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Lisbon in October with great events and sunny weather
Think Lisbon shuts down after summer? Think again! October is when the locals reclaim the city, and savvy travellers score the best deals without the chaos.
The climate is mild, and the temperatures are lovely. You can expect an average temperature of 23°C (73.4 °F) and here and there a bit of rain. Overall, it’s still sunny and many unique autumn flowers will bloom!
As a Lisbon local, I love October in Lisbon as there are fewer crowds than the busy summer months, and it’s a much-loved destination for an autumn break. In this guide, I will tell you all about what makes Lisbon the perfect fall destination.
Families enjoy the fall holiday breaks, and couples and solo travellers can enjoy all the famous sights without queues. The prices of hotels also tend to drop. Perfect for saving a few bucks or staying in a higher-end accommodation for less.
There are numerous events, including the Lisbon Marathon and the Film Festival. Here’s everything you need to plan the perfect Lisbon October getaway, from weather tips to can’t-miss events.
The temperature in Lisbon in October
The climate in Lisbon, Portugal, in October is lovely for the time of year. Although there may be some rainy days, the average temperature in Lisbon in October is around 23 °C (73.4 °F).
There will be warmer days at the beginning of the month, and towards the end of October, temperatures might drop to 20 °C (68°F).
The sea is typically quite cold around the Portuguese capital, with an average sea temperature of approximately 19°C (66.2°F) in October in Lisbon. There won’t be many beach days, but walking on the beach is also a good idea. The beaches are also much loved by surfers from autumn to spring.
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Daylight hours, sunrise and sunset
There are about 11 hours of daylight in October, so you have plenty of time to discover Lisbon! There are even 6 to 7 hours of sunshine on average, so chances are, it won’t rain at all during your stay.
Daylight saving time (DST) will start at the end of the month. DST is only used in summer, and in October, it changes to Standard Time (ST). Standard Time ends at the end of March.
In October, the clock falls back an hour, and sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier from that day on. This year, wintertime starts on October 27th at 2 AM. At 2 AM, the clock changes to 1 AM. So you get to sleep an extra hour 😉
Is October the rainy season in Portugal?
The weather in Lisbon in October is generally lovely, with partly sunny conditions, and some rain is possible. There are an average of 11 rainfall days in the capital, and there might be some colder days with clouds.
The average rainfall in October in Lisbon is around 100.8 mm. It usually rains for short periods, and never the whole day.
Tip for a rainy day!
If you are in the capital on a rainy day, there is still much to see and do! Check out this guide with plenty of ideas!
What should I wear in Lisbon in October?
The weather in Lisbon in October requires a bit more preparation, and it’s wise to check the forecast before you arrive. The best advice I can give you is to bring layers. You might be able to walk in a t-shirt during the day, but when it rains, the temperatures drop. You will need long pants most days, but on warmer days, you can still wear shorts.
Bring a sweater and a light jacket to stay warm. And on a late night, the temperature can also drop significantly. A rain jacket is also handy and only takes up a little space.
On rainy days, I recommend wearing sturdy shoes with good soles. The famous Portuguese tiled streets, known as Calçada portuguesa, look beautiful, but they can be extremely slippery when wet. Especially when walking up the seven hills, be careful!
Things to do in Lisbon, Portuga,l in October
With these amazing temperatures in Lisbon in October, you can still visit many outdoor attractions. I will add some ideas for all weather circumstances so you can pick and choose what you want to see.
Lisbon Oceanarium
Let’s start with a favourite winter activity and a much-loved one by kids: the Oceanário de Lisboa. The Lisbon aquarium is home to 800 animals (representing 500 species) and features an enormous tank located in the centre of the building.
Skip the queue and book tickets online:
The Lisbon Oceanarium was already recognised (3 times, actually!) as the best aquarium in the world, and you can even find the world’s largest nature aquarium here.
The Lisbon Oceanarium is situated next to the Tagus River and is surrounded by several nearby attractions. You can take the cable car to (Telecabine Lisbon), towards the Vasco da Gama Tower. You can take an elevator up that offers some of the best views of Lisbon.
You can see the 12.345-kilometre (7.671-mile) Vasco da Gama Bridge and overlook Parque das Nações. The science museum Pavilhão do Conhecimento is also fun if you travel with children.
If you want to shop in Lisbon, the nearby shopping mall Centro Vasco da Gama has many shops. All these spots are within walking distance of each other. You can also explore many other shopping centres in Lisbon.
Visit the museums
If the Lisbon weather in October isn’t great, the many incredible museums will be a fantastic place to visit! One of the most famous ones is MAAT in the Belém district. MAAT features a modern museum with rotating exhibitions and a former Power Station where you can view the historic machinery up close.
The Belém district is perfect for museum lovers. You can also find the earthquake museum Quake here. It is suitable for older children and adults, and is both interactive and interesting.
The National Coach Museum, located next door, contains an extensive collection of 16th–to 19th-century royal carriages. Other notable museums in Belém include the Museum of Contemporary Art—MAC/CCB, the Popular Art Museum, and the Marine Museum.
The National Tile Museum is located on the other side of the city. It holds an impressive collection of azulejo tiles. If you want to know more about Fado, you can visit the Fado Museum in Alfama. Or dive into history at the archaeology museum at the Carmo Convent.
🎟️ Reserve your online tickets to save time!
Discover the other Belém highlights
When the weather is good, there are many other places to discover in Belém. Visit the Belém Tower, for example, with stunning views over the Tagus River.
Afterwards, you can visit the famous Jerónimos Monastery and dive into its history. And at Pastéis de Belém, you can taste the original pastel de nata with a cup of coffee!
If the sun shines, it’s also nice to book a boat tour from Belém. You can join a sailing tour, for example, and see Lisbon from the water. Most boat excursions take 2 hours and sail along the city’s shores. Lastly, visiting the Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém is great if you love parks and gardens. It’s a little oasis with stunning plants and trees. You can buy your tickets below!
Enjoy the Portuguese food
A food tour in Lisbon in October is a great way to introduce yourself to the Portuguese kitchen! It is a walking tour of the city, where you get to taste the many flavours of Portugal. Try the famous pastel de nata, codfish cakes, and bifana steak sandwiches. You can also enjoy the many alcoholic drinks, such as Port wine and Ginjinha.
In the evening, it is a fantastic idea to visit a Fado show! Fado in Chiado is very popular, and this experience lasts 50 minutes. If you prefer a sit-down meal accompanied by a Fado show, I recommend A Baiuca, Bohemia LX, and Casa de Linhares.
Famous landmarks that require upfront tickets
Lisbon has fewer crowds in October than in summer, but some of the attractions are always busy. Some sights get busier in the autumn and winter, as there might be some rainy days!
I’ve highlighted some of the most popular attractions so you can buy tickets ahead of time to ensure a ticket.
- Oceanarium
- Jerónimos Monastery (or free with the Lisboa Card)
- Belém Tower (or free with the Lisboa Card)
- Pena Palace (Sintra – timed entry)
- Quinta da Regaleira (Sintra – timed entry)
Lisbon events in October
Lisbon offers many fun events in October. Check out the dates below, and maybe you can attend some of them! Or discover amazing events in the rest of the country.
Moda Lisboa
Lisbon Fashion Week is this year in October, but no dates are confirmed yet. ModaLisboa was founded in 1991 and focuses on developing and promoting Portuguese fashion design. There will be workshops, exhibitions, and, of course, fashion shows.
French Film Festival
The French Film Festival, also known as Festa do Cinema Francês, is an annual event. This year, it starts on October 2nd, and cinemas in many cities participate.
Republic Day
Republic Day is celebrated on October 5th, also known as the Implantation of the Republic. This significant day commemorates the 1910 overthrow of the monarchy, the House of Braganca, which had ruled since the 11th century.
The monarchy was replaced by a republican government through a peaceful revolution, which brought about civil and religious liberties. It is a public holiday, resulting in the closure of schools, state offices, and some restaurants.
DocLisboa
The Doclisboa International Film Festival is from October 15th to the 25th. It’s the 24th edition, and it’s perfect if you love contemporary, artistic and experimental films.
Lisbon Marathon
The full EDP Lisbon Marathon 2025 starts at Carcavelos and finishes at Praça do Comércio. It’s one of the most beautiful marathons in the world, thanks to its stunning views over the water. The Lisbon Marathon is scheduled for this year on October 10th, with the start time at 8:00 AM.
The Hyundai Half Marathon and EDP 8K are scheduled for October 11th, with both races starting at 9:20 AM from Vasco de Gama Bridge. The half-marathon ends at Praça de Comércio.
Tribeca Festival Lisbon
The renowned Tribeca Festival is maybe hosting another European edition in Lisbon. The event is not yet announced, so we will keep an eye out. There will be Portuguese and international films, talks, and immersive installations.
Halloween
Halloween is not as big a celebration as it is in the US and Ireland, but there will be some Halloween parties held at night. You can join a pub crawl in Bairro Alto, where most parties will take place. Some nightclubs and bars might also have parties.
Lisbon day trip ideas in October
There are many things to do near Lisbon, and a day trip somewhere is always a good idea! Many nice places include Évora, Setúbal, Cascais, Tomar, and Óbidos. I’ve selected some day trips from Lisbon that are extra-special for October.
Surfing in Portugal
The winter months are perfect for surfing in Portugal! There are many surf camps, but you can also see surfers from the shore.
EDP Ericeira Pro takes place from September 29th to October 6th in Ericeira. Ericeira is a beautiful coastal town that is renowned for its surfing. Whether you want to stand on a board yourself or watch, a day trip from Lisbon will be an amazing experience.
Another surf town is Nazaré! These waves are only for professional surfers, as this coastal city is known for its big waves! The season of these giants begins in October and lasts until around March. When the weather, tides and other factors align, you can expect waves of up to 30 meters (nearly 100 feet)!
Fátima
Fátima is a well-known pilgrimage destination and a much-loved day trip from Lisbon. Millions of people from diverse backgrounds visit the city each year. In 1917, there were supposedly several apparitions, which are celebrated annually.
The first was on May 13th 1917, and three shepherd children claim they witnessed the apparitions six times. The last one was on October 13th, 1917. At that time, 70,000 pilgrims were present, and thousands of believers visit Fátima every year.
Discover the Portuguese wine regions near Lisbon
September and October are the months for the grape harvest in Portugal, and the exact times are decided each year. Even if you can’t witness the harvest, there are several wineries near Lisbon where you can enjoy a tasting.
Azeitão is the closest to Lisbon, and the Palácio da Bacalhôa and Casa-Museu José Maria Da Fonseca are wineries you can visit. If you have time, you can also visit the Alentejo Region and vineyards around the UNESCO city of Évora.
A day in Sintra
The most popular day trip from Lisbon is Sintra. Sintra is known for its stunning palaces and Moorish Castle. Many organised day trips are available, but you can also take the train from Lisbon. Pena Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the area. It sits high on a mountain, offering stunning views over Sintra
🎟️ Pena Palace works with time slots. Book your ticket here!
Another must-see is the Moorish Castle. Or discover the beautiful garden and tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira. Monserrate Palace also has beautiful gardens, and Biester Palace and the Capuchos Convent are among the hidden gems. There is a tram from Sintra to Praia das Maças, and the tracks and tram look amazing against the backdrop of the autumn foliage!
What to eat in Lisbon
Autumn in Lisbon also means that the castanhas assadas are back! There are roasted chestnuts that you can find on every street corner. They are served in small paper bags by half a dozen or a dozen.
But there are also many restaurants where you can eat delicious dishes! We love trying different Portuguese foods and discovering fantastic international dishes in the city.
Some great places to eat are:
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Hotels in Lisbon in the fall
As the weather gets cooler, a comfortable hotel is ideal! I suggest you check the map below, but I have also highlighted some beautiful hotels to spend the night. Prices tend to drop in October, so you can find an amazing deal if you’re lucky!
📍 Tip for budget travellers: Estrela Guesthouse is a great place to stay when you travel on a budget. The distance from Estrela to downtown Lisbon is short, but it’s a pleasant area to stay in. There is also a shared kitchen available if you prefer to prepare your own breakfast.
📍 Mid-range gem: Dom Pedro Lisboa Hotel is perfect for those who want to stay near the city centre and Parque Eduardo VII. The hotel offers all the luxuries you can think of, including spa facilities and an indoor swimming pool. Some suits even offer panoramic views of Lisbon!
📍 Luxury stay in Lisbon: Do you prefer to sleep in a palace? In Portugal, this can be happy in many places! In Lisbon, you can stay at Torel Palace, for example. The stunning hotel features even 19th-century mansions, and the suites offer the best views of Lisbon. The location is near downtown Lisbon, and the hotel is filled with history.
FAQ
Is October a good time to visit Lisbon?
October is a very pleasant time to visit Lisbon. The prices usually drop in the fall, so hotel costs can be lower. There are also fewer crowds, which is perfect if you want to skip the lines at the most famous attractions. The average temperature in Lisbon in October is still 23°C (73.4°F).
Is Lisbon rainy in October?
After a dry summer, you can expect more rainfall from October onwards. It usually does not rain the whole day, and there are still plenty of things to do in the city.
What is going on in Lisbon in October?
In October, the city hosts several events and activities, including the Lisbon Marathon, several film festivals, and Lisbon Fashion Week.
Are you planning to visit Lisbon in October?
With plenty of sunny days, Lisbon in October is a fantastic month to visit. Prices tend to drop in Portugal during the fall, and there are fewer crowds than in the summer. Lisbon remains warmer than many other European cities at this time of year, and the sun shines most days. You can expect an average temperature of around 23°C (73.4°F).
There might be some rainy moments from time to time, and of course, the latter half of the month might get colder. On a rainy day, you can do many things, such as visiting a museum or checking out the shops. There are also plenty of interesting sights filled with history. If you prefer colder days and fewer people, October is a fantastic month to visit Lisbon!
Check out the other months and seasons in Lisbon Portugal
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