Explore the area around Alcantara-Terra Station, a lively waterfront district in western Lisbon. Find trendy restaurants and cafes, plus art spaces and boutiques.
Across the river in Docas de Santo Amaro, once-industrial warehouses have been converted into high-end bars overlooking an exclusive marina complex. Sit and sip cocktails on the terrace as you watch the Tagus flow by.
1. Lx Factory
The LX Factory is a creative district with trendy shops and restaurants set in a redeveloped 19th century industrial complex. The area was once home to textile and weaving companies. The area also has a unique 17th-century chapel and viewpoint called Capela de Santo Amaro.
This is where Lisbon’s young and hip come to shop, drink and eat. It’s not as picturesque as other bairros in the city, but it does have its charms: terracotta rooftops and blush pink streets where vintage trams roll past contemporary art galleries and trendy bars.
It’s an eclectic mix of people who hang out here: artists, smartly dressed business folk, laptop-wielding digital nomads and wealthy foreign investors with their Gold Visa apartments all mingle in the same cafes and restaurants. You’ll find out-of-the-box souvenir shops, cute coffee houses and a top-rated bookshop. Every Sunday, the neighborhood hosts a market where local artisans, fashion designers and hand-made artists sell their creations.
2. Docas de Santo Amaro
Docas de Santo Amaro is a trendy district where you can find out-of-the-box souvenir shops, cute cafes, and trendy restaurants. It’s also home to one of the city’s most attractive bookstores.
Despite the fact that this neighborhood isn’t connected to the metro, it has its own identity and an artisan scene. The area is also well-served by the bus lines 714 and 15, as well as by tram 18.
Getting to the area from Cais do Sodre train station is easy, as the Lisbon-Cascais line stops in Alcantara-Mar and in the center of the Docas district. Riding the train, buses and trams is free with the Lisboa Card.
3. Ponte 25 de Abril
The huge Ponte 25 de Abril bridge is the main landmark in the Alcantara area and towers over the docklands. This stunning bridge connects the city of Lisbon with Almada and is famous for its view over the Tagus river, the old neighbourhoods of Lisbon and its 25 de Abril statue.
Located right beside the river and surrounded by green areas is The Docas, a strip of converted warehouses that hosts many bars, coffee shops and restaurants with different themes such as Italian pizza or Irish pubs. It’s a popular spot during the weekend when locals enjoy a drink and a meal with the spectacular sight of the 25 de Abril bridge as their backdrop.
Alcantara is an up and coming area with a growing art scene, working space for entrepreneurs and many other attractions that make it attractive for tourists. However, the district is still a bit far from the center of the city and prices for renting and buying a house in the area are quite high due to its trendy reputation.
4. Capela de Santo Amaro
The burgeoning Alcantara district is filled with trendy restaurants, out-of-the-box souvenir shops, and cutesy cafes. This neighborhood is also home to a number of rooftop bars with beautiful views over the river. One favorite is Rio Maravilha, which has live music and board games.
The chapel of Santo Amaro is a Renaissance gem built in 1549 by Diogo de Torralva. It has a circular plan and an arcade covered in magnificent polychromatic tiles. Classed as a National Monument since 1910, this building is the perfect spot to take in some gorgeous views of Lisbon.
Alcantara isn’t connected to the metro but is well served by buses and trams, including the more modern articulo trams. It is a short walk from the LX Factory and Docas de Santo Amaro. If you want to go to the city center, you can catch a train from Alcantara-Terra station. This station is closed on weekends and holidays. On these days, the trains continue to Santa Apolonia instead and passengers need to change to another line for Alcantara-Mar.
