Lisbon District Guides: Alcântara
Alcântara
Alcântara is the dockland area of Lisbon sandwiched between Cais do Sodré and Santos to the east and Belém to the west.
Largely post-industrial in feel, many of the former warehouses have been transformed into shopping centers and trendy restaurants such as LXFactory and Doca de Santo Amaro.
The area has a number of good museums including the excellent Museu do Oriente, the world class Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) and the Museu da Marioneta (both in nearby Santos), Experiência Pilar 7 and the Museu do Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau.
The huge Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge) is the major landmark here and towers above the area.
The bridge opened in 1966 and connects the 2.3 km between the northern and southern banks of the Tagus River. It was the first bridge to span the river, before that ferry was the only way to cross.
History
The area, though now part of downtown Lisbon, was in the 16th century a suburb consisting mostly of agricultural land.
After the 1755 Earthquake more people moved to the area while central Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marquis de Pombal (Marquês de Pombal).
In the 19th century industry began to develop here and accelerated with the construction of the railway line from Alcântara-Terra to Sintra. The riverfront was developed with docks, factories and warehouses. Many of these have now been converted to other uses including restaurants, shops, nightclubs and apartments.
Attractions
LXFactory is a trendy shopping and dining area situated in a redeveloped 19th century industrial site. Former textile warehouses and printing factories have been transformed into offices, studios and stores.
The Museu da Carris is a homage to the long history of public transport provision in Lisbon since 1872. On display are historic trams and buses, including double-deckers as well as documents relating to the development of public transport in Lisbon. The museum, which opened in 1999, is divided into two sections with the old documents and small objects such as maps, tickets and uniforms in one building and the vehicles and carriages in another. You travel from one part to the next on a free tram ride.
The Museu do Oriente was established by the Fundação Oriente (Oriental Foundation) in 1988 to foster ties between Portugal and the nations touched by Portuguese expansion and exploration in Asia, typically Macau, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka and India. The Fundação Oriente was primarily funded by gambling revenue from Macau until the 1990's. The Museu de Oriente sets out the Portuguese presence in East Asia with an excellent collection of Asian art and artifacts including Namban (southern barbarian) art from Japan (exaggerated depictions of foreigners by Japanese artists), porcelain from China, furniture from Goa, India and folding screens from both China and Japan. Other exhibits include textiles, paintings, religious icons and oratories, masks, weapons, suits of samurai armor, a large collection of exquisite Japanese inro and netsuke plus old sea charts and documents.
The Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau (Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre) is dedicated to the history, culture and society of Macau. It was established after the hand over of the former Portuguese territory to China. The museum has exhibits relating to Macau's history and culture and also more general displays of Chinese art.
The Pilar 7 Bridge Experience (Experiência Pilar 7) is an interactive museum dedicated to the Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge). A visit to the museum includes virtual reality exhibits and superb views over the city from a viewing platform reached by elevator on the bridge.
Shopping
The main shopping area in Alcântara is LXFactory. Recommended shops here include the quirky Ler Devagar, a branch of the Bairro Alto book shop come happening space. Among the 1,000's of arty titles on sale there are also books in English.
Portugal Gifts specializes in crafts including Portuguese wine, sardines, Barcelos ceramic mugs and cork products.
Verso Branco also showcases contemporary, artistic Portuguese crafts.
Eat & Drink
For traditional Portuguese seafood cuisine try Doca Peixe in Doca de Santo Amaro.
LXFactory has several recommended eateries including Malaca Too for Asian fusion and A Praça for contemporary western favorites.
Bosq is one of several, hip nightclubs in the docklands area.
Access
The nearest Lisbon stations are Alcântara-mar and Santos on the Cascais Line from Cais do Sodre Station to the seaside town of Cascais.
Lisbon buses that run through the area include the #73B, #201, #712, #714, #720, #727, #728, #738, #751 and #760 as well as Lisbon trams numbers #15 and #18.
Nearby
Within reasonable distance of Alcântara are the adjoining districts of Belem and Ajuda. Take the Cascais Line one stop to Belem Station.
Accommodation
Places to stay in the Alcântara district are fairly limited. There are more options in nearby Cais do Sodre or Belem.
Some recommendations include the four-star Hotel Vila Galé Ópera, the five-star Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel and the budget The Dorm near LXFactory.
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