Fodor's Expert Review Museu-Escola de Artes Decorativas

In the 17th-century Azurara Palace, the Museum-School of Decorative Arts has objects that date from the 15th through 19th centuries. Look for brightly colored Arraiolos—traditional, hand-embroidered Portuguese carpets based on Arabic designs—as well as silverwork, ceramics, paintings, and jewelry. With so many rich items to preserve, the museum has become a major center for restoration. Crafts such as bookbinding, carving, and cabinetmaking are all undertaken here by highly trained staff; there are regular workshops open to the public (for a fee) to learn crafts like tile painting and paper marbling.