October brings mild weather (14–23°C), sunrise at 7:50, sunset at 18:50. The Lisbon Marathon and DocLisboa documentary festival headline the month. Chestnut season begins, with street vendors roasting castanhas on corners. Crowds are moderate, prices drop, and the city feels more local. Occasional rain returns, but sunny days are common. It's a great time for food, film, and exploring without the summer heat.
Pro tips for visiting Lisbon in October
• Book Lisbon Marathon accommodation and race registration months ahead, as riverside hotels and routes fill quickly. • Go early to DocLisboa screenings for the best seat selection, especially on opening weekend. • Head to street corners in Baixa and Alfama for the first roasted chestnuts of the season—best enjoyed warm from the vendor. • Reserve tables at cozy tascas for autumn comfort food, as locals return to traditional dishes with the cooler weather. • Avoid driving along the marathon route on race weekend, as road closures affect access to riverside districts. • Choose museums and galleries for rainy days—DocLisboa venues are centrally located and easy to reach by metro. • Skip Tram 28 during marathon weekend mornings, as the route is diverted for the race. • Reserve tickets for Festival Fado Alfama in advance, as this event draws fado fans from across Portugal.
What to eat in Lisbon in October: Seasonal delicacies
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Caldo Verde (green broth soup)
October starts soup season again, and caldo verde warms up hill walks. Order it before dinner in Alfama.
Auteur-focused film festival runs screenings and premieres across Lisbon and Estoril venues. Spread-out programme. Pick a cluster of cinemas to follow.
Alfama-wide fado festival puts established and emerging singers on multiple stages. Nights get crowded. Choose venues close together to minimise climbs.
Portugal’s biggest marathon finishes at Praça do Comércio after an ocean-and-river route. Large road closures. Plan Cascais access carefully that weekend.
