National Tile Museum

Housed in a 16th-century convent where noble ladies used to retire (some not so voluntarily), this museum tells the story of Portugal's obsession with tiles. The convent's church is a baroque explosion of gold and tiles, built by a queen who wanted to show off her wealth. The highlight is a massive 1738 tile panel showing Lisbon before the earthquake - it's like Google Street View from 300 years ago! The panel was actually rescued from another palace and pieced together like a giant puzzle. (Tip: take bus 759 from the city center - it drops you right at the door, and don't miss the convent's chapel, it's covered in gold from Brazil.)