If you’re compiling a list of things to do in Lisbon for culture lovers, the National Tile Museum should top it. The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is one of the most captivating cultural experiences in Lisbon, not just for its visual splendour, but for the story it tells.
Tiles, Tales and Pastel de Nata: A Cultural Escape to Lisbon’s National Tile Museum
Housed in the 16th-century Madre de Deus Convent, this museum is dedicated entirely to Portugal’s most iconic art form: the azulejo. These painted ceramic tiles adorn churches, palaces, staircases and fountains and here, they tell centuries of stories in cobalt, gold and green.
You’ll walk through Moorish motifs, Gothic flourishes, Baroque tableaus and Art Deco geometry. At every turn, discover how tiles became a living language of Lisbon culture.
Lisbon’s Best-Kept Secret: A Baroque Chapel in the National Tile Museum
And then… you step into the chapel.
Hidden deep within the museum is one of Lisbon’s most extraordinary Baroque churches, a space so ornate and so luminous, it almost feels like a mirage. The gilded sanctuary of the Convento da Madre de Deus remains preserved in all its theatrical splendour, complete with carved cherubs, painted ceilings and gold-leaf everything.
It’s dramatic, intimate and completely unexpected.
And for those in the know, it’s one of the top secret things to do, a Lisbon hidden gem tucked within a museum already full of surprises.
Don’t Miss the Café
Tucked away in a leafy courtyard behind ancient stone walls is the Tile Museum café, one of the most atmospheric spots in Lisbon for a pastel de nata and a moment of calm.
With vaulted ceilings, tiled columns and soft morning light, the Café do Museu feels more like a design destination than a refreshment stop. It’s part garden, part gallery and entirely amazing, a place where you’ll want to linger long after your espresso is gone.
It’s one of the loveliest hidden gems in Lisbon, quietly tucked behind centuries-old convent walls.
Why We Love it at YOO Lisbon
At YOO Lisbon, we believe great design tells a story. The National Tile Museum celebrates centuries of Portuguese creativity, crafted with beauty and intention.
A museum, a church, a café and a gallery, all behind one beautiful Lisbon façade: it’s everything we love about this city, glazed and gilded to perfection. It’s a space that quietly inspires, just like Lisbon itself.
Planning Your Visit: National Tile Museum Hours & Essentials
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 18:00
- Closed: Mondays, 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 December
- Location: Rua da Madre de Deus, 4, 1900-312 Lisbon
- Entry tip: Last ticket sold at 17:30
- Ticket Prices: €10 (Free for Portuguese residents on presentation of Citizen’s Card)
- How long to spend: 1.5 to 2 hours, plus time for the café and shop
- Website: https://www.museunacionaldoazulejo.pt/
Final Tips
- Bring a camera or sketchbook – the inspiration is everywhere.
- Visit in the morning for the quietest atmosphere.
- The gift shop has lovely souvenirs.
- Make time for the café. (Trust us).
