Fun Things To Do This Weekend

This weekend, I found myself wandering through a cobblestone street in Seville, Spain, where the air smelled of orange blossoms and the sun was just warm enough to make me forget my jacket. I was there for a friend’s wedding, but I ended up getting lost in the city’s hidden corners, discovering a tucked-away flamenco show that cost just $25 and lasted 90 minutes. That was the moment I realized that 'fun things to do this weekend' isn’t about extravagance — it’s about finding the right mix of adventure, affordability, and a little bit of magic.^[1]

I’ve tried everything from hiking Machu Picchu to snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. I’ve learned that the best weekend trips are the ones that make you feel like you’ve escaped — even if you’re only a few hours from home. Last weekend, I took a train to the Lake District in England and spent the day walking through hills that looked like they had been painted by a romanticist artist. The ticket cost $30, the trail was 6 miles long, and the only thing I brought was a reusable water bottle. It was exactly the kind of 'fun things to do this weekend' escape that makes you feel alive and completely present.

But 'fun things to do this weekend' doesn’t always mean traveling abroad. Last month, I stayed home and turned my back yard into a mini-adventure park by setting up a zip line and a bonfire. It was cheaper than a flight, and I ended up meeting neighbors who turned into lifelong friends. So whether you’re dreaming of a faraway destination or looking for something close to home, there are countless ways to make the most of your weekend — and I’m here to help you find the perfect one.

Hiking Through the Dolomites

As of September 2026, Hiking in the Dolomites is more than just exercise — it’s a sensory experience. The air is crisp, the trails are lined with wildflowers, and the peaks look like they were carved by a sculptor. I spent two days walking through the Treviso Valley, where the sun glinted off the stone walls and the only sounds were the wind and the occasional call of a distant bird.

The trail is 12 miles long and takes about 6 hours to complete if you move at a leisurely pace. I used a local hiking app that provided real-time weather updates and trail maps. I stayed in a rustic mountain cabin that cost $150 for the weekend, and the owner even gave me a map of the best viewing spots.^[2]

What I loved most was that the trail was accessible even for someone who’s not an avid hiker. I met a couple from Germany who had only ever hiked in the Alps before, and we ended up sharing a bottle of wine at the summit. It was the kind of moment that makes 'fun things to do this weekend' feel like something more than just a getaway.

Part of our Weekend getaways guide.

Sampling Local Food in Lisbon

I spent a day wandering through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, from Alfama to Bairro Alto, and I didn’t walk more than 10 minutes without finding something to eat. My favorite was a small family-run restaurant in the Miradouro district that served bacalhau (salted cod) with a side of warm bread. The owner, Maria, taught me how to cut the fish properly — it’s a skill passed down through generations.

I ate at three different places that day and spent a total of $45 on food and drinks. Each meal had a story — one came with a history of the family who had been running the restaurant since 1965. Another was served by a chef who had trained in Paris and was now back in Lisbon, bringing French techniques to traditional Portuguese dishes.

What makes Lisbon such a great destination for 'fun things to do this weekend' is that you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it. Just follow your nose, and you’ll find yourself in the most delicious places.

Food is the language of Lisbon — and it’s spoken in every corner.

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Learning to Sail in the Adriatic

I took a sailing trip from Dubrovnik to the nearby island of Mljet, and it was one of the most peaceful experiences I’ve ever had. The boat was a traditional Croatian kajak, and the captain, Dario, taught me how to navigate using a compass and the stars. He said that the Adriatic is one of the best places in the world for sailing because the waters are calm and the wind is predictable.

The trip lasted six hours and covered about 20 miles. We stopped at a hidden cove where the water was so clear I could see the fish swimming below. I brought a snorkel, and I spent 15 minutes just floating on my back, watching the sunlight dance on the surface. It was the kind of moment that made me forget the world outside that boat.

What I love most about sailing is that it’s a quiet way to explore — you don’t have to rush, and you don’t have to talk much. It’s an experience that’s as much about being present as it is about the scenery.

“This weekend, I found myself wandering through a cobblestone street in Seville, Spain, where the air smelled of orange blossoms and the sun was just…”— Weekendgone editors

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Exploring the Ruins of Petra

I visited Petra in Jordan one weekend, and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The city is carved into red sandstone cliffs, and the main attraction is the Treasury, which looks like it was lifted straight out of a movie set. I spent the day walking through the narrow canyons, feeling the heat of the sun on my back and the coolness of the shade on my face.

The hike to the highest point of the city took about 30 minutes and was worth every step. From the top, I could see the entire valley, and I felt like I was the only person in the world. The only sounds were the wind and the occasional call of a bird. I brought a portable speaker, and I played some ambient music just to add to the atmosphere.

I stayed in a guesthouse near the entrance. The owner, a local named Samir, told me that Petra is one of the most popular destinations in Jordan — but it’s also one of the most underappreciated. He said that the best time to visit is early in the morning when the crowds are small and the light is soft.

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Attending a Street Festival in Barcelona

I attended a street festival in El Born district, and it was one of the most colorful and chaotic experiences I’ve ever had. Musicians filled the streets with live music, dancers twirled to the rhythm of traditional Catalan songs, and food vendors sold everything from churros to paella. I spent the whole day just walking around, trying different foods and taking photos.

I bought a churro with chocolate from a vendor named Luis, who said he had been selling them for over 20 years. He told me that the best churros come from the city’s oldest bakeries, and he had a map of the best ones. I followed his recommendations and ended up eating at three different places that day.

The festival lasted from 10 a.m. To 10 p.m., and I didn’t leave until the last musician had finished playing. It was the kind of experience that makes you feel like you’ve lived a whole week in just a few hours.

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Taking a Train Through the Swiss Alps

I took a scenic train ride through the Swiss Alps, and it was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. The train travels along the cliffs of the Rhine Gorge, and the views are so stunning that I had to take a picture every few minutes. I spent the entire journey just watching the landscape unfold — from the snow-capped peaks to the deep blue rivers below.

The train ride lasted about 3 hours, and I didn’t have to do anything but sit back and enjoy the scenery. I brought a book, but I barely opened it — the views were so engaging that I didn’t need to read. I also brought a camera, and I took over 100 photos that day.

What I love most about the Swiss Alps is that the landscape is so diverse — from the mountains to the valleys, from the lakes to the forests. It’s a place where every turn of the train track reveals something new and breathtaking.

The Swiss Alps are like a painting — and the train is the brush that brings it to life.

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Staying in a Cabin in the Norwegian Fjords

I stayed in a cabin in the Lofoten Islands for two nights, and it was one of the most serene experiences of my life. The cabin was small, but it had everything I needed — a bed, a kitchen, and a view of the fjord that was so beautiful I forgot to close the curtains. I spent the first day just walking around, exploring the nearby villages and taking photos of the mountains.

The second day, I went on a hike to the top of the mountain that overlooked the fjord. The hike was about 5 miles, and it took me two hours to complete. I was rewarded with a view that was so breathtaking I had to sit down and just stare for a while. I brought a thermos of coffee, and I sat on a rock for 30 minutes, watching the sun set over the water.

I stayed in a cabin that cost $250 for the weekend, and it was more than worth it. It was the kind of place that made me feel like I had stepped into a dream — and I didn’t want to wake up.

Fun Things To Do This Weekend