our home and have heard that Portugal has many to choose from. Does anyone know the name of a great shop to visit for these tiles instead of just looking around?

topppp

I looked at quite a few -- and somewhat for a design client of mine who wanted to replace blue and white Portugese tiles on her lanai. But what I did find were all available through distributors in the US, at a fraction of the price considering they ship them in whole containers, while I'd have to pay a fortune to ship a case or two. The bottom line is you probably won't find anything you can't buy at home through a major and reputable tile dealer -- special order of course, but still cheaper and less risky than ordering and shipping them yourself. At any tile manufacturer in Portugal ask who carries them in the US and find a local source if you want to save yourself some major headaches.

If you're talking about a handful of accent tiles that's quite a different matter. We found wonderful shops in Porto for tiles -- and while there don't miss looking at the wall tiles in the small train station.

There's a shop in Lisbon just down the street from the Tourist Office (i.e., near the base of the Cable railway on your right as you head toward Rossio) where I bought some 'House Number' tiles and brought them back with me. In Spanish they're caled azulejos. Ask at the shop or at the Tourist Office about 'Tours' to a tile factory.

Hi Ned
In Portuguese, they are called azulejo too (plural azulejos), from arabic az-zulaj

Thanks for the responses. Good suggestions on finding them in the US. What we will really be looking for is interesting accent tiles for small areas versus enough to do the entire floor. I will check out the shop recommended.

The best shop to visit (and to buy)tiles - azulejos in Portuguese - in Lisbon is VIUVA LAMEGO, near Carmo Square. See:
http://www.viuvalamego.com

Better see this site:
http://www.viuvalamego.com/vl_ns.html
Explore "Produtos" !!!
The shop address is:
FAB. CERAMICA VIUVA LAMEGO, LDA
Calçada do Sacramento, 29 (Chiado)
1200-393 Lisboa
+351 21 3469692

Have fun in Lisbon

Thanks for all the feedback that I asked for in January. We are now back from Lisbon. Fun town, but no tiles were purchased for the home. They all looked to similar and we did not have the time to seek out anything unique. Maybe next time....

You may find similar high quality tiles at a fraction of the cost in Dolores Hildago, GTO, MX
M

Bob1...I know you've finished your trip to Portugal ,,However...
We lived in LIsbon for 2 years back in the 70's. Had a GREAT time,,, ANYWAY,for anyone on their way to Portugal....
The best shop then was SANTA ANA downtown....but we use to go to their factory and buy seconds which was 'Out' in the country. Santa Ana use to be well known and had quality,beautiful tiles. Of course they are heavy to bring back, OR ship..... (but the few we bought went in our household shipment courtesy of the the company my husband worked for)!

Anecdote. A US swimming team returning from Puerto Rico used its extra baggage allowance to import tiles for the coaches swimming pool. Quite a show at baggage claim. Investigate using ocean/water transport. Be sure to determine quantity breaks. Insure shipment.