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Lisbon in October 2025

October is Lisbon at its most balanced: mellow temps, lighter tourist traffic, and a full cultural calendar. You’ll dodge peak-summer heat but still catch golden sunsets from the city’s miradouros. DocLisboa and ModaLisboa bring fashionistas and cinephiles, while cafes spill into breezy sidewalks. Tip: Lisbon Marathon (Oct 13) means riverside closures—avoid car routes that day.

Lisbon in October 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Sunny early fall; ~22°C / 72°F highs; ~80 mm rain late month.

☀️ Daylight

11 h; sunrise ~7:45 am, sunset ~6:45 pm.

🎉 Key events

Lisbon Marathon (13 Oct), ModaLisboa, DocLisboa.

👥 Crowds

Moderate; post-summer dip, but events draw stylish locals.

🧳 What to pack

Light jacket, umbrella, sturdy shoes for cobbles.

🍴 Seasonal treats

Roasted chestnuts, grilled chouriço, baked quince.

How October compares

CategorySeptemberOctoberNovember

Weather

Warm (26 °C), low rain

Cooler (22 °C), rain picks up

Mild (18 °C), wettest month

Crowds & vibe

Post-summer buzz

Cultural events, thinner crowds

Quiet except Web Summit week

Key events

Fado Fest, MOTELx

Marathon, DocLisboa, ModaLisboa

Web Summit, LEFFEST

Best for

Beach + city mix

Culture lovers, hikers

Museum-hopping, tech tourists

Book early?

Yes for early month stays

Only for event weekends

Only if visiting during Summit

Transport notes

Normal schedule

Road closures Marathon Sunday

Heavy Metro crowd Summit week

Budget

Still mid-high

Drops post-summer

Lowest (except Summit week)

Top things to do in Lisbon in October

Watch sunsets from Miradouro de Santa Catarina

  • When: Clear evenings, best mid-month
  • Tags: Outdoors, Explorer

October’s skies tint pink and orange over the Tagus. From this hilltop perch in Bica, sip a beer from the kiosk or join locals strumming guitars. Arrive by 6:15 pm for golden hour views.

Cruise the Tagus River at dusk

  • When: Mid-afternoons or golden hour
  • Tags: Tour, Outdoors

Mild evenings and fewer tourists make October ideal for a river cruise. Many depart from Cais do Sodré, passing under the 25 de Abril Bridge and past Belém Tower. Book ahead for sunset slots.

Recommended experiences:

  • Sunset Cruise on Tagus River in Lisbon
  • Boat Cruise on Tagus River
Explore Tagus River Cruise Tickets

Explore Jerónimos Monastery without peak lines

  • When: Early mornings
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

Tour this Manueline masterpiece while crowds are low. October mornings are cool and calm—ideal for admiring cloisters and Vasco da Gama’s tomb. Opens 10 am; last entry 5:30 pm.

Recommended experiences:

  • Jerónimos Monastery Entry Tickets
  • Jerónimos Monastery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Explore Jerónimos Monastery Tickets

Ride Tram 28 through Alfama in low season

  • When: Weekdays before 10 am or after 6 pm
  • Tags: Tour, Cultural experience

Fewer crowds mean you can snag a seat on the iconic yellow tram. Ride from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique and soak in Alfama’s maze-like charm without elbowing through tourists.

Recommended experiences:

  • Lisbon Hills Tramcar Tour

Sample roasted chestnuts from street carts

  • When: Late October afternoons
  • Tags: Seasonal, Family-friendly

Chestnut season kicks off mid-October. Vendors pop up across downtown; the smoky aroma marks Lisbon’s fall. Buy a paper cone for €2 and munch while wandering Baixa streets.

Visit the National Azulejo Museum

  • When: Midday or rainy days
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Family-friendly

Trace the story of Portugal’s iconic tiles in this convent-turned-museum. October’s occasional showers make it a perfect indoor retreat. Closed Mondays; plan around rain.

Recommended experiences:

  • National Tile Museum Entry Tickets
Explore National Azulejo Museum Tickets

Hike in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

  • When: Clear, dry mornings
  • Tags: Outdoors, Adventure

Cooler weather means ideal hiking. The Peninha trail offers panoramic views over forests and coast. Take a train to Cascais (~40 min), then a local bus or cab to trailheads.

Visit Time Out Market before lunch rush

  • When: Weekdays before noon
  • Tags: Foodie, Family-friendly

Come early to this gourmet food hall for fresh bites without the frenzy. Try bacalhau à brás or Lisbon-style prego steak. Lines peak after 12:30 pm.

Offbeat experiences in October

Catch experimental cinema at Cinemateca Portuguesa

Retro reels and bold new docs

October is prime time for niche screenings and retrospectives during DocLisboa. This art-deco theater hosts obscure titles with English subtitles.
📍Where: Rua Barata Salgueiro 39

Walk under aqueduct arches

Lisbon’s 18th-century water bridge

The Águas Livres Aqueduct’s pedestrian walkway opens weekdays. In October’s mild weather, walk the span above Alcântara Valley and enjoy aerial views.
📍Where: Calhariz de Benfica, Alcântara

Snack on quince marmalade at Mercado de Campo de Ourique

Autumn fruit at its peak October is prime for marmelo (quince).

This market has multiple vendors selling fresh fruit and small-batch jam—a Lisbon fall staple.
📍Where: Rua Coelho da Rocha

Explore post-industrial art at Village Underground

Shipping containers turned studios

This funky creative hub hosts events and DJ sets in repurposed buses and containers. Expect indie vibes and spontaneous happenings.
📍Where: Avenida da India 23

Using Baixa’s Free Elevator Shortcut to Castelo Hill

A miradouro shortcut

Avoid steep climbs: Baixa’s Chão do Loureiro garage has a free elevator that takes you up to Castelo hill. Works 8 am–9 pm daily.
📍Where: Rua dos Fanqueiros 170

Festivals and events in Lisbon this October 2025

EventDatesEvent TypeLocationWhat to expect

DocLisboa Documentary Film Festival

17–27 Oct 2025

Film Festival

Cinema São Jorge & others

Ten days of documentaries, panels, and retrospectives. Many films subtitled in English. Advance passes or single tickets available.

ModaLisboa

10–13 Oct 2025 (TBC)

Fashion Week

Pavilhão Carlos Lopes (likely)

Lisbon’s fashion week with runway shows, design talks, and open studios. Some invite-only; check for public exhibitions.

Lisbon Marathon

13 Oct 2025

Sporting Event

Cascais → Terreiro do Paço

Marathon and half-marathon along riverside roads. Spectators cheer downtown by 10 am. Expect major traffic restrictions.

Highlights for different traveler types

Culture vultures

Film season peaks with DocLisboa, filling Lisbon’s cinemas with documentaries and retrospectives. On a rainy afternoon, step inside the National Tile Museum to explore centuries of azulejo art. As night falls, join a floodlit tour of Jerónimos Monastery , where the cloisters glow in golden light.

Couples

Catch the sunset from Miradouro de Santa Catarina, where locals gather with music and drinks overlooking the river. Afterwards, share a plate of grilled chouriço in a cozy Alfama tavern, a classic Lisbon experience. If you’re visiting after the marathon, wind down with a gentle stroll through Belém’s quiet gardens, away from the crowds.

Solo wanderers

Ride Tram 28 during quieter hours to enjoy the winding route through Lisbon’s historic hills without the crowds. Pack a simple lunch for a picnic near the Águas Livres Aqueduct, a striking 18th-century landmark. Round off the day by joining a hands-on cooking class at Time Out Market, where chefs guide you through Portuguese recipes before you sit down to taste your creations.

Foodies

Snack on roasted chestnuts, warm and smoky from street stalls, alongside quince treats and codfish cakes that show up in autumn markets. For something sweeter, head to the Mercado de Campo de Ourique, where stalls brim with artisan pastries and seasonal confections.

Value hunters

Take advantage of lower hotel rates and shorter lines at major attractions during the off-season. Many places also offer weekday specials, from discounted spa packages to set menus at fado restaurants, making it easier to enjoy Lisbon at a slower pace and better value.

Your perfect 3-day Lisbon in October itinerary

  • Morning: Ride Tram 28 from Martim Moniz before 9 am to snag a seat. Ride through Alfama’s narrow alleys.
  • Breakfast: Bica do Sapato café for riverfront pastries and coffee.
  • Midday: Tour the Castelo de São Jorge; enjoy 360° city views. Bring water—it’s a climb.
  • Lunch: Grilled sardines and vinho verde at Chapitô à Mesa.
  • Afternoon: Visit Lisbon Cathedral and browse local shops in Alfama.
  • Evening: Fado dinner show in Bairro Alto (book ahead).
  • Morning: Jerónimos Monastery at opening (10 am) to avoid queues.
  • Breakfast: Pastéis de Belém—fresh from the oven.
  • Midday: Walk the river path to Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
  • Lunch: Dine riverside at Espaço Espelho d'Água.
  • Afternoon: Visit MAAT or Coach Museum , depending on weather.
  • Evening: Sunset Tagus cruise (book 5:30–6:30 pm slot).
  • Morning: Browse Mercado de Campo de Ourique for jam, ceramics, and crafts.
  • Breakfast: Prego steak sandwich at O Prego da Peixaria inside the market.
  • Midday: Take Gira e-bike along the riverside from Santos to Cais do Sodré.
  • Lunch: Time Out Market seafood stall—try polvo à lagareiro.
  • Afternoon: Walk up to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara via the public elevator.
  • Evening: Dinner at Taberna da Rua das Flores; try the chef’s seasonal petiscos

Best day trips from Lisbon in October

Sintra

🚋 Travel time: ~45 min by train from Rossio

October's mild temps make climbing Pena Palace and Moorish Castle breezy, not brutal. Forest trails show first signs of autumn. Wear sturdy shoes—terrain is steep.

Explore Sintra tickets

Cascais

🚌 Travel time: ~40 min by train from Cais do Sodré

Beach crowds fade but sun still warms the boardwalk. Visit Boca do Inferno cliffs, then bike the seafront to Guincho. Bring layers for the Atlantic wind.

Évora

🚗 Travel time: ~90 min by car or ~1h45 by bus

This UNESCO gem is stunning in low-angle autumn light. Explore the Roman Temple, bone chapel, and vineyards on a day tour. Fewer crowds, deeper charm.

Go shopping in Lisbon in October

A locals’ market with autumn produce, handmade jam, ceramics, and petiscos stalls. Bustling on weekends.

Boutique Lisbon labels inside a 19th-century palace. October brings cozy fall fashion and early holiday gift sets.

Lisbon’s oldest flea market. October mornings mean cooler browsing. Haggle for vintage azulejos and brass trinkets.

Pro tips for visiting Lisbon in October

1. Bring layers and a compact umbrella—showers are sudden but brief.

2. Avoid driving downtown Marathon Sunday (Oct 13); tram lines still run.

3. Pastéis de Belém sell out by 1 pm; go early for warm ones.

4. Book cruise or Jerónimos tickets in advance for mid-month weekends.

5. Many museums close Mondays; check schedules before planning a rainy day.

6. For sunset, Miradouro da Graça is less crowded than Santa Catarina.

7. Lisbon Card tourist pass covers transit + major museums—worth it if museum-hopping.

8. Cobblestones get slippery in the rain; wear treaded shoes.

9. Gira e-bikes help on flat waterfront routes but avoid hilly climbs.

10. Dinner rush is 8:30–9:30 pm—go earlier for less wait at popular spots.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Lisbon in October

Yes—October offers pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and cultural events like DocLisboa and ModaLisboa. Great for sightseeing without the summer crush.