Lisbeyond Apartments: The Best Mid-Term Rental in Portugal for Expats (Review)

Portugal, Living abroad, Reviews
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So, I guess you’re an expat planning to scout Portugal for a potential move, and you’re looking for a simple, affordable mid-term rental in Portugal. Well, look no further.

Finding the right accommodation can be tricky: between overpriced hotels, signing long-term leases before learning much about the place, and confusing mid-term contracts that don’t quite fit.

Determining the best mid-term rental option as a new expat in Portugal can be overwhelming. But don’t panic!

That’s where Lisbeyond Apartments come in. They offer flexible, affordable, and fully furnished mid-term rental options, fostering a sense of homeliness as you decide between short stays and permanent relocation.

We stayed in one of their apartments while exploring Porto as a potential new home. So I’ve learnt some tricks to find the best mid-term rental perfect for your needs.

Here is my honest review and experience, both good and bad, from my stay at Lisbeyond apartments.

Hopefully, this will help you decide whether to consider their apartments as your mid-stay alternative option.

Let’s find out!

Jane smiles in front of a mirror in a modern Porto flat that is managed by Lisbeyond. She is dressed in a beige winter vest over a white blouse and pants. She has an iPhone in her right hand and black pull-back cornrows.
P.S. Lisbeyond is not the sponsor of this post. All opinions are mine, and our personal experience staying at Lisbeyond Serviced Apartments.

Lisbeyond Apartments: What You Need to Know

Lisbeyond is a property management company that offers fully furnished serviced apartments in Portugal, perfect for expats who need a hassle-free mid-term stay.

Even though Lisbeyond mainly focuses on property management, they do offer a few types of mid-term rental options. Included are mid-term stays, short stays perfect for regular travellers who prefer the charm of homelike small apartments over big hotel chains.

No chasing landlords, no dodgy contracts—just move in and get on with your scouting trip. Whether you’re exploring Portugal or anticipating a long-term lease, Lisbeyond serviced apartments simplify your life.

A mid-term rental flat in Porto features a modern, minimalist living area. The picture showcases a golden couch adorned with two white and gold cushions. It also depicts a transparent round coffee table for two with gold legs, remote controls, a grey armchair, and a yellow and grey lamp on a small table accompanied by books. Additionally, the image highlights an internal wall pattern, a stairway, and several power outlets.
A cosy living room from our flat

How & Where to Find Lisbeyond Apartments in Portugal?

Lisbeyond have properties in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, which are key cities that expats love. These aren’t random locations in the middle of nowhere; they’re in well-connected, vibrant areas.

Think charming neighbourhoods with cafes, coworking spaces, and easy access to public transport.

You won’t need a car unless you fancy parallel parking on a hill or narrow street. With supermarkets, gyms, and cultural spots nearby, you can enjoy the best of city life while seamlessly integrating into local routines.

Their apartments are listed on several short- and mid-term rental websites around Portugal. Among them are Booking.com, Airbnb, Spotahome and Homelike

However, if you want more value for your money, I would advise searching for apartments directly on their own website.

Remember that there will always be an additional booking charge (much like AirBnB) if you happen to find an affordable apartment run by Lisbeyond on any of the rental websites listed above.

That’s why I think you should book straight through Lisbeyond to avoid these pretty high booking fees. Think about paying a €500 booking fee over the initial apartment price.

Tip: Keep in mind that even though Lisbeyond offers serviced apartments in bigger cities. Overall, your alternative options for mid-term rentals will vary depending on your situation and the location you would like to move to.

Why Mid-Term Rental Matter for Expats

Moving abroad is exciting, but dealing with overpriced Airbnbs or committing to a long-term lease too soon? Not so much.

A mid-term rental lets you settle in, explore different areas, and figure out where you want to live. It’s like test-driving a city before making it home.

We’ve stayed in several mid-term serviced apartments since we began our Portugal scouting trip, and we’ve loved most of them.

In a separate comparative post, I’ll discuss a few mid-term rental websites that offer apartments similar to Airbnb but at an affordable price.

So, if you’re interested, make sure you subscribe below to know when the post is published.

Our Experience Staying at a Lisbeyond Apartment

Booking Process

We discovered a Lisbeyond apartment through Homelike just before the end of our first midterm stay in Porto.

We had a great time for a month and a half in our first midterm rental that we booked through Homelike, so of course, we had to use them (Homelike) again to book another apartment.

Everything went smoothly at first; we chose and reserved one of Lisbeyond’s wonderful apartments in the centre of Porto.

A week before our move-in date, the Lisbeyond team sent us an email saying that the flat we had booked was not available due to overbooking.

It was shocking and frustrating that we didn’t know what to make of this experience. This brings me to the next point below.

The image displays a simple piece of wall art that is displayed on a cream wall. This appears to have been taken in an apartment. There is a light switch next to the intercom in the picture. To the right of the wall where the art is hanging, there is another switch and a white door.
Photo taken from our flat entrance

Communication

Fortunately, they were very helpful and professional. After going back and forth via email to resolve the issue.

They eventually sorted it out (thank god!) and offered us a few options of their other available apartments in the same building as the initial unit we had reserved.

In the end we managed to reserve one of their lovely two-storey studio apartments at a lower price than the one-bedroom apartment we had initially booked.

Based on the above experience, booking with Lisbeyond through Homelike wasn’t very easy. There were a lot of emails back and forth between Homelike and Lisbeyond.

Luckily, we didn’t have to deal with all the booking issues, as that was being handled by Lisbeyond for us.

Overall, I would suggest that you check out and book through their website. It’s much simpler.

Pro Tip: Do not be discouraged if it takes longer for the Lisbeyond team to reply to your email. They have different teams dealing with different property issues, so don't let that bother you; they will always solve any problem you bring up in the end

You'll also be given a direct WhatsApp number to their team to call if you have any pressing issues, which is always a good sign (no guessing who to talk to about an issue!).

First Impressions & A Pleasant Welcome

We arrived at Lisbeyond apartment in Rua de Passos in Porto at around 1 PM-ish

We had a lot of bags and small items, as we had just moved from one apartment to the new one. As a result, we arrived thirty minutes late. The initial check-in was at 12 noon.

We were met and warmly welcomed by Inés, the check-in assistant; it was a quick and simple process.

Inés was kind and guided us through the guest onboarding process in a professional manner. She also didn’t seem upset that we had arrived late. This was a pleasant gesture for us.

They do offer self-check-in, by the way, but since we were the first guests to stay in this particular apartment, which we had no idea about until Inés told us. One of their teams was required to check us in.

A hallway leading to the entrance of the Lisbeyond building on Rua de Passos in Porto. A couple of large and small suitcases as well as other belongings can be seen in the picture. It looked like people were moving in. There is a beautiful chandelier in the hallway that lets golden light shine through. There appear to be stairs at the end of the hallway that lead down to a mailbox or something.
Lisbeyond Building Entrance Hallway at Rua de Passos in Porto

Key Features: Fully Furnished & Move-In Ready

Lisbeyond apartments come fully furnished, so no need to panic-buy a frying pan or plates on day one. The furniture is super clean, modern, and comfortable. Overall, the apartment features won’t make you feel like you’re living in a student dorm.

No judgement on my part if you prefer to stay in a shared dorm while you explore Portugal. This isn’t meant to be a “one-size-fits-all” list of options for expats looking for mid-term rentals in Portugal.

Ultimately, it depends on your situation, your personal rental preferences, and your budget.

Anyway, the apartments are also equipped with essentials like super-fast Wi-Fi because, let’s be honest, no one survives without it.

I’m sure if you’re a fellow blogger or work remotely, you can relate. Everything from kitchen essentials to fluffy towels is provided—just bring your suitcase, and you’re set.

Another great feature of Lisbeyond apartments is that each unit has its own external storage. We find this nice to have, especially if you have a lot of big suitcases like us.

We really didn’t feel like we were staying in a rented midterm apartment. Their apartments give the home-feel vibes.

The apartments have balconies, too, but unfortunately, ours didn’t have chairs. Since we were there for more than two months, we bought some cheap ones, which we left for the flat when we checked out.

A modern, minimalist living area in a mid-term rental flat in Porto. The room features a golden couch with two white and gold cushions, a dining table with grey plush chairs and keys on top, and a transparent round coffee table with gold legs. A grey armchair sits nearby, along with a yellow and grey lamp on a small table. A TV is placed on the wall in the room, and a floor-to-ceiling window with white curtains pulled to the left allows natural light to brighten the space.
Dining/working area & livingroom view from our flat’s main entrance

Utilities

All of the necessary utility expenses are covered! Don’t worry about figuring out Portuguese electricity bills or stressing over setting up WiFi. A mandatory additional fee for cleaning the flat is added to the monthly rent.

This felt like a nice gesture. But I wish this wasn’t necessary. Let me explain the “cleaning situation” in more detail.

So, you have to pay €50 a month for the Lisbeyond team to set up a time to clean, and they let you know ahead of time. After that, once a month, one of their supposedly “professional cleaners” comes to clean your flat.

I initially thought, “Great,” as I’m naturally tidy and don’t mind cleaning occasionally, especially since we’re not exploring Portugal like you would while on holiday. So, it wasn’t a problem to have spring cleaning once a month.

But what we saw after the first spring cleaning did not live up to what we were told it would be like. The bathroom and kitchen counters were left in plain sight of the so-called “professional cleaners” improper cleaning skills.

Being a tidy person, I must admit that I was a little upset. I reasoned that I could have done a better job if I had simply bought cleaning products at the supermarket for less than €20.

We have maintained our little two-storey studio apartment so clean since we don’t have the mindset of trashing someone else’s property because we have a security deposit, and it is not ours.

Keep in mind that their apartments also come with basic cleaning supplies like a vacuum cleaner. Needless to say, one of the best aspects of renting with Lisbeyond was their professionalism.

Naturally, as soon as the cleaning event happened, we took pictures and sent them to Rita, who was the first person we were assigned to talk to about any issues with the flat.

She profusely apologised on behalf of the cleaning lady and set up another cleaning slot the next day. This never happened again

An open white kitchen area with gold-accented handles and essential items on the counter. The mirror-like panels on the kitchen cabinets reflect a person on the staircase taking the photo. The reflection also shows a TV mounted on the wall and a yellow and grey lamp on a small table.
Open-plan kitchen equipped with all the essentials

Other Standout features

At some point during our stay, we intended to extend our stay by another month.

We did intend to stay in our current flat, but since we didn’t tell the team sooner, it was already reserved for the time we wanted.

Again, Rita was very helpful and kind. She showed us other apartments that were available in the same building for the period we wanted.

All apartments Rita showed us were the same in terms of features. The modern furniture makes you feel like you’re not just renting for a short time but also at home.

I apologise for repeating myself, but this is how we truly felt while we were staying at the Lisbeyond flat.

The small details, such as comfortable beds, hallway decor and warm lighting, made our stay so much more comfortable and simpler.

As for the mattress, we loved it so much that we even asked Rita where they bought it from so that we could buy one for our home.

Sadly, it’s one of those expensive mattresses that we would be too cheap to spend money on… haha.

A simple hallway in a Porto serviced rental building run by Lisbeyond. A white console table with gold legs and a hint of gold on the drawer knobs is seen in the picture. The table has a white and gold lump on it. A giant mirror is in front of the table, and the person taking the picture appears to be reflected in it.
A well-made bed with white and gold-coloured sheets. The bed has a cream and gold throw and two white and gold pillows. The photo also shows some simple wall art, black side pillows, and side tables on either side of the bed.The room looks like the master bedroom of an apartment with two floors.

Pros of Renting Lisbeyond Serviced Apartments

  • Fully furnished comfortable apartments: Their apartments have stylish decor, comfortable furniture, and all essentials provided that feel homey, not like a generic rental.
  • Flexible stays: You can book for a few weeks or a few months, depending on your needs. However, you must book directly via their website if you want to get one of their apartments. Their apartment listed on other midterm rental websites are subject to availability.
  • Prime locations: Apartments are in desirable areas with easy access to transport, cafes, and coworking spaces.
  • All-inclusive pricing: Rent typically covers WiFi, utilities, and maintenance. There are no hidden fees; what you see in the listing is what you pay. One more great thing I think is worth noting is that you can ask for something if the apartment is missing essential items, and they will get it for you without charging extra.
  • Faster than long-term leases: no complicated paperwork or local guarantors required. They do require you to sign a simple contract. This was super helpful, and we even used it to set up our Portuguese bank account. So, no second guessing if Lisbeyond is a legitimate rental company.
  • Local support: They offer customer service in English and Portuguese, which is a huge plus for new expats.

Cons of Renting Lisbeyond Serviced Apartments

  • Limited availability: You need to book early to secure the best places. We’re lucky to have found their new flat in the heart of Porto, as I mentioned above.
  • No flexibility terms for existing guests: As I already said, we wanted to stay for one more month, but our current flat wasn’t available. Rita then showed us several flats that were available, and we fell in love with one. We thought it would be easy to move from one flat in the same building to another—just pay the small rent difference and carry on as before. But no! We had to pay a government tax as if we were brand-new guests, so we had to give up the nicer one-bedroom and leave.
  • Pricing varies: some apartments are more expensive than others, depending on demand.
  • Busy Locations: It can be hard for new expats looking at Portugal to get to know the local people and way of life there because most of Lisbeyond’s flats are in central areas, which means there are a lot of tourists around.
Jane sits at a mid-term rental flat in Portugal and smiles at the camera. She is wearing a brown top, a gold necklace with the letter "J" on it, and her hair is tied back. Several household necessities and a stairway leading upstairs are visible in the background.

Final Verdict: Overall Experience & Who It’s Best For

If you’re scouting Portugal and need a flexible, hassle-free stay, Lisbeyond is a great option. This option is ideal for expats seeking a smooth transition before committing to a long-term residence.

Pricing & Value for Money: Is It Worth the Cost?

Yes! Even though Lisbeyond apartments aren’t the cheapest option, but they offers great value for fully serviced, well-located apartments.

For example, our apartment was €1200/PCM plus bills (€100), which might seem like a lot. But when we compared similar apartments on Airbnb, we found that the price was way higher (€2000-€3500 / PCM), and most were not up to the same quality as Lisbeyond apartments.

So, compared to overpriced Airbnbs and some other dodgy rental deals we came across, it’s a solid middle ground. You get comfort, convenience, and no stress about setting up utilities—worth it for a smooth transition.

Would I recommend renting with Lisbeyond?

Absolutely! If I needed a convenient, move-in-ready apartment while scouting in Portugal. Despite the little misfortunes, all in all, I’d highly recommend Lisbeyond serviced apartments to any expat or regular traveller looking for comfortable, ready-to-live-in spaces.

Read More Expat & Portugal Travel Guides

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may have affiliate links. When you purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Travel Blogger & Creative

Jane is the main author and founder of Adventures with Jane. Travel blogger, explorer, and creative. She's guided by curiosity and the conviction that every place has a story to tell—whether through personal experience, history, or people. This helps us grow and gain knowledge about the world we live in. Her hope is to spark the wanderlust within you and encourage you to go out there and visit new places.