35 mins by bus and you enter a different world.
LX Factory in the Alcantara district is a super-cool place! It was an old tissue factory founded in 1846 but got transformed into an inspiring melting pot of painters, designers, art shops & bars. All located under the shadow of the 25th of April bridge and it breaths creativity.
The below art work is from Artur Bordalo (*1987) a Lisboa born artist.
He’s a socially engaged visual artist who criticises the consumer society and makes beautiful murals with waste materials found on the streets of Lisbon.
If you look closely, you can see part of a car spoiler, plastics, wood etc. He is not the only artist to brighten up the streets with art but he sure is the most engaged. Art with a message!
20 mins by bus from LX Factory you have Belém.
It probably rings a bell if you like custard tarts. In 1837 Pastéis de Belém originated here. Did we try them? Of course.
I you walk towards the riverbank you will spot from a distance a limestone monument honouring Prince Henry the Navigator. Shaped like a ship, 56 meters tall and with statues on both sides. Just a stone’s throw away you will see the Belém tower. Built to protect the entrance to Lisboa’s harbour.
On our way back to Lisbon we made a quick stop to admire the Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia. In short MAAT. We didn’t visit the museum itself because we were running out of time and the smell of grilled sardines found their way.
30 mins driving just outside the Lisbon city border and you’ll end up in a different world. Sintra.
In the middle of a magnificent park you can visit a colourful castle, Palácio da Pena. And we were not the only ones, it showed to be a popular place.
Another lovely castle, although less colourful, is Quinta da Regaleira. It has a special kind of atmosphere, like you’re part of a fairytale.
