The Ultimate Guide to Lisbon’s Trendy LX Factory
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The LX Factory is one of the coolest places to visit in Lisbon. Once an old industrial complex for textiles, the LX Factory is now a creative, artsy village within a city where trendy cafés, bohemian shops, delectable restaurants, and independent art studios occupy abandoned warehouses.
Because of this grassroots, artistic vibe, visiting the LX Factory has become one of the top things to do in Lisbon.
On weekends, scores of hipsters fill up the eateries and cobbled streets, taking photos, strolling the Sunday market, and generally falling in love with the rustic and creative atmosphere.
From the vibes to the rooftop views to the delicious must-try food and drinks, there’s a reason why LX Factory quickly rose to the top of everyone’s Lisbon bucket list.
In this guide, I’ll be sharing all there is to see and do inside LX Factory, including its history, how to get there, where to stay, the best places to grab food and drinks, and more.
Here is the ultimate guide to Lisbon’s artsy LX Factory!
The LX Factory in Lisbon
What Is the LX Factory?
What you know today as the LX Factory is a creative industrial district full of independent artists and design shops complemented by hip restaurants, boutique shops, and more.
But its true beginnings date back to 1846 when one of Lisbon’s most important weaving and textile companies (Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense) took up residence in the Alcântara neighborhood. Eventually, the space became home to the fabrics, food, and printing press industries.
The deindustrialization movement of the 1980s put a halt to this long-running industrial complex. It wasn’t until around 2008 that investors and artists saw the potential of LX Factory. Since then, the abandoned warehouses have been given new life.
Today, you can waltz down the quaint cobbled street inside LX Factory and discover myriad studios and shops that buzz with creativity and inspiration.
How to Get to LX Factory in Lisbon
There are several ways you can get from the center of Lisbon to the LX Factory.
LX Factory is located 3km west of the city center, on Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103 in the neighborhood of Alcântara.
Here are the different modes of public transport that will take you to LX Factory; my favorite is via scooter!
- Driving/Taxi: 12-minute drive or Uber ride departing from Lisbon’s Time Out Market. Uber/Lyft costs around $4–$6 one-way.
- Bus: Bus 714 departs from Praça da Figueira and is the easiest, but lines 720, 727, 728, 738, 742, 751 also have stops nearby. Largo do Calvário is the closest stop to LX Factory.
- Tram/Train: Tram 15/15E stops at Calvário.
- Electric Scooter: Rent one of Lisbon’s electric scooters (Lime, for example) and follow the Cais do Sodré down to the Docks. Cross over the tracks and keep zooming. Toward the end, the scooter path will end and you’ll need to walk 5–10 minutes or carefully zip down the last stretch of the road to the LX factory.
If you’re feeling up for it, you can also easily walk to the LX Factory, but it’ll take 30–40 minutes.
The most scenic route is to follow the Cais, then the Docks that lead to the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge.
LX Factory Map
Just inside LX Factory on the lefthand wall is a visitor’s map showing the layout of the industrial complex. Snap a picture and take it with you on your stroll!
Where to Stay Nearby LX Factory
LX Factory Hostel
LX Factory Hostel ($+): The LX Hostel is set right inside the creative village of the LX Factory itself, so obviously this is one of the best places to stay if you want to be in the heart of it all! Choose between shared dorms and private rooms—whichever level of comfort and community you’d prefer.
Alcântara Lodge
Alcântara Lodge ($$): Modern and cozy, this apartment has everything you could need for an exquisite stay in Lisbon. It offers a beautifully furnished place to stay with amazing attention to detail from the hosts and is located centrally in the Alcântara neighborhood.
Bright Studio LX Factory
Bright Studio in LX Factory ($+): If you don’t want to stay in LX Factory but be close to it, then consider this place to stay. Right around the corner, this bright and bohemian studio apartment is an ideal spot for exploring LX Factory to the fullest.
Things to See in the LX Factory
Inside LX Factory, there’s something to discover in every nook and cranny. Art has taken over this industrial zone, so keep your eyes peeled as you stroll the area.
Here are some of the best places to visit in the LX Factory!
Note: Some places in LX Factory have since closed down permanently, such as the Rio Maravilha rooftop bar and the Wish slow café.
Ler Devagar Bookstore
Anyone who visits the LX Factory must wander into the inspiring Livraria Ler Devagar.
Ler Devagar, meaning “Read Slowly” is iconic of Lisbon’s artistic spirit. Stepping inside is an experience.
Inside, you’ll see the original printing machine of the once-abandoned warehouse, the iconic flying bicycle strung from the high, vaulted ceiling with industrial stairs and railings, and books covering the shelves from floor to ceiling.
As you can guess, Ler Devagar is more than a bookstore; it is also a cultural and creative space for events, temporary exhibitions, and permanent exhibitions, and has a library collection of 40,000 new and 10,000 used books in various languages.
It was named one of the top ten most beautiful bookstores in the world and has been featured in publications such as Nat Geo.
Go when the doors first open at 10 am if you want to have the space to yourself before the crowds arrive.
Sunday Flea Market
On Sundays, LX Factory has become even more popular thanks to its weekly open-air flea market.
Should your visit fall on a Sunday, expect to find dozens of temporary booths and stalls, typical of an outdoor artisanal market, set up on the backside of the factory.
Here, you’ll find everything from locally-made jewelry to plants to organic soap to cork-crafted bags, vintage clothing, and more.
The LX Factory Sunday market hours are from 11 am to 7 pm.
Independent Artist Studios
Meandering inside the Edificio I building (the large industrial building on the right side of the main inner street), you will find myriad boutiques, artist studios, and creative company offices that have taken up residence in the former factory rooms.
Just on the first floor, you will find several rooms occupied by jewelers, artists, creative offices, ateliers, and concept stores selling everything from crafts to baby clothing to light fittings to vintage cameras and more.
There’s even a surf/skateboard brand’s office inside which is a real skate ramp! Now, how trendy is that?
Even more treasures and urban art is located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors including a yoga and dance studio, clothing shops, and a tattoo studio on the ground floor.
Village Underground
Village Underground is not technically inside LX Factory. However, it’s just a five-minute walk away so the two are often visited together.
Here, in this open-air space is yet another must-see complex of industrial creativity, where community fuses with culture and art. This space is home to coworking spaces, concerts, street art, live music, and more.
What makes this place extra special is that it is made up of 14 converted shipping containers and 2 buses. The double-decker bus, home to their on-site restaurant, whips up creative and delicious food for lunch and dinner.
Find more activities and things to do in LX Factory:
- Eat and throw axes at USAxe Club
- Find all the hidden street art
- Get new ink or pierced at Queen of Hearts
- Eat a pasteís de nata at A Nato do LX
- Grab a coffee and co-work with your buddies
- Sign up for an art or design workshop
Where to Eat in LX Factory
LX Factory has some incredible food options ranging from upscale Asian-Peruvian fusion to Mexican street food to vegan dishes and beers in cool bars, and more. Most of the restaurants in LX Factory have outdoor seating and terraces, so you can watch people buzz by.
- Mex Factory – upscale Mexican street food with live music and great vibes
- The Therapist – airy space with healthy food from “nature to table”
- Cantina – creative, homemade Portuguese food
- Ni Michi – cocina latina!
- BEERS – gastro-pub featuring beer and grilled meats
- Borogodó – tasty grub and cocktails
- Cucurico – Portuguese fried chicken
- Taberna 1300 – creative fine dining
- Sushi Factory – LX Factory’s sushi-only restaurant
- A Praça – Portuguese tapas, wines, steaks, and more
Whether you’re looking for the best breakfast, dinner, or brunch in Lisbon, there’s always something scrumptious to eat in LX Factory and beyond.
Last Tips for Visiting LX Factory
If you’re planning to visit LX Factory during your time in Lisbon, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Weekends are exceptionally crowded; go early if possible or stay nearby
- Combine your day trip to LX Factory with Belém (since you’re already halfway there!)
- Pack out all trash you pack in
- Respect the local graffiti, art, and spaces
- Cash and credit card are accepted at most boutiques and even at the Sunday market
- Check the LX Factory website for upcoming events
I know you will love LX Factory as much as we do! Some people say it’s overrated, but you gotta appreciate the art and creativity that flows through this complex. The space just oozes good vibes and makes you want to get creative in your own way.
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