LX Factory is a former industrial complex transformed into a cultural hotspot for tourists visiting Lisbon (and locals, too, to be honest).
Due to its unique history and funky vibes, you’ll find a story around every corner here, mostly in the form of street murals that breathe life into the atmosphere (and make for great photo backdrops if that’s your kind of thing).
However, at LX Factory, there’s more to do than just wander around and take photos. You’ll also find tasty, trendy restaurants, stylish bars, and unique shops under the city’s iconic 25 de Abril Bridge.
How to Get to LX Factory
Going to the LX Factory from the center of Lisbon is very easy. Just take one of the following means of transport available in the city.
| Trams | If you want to experience Lisbon’s tram system, hop on the number 15 tram from Figueira Square. This famous tram will take you on a special ride along the Tagus River to the Calvário stop. Get off there and walk a few minutes to reach the LX Factory. |
| Metro | Perhaps the cheapest option is the metro (if you use your credit/debit card to ‘zap’ into the station, a one-way trip only costs you €1.61 in 2024). Take the green line and get off at the Alcántara-Mar station. From there, you only need to walk about 10 minutes to reach the LX Factory. |
| Bicycle | A more active and unique option is to rent bicycles. Lisbon has a public bicycle rental system called GIRA, which you can find using the official GIRA Map to see all the stations near the LX Factory and their availability, or use the GIRA Mobile Application to obtain information in real-time. |
| Car | If you’re short on time (or if it’s hot outside and you don’t want to walk much), order a Bolt or Uber. This is honestly the method we use most often to get to LX Factory, as it’s quick, simple, and fairly cheap (from the North of Lisbon, it never costs us more than about €7 to get there). |
LX Factory Opening Hours
The LX Factory is open every day! However, they extend their hours for special events and reduce them on holidays.
OPENING HOURS 2024
| Monday to Friday | 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday to Sunday | 09:00 am to 10:30 pm |
Because the LX Factory houses more than 50 shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, we suggest looking up the opening hours for the restaurant or shop you’re interested in visiting. Usually, they’re open as long as the LX Factory is open, but we’ve been a few times where that wasn’t the case.
To make the most of your experience at LX Factory, we recommend visiting during the evening, between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, to enjoy the unique early sunset/golden hour vibes and dinner options available here. During the summer, you can enjoy some stunning sunsets from the new rooftop terrace Under the Bridge.
Some special events, such as the Feira na Fábrica, are held outside of normal opening hours (or during!). The flea market, for example, is held every Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. We love getting brunch at Chef Nino or Therpaist and then walking through the stalls.
LX Factory Famous Bookstore
You’ve likely seen the photo all over Instagram, right? Over time, this space has become renowned for housing one of the best bookstores in Lisbon, Ler Devagar, where time seems to slow down between shelves full of stories and books waiting to be read.
While this is a great spot to purchase a literary souvenir while in Lisbon, the LX Factory isn’t only home to one of the coolest independent bookstores in the city but also hosts frequent literary events. During the SILK Festival, for example, the space is filled with writers, poets, editors, and literature lovers.
Where to Eat at LX Factory
Oh, man. This is a tough one!
Our top suggestion is to wander through LX Factory first to see what’s on offer. Then, pick a place or two where you can sample a dish at each. This is the best way to sample various things from each of the spot’s unique bars and restaurants (okay, maybe not each of them, but at least a few!).
Here are a few of our favorite restaurants at LX Factory that always seem to be a hit when we bring friends and family to show them around.
Cantina LX
The Cantina LX restaurant combines authentic Portuguese cuisine with a modern and cozy atmosphere. Thanks to its innovative gastronomic fusion, you can sample traditional yet reinterpreted dishes crafted from fresh and local ingredients.
Cantina LX has earned its reputation as a pioneer in the Lisbon culinary scene. Positive reviews highlight its good food, the diversity in terms of vegetarian options, and the friendly treatment of its customers (all of which we can confirm!), making it a must-see place.
Mex Factory
Another alternative is Mex Factory, a restaurant that stands out for its Mexican flavors. The menu is full of everything from meat nachos, chicken tacos, and quesadillas, to innovative fusion dishes, among others.
Mex Factory stands out for us for two reasons. The first is the unique lucha libre ring in the middle of the interior space (get there early and request the table inside!). We also love it for its terrace and the famous Frida mural. Snag a spot outside on a sunny day to enjoy tasty margaritas and live music (on the weekends).
USAxe Club
Another one of our favorites for good eats and a good time is USAxe Club, another spot with a unique industrial and modern design, where you can enjoy ridiculously good American food and axe throwing (seems like an obvious combination, doesn’t it?).
USAxe Club is a great spot for appetizers and drinks, especially if you’re on a date in Lisbon and want to enjoy some axe throwing as a fun activity. You can (and should) reserve a spot online to ensure there’s space when you get there. It’s €35 for two people for an hour of axe throwing, and you can reserve your table post-throw at the same time.
Sushi Factory
For a more unique option, there’s also the Sushi Factory. Its diverse menu, ranging from Nigiris and Maki Sushi to exclusive creations, stands out for the freshness of its ingredients, balancing flavors and textures.
What most of our guests seem to love about Sushi Factory is the experience. The menu, does, however, blend oriental tradition, contemporary creativity, and exceptional attention to detail. The service has always been great, too!
The Industrial Origins of LX Factory
The industrial origins of LX Factory date back to the 19th century. In 1846, the “Companhia de Fiação e Tídos Lisbonense” was founded, establishing itself as one of the most significant industrial complexes in the city.
Originally, it was a factory used to produce threads, fabrics, and products derived from cotton, making it super important to the local economy, generating employment and development in the country.
In the 1940s, the company was nationalized and renamed “Companhia de Fiação e Tídos Lisbonense—Indústrias Angela de Sousa.” However, the factory faced challenges in the modern era, leading to its closure in 2004.
Finally, LX Factory experienced a metamorphosis at the hands of creatives and entrepreneurs when it was transformed into the multifunctional space it is today.
Despite its modern façade, LX Factory maintains vestiges of its industrial and textile past, preserving old brick structures and restored machinery.
A Space for Creativity and Urban Art
This former industrial area has become a large cultural canvas where unique murals, graffiti, and street paintings have come to adorn nearly every corner of the facades of the buildings, turning it into what one of our friends called an open-air museum.
Local and visiting artists alike use the available walls as spaces to create an urban landscape that changes over time. This dynamic interaction between art and the industrial environment gives life to a unique environment that fuses the contemporary with the historical.
LX Factory also houses art galleries, creative studios, and coworking spaces where artists and designers work and exhibit their works. Depending on when you visit, you can enjoy cultural events and street art festivals.
What to See and Do at LX Factory
The best thing to do at Lisbon’s LX Factory is to wander around! We’ve been dozens of times and still seem to get lost only to stumble upon a unique little store or interesting new art installation (take time to look at all the stickers that line the walls of the bathrooms — you could spend a good hour doing just that!).
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, trust your gut and head into the restaurant that most catches your eye. If you’re not that hungry, try an acai bowl or a brigadeiro with some coffee. Or, grab a beer at the appropriately named Beers or some tapas at Taberna 1300.
As for the cultural spaces, it’s not uncommon for you to come across impromptu events, such as street performances, small fairs, or flea markets. So, visit with an open mind and open eyes, and you’re sure to find something that sparks an interest.
LX Factory often has food trucks scattered throughout the area offering everything from typical local food to vegetarian and vegan options.
