LX Factory, Lisbon: Shops, Food and the Sunday Market

LX Factory is Lisbon’s creative hub: a 19th-century industrial complex beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge, now packed with independent shops, restaurants, bars, studios and street art. It’s a great half-day, especially on a Sunday. Here’s what to see.

Quick answer: LX Factory is in Alcântara, between the centre and Belém. Get there by tram 15 or bus, or the train from Cais do Sodré to Alcântara-Mar. Entry is free. Don’t miss the Ler Devagar bookshop. Go on Sunday for the market, or in the evening for dinner and drinks.

Why go

LX Factory shows a different side of Lisbon from the old town. Instead of tiled churches and viewpoints, you get brick warehouses, painted walls, design shops and a relaxed crowd of locals and visitors. It is compact, free to enter and easy to combine with Belém. It is also one of the best places in the city to shop for gifts made in Portugal, rather than mass-produced souvenirs.

It works in most weather, too. Much of it is indoors, so it is a good fallback on a grey or rainy afternoon. See Lisbon on a rainy day.

A short history

In 1846 a large textile company, the Companhia de Fiação e Tecidos Lisbonense, set up its mill on this site in Alcântara, then Lisbon’s main industrial district. Later the buildings were used by a food company and by printing works. As industry moved away, the complex was left half empty. In 2008 it reopened as LX Factory, renting its spaces to shops, studios, offices and restaurants. Old signs, machinery and printing presses are still part of the decor.

What to see and do

• Ler Devagar: a bookshop in an old printing works, with floor-to-ceiling shelves, old presses and a flying bicycle sculpture. The name means “read slowly”. Climb to the upper gallery for the best view. Allow 20 to 30 minutes.
• Street art: murals and installations around every corner, and they change over time. Walk the main street and the side alleys. See Lisbon street art.
• Independent shops: design, ceramics, fashion and gifts. Look for Portuguese cork, tinned fish, tiles and homeware. See Portugal souvenirs.
• Food and drink: brunch cafes, restaurants, pastry shops and rooftop bars. You can find everything from Portuguese petiscos (small plates) to international food. A rooftop bar at sunset gives you views of the bridge and the river.
• The Sunday market: LX Market fills the main street with stalls of crafts, vintage clothes, plants, second-hand finds and food. It usually runs from about 11am to 6pm, sometimes later in summer, and is free to browse.

Allow two to three hours to browse, eat and see the bookshop.

What to buy

• Tinned fish: sardines, mackerel and tuna in colourful retro tins. They are light, keep for years and make easy gifts. Pack them in your checked bag to be safe. See Portuguese tinned fish.
• Cork: bags, wallets and homeware made from cork, which Portugal produces more of than any other country.
• Ceramics and tiles: hand-painted plates, cups and tile reproductions.
• Prints and books: posters and illustrations by local artists, plus Portuguese authors in translation at Ler Devagar.

Food

LX Factory is a good place for a long lunch or an evening out. Expect brunch spots, burger and pizza places, wine bars and restaurants serving Portuguese petiscos such as pica-pau (small pieces of beef in a garlicky sauce), cheese, cured ham and octopus salad. For something sweet, a warm pastel de nata is never far away. Prices are a little higher than in a neighbourhood tasca, but lower than in the most touristy parts of the Baixa.

Getting there

• By tram: tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira and Cais do Sodré towards Belém. Get off at Calvário, a few minutes’ walk away. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes from the Baixa.
• By train: take the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré to Alcântara-Mar, a few minutes’ ride, then walk about five minutes.
• By bus: several Carris buses stop nearby. Check the Carris website or a journey planner for current routes.
• By taxi or ride-hailing app: a short, cheap trip from the centre. See the Lisbon public transport guide.

The entrance is on Rua Rodrigues de Faria.

Nearby

• Village Underground: a creative space built from shipping containers and old buses, with a café and a music venue, by the river on Avenida da Índia.
• The riverside: walk along the river to Belém. See Belém.
• Pillar 7: the bridge experience with views from inside a bridge pillar. It is usually open daily, roughly from 10am to 6pm, closing on Christmas Day. The lift to the top has been out of action since 2024 with no repair date, so the viewpoint is reached by 372 steps (last entry 5pm). See our Pillar 7 guide.
• MAAT: the museum of art, architecture and technology sits by the river towards Belém, with a walkable curved roof. See MAAT.

Suggested day

• Morning: Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. The tower reopened on 27 May 2026 with timed entry, so book a slot.
• Lunch: tram 15 back to LX Factory.
• Afternoon: the shops, Ler Devagar and the street art.
• Late afternoon: Pillar 7 (last entry 5pm), then drinks on a rooftop for sunset.

When to go

• Sunday: the busiest day, with LX Market in full swing.
• Weekday mornings: quiet, good for photos, though some shops are not yet open.
• Friday and Saturday evenings: the bars and restaurants are at their liveliest.

Tips

• Combine with Belém in one day: Jerónimos in the morning, then LX Factory for lunch. See the Jerónimos guide.
• Evenings are lively, especially on weekends. Book a table for dinner on Friday and Saturday.
• Shops often open late morning, usually around 10am to 11am, and some close on Sundays apart from the market stalls.
• Weekdays are quieter if you want photos without crowds.
• Bring cash for some market stalls, although most shops take cards.

FAQ

Is LX Factory free to visit?

Yes. Entry to the complex and to the Sunday LX Market is free. You only pay for what you eat, drink or buy.

What day is the LX Factory market?

LX Market runs on Sundays, usually from about 11am to 6pm, with longer hours at times in summer.

How do I get from LX Factory to Belém?

Take tram 15E from the Calvário stop or the train from Alcântara-Mar to Belém. Both take only a few minutes, or you can walk along the river in about 40 minutes.

More: unusual things to do in Lisbon, free things to do in Lisbon and things to do in Lisbon.

See also: the Museu do Oriente.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.