The Top 9 Things to See and Do in Alcântara, Lisbon
Enjoy Lisbon’s creative setting while simultaneously spending sunny days along the river by staying in Alcântara, located halfway between Cais do Sodré and Belém. Home to a port and industrial buildings, it has undergone renovation and now boasts a growing arts scene, working space for entrepreneurs, and a lively nightlife, in addition to many more activities.
Go shopping at the LX Factory
Market, Market
This strip of industrial brick factories has been converted into a hip neighborhood filled with out-of-the-box souvenir shops, cutesy cafés, and trendy restaurants, and it is home to one of the most attractive bookstores in Lisbon. Spend a day perusing the treasures inside and perhaps buy something special for yourself or a friend. Also on Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM, the main road is brimming with stands that make up the Sunday Flea Market, one of the best outdoor markets in the capital.
LX Factory, R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300 – 501 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 21 314 3399
Visit Ler Devagar in the LX Factory | © Marta Nimeva Nimeviene / Flickr
Go dancing
Alcântara is a fantastic place to dance the night away to a variety of music, including kizomba, kuduro, and other African-inspired beats. There are a few electronic music clubs in the neighborhood too.
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2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
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2. Thailand
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Discoteca Luanda, Tv. Teixeira Júnior 6, 1300-023 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 962 077 898
Enjoy drinks by the water at Docas de Santo Amaro
Whether you prefer sitting by the river during the day and sipping on a coffee while watching the water or heading out at night for a lively social scene, the Docas de Santo Amaro, or Docas for short, is the place to be in Alcântara. Once a strip of warehouses, the buildings were converted in 1995, and today, the bars and restaurants cover every theme from Italian pizza to Irish pubs and Portuguese eateries. In addition to the Tagus River, patrons will enjoy their view of the 25 of April Bridge from almost directly below.
Armazém CP Doca de Santo Amaro, 1350-353 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 21 396 3535
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Visit the Museu da Carris
Who doesn’t love the bright yellow trams that rumble along Lisbon’s windy streets? Now you can learn about their history as well as the history of the city’s public transportation in general. First opened in 2012, the museum was named after the major public transportation company in Lisbon, called Carris, and it showcases vehicles, tickets, uniforms, and more.
Museu da Carris, Rua Primeiro de Maio 101, 1300-472 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 21 361 3087
Eat the best chocolate cake in the world
Market
At least, that’s how they market their slices of chocolatey goodness at Landeau, a chocolate shop in Lisbon with a store in the LX Factory. Soft, semi-sweet yet semi-dark, and addictive, it is a perfect accompaniment alongside a Portuguese espresso.
Landeau, R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300 – 501 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 917 278 939
Landeau chocolate cake and espresso | © Nina Santos
Visit the Museu do Oriente
Restaurant
If you enjoy Asian art, head to the Museu do Oriente, a museum that opened in 2008 to highlight Asian culture and Portugal’s ties during the Age of Discoveries. Inside, the artifacts include paintings, statues, ceramics, textiles, and more. As a special treat, there is also a restaurant serving Asian food inside the museum.
Museu do Oriente, Av. de Brasília 352, 1350 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 21 358 5200
Take a photo from underneath the 25 of April Bridge
The Ponte 25 de Abril, or 25 of April Bridge, is one of the most well-known symbols representing Lisbon. Take a photo or two of the bridge, perhaps capturing the Cristo Rei monument in the background, or snap a selfie from directly underneath.
Enjoy a drink from a rooftop
Rooftop bars are popular in the Portuguese capital, especially with the many hills to take advantage of, and the rooftops in Alcantâra have a perfect view of the river. One favorite spot (especially during the summer) is the bright and colorful Rio Maravilha gastropub in the LX Factory. It offers live music, board games, and terrace seating, in addition to their delicious dishes and cocktail pairings.
Rio Maravilha, R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300 – 501 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 966 028 229
Book a unique tour
The LX Factory is also home to a tour company with an unorthodox name. “We Hate Tourism” tours will show visitors Lisbon and the surrounding cities through the eyes of a local, avoiding tourist traps and ensuring as authentic of an experience as possible.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
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