The best Azul variants⎇ 2026

Azul invites you to step into the captivating world of Portuguese artistry and craftsmanship. This board game draws inspiration from the introduction of azulejos, originally white and blue ceramic tiles, by the Moors. The tiles found a new home in Portugal when King Manuel I, during a visit to the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain, was enchanted by the exquisite Moorish decorative tiles adorning its interior. Filled with awe and inspiration, the king promptly ordered the embellishment of his own palace in Portugal with similar decorative tiles. As a skilled tile-laying artist, you are tasked with the prestigious mission of adorning the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora.

Players take turns drawing colored tiles from suppliers to place on their boards. Points are awarded based on how the tiles are arranged to decorate the palace, with extra points for specific patterns and completing sets. Wasted resources will reduce a player's score, and the player with the most points at the end wins.

Azul: Summer Pavilion takes players back to Portugal to embark on an artistic challenge of crafting a summer pavilion, a task assigned by King Manuel I. As master artisans, players must use their skills to construct the pavilion using the finest materials while efficiently managing their resources.

Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra is a visually striking and strategic board game designed by Michael Kiesling. It offers a unique twist on tile drafting, focusing on creating beautiful stained glass windows.

The expansion features double-sided player boards, each presenting new challenges and exciting strategic options. The "Crystal Mosaic" is a plastic overlay that keeps game pieces securely in place. Four overlays are included in this expansion.

5211 is a fast-paced card game featuring a unique scoring method that rewards clever play. Players use cards numbered 1-6 across five colors, starting with a hand of five cards. After playing two hidden cards and revealing them simultaneously, they draw back up and repeat the process twice more with one card each time, scoring points based on the majority color, unless a tie occurs.

A brand-new board! This expansion offers players two redesigned player boards and matching scoring boards to compete against each other, along with a set of four overlays to keep the Azul Glazed Pavilion tiles organized. It combines beauty with new gameplay elements, making it an essential addition for Azul fans!

Azul: Queen's Garden invites players back to Sintra's palace, tasking them with crafting an exquisite garden for Queen Maria of Aragon.