• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

The Ultimate Guide to Lisbon’s Trendy LX Factory

Last Updated: May 16, 2023 · Portugal

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!

Table of Contents show
The LX Factory in Lisbon
What Is the LX Factory?
How to Get to LX Factory in Lisbon
LX Factory Map
Where to Stay Nearby LX Factory
LX Factory Hostel
Alcântara Lodge
Bright Studio LX Factory
Things to See in the LX Factory
Ler Devagar Bookstore
Sunday Flea Market
Independent Artist Studios
Village Underground
Where to Eat in LX Factory
Last Tips for Visiting LX Factory

The LX Factory in Lisbon

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

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!

screenshot of directions from Lisbon to LX Factory
Head west from Time Out, cross to the Docks, then when the scooter/bike path ends follow your GPS by foot.
  • 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

Map of the LX Factory in Lisbon

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.

Rustic and industrial common room inside Lx Hostel dorm
Sunny hallway with artsy decor
LX Hostel
rooftop deck of the LX hostel in Lisbon

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.

LX Hostel with street art Bee on wall made out of trash.
LX Hostel with a bee made from trash by Lisbon artist Bordalo II

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

Inside the Ler Devagar bookstore in LX Factory Lisbon
Ler Devagar library with art exhibitions and books

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

Little truck selling flowers and plants at Sunday market in LX Factory
The cutest little flower truck at the LX Factory market!

On Sundays, LX Factory becomes 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, and 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

Drone view of Village Underground Lisbon with shipping containers and buses
Inside double-decker bus converted restaurant in LX factory
Photos credit: Village Underground Lisboa

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.

Top-down view of vegan burger salad and drink at LX Factory
Table and artsy decor inside The Therapist LX Lisbon
  • 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.

Street art on Mexican restaurant in LX factory Lisbon with words "Para todo mal Mezcal, para todo bien, tambien"
Woman walking through the trendy LX Factory in Lisbon
Plant-covered mini truck

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.

📌 Pin this guide to Lisbon’s LX Factory to Pinterest!

By: Bri · In: Portugal

you’ll also love

Porto's Vitória neighborhood with orange rooftops17 Lovely Things to Do in Porto, Portugal
View of Lisbon, Portugal with red rooftops and city centerHow to Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Lisbon
Deep sunset setting over Lisbon, Portugal8 Best Sunset Spots in Lisbon, Portugal

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Essential Gear & Equipment for Digital Nomads (My Top 10 Must-Haves)

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

Tourists sunbathing at Pont de l'Arc near Grotte Chauvet 2 in southern France.

How to Visit the Chauvet Cave in France: The Oldest-Known Prehistoric Paintings

people standing atop best mayan ruins in mexico

9 Incredible Mayan Ruins in Mexico You Must Visit

Playa Palancar in Cozumel IslandMexico

10 Incredible Things to Do in Cozumel

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling Whether its for adventure, community, or leveling up your business, a digital nomad / remote work retreat is one of the best ways to work remotely and travel! 💻✈️

I’ve rounded up some of the best curated trips and retreats out there in my latest blog post (🔗 in bio to check it out!) 

Featured in my guide are:

@nurall_co 
@beunsettled 
@minoma.co 
@workwanderers
@the_nomad_escape
@remoteyear

Types of experiences you could discover with these guys range from training for 🥊 Muay Thai in Khao Lak, Thailand (@nurall_co co) to 🥾 hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain (@beunsettled) to ⛺️ camping out in the desert of Morocco (@minoma.co), and more!

WHY JOIN A NOMAD / REMOTE WORK RETREAT? 👇

Retreats offer curated itineraries/experiences designed to bring you epic adventures in bucket list destinations, plug you into the local scene, and collab with like-minded souls — all while leveling up your business/entrepreneurial skills and remote lifestyle and giving you creative space to cowork in beautiful places. 🤗

On a digital nomad retreat, you might...

💡Strike a new business idea
⚡️Spark a sweet romance with a stranger
👀 Get your project noticed by an investor
🥰 Form a life-long friendship (or a few!)
🌿 Build a new brand from scratch
💃 Change directions completely in your personal life
🧘‍♀️ Strengthen your sense of self, confidence, and spirituality

These are just examples of the very many outcomes you could gain from attending a digital nomad retreat.

In short, these programs have the power to evoke positive change in your life and, more often than not, your investment is rewarded handsomely (in more ways than one). ✌️

I’m long-time digital slomad, but after discovering Goa, India with @nurall_co I’m most definitely going to attend more retreats like this in the future! ✨✨

*Not spons, btw! Just sharing ways you can find a community of digital nomads, whether you want to be one or already are one! 👩🏼‍💻💛

My blog guide shares the deets about price, location, etc — go check it out and save this reel! ✨

#digitalnomads #remoteworkandtravel #grouptravel #grouptrip #remoteworklife #laptoplifestyle #digitalnomadgirls
< 1 week until we get to do this again! Adventur < 1 week until we get to do this again! 

Adventures await us in our beasty 1990 Roadtrek 🚐🌲🥾 — she’s been sitting out winter in Washington while we tanned our toes in Mexico 🇲🇽 

I’ve never been able to choose between the mountains ⛰️ and the sea 🌊 … you? 

Tell me what kind of summer you’re manifesting in the comments! 🧡

#vanlife #summeriscoming #granolagirl #roadtrek #pnwadventures #outdoorsy #homeiswhereyouparkit
And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 I’m stoked (read 90 And... WE’RE LIVE!! 🚀 

I’m stoked (read 90% nervous, 10% excited), to share that @slomadstories is officially OUT THERE! 

I actually had the first episode published on April 4th, but was too shy to share about it until now. 

But, as you’ll hear when you tune in... (🥳) this podcast isn’t just about highlighting raw, meaningful stories of adventure by ordinary people who seek an extraordinary life — YES, it’s mostly about that — but the very heart of this podcast is about DOING things despite how much they SCARE you or thrust you into the UNKNOWN.

I’ve always *tried* to live my one very short life by seeking to know, chasing curiosity, and jumping headfirst into the journey. 

— This podcast is simply a new endeavor, a new project that WILL NOT stop whispering at my heart. I’ve been trying to deny this urge, this tug, for so long! The whispers started in 2020 when a person who I thought would become a close friend bailed on the idea to start one together. So I let the idea go, for a while. But then it came back twice as strong in 2022, when I was living as a temporary nomad in Portugal for two months. It was there that I had my podcast cover art designed. That was already 1.5 years ago! 

Life passes us by...

We hear the whispers, we see the project coming to life in our heads, we feel the pull...

But we say no over and over again, and we make very legitimate excuses, until ultimately, the idea, the spark, the magic, fades; it chooses someone else to birth the idea and manifest itself into creation (something I learned reading “Big Magic” by Liz Gilbert, it’s amazing, go read it!). 

I have no idea why I felt the need to start a podcast, it’s not like I am already juggling enough.

But I wanted to, for me.

For you ✨ 

For everyone who ever chased that feeling, that tug. 

Because that?? 

That’s been my life for the last decade. I moved abroad countless times — and stayed — from Nepal to Mexico and beyond, and I would’ve never done ANY of it if I had not listened to the whispers.

This podcast is about continuing in the pursuit of the unknown, seeking more, and taking decisive action.

Welcome to Slomad Stories, & thank you for being here. 🧡

Xx,
Bri
MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇 🍡 Explor MINI GUIDE TO JIUFEN 🏮🇹🇼👇

🍡 Explore Jiufen Old Street and try local street food (The taro balls came highly recommended! We ate giant pork buns, xiao long bao dumplings, and a vegan pork noodle dish!) 

🍵 Visit the iconic A-Mei Tea House for traditional tea ceremony and sweets (a bit touristy, but worth it for the views imo)

🐉 Pick up some of the magic of “Spirited Away” in the shops (there are so many souvenirs and Studio Ghibli themed goods)

⛰️ Hike to the top of Keelung Mountain for a fun and sweaty adventure (go before sunset and go prepared for thousands of steps, lol)

🏮Wander through the narrow alleyways — explore away from Old Street!! 

⛏️ Learn about the town’s history at the Jiufen Gold Mine Museum — you can take night tours for a small fee or organize them through your hotel

🎭 Visit the two-story historic Shengping Theater, an abandoned cinema that provides a glimpse into Jiufen’s past

💦 Explore the nearby Golden Waterfall (10 minute drive)

Most people only come to Jiufen for a couple of hours to stroll through Old Street and take a photo of the teahouse since it evokes the bathhouse in Spirited Away🏮🐉 with its architecture and lanterns. But DON’T make the mistake of coming only for a day!! 

There is so much to do in Jiufen, even though we stayed 2 nights in the town (highly recommend), we wished we had stayed longer. 🥹

Oh yeah, and BRING AN UMBRELLA!! ☔️ Or don’t, the locals will give you one out of the goodness of their hearts (our hosts were the sweetest!!) ❤️

Save this to your Taiwan bucket list, pass this reel along to a friend, anddd check out my blog @bucketlistbri .com for more adventures abroad! 💃

#discovertaiwan #jiufen #spiritedaway #northtaiwan #asiatravel #travelbucketlist #jiufenoldstreet
Add this wildly beautiful destination to your Taiw Add this wildly beautiful destination to your Taiwan bucket list! ⛰️ 

With its towering marbled canyon walls, turquoise waters, hiking trails, wispy waterfalls and temples tucked away in the hills, Taroko Gorge/National Park is one of Taiwan’s raw natural gems and is definitely a must-see! 💎 

Bookmark/save this mini guide to Taroko to help plan your trip! 📌 

BEST TRAILS & SIGHTS
🥾Shakadang Trail
🥾Tunnel of Nine Turns
🥾Swallow Grotto
✨Eternal Spring Shrine & Bell Tower
✨Buluowan Suspension Bridge

WHERE TO STAY
You don’t need to stay inside the national park, however, we did! We stayed in the cutest log cabin at the Taroko Village Hotel, where we dined on the Taroko indigenous-inspired food, and woke up in the peaceful misty moutains. It was lovely, but if we were to visit Taroko Gorge again we’d probably choose to stay in Hualien for convenience and take a day trip or two in/out of the park by car or tour. Without a personal car, it’s not super easy to get around between all the hiking trails and sights, so keep that in mind if you’re heading in by bus and hoping to hop around on your own. 

At any rate, Taiwan’s natural beauty blew us away on our first day! 🤩 

Follow along @bucketlistbri for more adventures abroad! 💃✈️

#taiwan #tarokogorge #iseetaiwan #taiwantravel #amazingtaiwan
Shout out to this incredible South Asian country f Shout out to this incredible South Asian country full of ✨✨ masala ✨✨ that gives more than it takes and has a way of making you feel wildly alive 🥹💃

If you haven’t been yet, you NEED to put India on your bucket list!! 🇮🇳

The diversity of India is just amazing, and I’ve barely even seen 0.10% of it! So far, I’ve been to Kolkata (West Bengal), Agra and Delhi, and several of the color-themed cities across the desert state of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaisalmer, and, briefly, Bikaner. And now Goa!!! 🌴🦀

India has so many worlds of its own existing inside its borders, I’d love to go back and explore it deeper! 

Have you been to India yet??!

PS — all clips are from my 10 days spent in the breathtaking state of Goa for a digital nomad retreat hosted by @nurall_co 💛

#thisisindia #indiatravel #goaindia #digitalnomad #offbeattravel
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • My Blog Course
  • Slomad Stories Podcast
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

36 shares