Things to do during your first weekend in Lisbon

Portugal’s capital is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city’s unique architecture and picturesque streetscapes attract thousands of visitors each year – plus there are so many great things to do in Lisbon.

Whether you want to visit museums, experience fado music, or explore authentic Portuguese cuisine, there is plenty to do in scenic Lisbon.

If you’re moving to the city, consider a furnished apartment in Lisbon. Blueground’s flexible-term rental apartments are a wonderful alternative to a traditional year-long lease. Having a short-term lease lets you live on your own terms. Even better, you won’t need to spend your own time and money shopping for furniture!

All of Blueground’s move-in-ready homes in Europe, the Middle East, and North America come with equipped kitchens, luxury linens, fast Wi-Fi, and more.

When you skip the apartment search and book a flexible rental, you can spend your first weekend in Lisbon exploring the city instead of setting up your utilities or shopping for a new shower curtain.

Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in Lisbon.

Friday: Dinner and a Movie

There’s nothing quite like cooking for yourself to make your new apartment feel like home.

Pick up some staples at your nearest market, or head to Mercado de Arroios, one of Lisbon’s premier food markets, for farm-fresh produce and specialty items.

After dinner, take the time to get to know your new hometown on the small screen. Your apartment is set up with YouTube TV, so it’s easy to stream movies from a variety of platforms.

In Night Train to Lisbon the city is on full display as an intrepid Jeremy Irons tries to unravel the mystery of why a stranger almost jumped from a bridge.

Most of the movie is set in Lisbon, and you will see streetscapes as well as the iconic Estação de Santa Apolónia, a historic train station in central Lisbon.

Saturday: A Musical Interlude

Portuguese fado music is famous all over the world, and Lisbon is arguably the best place to hear some.

New to fado? Head to Lisbon’s Museu do Fado to learn all about this musical art form.

The entertaining exhibits will take you from newbie to enthusiast just in time to hear some live fado music over dinner. After all, experiencing fado culture is one of the best things to do in Lisbon.

Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood is home to countless bars and restaurants where you can hear fado music. We like Mesa de Frades, a lovely historic venue with delicious food as well as amazing performers.

Sunday: Views for Days

Beautiful Lisbon practically begs to be captured on camera. The city’s iconic electric trams are not only a great way to get around, but ideal for sightseeing as well.

Riding Tram 28E is not only one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon, but a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the whole city.

In less than an hour, you can get from from Praça Martim Moniz to Prazeres in Lisbon’s Campo de Ourique neighborhood. The entire route features gorgeous vistas.

Trams run every few minutes, so don’t be afraid to hop off if you see an area you want to explore more. Part of the charm of taking an old-fashioned tram is seeing the unexpected!

Whether you’re staying in the city for a month or a year or longer, we hope we’ve given you more than enough ideas to make the most of your first weekend in Lisbon.

If you’re still renting the old-fashioned way, you owe it to yourself to find out more about the Blueground experience.