Review by Ana, Remote Project Manager | Portuguese resident, tried multiple spaces
4 SECOND HOME MERCADO DA RIBEIRA
5 SECOND HOME MERCADO DA RIBEIRA
6 IMPACT HUB LISBON
7 IMPACT HUB LISBON
SECOND HOME MERCADO DA RIBEIRA Av. 24 de Julho, Cais do Sodré €235-307/month hotdesk | €340-443/month fixed desk
Let me address the elephant in the room: this is expensive for coworking. I'll explain why some people think it's worth it.
The Space:
Second Home is gorgeous - designed by Selgascano architects, filled with plants, natural light, distinctive orange desks. It's inside Time Out Market on the upper floor, which is both a benefit and consideration.
What You're Paying For:
Infrastructure:
- Excellent internet (fiber, 500mbps+)
- Soundproof phone booths (4-5 available)
- Meeting rooms (bookable, professional setup)
- High-quality coffee/tea included
- Printing, scanning services
- Mail handling
Environment: Genuinely beautiful workspace. If you spend 40+ hours/week there, the aesthetic quality matters. Natural light, greenery, comfortable furniture.
Community: Mix of startups, established companies with remote workers, freelancers. More international than most Lisbon spaces. Regular events and workshops.
The Trade-offs:
Hotdesk (€235-307): No assigned seat, but usually available. You might not get your preferred spot during peak hours (11am-4pm).
Fixed Desk (€340-443): Your own space, can leave stuff overnight. Better for people here long-term.
Location: Above Time Out Market means lunch options are incredible but also expensive (€10-15 per meal adds up). The tourist crowds below can feel chaotic.
IS IT WORTH IT?
For me (company pays): Yes. Reliable, professional, great for client calls.
For self-funded nomads: Depends. If you're here 3+ months and need professional setup, maybe. If budget is tight, there are alternatives.
IMPACT HUB LISBON
Baixa Chiado Tv. Pedras Negras 1, 1º Dto
€30/day (monthly available, ask for rates)
Penha de França R. 1º de Maio 103, Alcântara €30/day (monthly available, ask for rates)
I used the Baixa location for a month before joining Second Home.
The Good:
- Social enterprise/NGO community (if that's your scene)
- Decent infrastructure - wifi works, meeting rooms available
- Central location (Baixa Chiado)
- Friendly, collaborative atmosphere
The Reality: €30/day is high for occasional use. Monthly rates are around €180-220 (they don't advertise this - you have to ask), which is more reasonable.
The space is smaller, more casual than Second Home. Good for community, not as polished for client presentations.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LISBON:
If Budget Matters:
- Selina has coworking for €100-150/month (basic but functional)
- Many cafés welcome laptops (Ler Devagar in LX Factory, Fábrica Coffee Roasters)
- Libraries have free wifi (though not ideal for calls)
If Quality Matters:
- Second Home for premium experience
- Impact Hub for community focus
- Beta-i and Village Underground are other solid options
Lisbon Reality: Coworking is expensive here compared to most nomad hubs. That's because:
- Apartments are small (working from home is challenging)
- Café culture exists but cafés aren't always laptop-friendly
- Strong remote work community drives demand
My Setup: I use Second Home 3-4 days/week (company expense), work from home or cafés other days. If I were paying myself, I'd probably do Impact Hub or create a café rotation with occasional coworking day passes.
Lisbon is a beautiful city with good infrastructure. The coworking costs reflect the overall cost of living here - not cheap, but you get quality and safety in return.