‌

Lisbon in September 2025

September in Lisbon feels like a secret season. You’ll catch the tail end of summer heat, but with smaller lines and cooler evenings. Swim in Atlantic waters still warmed by the August sun, enjoy early harvest wines, and wander Belém or Alfama without jostling crowds. Local festivals, from horror films to Fado, return after the August lull. For best beach days, go early in the month. Don’t skip the Feira da Luz fair in Carnide—a true neighborhood scene.

Lisbon in September 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Avg highs 26°C / 79°F; warm days, cooling nights

☀️ Daylight

12.4 h; sunset by 7:40 pm

🎉 Key events

Santa Casa Alfama fado fest, MOTELx horror film fest

👥 Crowds

Medium-high early month, easing mid-Sept

🧳 What to pack

Swimsuit, sunglasses, light jacket for evenings

🍴 Seasonal treats

Grilled sardines, young vinho verde, fig tarts

How September compares

CategoryAugustSeptemberOctober

Weather

Hot, ~28 °C, peak heat

Still warm (26 °C), water swimmable

Cooler (22 °C), rain increases

Crowds & vibe

Packed with tourists

Mid-high early month, mellows after

Moderate; more locals out

Key events

Jazz em Agosto

Santa Casa Alfama, MOTELx

Lisbon Marathon, DocLisboa

Best for

Beachgoers, nightlife fans

Balanced mix: city + coast

Culture-lovers, hikers

Book early?

Yes, all of August

Early Sept yes; mid-late flexible

Only if visiting during events

Transport notes

Beach trains full weekends

Smoother rides post-summer

Possible closures for races

Budget

High (peak rates)

Eases mid-month

More value deals

Top things to do in Lisbon in September

Cruise the Tagus at sunset

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Outdoors, Tour

Watch golden hour from the water on a sailboat or ferry cruise. Early September evenings are still warm, and you’ll see Lisbon’s skyline shimmer from a breezy vantage.

Ride Tram 28 through quieter streets

  • When: Early morning or after 8 pm
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

Avoid the worst crowds and board this historic tram for a scenic loop through Alfama and Graça. Dusk rides come with glowing windows and fewer elbows.

Recommended experiences:

  • Lisbon Hills Tramcar Tour

Sip vinho verde in a riverside bar

  • When: Afternoons into sunset
  • Tags: Explorer, Seasonal

Cool down with this light, slightly sparkling wine popular in late summer. Riverside spots near Cais do Sodré offer great people-watching and ocean breezes.

Explore the MAAT museum's rooftop

  • When: Open daily (10 am–7 pm)
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Outdoors

Climb the sinuous curves of the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology for views over the Tejo. The light hits different in September.

Recommended experiences:

  • MAAT Gallery and MAAT Central Entry Tickets
Explore MAAT Museum Tickets

Wander LX Factory on a Sunday

  • When: Sundays especially
  • Tags: Explorer, Family-friendly

A converted factory hub packed with indie shops, murals, and food stalls. Weekend afternoons buzz with live music and browsing locals.

Bike the riverside to Belém

  • When: Mornings before heat builds
  • Tags: Adventure, Outdoors

Rent a Gira e-bike and pedal along the flat riverside path to Belém. September’s breeze makes it pleasant, and traffic is lighter post-summer.

Recommended experiences:

  • Belém by the Riverside: Lisbon e-Bike Tour
Explore Belem Tower Tickets

Catch fado in a courtyard

  • When: Weekends, early evenings
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Seasonal

As temps drop slightly, many fado venues return to semi-outdoor setups. Alfama courtyards or tucked-away taverns host intimate shows under lantern light.

Recommended experiences:

  • Walking Tour of Mouraria & Alfama with Dinner & Live Fado Show
  • Tickets to Fado in Chiado
Explore all Fado Show Tickets

Shop Mercado de Campo de Ourique

  • When: Daily
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Explorer

Less touristy than Time Out Market, this food hall blends gourmet bites with local rhythm. Great for a casual lunch or souvenir snacks.

Offbeat experiences in September

Watch a horror flick at MOTELx

Lisbon’s genre film festival runs mid-month. Indie, camp, and cult films screen in moody theaters downtown. Expect audience costumes and surprise appearances.
📍Where: Cinema São Jorge, Avenida da Liberdade

Ride the Elevador do Lavra

Oldest funicular with dramatic inclineBuilt in 1884, this tiny tram climbs one of Lisbon’s steepest hills. The short ride offers big views.
📍Where: Largo da Anunciada

Chill at Jardim da Estrela

Leafy 19th-century park with duck pond. Perfect for post-lunch lounging. Grab a coffee from the kiosk and sprawl under a jacaranda.
📍Where: Opposite Basílica da Estrela

Tour the water museum

Explore Lisbon’s aqueducts and cisternsThe Museu da Água is a cool, underrated spot featuring tunnels and water history. Great if the heat spikes.
📍Where: Rua do Alviela, 12

Catch Feira da Luz festivities

Local fair with food, crafts, concertsLong-running neighborhood fair with folk shows, cheap eats, and local buzz. Night visits are most festive.
📍Where: Largo da Luz, Carnide

Ride a ferry to Cacilhas

10-minute river hop with viewsCross the Tejo for skyline snaps, then grab seafood with locals.
📍Where: Ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas

Festivals and events in Lisbon this September 2025

EventDatesEvent TypeLocationWhat to expect

Santa Casa Alfama Fado Festival

26–27 Sept 2025

Cultural Festival

Alfama neighborhood courtyards

Outdoor Fado concerts in Lisbon’s historic heart. Ticketed headline acts plus free plaza sets.

MOTELx Horror Film Festival

10–15 Sept 2025

Film Festival

Cinema São Jorge

Cult-favorite genre fest with premieres, campy classics, and late-night shorts.

Feira da Luz (Carnide)

Through mid-Sept 2025

Local Fair

Largo da Luz, Carnide

Historic fair with food stalls, games, and local concerts. Family-friendly, community vibe.

Greenfest Lisbon

19–21 Sept 2025 [TBC]

Sustainability Expo

Estoril Congress Center

Portugal’s largest eco-lifestyle event with talks, exhibits, and green products. Easy train ride; pair with a beach day.

Out Jazz (final shows)

Sundays through 22 Sept 2025

Live Music Series

Rotating Lisbon parks

Free outdoor jazz concerts. Bring a blanket and wine for a picnic-style groove.

Highlights for different traveller types

Couples

  • Stroll through Alfama at dusk, with guitar notes floating out from courtyards.
  • Share a seafood dinner by candlelight in the historic Mouraria district.
  • Finish with rooftop cocktails, watching the Ponte 25 de Abril light up the night.

Foodies

  • Feast on grilled sardines and octopus rice at the lively Campo de Ourique Market.
  • Try fig-based desserts paired with a glass of young vinho verde.
  • Join a petiscos tasting tour to sample Lisbon’s version of tapas across neighborhood taverns.

Culture vultures

  • Explore Gothic and Manueline art at the Jerónimos Monastery, a landmark of Lisbon’s maritime past.
  • Book a late-night screening at MOTELx, the city’s horror and fantasy film festival, for an edgier cinema experience.
  • Catch live Fado performances during the Santa Casa Alfama weekend, when traditional music fills the neighborhood courtyards.

Families with kids

  • Ride Tram 15 to Belém to see its riverside monuments and stop for the district’s famous pastries.
  • Unwind at the Oceanário or take the ferry across to Cacilhas for waterfront views.
  • Spend an easy evening at Feira da Luz, with carnival rides and street snacks.

Solo wanderers

  • Browse the shelves at Bertrand Bookstore, recognized as the world’s oldest still in operation.
  • Pause at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, a terrace ideal for people-watching and city views.
  • Sip coffee at Fábrica Roasters, jotting notes from your Alfama strolls in a relaxed café setting.

Your perfect 3-day Lisbon in September itinerary

People on Segways under a large bridge in Alfama, Lisbon, with a sailboat on the river.
  • Morning: Ride Tram 28 through Alfama before 9 am to beat crowds. Walk up to the Castelo de São Jorge for views.
  • Breakfast: Stop at Pois, Café for eggs and fresh pastries (Google Maps: "Pois Café")
  • Midday: Visit the Lisbon Cathedral and explore narrow Alfama alleys.
  • Lunch: Try grilled sardines and white sangria at Santo Antonio de Alfama.
  • Afternoon: Walk riverside from Terreiro do Paço to Cais do Sodré.
  • Evening: Join a small-group Fado show in an Alfama courtyard (reserve ahead).
Lisbon city square with patterned pavement and historic buildings on a sunny day.
  • Morning: Rent a bike and cycle to Belém . Visit the Jerónimos Monastery by 10 am to avoid queues.
  • Breakfast: Fuel up with pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém.
  • Midday: Tour the MAAT museum and climb its rooftop.
  • Lunch: Grab poke or burgers at LX Factory's food court.
  • Afternoon: Browse Ler Devagar bookstore and boutique shops.
  • Evening: Watch sunset from a Tagus cruise ; bring a jacket for breezy decks.
  • Morning: Lounge at Jardim da Estrela with coffee and a book.
  • Breakfast: Go local with a galão and pastel de feijão at a kiosk.
  • Midday: Ride Elevador do Lavra and walk downhill via Miradouro do Torel.
  • Lunch: Snack through Mercado de Campo de Ourique stalls.
  • Afternoon: Ferry to Cacilhas for seafood and city views.
  • Evening: Head to Feira da Luz for lights, bites, and music

Best day trips from Lisbon in September

Sintra

🚌 Travel time: ~40 min by train

Tour colorful palaces and forested hilltops. September’s cooler air makes the climb to Moorish Castle less punishing. Book palace entries ahead.

Explore Sintra tickets

Cascais

🚉 Travel time: ~40 min by train

Beach town with art museums and seaside promenades. Ocean is still swimmable early month. Rent bikes to cruise the coastal path.

Évora

🚗 Travel time: ~90 min by car/train

Roman ruins and whitewashed alleys await in this Alentejo gem. Dry weather keeps walking easy. Great for a wine-tasting add-on.

Setúbal & Arrábida

🚗 Travel time: ~60 min by car

Perfect for seafood and snorkeling. Head to Portinho da Arrábida beach—less crowded than Cascais, still pristine. Bring reef shoes.

Go shopping in Lisbon in September

Lisbon’s oldest fair mixes pop-up shops, crafts, food stands, and live acts. It’s mostly locals, making it a true insider scene.

This open-air market features handmade goods, vintage finds, and gourmet samples under a canopy of trees. Arrive before noon for best picks.

Maritime Museum exhibit at LX Factory, Lisbon showcasing historical ship models.

Converted warehouses now hold art books, eco-fashion, and quirky souvenirs. September weekends mean sidewalk music and café patios buzzing.

This 19th-century mansion houses indie Portuguese brands. Shop sustainable fashion and ceramics in a moody, tiled setting.

Pro tips for visiting Lisbon in September

1. Book your accommodation early for the first week—rates are still high post-August.

2. Take the Cacilhas ferry around 6 pm for golden light and cheaper sunset views

4. Avoid Tram 28 midday—lines spike by 10:30 am; go before 9 am or after 7 pm

5. Bring a light jacket: evenings can dip to 15 °C even after hot days.

6. The metro runs until 1 am, but buses and ferries scale back after 11 pm.

7. For fado shows, choose weeknights for smaller crowds and lower prices.

8. Order vinho verde or sangria by the jug to save euros when dining al fresco.

9. Many shops close Sundays—but parks and kiosks buzz all weekend.

10. Use Viva Viagem cards on all transit—reload at metro stations, not on buses.

11. Avoid Alfama stairs in slippery sandals; cobblestones + incline = fall risk.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Lisbon in September

Yes. The weather’s warm, the crowds are lighter after early September, and cultural festivals like Santa Casa Alfama are back.