What ideas are there for covering an outside ceramic tile patio?

Do you want to protect the tile from further damage? If yes, you can try sealing it: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-seal-outdoor-tile

Or did you mean that you want to cover up the tile for aesthetics?

You could put down wooden deck tiles. They lock together and sit over most surfaces with no problem. They are available online or through most home centers.

If you want to keep that tile look most tile companies will recommend a flexible latex base tile adhesive where you can lay new tiles straight over old. Professionals use it and recommended it to me. So long as the tiles underneath are solid and not loose the new tiles will last for years and NOT come loose . I have done this with success. Ive also used concrete mixed with PVA to make cobblestone pathways over tiles using a mold pattern but you have to de-surface the old tiles with an angle grinder first

We painted our outdoor concrete patio and it looked great until we replaced it. There is a fabulous paint for it by Benjamin Moore. Here's the DIY if you want to peek. https://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2018/08/how-to-paint-concrete-patio-makeover.html

– Adhesive PVC tiles are composed of PVC panels that can be applied to the old tiles with a sticker. Waterproof and perfect for those who look for a DIY solution, they represent a cheap option.

– A decorative sticker is another option for those who would like to cover the old, damaged tiles. Some simple stickers of various sizes can be applied to the existing tiles to modify their aspect. The advantages are that they are cheap and easy to apply; it’s important for the stickers to be water and heat-resistant though, for a longer durability and a safety issue.

– If the surface is vast but the budget is tight, another option could be to cover the old tiles with a tile varnish: you can apply it with a brush or a paint roller, it dries quickly and it’s waterproof.

– For those who want to get rid of joints and to create a uniform surface, resin is a good solution. Ideal for vast areas and to cover tiles, it however needs to be applied by a professional and it can turn yellow over time.

– Last but not least, microcement: a decorative coating for tiling floors but also tiling walls, such as those of the kitchen or the bathroom, and other elements (shower stalls, tubs, sinks, pieces of furniture). Like the resin, it’s a seamless solution and therefore allows to obtain a uniform surface. Compared to the resin though, microcement is less likely to turn yellow and it gives the surface a tactile and natural effect.