When it comes to tourism Portugal is high on the list for many. The incredible amount of attractions and sights for tourists to see and discover is boundless. The many different areas in the country and varied districts in the cities offer an intimate look into what life is like in Portugal and plenty of things to do for visitors.

“Azujelo” means ceramic tile in Portugese and is the Tile Museum namesake. The Tile Museum Lisbon is home to is housed in a former convent called Convento da Madre de Deus and was originally built in 1509 by orders of Queen Dona Leonor. The museum is famous for its unique blend of fascinating 17th century architecture and ardent 18th century Baroque adornments.

The National Azulejo Museum, or the Tile Museum Lisbon offers is a favorite of tourists visiting the area. Tiles, ceramics, tools and images are all found on display at the Tile Museum. Tiles comprise the largest part of the museum’s collection currently numbering over 7,000 pieces. Originally the collection came from the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga where many of the pieces were displayed in the section of ceramics. The museum still exists and is a short walk from the Tile Museum. The Portugese tiles found in this Portugal museums display include a large scale production of tiles made in Portugal between the 15th century and current day.

When visiting the Tile Museum Lisbon visitors can take a walk around the entire convent and take in the church, cloisters and choir. The interior chapel is large, built in Baroque style and filled with massive paintings which are all framed in gold. Visitors can see the history of ceramic tile in Portugal in the rooms of the former convent, many which are painted with blue colored scenes.

Admission is three Euros with a 50 percent discount for those 14 to 25 and admission for seniors is 1.50 Euros. There is also a café-restaurant for dining as well as a gift shop that sells tile replicas as souvenirs. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00pm and on Tuesday from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. The best time to go is during the week to avoid the crowds. If planning a visit on the weekend the best time to go is when the museum first opens.

This Portugal museums one of the most favored in the country and most people pay a visit when in the Lisbon area. The highlight of the museum is a white and blue work comprised of 1,300 tiles! Initially made in 1738 it runs 75 feet in length and depicts the city scape of Lisbon before the Great Earthquake of 1755 and is the longest piece of tile in this Portugal museums collection and in the country. Other features in the Portugal museums collection are “Our Lady of Life” circa 1580, the “Cycle of Masters” circa 1695 and the “Flight into Egypt” circa 1730.

Museum tourism Portugal offers is very popular among visitors. When visiting Portugal museums near the water, note that there are white and orange ferries that go back and forth on the Tagus River west of the museum. Head to west to Belem aboard bus transportation to catch the ferry. This offers tourists a chance to get a different view of the city. Before or after hopping on the ferry make sure to visit the Torre de Belem and take a walk up to the top for breathtaking views of the Tagus River.

A 15 minute trip to Cacilhas across the river costs just under one Euro each way and leaves from Praca do Comercio and Cais do Sodre every 15 to 20 minutes. Tourism Portugal visitors are attracted to offers a look into Old Europe, the way it used to be. Though the country is one of the poorer in Europe it is still extremely rich in history, culture and attractions.