Sunny early fall; ~22°C / 72°F highs; ~80 mm rain late month.
What to eat in Lisbon in October: Seasonal delicacies
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.
| Category | September | October | November |
|---|---|---|---|
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) |
| Event | Dates | Event Type | Location | What 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. |
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.
Yes—October offers pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and cultural events like DocLisboa and ModaLisboa. Great for sightseeing without the summer crush.
Bring light layers: t-shirts, a sweater or jacket, and a compact umbrella. Shoes with grip are key for cobbled streets.
Early October is mostly dry, but showers increase late month. Expect ~80 mm of rain. Most fall as quick downpours.
Yes. Major sites and museums remain open. Watch for Monday closures at some museums and religious holidays around Oct 5.
For weekends and mid-October, yes. Pre-book Jerónimos Monastery, sunset cruises, and fado dinners.
It runs from Cascais to Praça do Comércio along the Tagus. Expect road closures downtown Sunday morning, Oct 13.
Yes, especially early in the month. It’s warm enough to sunbathe, but water is cooler. Beach towns like Cascais stay lively.
Yes, but routes near the waterfront may be delayed or rerouted briefly. Metro is more reliable that morning.
If you plan to ride transit often or visit multiple museums, yes. Especially handy on rainy days.
Cards are widely accepted, but carry small change for street snacks, markets, or old trams that don’t take cards.
Street vendors start roasting chestnuts in late October. The smoky-sweet scent fills city squares. Eat hot from a paper cone.
Where to eat: Near Rossio or Baixa-Chiado metro exits.
Autumn menus often feature this spicy sausage flamed at the table. Best with bread and red wine.
Where to eat: Tasca da Esquina, Campo de Ourique.
A warming kale-and-sausage soup perfect for crisp evenings.
Where to eat: O Velho Eurico, Alfama.
Octopus roasted in olive oil, garlic, and potatoes—a fall seafood classic.
Where to eat: Time Out Market, Cais do Sodré.
Made from fall’s marmelo fruit, this jam appears at markets and cafes. Great with sheep cheese.
Where to eat: Mercado de Campo de Ourique.
