What’s On? Your Go-to Guide for Lisbon in October 2024

Last Updated on 24th September 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau

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I’ve just returned from a delightful autumnal trip to the Portuguese capital and couldn’t be happier with the timing of my visit. If you’re looking to explore Lisbon with fewer crowds albeit with sunny weather, then October might be the time you want to head to Portugal. Here’s your guide to the best of Lisbon in October, as well as what to know before you go!

Is Lisbon busy in October? 

While the weather was still much more pleasant than my home of Paris, France, there were a fair fewer number of crowds than during the summer and everything was actually open, unlike during the winter when many places have reduced opening times.

Of course, the most popular attractions such as the Santa Justa lift still had fairly long queues, though these were nowhere near as fierce as those of the summer months.

Is everything in Lisbon open during October?

Lisbon is one of those European destinations that is frequented by visitors all year long, and so whatever the time of the year you visit, everything will be open. With this being said, certain attractions such as parks and gardens will typically have shorter opening times outside of the summer months.

Lisbon in October weather

Lisbon: temperatures 15°C – 23°C and there’s an estimated 8 days of rain during the month of October.

One of the biggest considerations that travellers should take into account before heading to Lisbon in October is the weather. After all, shorter days, frequent cloud cover, and cooler weather are not for everyone, but they are almost guaranteed when it comes to the weather here in the early autumn.

Just be sure to pack a warm jacket as nights can get particularly cool at this time of the year. Conversely, during much of the daytime, you can get away with wearing a light cardigan or even just a t-shirt. Whatever you do, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as Lisbon is known for its inclines.

Things to do in Lisbon in October 

Visit the main tourist attractions 

Thanks to fewer people opting to visit the city in the fall, there are less queues to enter some of the city’s top attractions. This shaves time of waiting to visit and ensures that you’ll have more precious time to enjoy what the Portuguese capital has to offer.

Some of the best things to do in Lisbon include visiting the Monasterio de los Jerónimos de Belém, visiting the Belém Tower (though, in all honesty, you can skip a visit inside), taking the Santa Justa lift for one of the most iconic views in Lisbon, and sampling a shot of Ginjinha, a kind of sour cherry liquor. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide on spending one perfect day in Lisbon.

Discover the pastel de nata 

Of course, when there’s the change of rain, there’s perhaps no better excuse to cosy up in a cafe and watch the world go by. The most famous pastry in Portugal is the pastel de nata, which was originally created in Lisbon centuries ago.

Today, there are shops selling pastéis de nata on almost every street corner, though the most famous sweet egg custard tart comes from Pastéis de Belém in the Belém district of the city.

Another crowd pleaser is Pastelaria Santo Antonio and a visit here can easily be combined with a trip along the walls of the castle of Saint Jorge. Lastly, even if you’re vegan or dairy free, you can find vegan pastéis de nata at VeganNata. Pastéis de Nata is a great souvenir to bring home from Portugal.

Cosy up in a bookshop

Lisbon has no shortage of beautiful bookstores and even boasts the title of being home to the oldest bookshop in the world, Livraria Bertrand. Covered in quintessentially Portuguese azulejos (that means ’tiles’ in Portuguese), this Lisboa bookstore dates all the way back to the first half of the 18th-century.

Each room is filled with wooden bookshelves stacked from floor to ceiling with all manner of books, including religious tomes, scientific textbooks, and fiction novels. At the very end of the bookshop, you’ll come across a café serving up all manner of delicious pastries (including pastel de natas) and drinks such as coffees.

Visit a church 

Even if you’re not a museum person, it’s worth noting that there is a wide array of churches dotted across Lisbon. Most are free to visit, with the exception of the cathedral (known as the Sé), which costs €5 to visit.

One of my favourite churches in the city is the Church of Sao Roque. Though it does not appear to be much from the outside, the plain façade is entirely different from the gilded gold chapel interiors within. Another must-see is the Church of St Dominic, whose crumbling interior is one of the sole survivors of the devastating 1755 earthquake.

Halloween in Lisbon

Before travelling to Lisbon for Halloween, you should note that the 31st of October is not really celebrated in Europe. There is not really the tradition of dressing up and attending a party, nor do many children go Trick or Treating.

With this being said, over the past decade or so, the tradition of celebrating Halloween is becoming more and more prevalent in big cities in Europe, including in Lisbon. Some cafés and restaurants decorate for the occasion, while a few bars and nightclubs host special Halloween themed parties.

Take a day trip to Sintra 

Sunny Sintra is a delightful town that’s a must-see for anyone who loves art, architecture, and history. Best visited over the course of a day, Sintra is particularly well-known for its incredible castles, breathtaking natural scenery, and palaces.

As it’s also one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, it is incredibly busy and so visiting during October will mean that there are fewer crowds during your day trip. Another popular day trip is to the beautiful and relaxing beach town of Cascais.

Where to stay in October 

As with most popular destinations, it remains prudent to plan in advance when booking to stay in Lisbon. As October is firmly in the European shoulder seasons, the prices will be much lower than during the summer months.

Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel is a gorgeous five star property in the Ajuda region with fantastic reviews. Nearby, the Memória Church is a beautiful spot, while there are also lots of hip and trendy bars in the neighbourhood.

Hotel da Baixa is a great value place to stay, with a swimming pool and modern rooms. The location is especially enviable and just a short walk away from highlights such as the Santa Justa lift and the Archaeological Museum.

Rodamon Lisboa is a friendly, modern and clean hostel in Lisbon city centre. Nearby attractions include Tram 28 (the iconic tourist tram) and the hostel is also under a 15 minute walk away from the 11th-century São Jorge Castle.

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