Is Lisbon’s LX Factory worth visiting? Yes! The LX Factory is worth visiting. Let’s see what the LX Factory has to offer.
What is the LX Factory?
The LX Factory is an entertainment and shopping complex with something for everyone and every budget.
It is located in the western neighborhood of Alcântara, under the 25 April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril). If you would like to learn more about Lisbon’s bridges, see my article A guide to Lisbon’s most famous bridges
LX Factory spans several buildings on multiple floors, with patios and green spaces.
Considered by many to be Lisbon’s Hipster neighborhood, the eclectic art and shopping district offers all kinds of independent businesses whose owners are creative and show passion and promise.
There are chic cafes, bars, brigadeiros and barbers, chocolatiers, sushi, axe throwing and burgers, a variety of restaurants, handicrafts, and producers of local products.
For a map of the LX Factory and its businesses, click here. Map – Lx Factory
You will find co-working spaces for digital nomads, a hostel, and a world-class bookstore.
Every Sunday there is a flea market called the LX Market.
The market is open from 11 am – 8 pm in the summer.
It is open from 10 am – 6 pm in the winter.
Originally the LX factory was the site of the Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense, a thread, and fabric maker, which opened for business in 1846.
In 2008 the industrial buildings began being transformed into trendy independently-owned shops and galleries
The entire complex is housed in repurposed industrial buildings. Many of the interiors feature clever design.
Why the name LX? LX is an abbreviation for “Lisbon.” An old spelling of Lisboa was “Lixboa.”
Street Art at the LX Factory
If you are a fan of street art, the LX Factory features some great murals and various art installations by some of Portugal’s biggest muralists and plastic artists.
You will find art installations made from both recycled trash and neon lights.
Even the shops themselves can be considered works of art. For example, there is an old VW Van that is now a florist’s shop. For more information on murals and other art installations in the city, read my Where to see street art in Lisbon
A Variety of Restaurants at the LX Factory
- A mesa do LX – If you want pizza.
- A Praça – Italian, Portuguese, and vegetarian options
- Borogodó – Brazilian and Portuguese café / bar / restaurant
- Cantina LX – Portuguese Cuisine
- Central da Avenida – Tapas and wine bar
- Chef Nino – Creparie & Gelateria, home-made ice cream, crepes, and pancakes
- Cucurico – Grilled, free-range chicken and craft-brews
- 1300 Taberna – local cuisine, gluten-free options
- El Chanta – Burgers, empanadas, beer
- Landeau Chocolate –
- Malaca Too – Asian bistro
- MexFactory – Mexican cuisine, cocktails, luchadores theme – you can sit in the wrestling ring. One of the most unique restaurants in Lisbon.
- Mezcais LX – tacos and mezcal
- Ni Michi – Latin American Cuisine
- Ohbrigadeiro – Brazilian sweets
- Pateo Cervejaria –
- Sushi Factory
- Therapist – clean eating and Chinese medicine
- Wish Slow Coffee House
- Burger Factory
Entertainment – LX Factory at Night
At night you might find pop-up concerts or open-air theatre. There are also plenty of bars to have a drink at the LX Factory, and a few rooftop terraces as well.
Ler Devagar Bookstore
One of the cornerstone businesses located at LX Factory is the Livraria Ler Devagar, the Read Slowly Bookstore.
Official website: Bookstore Read slowly (lerdevagar.com)
Hours Sunday – Wednesday: 10 am – 10 pm
Hours Thursday – Saturday 10 am – midnight
As a traveler and a bookstore aficionado, I rate this place among the best or most interesting bookstores in the world.
Also on my list – Lisbon’s Livraria Bertrand in the Chiado neighborhood is the world’s oldest continuously operating bookstore. See my article, Lisbon’s historical family-owned stores and craftsmen sell the best souvenirs El Ateneo in Buenos Aires, Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon, Atlantis Books in Santorini, and Livraria Lello in Porto. If you are thinking of visiting Porto, see my Not Lisbon OR Porto, vacation in Lisbon AND Porto!
To learn more about bookstores in Lisbon, check out my 7 great bookstores in Lisbon
Back to Livraria Ler Devagar. The bookstore is located in an old printing shop, and the preserved printing press is a central part of the store.
Visitors can climb on and examine the printing press.
Under the elevated printing press, Ler Devagar offers a large collection of vinyl records, and also a great little café where you can have a coffee, a cocktail, or enjoy a Pastel de Nata. The big difference between Pastéis de Belém and Pastéis de Nata
LX Hostel – Lodging on the grounds of the LX Factory
The hostel has three dorms and two private rooms.
Each dorm is divided into cubes for privacy, with each cube having its own locker and fan.
In addition to bed fans, each room also has air conditioning.
There is a six-bed female dorm, a ten-bed mixed dorm, and a twelve-bed mixed dorm.
Dorm beds are €20 and private rooms are €55 per night.
Hostelworld ranks this hostel 9.8, and Booking gives them a 9.3 rating.
Guests can enjoy their free breakfast or take in the sunset on the rooftop terrace. The hostel’s bar opens in the afternoon.
To book: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/lx-factory-hostel.en.html?aid=7930224&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
LX Factory Opening hours and Admission
Each business located at the LX Factory has its own schedule, with many staying open after midnight.
Admission to the LX Factory is free, and there is even limited free parking within the complex.
How to get to the LX Factory
Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103
GPS: 38.70372741039144, -9.178789058065401
You can take Tram 15E and get off at the Calvario stop. For more information on Tram 15E, read my How to get from Alfama to Belém (Hint: Tram 15E)
Buses 712, 713, 714, 727, 742, 751, 756, or 773 stop nearby as well.
From Cais do Sodré take the train to Cascais. Get off after four minutes at Alcântara Mar. Cross the street and the LX Factory is a ten-minute walk from the station.
Nearby Attractions
- BMAD – Berardo Art Deco Museum – One of Lisbon’s newest museums has a collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco works. To learn more about this great museum, see my Berardo Art Deco Museum – Lisbon’s newest museum in 2022
- Village Underground – co-working space, restaurants, and cafes housed in stacked colorful railroad containers
- Carris Museum – Displays Lisbon’s retired trams and streetcars
- Santo Amaro Chapel – next to the Carris Museum, off of Rua 1 de Maio, you will find stairs that lead up to the circular shaped chapel that was built in 1549.
- Santo Amaro Dock – Restaurants with waterfront views. Many of Lisbon’s river cruises depart from this dock.
- Pilar 7 Bridge Experience – A museum dedicated to the 25 April Bridge. There is an elevator that takes visitors to a viewing deck near the top of the bridge. You can learn a lot about the 25 of April Bridge in my article, A guide to Lisbon’s most famous bridges
Is the LX Factory worth visiting?
Yes, the LX Factory is absolutely worth visiting. I wouldn’t make it my first stop in Lisbon – for that see my Lisbon 24 hour checklist – what should I see and do?
After you have visited Lisbon’s obligatory, must-see sights, 10 things you should not miss in Lisbon, Portugal (plus a few more, if you have time) then you should aim to enjoy an afternoon or evening at the LX Factory.
There is plenty to keep you entertained at the LX Factory, plenty to eat, and plenty of original souvenirs to take home. If you would like a peek at what else Lisbon has to offer, see my article 205 Things to do in Lisbon – The Ultimate Guide
Thank you for reading about the LX Factory. If you buy something from a link in this article, I may earn a small commission.