12 Things to Do in Lisbon in October

October is a great time to visit Lisbon. Why? Because, as well as international celebrations such as Halloween, the Portuguese capital hosts other major events throughout the month that are of great cultural significance to the city.

If you’re looking for alternative plans for October or want to experience a unique Lisbon that isn’t available the rest of the year, you’ve chosen a great month to visit. My favourite plans include plenty of cinema and the odd night out, but don’t worry – you’ll also have the chance to explore the more rural areas around Lisbon.

Lisbon has many great things to offer, and one of them is its food. Obviously, you don’t need to visit in October to enjoy its cuisine, but if you do travel there that month, I have some good news: the city’s tapas route takes place. What exactly does it involve? For a very reasonable price that includes a drink and a tapa at various venues, you can go on a gastronomic tour and savour Lisbon.

Actually, the Portuguese call tapas ‘petiscos’, as they are small dishes that can be eaten in a single bite. Although there are all sorts, for me the best ones – and the ones you simply must try – are those featuring seafood, which is of very high quality in Lisbon.

The October tapas route is a great way to ensure you try a variety of petiscos. Bars in the Portuguese capital often devise and cook up new dishes exclusively for this event, aiming to combine the pleasure of sampling tapas and having a few beers whilst exploring Lisbon; in short, a way to highlight the value of its culture and cuisine. Are you going to miss out?

If it rains on one of the days you’re in Lisbon – which is quite likely if you’re visiting Lisbon (the forecast is for at least 8 days of rain) – I’d advise you to opt for an indoor activity that will keep you entertained for at least half a day. Where? Book some tickets for the Oceanarium. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of life contained within its 5 million litres of water.

With species from all the world’s oceans, the Lisbon Oceanarium has become one of the city’s biggest attractions, for both children and adults. The best thing is that the natural habitats of the marine animals have been recreated very well, so beneath its tunnels and in its exhibition halls, you’ll find penguins, rays and even a sunfish.

A runner always travels with their running shoes… Is that you? Well, you’re in luck because Lisbon hosts its marathon in October. Not only will you have the chance to beat your personal best, but you’ll do so whilst taking in one of the city’s most beautiful areas: its coastline. Because yes, the 42-kilometre route takes in stunning scenery, starting in Cascais and finishing in the heart of the capital.

Every year, thousands of runners, some from all over the world, gather in Lisbon to add another marathon to their list. The good news is that if you’re not up for the full marathon, there are two shorter options: the Half Marathon, which crosses the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and the 10-kilometre Vodafone Race, which crosses the 25 de Abril Bridge.

I won’t lie to you, Lisbon’s hilly terrain is tiring and challenging, but it’s worth it if you’ve trained for it and want to explore the city and its surroundings whilst running a marathon.

Catholics know that on 13 October 1917 something significant happened at the Sanctuary of Fátima. On that date, it is said that the ‘Lady of the Rosary’ appeared for the first time before her faithful, and then did so on several further occasions, also on the 13th. Since then, it has become very common to visit the sanctuary on that date. You might even see the Virgin!

Whether or not you’re lucky enough to see the Virgin appear before you, this is a must-see if you’re in Lisbon, as it takes about an hour to book a trip to Fátima from Lisbon. Mind you, I should warn you that, given the significance of the date, you’ll find yourself among many other pilgrims. Even so, it’s a good opportunity to witness their devotion and also explore the sanctuary itself, which is quite beautiful.

The apparition at Fátima

It was 1917 when three young shepherds, Lucia de Jesus, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were fortunate enough to have the Virgin Mary appear to them in the village of Fátima. On that first visit, she told them to pray hard and that they would see her again in a month’s time. When that day came, she asked them to build a basilica in her honour.

The Chapel of the Apparitions

This is the most important site and the first to be built. You will find an image of the Virgin Mary at the spot where she appeared to the shepherd children; today, this place serves as an altar where pilgrims pray when they arrive in Fátima on foot, via one of the four routes.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima

It was built after the chapel to accommodate the large number of worshippers who came to see the Virgin. It was designed by Gerard Van Kriechen in the Baroque style, and both the building and the sculptures inside were constructed using Moimento, the region’s most famous stone.

Inside the basilica are also the tombs of the three children who first saw the Virgin.

October marks the start of the roasted chestnut season in Lisbon, so you’ll find it hard to resist buying some from the wooden stalls that fill the city. Although November is when the most chestnuts are eaten in Lisbon, October is the month when they start to be harvested, so get ready to try tender, flavourful chestnuts.

When you arrive in Lisbon, you’ll see that people love roasted chestnuts – their aroma wafts through the whole city! Be careful, though, not to end up buying them from the most expensive stalls offering the poorest quality. My advice is to start wandering the streets and, in busy, traditional areas such as Largo do Chiado or Rua Augusta, grab a newspaper cone full of chestnuts.

Who wouldn’t want to enjoy Lisbon? If you’re visiting in October, you’ll get to do just that in wonderful weather. During this month, Portugal’s capital enjoys quite pleasant temperatures, even at night (around 16°C), allowing you to experience Lisbon’s nightlife like never before.

The Portuguese capital is famous for its vibrant nightlife. Whether you fancy dancing to the beat of the music or having a wander around the city’s bars, you can do so without feeling the cold on the streets or getting too hot inside the venues. Whatever kind of party you fancy, after dinner you can choose between having a few beers on a terrace, paying the entrance fee to a nightclub or simply going from pub to pub.

Where to go out? You could say that Lisbon’s nightlife is concentrated in four neighbourhoods; which one to choose will depend on your mood, the atmosphere you’re looking for and your budget.

• Barrio Alto: the students’ favourite and, therefore, the most affordable and trendy. Here you’ll find plenty of nightclubs, bars with live music and also an LGTBIQ+ area.
• Docas: in this area, you’ll need to dig deep into your savings and put on your best outfit, as venues often have a strict dress code.
• Santos and Cais Do Sodre: the newest and most alternative spots are in this neighbourhood.

If you enjoy surfing, the town of Cascais, very close to Lisbon, is an idyllic destination for enjoying the waves in October. Its reputation is such that for years, one of the most important international surfing championships has been held there during this very month. Even if you don’t fancy taking part, you can always book a day trip from the Portuguese capital and spend a day surfing.

A few years ago, Cascais, and the rest of the Portuguese Riviera, was known as a tourist destination for the aristocracy, but today it is a much more modern town with a strong surfing culture. October is a month when many water sports enthusiasts flock here to make the most of the waves.

If there’s one beach that surfers are crazy about, it’s Carcavelos, where the locals gather every morning. If you’d like to join them, you’ll have no trouble at all; there are several surf schools and shops nearby where you can hire equipment. Once you’ve finished catching waves, remember that Cascais is a fishing village, so you can enjoy delicious dishes at one of its restaurants.

You can also book a surf lesson in Lisbon on the Caparica coast, the ideal spot for this sport thanks to its long stretches of beach and proximity to the Portuguese capital.

The tram is undoubtedly one of the most iconic symbols of the city of Lisbon. Its use as public transport is vital in the city, but how about enjoying it by taking a sightseeing tour on board?

By booking a tram tour of Lisbon, you’ll have 24 hours to use it and hop on and off as many times as you like. Among the stops along the route, you’ll find some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Alfama district, which you can view from the Portas do Sol viewpoint, the magnificent St George’s Castle and the Santa Justa Lift, amongst many other attractions.

Fado is an art form that blends poetry with music and is practised throughout most of the country. It consists of Afro-Brazilian songs and dances that have been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2011 and which, if you visit the Portuguese capital, you can experience in many performances.

If you book tickets to see a fado concert in Lisbon, you’ll discover one of the greatest treasures of Portuguese culture. You’ll attend a live music concert featuring local singers and guitarists, allowing you to experience this traditional art form first-hand.

The spookiest night of the year also comes to Lisbon. Every 31 October, the Portuguese capital celebrates Halloween with a host of themed parties. If you’re in the city around that time, don’t forget to bring your best costume and get ready to party all night long amongst ghosts, great music and activities that will keep you up all night.

Lisbon is a city with a vibrant nightlife, and at Halloween, it’s not unusual to see everyone in fancy dress, hopping from bar to bar and heading to parties. Beyond these, there are other activities and events taking place across the city, from trick-or-treating rounds (highly recommended if you’re visiting Lisbon with children) to tours exploring Lisbon’s legends and spooky tales.

My advice is to enjoy a bit of everything. As night falls, put on your fancy dress – if you’re not already wearing it – and book a night-time tour of Lisbon. The guide is sure to be in fancy dress too and will go the extra mile to give you the creeps whilst recounting the city’s spookiest tales. When you’re done, grab a bite to eat and join the party.

What’s the world like? It’s tricky to answer that question, but they say that by attending the International Film Festival held every October in Lisbon, you might get a slightly clearer picture. This event focuses on documentary cinema and screens films that portray the most immediate reality.

As well as the many (and very interesting) films you can see at DocLisboa, this festival is known for having also become a place for debate, reflection and activism. It is undoubtedly a clear example of the idea that art can change the world. In total, the festival runs for 11 days, so there is time for films by different filmmakers and from different countries to be screened and compete in the various categories.

If you fancy doing something a bit different in Lisbon and seeing the premieres of documentaries that are very likely to go on to be nominated for major international awards, you can’t miss DocLisboa.

Do you like fashion? The beauty of visiting different cities is seeing how their people adapt to different trends or develop their own style in keeping with the place. This happens in Lisbon too, and if you visit in October, you’ll also have the chance to see it during Fashion Week. Here, various Portuguese designers present their collections in shows that are sometimes open to the public.

That said, you’ll need to put together your best outfits, because during the week-long Moda Lisboa event, iconic locations in the city, such as Eduardo VII Park, are filled with creativity, elegance and originality. If you’d like to attend too, you can check the event calendar, locations and whether an invitation is required on their website, or simply turn up during opening hours.

As well as its artistic values, this Fashion Week is deeply committed to sustainability, inclusion and the development of young talent, so you’ll be able to attend a workshop or talk on the subject. Another aspect that might interest you is that they’re opening a pop-up shop where you can buy designs by Portuguese designers.

You’re in luck! October is a rather pleasant month in Lisbon. Why? Because the temperatures are autumnal – neither too cold nor too hot. Most days you’ll find highs of 23°C, allowing you to stroll around the city without even a coat, and lows of 16°C, especially at night.

There’s just one downside: rain is quite common. About 8 days a month, though in short spells that won’t stop you from enjoying the city. My advice is to pack a waterproof jacket rather than an umbrella, which is always more cumbersome and you’ll only need it for a few hours a day. That said, when the October sun does come out in Lisbon, you’ll need sunglasses – trust me.

Generally speaking, as I’ve mentioned, Lisbon, despite being a European capital, is quite cheap, so it’s easy to find flights and hotels at good prices all year round, but especially in October. As it’s not summer in Lisbon and doesn’t coincide with holidays such as Easter or Christmas, the city is quiet and so are the prices.

My advice is always to book everything in advance to get the best deals, but even if you’re planning a last-minute weekend in Lisbon, you can find flights for around €50 (return) and accommodation at reduced off-season rates too. My tip is to make the most of this to stay in more central and historic areas, such as Chiado, Alfama and Bairro Alto.