Weekend in Lisboa

How to spend 2 days in Lisboa — a Friday-to-Sunday plan covering the highlights without the tourist-trap detours. Built from real attraction data.

Friday Evening

Arrive and Settle In

Friday evening is for arriving, checking in, and getting oriented. Keep it simple — a short walk to get your bearings, then dinner near the hotel.

Arco da Rua Augusta

Free 100m from centre

A triumphal arch linking Praça do Comércio to Rua Augusta. You can climb the 96 steps to a small viewing platform above the arch.

Tip: The climb is free if you’re quick, but the official access fee is €3. Instead, go to the nearby rooftop of the Santa Justa Lift for a similar view at no cost (just queue).

Miradouro da Graça

Free 1.5km from centre

A sunny terrace overlooking the city and the Tagus River. Benches, shade and a small kiosk bar. Quieter than the more famous viewpoints.

Tip: Go at sunset on a weekday to avoid crowds. Bring a bottle of wine from the nearby mini-mercado.

Friday dinner pick

Saraiva
Saturday — Full Day

The Main Sights

Saturday is your main sightseeing day. Start early to beat the crowds at the top attractions, then take the afternoon at a slower pace.

1

Mercado de Campo de Ourique

Free Monday to Saturday, 08:00–20:0

A renovated traditional market with fresh produce stalls, pastelarias, and small food counters. Less touristy than Time Out Market; locals do their shopping here.

Tip: Best for a cheap lunch: pick up a pastel de nata (€1.30) and a coffee from the corner bakery. Avoid the seafood counters if you’re on a tight budget.

2

Jardim Botânico de Lisboa

0 Monday to Saturday, 09:00–18:0

A calm, slightly neglected 19th-century botanical garden with towering palm trees, tropical plants and a ruined greenhouse. Steep paths and benches for reading.

Tip: Entry is €2. Go on a dry weekday morning when it’s nearly empty. Watch for fallen fruit on the paths.

3

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

0 Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:

Houses an extraordinary collection of Portuguese tiles from the 15th century to modern day, including a 36-metre-long panel of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake.

Tip: Free entry on Sundays until 2pm, and for all under-12s. The cloister café is lovely but pricey; bring a snack.

Saturday dining

Lunch Leitaria Académica
Dinner Magnetic
Sunday Morning

Before You Leave

Sunday morning, before checkout, is for the things you didn't fit in on Saturday — or a slower revisit of the place you liked most.

Sunday brunch

The Great American Disaster

Getting Around Lisboa

metro
Metro Linha Vermelha

Lisbon Airport (LIS) - Aeroporto station → Browns Boutique Hotel & Apartments (via Alameda, then Linha Verde to Rossio)

From £€1.50 35 min
tram
Tram 28

Martim Moniz (base of hill near hotel) → Graca & Alfama (scenic loop back to Martim Moniz)

From £€1.50 45 min
taxi
Lisbon Airport Taxi

Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Browns Boutique Hotel & Apartments

From £€15 20 min
bus
Aerobus Line 1

Lisbon Airport (LIS) - Stop outside Terminal 1 → Browns Boutique Hotel & Apartments (closest stop: Restauradores)

From £€4.10 25 min

Where to Stay for a Lisboa Weekend

For a short break, stay central — walking distance to the main sights saves hours across a 2-day itinerary.

Weekend in Lisboa — FAQ

Is a weekend enough to see Lisboa?

A weekend (2 full days) is enough to cover the highlights of Lisboa. You can see the main attractions, eat at a couple of good restaurants and get a real feel for the city — as long as you prioritise well. This guide is structured to help you do exactly that.

When is the best weekend to visit Lisboa?

See our full best time to visit Lisboa guide. For a weekend break, shoulder season (spring and autumn) typically offers the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and reasonable hotel prices.

Where should I stay for a weekend in Lisboa?

For a short break, stay as central as possible — walking distance to the main sights saves significant time and lets you head out after dinner without worrying about transport. See the best hotels in Lisboa for rated options. TripSage's free briefings tell you the specific rooms to request at each property.

How do I get around Lisboa for a weekend?

The main transport options in Lisboa include Metro Linha Vermelha and Tram 28. For a short stay, walking and public transport are usually the most time-efficient combination — parking in most city centres adds cost and delays.

More Lisboa Guides