Early fall in Lisbon is the ideal time to visit the Portuguese capital if you ask me.
I love September in Lisbon because you still have nice warm temperatures, which are perfect for exploring the city and enjoying the beach. It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s possible.
If you go later in the Fall, you have to pack some warmer clothing, but still some variety, because if the sun is out, it’ll feel just like summer.
Lisbon Weather in Fall
The Portuguese capital experiences a wide range of temperatures, from 30°C (86°F) at the beginning of the season to 16°C (60.8°F) at the end.
On average, it rains ten days per month during the fall in Lisbon, so either bring an umbrella from home, or if you’re staying at a hotel, you can borrow one.
This also means what you have to pack for your vacation depends on when you’re going during autumn.
I walked around Lisbon in a short-sleeved T-shirt and pants in the fall without freezing. When the sun is out, it feels like summer. It’s incredible.
9 Fall Things To Do In Lisbon
Now, let’s get to what you can do during the fall, because it depends on when during the fall.
If you go in September, you can still enjoy the last of the beach and the warm weather.
If you go later during autumn, you want some more indoor experiences.
1. Halloween
If you’re from a country like the United States, where Halloween is huge, Lisbon might disappoint you.
Halloween is not celebrated in Lisbon. However, it’s slowly evolving, and you do see stores going beyond during this time.
While you won’t see people dressed up in creative costumes, the stores do focus on Halloween, and it’s slowly growing, especially in the city center.
If you’re up for a pub crawl in Bairro Alto, then there are some pretty interesting ones.
2. The Scenic EDP Lisbon Marathon
The EDP Lisbon Marathon starts on October 10, 2026; whether you’re running it or not, you must experience it.
This brings the entire city to life, and it’s so fun cheering on the many runners as they run from Cascais to Lisbon’s city center.
The finish line is at the Praca do Comercio, and the route is beautiful along the Tagus River.
If you want to experience it, remember to get there before it starts so you don’t get blocked by the many roadblocks.
3. Celebrate São Martinho
Saint Martin’s Day, or São Martinho, is on November 11. It honors a man who, during a snowstorm, cut his cloak in half to keep a beggar warm.
In Portugal today, the holiday is mostly celebrated when the year’s wine production is ready to be enjoyed.
If you haven’t tried Portuguese wine yet, I strongly recommend you do so; it tastes incredible and is for a fraction of the cost. You can also try one of the many amazing local wine tastings.
During this time, you can also find chestnuts around Lisbon. It’s a super popular snack among the locals that you have to try.
4. Experience Lisbon’s Parks
As the Fall has made its entrance, the leaves are starting to change color in the parks, and it’s just so beautiful.
Lisbon is one of the cities I’ve visited with the most parks, and it’s incredible with that much nature in the city and around it.
Some parks you can visit are Parque Eduardo VII and Jardim da Estrela, two of my favorite parks.
They’re quite big parks, so you can get a good walking tour out of them. Enjoy the beautiful trees and views, and have a cup of coffee along your walk.
5. French Film Festival
If you’re into movies, especially French movies, you can experience the French Film Festival from 3 October until 30 November 2024.
It happens in multiple cities throughout Portugal, but in Lisbon, it usually lasts around ten days at the beginning of October.
Cinema São Jorge, Cinemateca Portuguesa on Avenida da Liberdade, will host diverse French cinematic masterpieces.
6. Lisbon’s Christmas Markets
You might be thinking, it’s Fall, why Christmas? Well, the Christmas markets already open in November, when it’s still Fall, and it’s such an amazing experience.
There are so many beautiful markets to experience around Lisbon, where my two favorites are Rossio Square and Winter Wonderland in Parque Eduardo VII.
You can also experience Europe’s biggest Christmas tree in Praca do Comercio. This is also the perfect time to try ginjinha, a cherry liqueur drink.
Tip: Explore my complete guide to Christmas in Lisbon.
7. Day Trips from Lisbon
Even though it’s Fall, you can still explore the surrounding cities of Lisbon. Now that the São Martinho festival is here, why not take a wine day trip?
- Setúbal: Wine Tasting and Grape Harvest Experience
- Sintra: A magical city with castles and beautiful nature
- Cascais: A beautiful city. People think Cascais only has beaches, but it has so much more.
8. Try the Famous Tram 28
If you want to explore the most popular tourist areas of Lisbon, I recommend taking Tram 28 through these areas.
It might be super crowded during summer, but Fall in Lisbon is the perfect time to experience areas like Bairro Alto, Chiado, and the steep streets in Alfama.
Alternatively, you can try the funiculars, which travel up a hill and give you a breathtaking view of the city. My favorite is Elevador da Bica, which takes you from Cais do Sodre to Chiado.
Remember, you can get the Lisboa Card for free public transport or buy a 24-hour ticket to save money.
9. Lisbon Oceanarium
As it rains ten days per month during the Fall in Lisbon, you need some indoor experiences, and the Oceanarium is the perfect day trip.
Whether you’re traveling to Lisbon with kids, as a couple, or even solo, the oceanarium is an experience for all ages.
They have an enormous aquarium in the middle of the building that you can get lost in for hours. It’s truly a unique experience.
What to Pack for Lisbon in the Fall
As the weather goes from up to 30°C(86°F) to 16°C(60,8°F), you really need to pack depending on when you’re going to visit Lisbon.
In general, I would pack:
- Long pants
- Long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts
- A thin jacket
- An umbrella (Unless you’re staying where you can borrow one)
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- Comfortable shoes
- Rain jacket
If you travel late October or November, then bring a thicker jacket, and you should be ready to experience Lisbon’s major attractions without feeling cold.
Here are the best things to do in Lisbon in February 2026
I’ll send you a list of the best things to do in February and every month thereafter.
It’s based on my personal experience of living and traveling around Lisbon for years. I’m sharing many hidden gems.
Looking for weekly Lisbon tips? Check out my Lisbon Newsletter.
Wrap-Up
Fall in Lisbon is beautiful because it’s still warm at the start of Fall, and you can see the beautiful colors of the leaves change.
As you’ll experience occasional showers, it’s important to bring an umbrella or borrow one from the hotel where you’re staying.
Remember to have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities so you’re ready for whatever the weather the day brings.
You don’t want to miss an entire day and just sit at the hotel because it’s raining; Lisbon is just too good a city to miss a whole day.
I have a list of 10+ indoor activities to do in Lisbon on a rainy day.
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