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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Ride the elevator inside a parking garage

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

DocLisboa Documentary Film Festival

  • Dates: 17–27 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Film Festival
  • Location: Culturgest, Cinema São Jorge, others
  • What to expect: Ten days of global docs, panels, and retrospectives. Many titles are subtitled in English. Buy advance passes or single tickets per screening.

ModaLisboa

  • Dates: 10–13 Oct 2025 (TBC)
  • Event type: Fashion Week
  • Location: Pavilhão Carlos Lopes (likely)
  • What to expect: Lisbon’s edgy fashion week blends runway shows, design talks, and open studios. Some events are invite-only; check for public-access exhibitions.

Lisbon Marathon

  • Dates: 13 Oct 2025
  • Event type: Sporting Event
  • Location: Cascais to Terreiro do Paço
  • What to expect: The marathon and half-marathon shut down riverside roads. Spectators cheer runners downtown by 10 am. Avoid driving that morning.

Highlights for different traveler types

Culture vultures

Film season peaks with DocLisboa. Visit National Tile Museum on rainy days. End with a night tour of Jerónimos lit in golden floodlight.

Couples

Watch sunset at Miradouro de Santa Catarina, then share grilled chouriço at a tavern in Alfama. Stroll quiet Belém gardens post-marathon.

Solo wanderers

Ride Tram 28 during quiet hours, picnic near the aqueduct, and join a cooking class at Time Out Market.

Foodies

Snack on roasted chestnuts, seasonal quince, and codfish cakes. Hit Mercado de Campo de Ourique for artisan sweets.

Value hunters

Enjoy lower hotel rates and short lines at attractions. Look for weekday deals at spas and fado restaurants.

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.

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

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Campo de Ourique neighborhood

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

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Príncipe Real

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

  • When: Tuesdays & Saturdays
  • Where: Alfama (Campo de Santa Clara)

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 Paris in October

Is October a good time to visit Lisbon?

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

What should I wear in Lisbon in October?

Bring light layers: t-shirts, a sweater or jacket, and a compact umbrella. Shoes with grip are key for cobbled streets.

Is Lisbon rainy in October?

Early October is mostly dry, but showers increase late month. Expect ~80 mm of rain. Most fall as quick downpours.

Are attractions open in October?

Yes. Major sites and museums remain open. Watch for Monday closures at some museums and religious holidays around Oct 5.

Do I need to book ahead for popular sites?

For weekends and mid-October, yes. Pre-book Jerónimos Monastery, sunset cruises, and fado dinners.

What’s the Lisbon Marathon route?

It runs from Cascais to Praça do Comércio along the Tagus. Expect road closures downtown Sunday morning, Oct 13.

Can I still visit beaches in October?

Yes, especially early in the month. It’s warm enough to sunbathe, but water is cooler. Beach towns like Cascais stay lively.

Are trams running during the marathon?

Yes, but routes near the waterfront may be delayed or rerouted briefly. Metro is more reliable that morning.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it in October?

If you plan to ride transit often or visit multiple museums, yes. Especially handy on rainy days.

Do I need cash?

Cards are widely accepted, but carry small change for street snacks, markets, or old trams that don’t take cards.