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Patterns of Portugal: A Journey Through Colors, History, Tiles, and Architecture
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A vibrant tour of Portugal, featuring more than 200 photographs that bring to life one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
In this gorgeous coffee table book, writer and photographer Christine Chitnis invites you to celebrate the unique, timeless beauty of Portugal through the spectacular designs and hues that define Portugal’s countryside, coast, small towns, and cosmopolitan cities.
This stunningly giftable collection features over 200 photographs that illustrate the ways that color and pattern are woven into the very fabric of the country’s culture, history, architecture, and traditions. Each section features insightful essays that explore the artistry of azulejos, the colorful ceramic tiles covering much of Portugal's architecture; the intricately embroidered details of traditional lavradeira costumes; the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine, and so much more.
Throughout these vibrant pages, you’ll discover the vivid stories behind each color and pattern, transporting you to the gorgeous fields of Alentejo, the sparkling waters of the Algarve, the busy streets of Lisbon, the lush valleys of the Douro, and beyond.
In this gorgeous coffee table book, writer and photographer Christine Chitnis invites you to celebrate the unique, timeless beauty of Portugal through the spectacular designs and hues that define Portugal’s countryside, coast, small towns, and cosmopolitan cities.
This stunningly giftable collection features over 200 photographs that illustrate the ways that color and pattern are woven into the very fabric of the country’s culture, history, architecture, and traditions. Each section features insightful essays that explore the artistry of azulejos, the colorful ceramic tiles covering much of Portugal's architecture; the intricately embroidered details of traditional lavradeira costumes; the rich flavors of Portuguese cuisine, and so much more.
Throughout these vibrant pages, you’ll discover the vivid stories behind each color and pattern, transporting you to the gorgeous fields of Alentejo, the sparkling waters of the Algarve, the busy streets of Lisbon, the lush valleys of the Douro, and beyond.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 6, 2024
About the author
Christine Chitnis
11 books30 followersChristine Chitnis is a writer and photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island. The author of four books—including Patterns of India (Clarkson Potter, 2020)—and a contributor to publications including the New York Times, Elle, Martha Stewart Living, Boston Globe and Condé Nast Traveler, Christine has not only earned a reputation as a multi-talented storyteller, but also as a trusted strategist in the lifestyle publishing sector. She is currently at work on her fifth book, Patterns of Portugal (Clarkson Potter).
From book proposals to publicity, Christine helps fellow business owners and creatives translate their unique skills into marketable concepts. Working with first-time authors and seasoned writers alike, her vast network of editorial relationships and publishing experience has helped clients land contracts with respected publishers, features in top tier publications and even prestigious rankings on the New York Times Best Seller list. Christine also brings a practical understanding of book promotion to her projects, helping clients secure sponsored book tours and paid brand collaborations.
In her own work, Christine has long been inspired by the natural world and the craft of local artisans. From childhood summers in Northern Michigan, to the farms and coastline of her home in New England, to exploring the culture of Rajasthan with her husband, Vijay, she enjoys sharing this passion for discovery with her three young children—Vijay, Vikram and Meera.
Visit her at ChristineChitnis.com or on Instagram @christine.chitnis.
From book proposals to publicity, Christine helps fellow business owners and creatives translate their unique skills into marketable concepts. Working with first-time authors and seasoned writers alike, her vast network of editorial relationships and publishing experience has helped clients land contracts with respected publishers, features in top tier publications and even prestigious rankings on the New York Times Best Seller list. Christine also brings a practical understanding of book promotion to her projects, helping clients secure sponsored book tours and paid brand collaborations.
In her own work, Christine has long been inspired by the natural world and the craft of local artisans. From childhood summers in Northern Michigan, to the farms and coastline of her home in New England, to exploring the culture of Rajasthan with her husband, Vijay, she enjoys sharing this passion for discovery with her three young children—Vijay, Vikram and Meera.
Visit her at ChristineChitnis.com or on Instagram @christine.chitnis.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 6, 2026
I hadn't expected a hotel in Porto to bring back one of my most fun sailing memories.
Years ago, eight of us sailed here from the UK on two yachts, we were sailing round the world. I had been on the helm sailing under the bridges to the Ribeiro in Porto. Ours developed steering problems, so we spent three weeks tied up while we waited for parts. Back then it was still a working waterfront. We were the only yachts.
Across the Douro, over the beautiful iron-arched Dom Luis bridge, in Vila Nova de Gaia the barcas sat with their big square sails advertising famous port houses like Sandeman, Cockburn's and Graham's, with a dozen or more barrels of port stacked onboard. I did visit them, tagged along with a small French tour party. I couldn't understand the guide, but enjoyed the endless glasses of port especially the white port (too much).
There were no cafés back then, no sunshades, nothing touristy at all on the Ribeira. In the arches of the medieval wall, there were a few restaurants though. We had goat stew one evening, with some rough red wine that stained our teeth red. Other arches led to courtyards, tall brightly-painted houses with peeling paint and small wrought iron balconies hung with washing (still) and little places to buy groceries and drinks.
Every few days I'd climb the steep cobbled streets or haul myself up the Guindais Stairs with its 290 steps to the post office to send a postcard home or see if any of those thin, blue aeropostal envelopes had arrived for me. It was in an area called Batalha.
The carpet in the hotel had postmarks woven into it and framed pictures of stamps on the wall. I was talking to the front desk guy, Pedro, trying to get an upgrade to a room with a bath (succeeded) when I discovered that the post office had become the Batalha NH Collection hotel we were staying in. Not much remained of the original building, just the entrance stone arches now inside, within the outer hotel glass doors.
It wasn't the only coincidence. That was Porto, we're in Lisbon now.
We're staying at the House on Pink Street. Pink Street used to be the city's red light district, but today the road is painted pink, with colourful umbrellas hanging overhead and, after sunset, the bars and restaurants, chairs crowding the narrow winding street fill with music, locals and tourists.
Our place is an apartment, but is affiliated with the Corpo Santo Hotel a couple of minutes walk away in a quieter square where kids do tricks on skateboards and trams pass almost silently.. We can use all the hotel's facilities, including having free ice cream, cake, sangria and jars of those cheap, sugar-coated sweets like snakes and fish.
So I was standing munching while my my partner was sorting something out at reception, and I was watching a slideshow of photographs of dolphins, turtles and other sea creatures in an island setting. The islands looked familiar. I'd travelled all the way to Lisbon to see pictures of my own Caribbean island home.
In the hotel I came across this fabulous book of photographs of Portugal. There is very little text, but the pictures say everything. There are urban scenes, streets with tall, narrow houses painted in the yellows and blues that are so much the colours of Portugal, or tiled. Tiles are everywhere here, even more so than Porto. Pictures too of the vineyards and orchards that we saw on the train from Porto to Lisbon and ones of sunset where the Tagus flows into the Atlantic where we went the first night to watch the sun set illuminating yacht sails in golden and purpley dusk colours.
Now it's the end of summer and the end of travels, time to go home.
Years ago, eight of us sailed here from the UK on two yachts, we were sailing round the world. I had been on the helm sailing under the bridges to the Ribeiro in Porto. Ours developed steering problems, so we spent three weeks tied up while we waited for parts. Back then it was still a working waterfront. We were the only yachts.
Across the Douro, over the beautiful iron-arched Dom Luis bridge, in Vila Nova de Gaia the barcas sat with their big square sails advertising famous port houses like Sandeman, Cockburn's and Graham's, with a dozen or more barrels of port stacked onboard. I did visit them, tagged along with a small French tour party. I couldn't understand the guide, but enjoyed the endless glasses of port especially the white port (too much).
There were no cafés back then, no sunshades, nothing touristy at all on the Ribeira. In the arches of the medieval wall, there were a few restaurants though. We had goat stew one evening, with some rough red wine that stained our teeth red. Other arches led to courtyards, tall brightly-painted houses with peeling paint and small wrought iron balconies hung with washing (still) and little places to buy groceries and drinks.
Every few days I'd climb the steep cobbled streets or haul myself up the Guindais Stairs with its 290 steps to the post office to send a postcard home or see if any of those thin, blue aeropostal envelopes had arrived for me. It was in an area called Batalha.
The carpet in the hotel had postmarks woven into it and framed pictures of stamps on the wall. I was talking to the front desk guy, Pedro, trying to get an upgrade to a room with a bath (succeeded) when I discovered that the post office had become the Batalha NH Collection hotel we were staying in. Not much remained of the original building, just the entrance stone arches now inside, within the outer hotel glass doors.
It wasn't the only coincidence. That was Porto, we're in Lisbon now.
We're staying at the House on Pink Street. Pink Street used to be the city's red light district, but today the road is painted pink, with colourful umbrellas hanging overhead and, after sunset, the bars and restaurants, chairs crowding the narrow winding street fill with music, locals and tourists.
Our place is an apartment, but is affiliated with the Corpo Santo Hotel a couple of minutes walk away in a quieter square where kids do tricks on skateboards and trams pass almost silently.. We can use all the hotel's facilities, including having free ice cream, cake, sangria and jars of those cheap, sugar-coated sweets like snakes and fish.
So I was standing munching while my my partner was sorting something out at reception, and I was watching a slideshow of photographs of dolphins, turtles and other sea creatures in an island setting. The islands looked familiar. I'd travelled all the way to Lisbon to see pictures of my own Caribbean island home.
In the hotel I came across this fabulous book of photographs of Portugal. There is very little text, but the pictures say everything. There are urban scenes, streets with tall, narrow houses painted in the yellows and blues that are so much the colours of Portugal, or tiled. Tiles are everywhere here, even more so than Porto. Pictures too of the vineyards and orchards that we saw on the train from Porto to Lisbon and ones of sunset where the Tagus flows into the Atlantic where we went the first night to watch the sun set illuminating yacht sails in golden and purpley dusk colours.
Now it's the end of summer and the end of travels, time to go home.
November 9, 2024
When opening these pages you’ll come across a small amount of informative text. But that’s not the focus of this book. You are here for its beautiful photography. Page after page fill your eyes with glorious pictures of an incredible country.
I’ve never been to Portugal. I’d really like to go someday. Reading this gives me even greater motivation.
I’ve never been to Portugal. I’d really like to go someday. Reading this gives me even greater motivation.
January 13, 2026
Pictures were 5/5, wish the writing was more about the history and less about the authors travels
December 31, 2025
Esse livro foi dado a mim pela minha irmã cósmica; a pessoa com quem quero andar por essas ruas, becos e jardins que essas imagens tão lindas capturaram. Essas páginas funcionaram como um portal - uma entrada mágica para uma dimensão em que estou cercada por vistas exuberantes, esquinas místicas e atmosfera vibrante. Tenho certeza que um dia desses irei mergulhar nesse livro e realmente sair do outro lado, com ela.
April 10, 2025
Really loved slipping into this book from to time since I checked it out from the library. My favorite quotes, so to speak, were not words but images. The tiles of Portugal are clay quilts. So lovely. Armchair travel extraordinaire this book.
June 11, 2024
A decent introduction to the history, architecture, terrain, cuisine, and art of Portugal. I like the way the author formatted the content and the photos are lovely.
December 29, 2024
Need to do a thorough read through later, but on first turn through, I am in love. The photographs in this book are the perfect representation of Portuguese architecture and culture and the beauty it holds💓
June 16, 2026
I bought this book while I was in Portugal, and it is truly both a beautiful work (inside and out) and very representative of the art you can find throughout Lisbon. Sometimes I would even stumble upon places that looked identical to the pictures, which was thrilling. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves unique tiles and architecture, whether you have been to Portugal or not.
September 3, 2024
I love this book. The pages are filled with wonderful photos of Portugal and the description of the areas makes me want to go back and spend a month travelling around. I purchased this in Lisbon because... well, what a great memory of our trip! I thought it was just the a book with lovely pictures but imagine my surprise when I found that it was also a little travel guide. If I hadn't purchased it there I would be booking my ticket now to go see some of the fascinating and charming areas that she highlights. In fact, I may do that anyway!
January 11, 2025
Patterns of Portugal is a portrait of Portugal's rich history of architecture. It explains the blue and white tiles decorating so many facades there. It is a practice that dates back to the Moors who ruled the Iberian Peninsula one-thousand years ago.
Atop Lisbon's seven hills, you can view a carpet of terra-cotta roofs covering homes and businesses below. There are villages in Portugal that date back to prehistoric times. Many histories of buildings in this country are mysteries.
This is a beautifully photographed book that helps tell the story of a timeless land.
Atop Lisbon's seven hills, you can view a carpet of terra-cotta roofs covering homes and businesses below. There are villages in Portugal that date back to prehistoric times. Many histories of buildings in this country are mysteries.
This is a beautifully photographed book that helps tell the story of a timeless land.
Read
April 5, 2026I wish the historical narratives were more coherent across chapters to better show the interactions and interdependence across architecture, religion, food, wine, etc. The photos should also be better ordered to support these narratives.
June 15, 2024
Visually stunning with some great historical context!
Read
November 12, 2024Beautiful book but there's not much to read there. It's rather an album with plenty of great photos. Very nicely published.
January 29, 2025
Sadly, very few patterns!
June 21, 2025
Beautiful photos capture the charm of Portugal. The writing seemed random.
June 3, 2026
Beautiful photos, laid out very nicely. Perfect coffee table book for conversations...loved it!
August 31, 2026
Great knowledge of the hole country by the author. Peaceful pictures, and a joyful and easy read.
Also useful as a decorative book for a charming lounges.
Also useful as a decorative book for a charming lounges.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews