Lisbon in October: 8 Things to Do And What to Pack

It’s October and you’re thinking about Lisbon. I completely understand why, it’s a magical city and October is a great month to visit the Portuguese capital.

Even though it’s officially Fall now, the temperatures are still great in the Lisbon district with up to 25°C (77°F), so you get some wonderful weather with fewer tourists.

I love Lisbon in October because it’s still warm, and you feel you have the city to yourself. I have made a list of seven things to do in Lisbon in October, and of course, experiencing Halloween is one of them.

The Portuguese people love celebrating and take any chance to celebrate even the smallest things.

8 Things to Do in Lisbon In October

Get your notebook ready to take notes on things to do in October. I’ll get right to it now.

1. Halloween in Lisbon

Halloween doesn’t take over the city, but they do celebrate it if you’re going out in the nightlife and also in schools.

There are also parties around the city celebrating the event, and you have to keep an eye out.

You can either go out on your own or try a pub crawl organized by some seasoned people where you just have to meet up and have a joyful time.

2. Do a Tapas Tour

I love tapas because you get to try so many different dishes as they’re often small. That’s also why Pica Pau is one of my favorite Portuguese restaurants.

You can take a tapas tour in Lisbon to try multiple places and try a lot of authentic Portuguese food.

If you’re a foodie like me, I’m sure you’ll absolutely love it.

You get to try all sorts of seafood, roasted chestnuts, and many more small dishes.

3. Experience the indoor Oceanarium

I recently went to the Oceanarium in Lisbon. It’s a little drive from the center(20 minutes by car), but it’s definitely worth a visit.

In the middle of it all, they have a huge aquarium with a massive amount of fish, sharks, and much more. It’s truly an incredible experience.

October is the ideal time to do this, as you might not have sunny weather all the time, and it might even rain a bit. So, an indoor activity like the Oceanarium makes it the perfect time to visit.

4. Run the Lisbon Marathon

In October, Lisbon hosts both half-marathons and marathons. The entire city center is transformed and blocked off for the runners.

The organizer, EDP Lisbon Marathon, is behind it all, but if you want to participate in the actual running, you need to be ready as the tickets get sold out fast.

Otherwise, I recommend that you still meet up and cheer on the many runners. It’s a celebration and super fun to experience.

5. Eat the Famous Roasted Chestnuts

Even though native Portuguese will say roasted chestnuts are only in the winter months, you can already experience the early roasted chestnuts in October.

It’s a fun experience if you haven’t tried it before, and I can tell you that Portuguese absolutely loves this as a snack.

You can visit some Lisbon restaurants and get chestnuts for your dish, but that’s not the only way.

You’ll see a lot of small carts with a lot of smoke selling a small bag of roasted chestnuts.

It tastes a bit like a cooked potato, but the taste varies. Remember cash, as they don’t always take credit cards.

You can often find the carts around Chiado.

6. Surf at Costa da Caparica

You can visit various beaches around Lisbon to surf, depending on your surfing skills.

Costa da Caparica is perfect for surfing in October if you’re a beginner like me. I’ll even say if you’re a seasoned surfer, Costa da Caparica has some wild waves occasionally.

Costa da Caparica is only 20 minutes by Uber from the city center, and then you have access to some incredible waves.

You don’t have to bring your own surfboard, as you can rent multiple places on the beach.

It’s a super fun experience but also very exhausting, so remember to drink and eat while doing it.

7. Participate in Lisbon Fashion Week

Fashion Week in Lisbon is hosted by ModaLisboa from 10-13th October.

If you like fashion and like to see what is happening in the industry this is the perfect event for you.

It’s hosted at Parque Eduardo VII, at the end of Avenida da Liberdade, so you don’t have to leave the city center to experience it.

8. Experience The Colorful Parks and Gardens

Now that it’s fall, the parks and gardens in Lisbon are becoming beautiful because of the many Fall colors.

Head to Parque Eduardo VII or Jardim da Estrela to experience some beautiful parks and go for a walk.

It’s a free activity, and it’s just so pleasing to the eyes.

Weather in Lisbon in October

October graces Lisbon with mild temperatures and crisp, refreshing air. The weather is pleasantly warm, making it ideal for outdoor explorations.

While you might encounter occasional rain showers, they only add to the city’s romantic allure. Hence, you can expect temperatures from around 17°C to 25°C (63°F to 77°F).

What to Pack for Lisbon in October

When it comes to packing for Lisbon in October, think of layers and variety, as you can experience warm days and rainy days.

Some of the things I recommend you pack are:

• A light jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes: It’s Lisbon, and you’ll walk a lot
• An umbrella (If the hotel doesn’t let you borrow one)
• Travel Power Adaptor – Lisbon uses the Type C and F plugs with a 230V supply
• Portable phone charger if you plan to take a lot of photos
• Small daypack
• Sunglasses (The sun always shines in Lisbon)

Wrap-Up

October is a beautiful month in Lisbon, with warm weather and many opportunities to do a variety of things.

If the weather is wet and rainy, visit the Oceanarium, but if it’s sunny or cloudy, you could go surf, participate in the marathon, or go on a food tour.

The roasted chestnuts are also slowly peaking out, making it the perfect time to try them.

So yes, October is a great month to visit the hilly capital city of Lisbon and experience events. Maybe it’s time for films at the hotel in the cozy weather or something third.

I recommend reading this guide if you’re here over multiple weeks during the Fall.

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