Made in Portugal: An Artisan-Focused Road Trip to Meet the Country’s Makers

Inspired by Portuguese fashion designer Armando Cabral, whose own line is crafted with heritage in mind, this artisan road trip itinerary will take you to places in the country where the “Made in Portugal” label will mean so much more to you once you experience it yourself. Everything of value here is still made with care, with hands, with time. By the end of the trip, you won’t just be bringing back souvenirs — you’ll be carrying stories made by hand.

Lisbon

Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, and take a day or two to adjust to the time zone, walk the city’s colorful streets, and eat way too many pastéis de nata (Portugal’s famous egg custard tarts). When you’re not taking in the many miradouros (scenic viewpoints) or grabbing a drink in Bairro Alto (home to some of the busiest bars in Lisbon), get an early taste of Portugal’s artisan landscape by perusing azulejo (tile) shops, locally made product emporium A Vida Portuguesa, and the Bordallo Pinheiro Museum dedicated to Portugal’s famous ceramic artist. Even tinned fish shops like Conserveira de Lisboa showcase the artisan spirit in their artistically packaged selections.

While in Lisbon, rent a car for the rest of your journey to make sure you can get to the rural locations off the main tourist path. While English is widely spoken in cities, learning some basic Portuguese greetings will go a long way in the countryside.

Where to eat: Lisbon has no shortage of excellent eateries, with many fabulous restaurants concentrated in trendy Príncipe Real. One foolproof recommendation to get your seafood fix is Cervejaria Ramiro in the Intendente neighborhood. Smothered in butter and garlic, any shellfish you try here will sate your palate. Pair your meal with wine for the perfect introduction to Portuguese cuisine. Pro tip: Stop by for lunch to avoid the long (but well-earned) lines at this Anthony Bourdain-endorsed eatery.

Where to stay: Among the city’s many charming hotels and Airbnbs, The One Palácio da Anunciada is centrally located off of Avenida da Liberdade, the city’s main boulevard. Housed in a 16th-century palace, the hotel has grand hallways and ceilings in addition to a spa, outdoor pool, and stunning garden that’s perfect for brunch.

Alentejo

From Lisbon, travel south to the stunning Alentejo region, home to historic cities like Évora, a longstanding wine-making tradition, and excellent outdoors both inland and along the coast. There, you’ll get your first taste of clay-spun stories and the threads of tradition.

Head to Reguengos de Monsaraz municipality for your first stop: Fábrica Alentejana de Lanifícios, a traditional woolcraft factory where the hum of handlooms thrives. Here, Merino wool becomes blankets, rugs, and other products that feature patterns unchanged for generations, passed down from the ancestors. As you tour the facility, you can watch the artisans work the manual machines, run only by their feet on the pedals and their hands pushing the spool through the layers.

Your first chance to get hands-on with local clay will be a short drive away in São Pedro do Corval, sometimes called “the capital of Portuguese pottery.” Olaria Bulhão is a traditional clay pottery workshop run by António and his daughter, Manuela, where you can test your skills, using your foot to spin the classic potter’s wheel. Through the humbling experience, you can see the years of work it takes to master the art of crafting ceramics.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks, isn’t it?” Manuela said in Portuguese with a chuckle while I was there. “We do a mix of traditional designs featuring the blue and white with flowers that Portugal is associated with, as well as newer designs, but always with our signature flair.”

Where to eat: Sabores de Monsaraz, located in the medieval village of Monsaraz, dishes up regional black pork entrees, savory codfish dishes, and more, all while the friendly owner, Dona Isabel, shares her hospitality with a glass of her homemade O Poejo lime green liqueur. “Here in my house, it’s all or nothing!” she’ll say as she feeds you to your fill.

Where to stay: In the small town of Vaiamonte, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel transports you to another time with its castle-style exterior and its place among 14th-century vineyards. With a spa, outdoor pool, restaurant with plenty of local wine offerings, and stylish rooms, it’s the perfect place to rest after a day spent exploring the Alentejo region. Make sure to grab a glass of wine and watch the sunset over the countryside from the turret.

Serra da Estrela

Next, it’s time to venture north into one of Portugal’s most significant mountain regions (serra means “mountain range”) where you’ll find more wool, winding roads, and comfort food to keep you warm in the higher altitude.

Stop in Covilhã, where you’ll find the MUSLAN Wool Museum inside the University of Beira Interior, where the original textile and dye factories were uncovered after an archeological dig.

“We have a large historic archive at the wool museum,” my group’s guide, Ana, explained. “We preserve many documents and also many, many magnificent textile collections.” Here, you can follow the history from ancient wool-crafting practices all the way to modern-day production.

Further through the mountains, the Burel Factory, an Accidentally Wes Anderson dream, is a 1940s manufacturer that was revived in 2011 to continue the practice of crafting the thick, water-resistant Burel wool fabric, once used for shepherds’ cloaks, into modern clothing and home decor. Walk through the machinery and learn about each part of the process, from gathering the wool to transforming it into thread and finally weaving it into a masterpiece.

Where to eat: Varanda da Estrela in the mountain village of Cortes do Meio welcomes you with a friendly ski-lodge warmth that’s much needed in the colder climate. Here, you’ll find warm soups, hearty roasted meats, and, of course, wine.

Where to stay: Casa de São Lourenço is a mountaintop retreat in Manteigas where every corner honors Burel wool. The rooms are minimalist, but chic and come with panoramic views that provide a magical sunset over the curved horizon.

Bisalhães

From Serra de Estrela, head north to Bisalhães in the Vila Real district, about an hour east of Porto. Bisalhães black pottery is UNESCO-classified, and this unique style of producing ceramics is the next highlight of this artisan tour through Portugal.

António & Sílvia of Douro Walks will help guide you through the area, where you’ll meet local ceramicists who take clay, craft it into an object, and then fire it through a process that removes the oxygen to create the dark hue it becomes. There’s no glaze, just smoke and earth.

For a hyper-local treat, Jorge of Olaria Ramalho works out of a small booth in the town of Vila Real on Avenida da Noruega and joyfully allows visitors a chance to get hands-on with his potter’s wheel.

Where to eat: Come Na 2 in the Douro Valley village of Cumiera is not only a black pottery workshop but also provides home-style meals, all inside a traditional Douro house from the late 18th century. “My mother made all the food herself. You’re welcome to take any recipe home you want,” potter Manuel said with a smile as he served my group.

Where to stay: Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa is the ultimate place to disconnect. Housed in a 17th-century manor house in Santar, the accommodation leans into its history with period decor. There’s a spa with every treatment imaginable and Memórias, a Michelin-recommended restaurant. Next door is the beautiful Santar Vila Jardim, a must-visit garden.

Barcelos and Porto

Barcelos, a city and municipality in the Braga District, offers another angle on Portugal’s artisanal identity. Known for its iconic Galo de Barcelos, a colorful rooster, this town wears its culture proudly with this figure found in statue form on almost every corner. At the pottery museum, you can learn the ancient local legend of a pilgrim falsely accused of a crime but saved from death in the final moment as a rooster crowed.

To fully appreciate the intricate painting style on these roosters, a workshop from artist Cidalia Trindade in her studio will provide the level of detail that’s needed to complete these special pieces. It’s a handmade souvenir you’d be proud to take home.

Before heading back to Lisbon, stop in Porto for a workshop at the House of Filigree. Under guidance, you can learn how to shape delicate silver threads into intricate designs symbolizing love, nature, and faith. After trying the difficult process yourself, you’ll understand why these pieces command such high prices.

Where to eat: O ÁS in Barcelos blends flair and tradition through beautifully presented dishes, a variety of meat and fish entrees, and a generous wine selection.

Where to stay: The Lince Santa Clara in Vila do Conde is housed in a former monastery overlooking the sea. It’s part luxury, part time machine. The spa is the ultimate place to relax, while the restaurants and bar cater to every whim, all complemented by an aesthetically pleasing interior design. The Lince Santa Clara is about 30 minutes north of Porto.