The Top 9 Things To See And Do In Alcntara 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.

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.

Discoteca Luanda, Tv. Teixeira Júnior 6, 1300-023 Lisbon, Portugal, +351 962 077 898

Domus Club, 12, R. Maria Isabel Saint-Léger, Lisbon, Portugal

Radio-Hotel, 263, Travessa do Conde da Ponte 12, Lisbon, Portugal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Snap a unique photo from beneath the 25 of April Bridge

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.

About the author

Nina Santos

Nina is a Portuguese-American writer living in Lisbon. She spends all of her time exploring and sharing the amazing things that Portugal has to offer.