Things to do in Lisbon in October

October is a great month to visit Lisbon as the high season is coming to an end but you still get to enjoy the great weather our coast filled country provides! Days are still hot, but the nights are kind of cold. So, don’t forget to bring a jacket or a sweater for the nights. October is a very cool month to visit the city. If you’re coming to Lisbon in October, you’re very lucky because it’s a great month to do so! Read on to find out things to do in Lisbon in October!

Go to a film festival: Doc Lisboa

One of the things to do in Lisbon in October is to go to Doc Lisboa. It is an international film festival that takes place in Lisbon and hosts independent, uncategorized film productions. It’s quite an interesting twist to a normal city break. This festival happens from the 17th of October until the 27th, at Casa do Cinema, located at Rua da Rosa, 277.

Visit the Gulbenkian Museum

If you’re in Lisbon in October, the Gulbenkian Museum is a great place to visit. Not only it is host to a magnificent collection, recognized worldwide, it is set amidst some of the most beautiful gardens you’ll find in Lisbon. You can have lunch in one of the great cafeterias or you can pack your own lunch and have a picnic by the lake and the ducks!

Try different dishes at Mercado de Campo de Ourique

If you’re in Lisbon in October, go ahead and discover your next meal at Mercado de Campo de Ourique. It’s not the most famous food market in Lisbon, but it’s a great one – and cozier.

It’s less busy than Mercado da Ribeira, and you can still enjoy an amazing meal. From handcrafted beer to the best little diabetes-inducing sweets, it’s a great market to visit. In a more reserved area of the city (Campo de Ourique), you can reach it by bus from Marquês de Pombal or by taxi.

Join our Lisbon Food Tour to discover Portuguese delicacies.

Enjoy the beach

October is still a great month to go to the beach, especially if you enjoy surfing! If you are in Lisbon in October, one of the best things to do is to take a day off and enjoy the beach. There are some stunning beaches away from the city center and you can take your pick from going to the shore to relax or to take a more adventurous approach.

The water is kind of cold because the water comes from the Atlantic Ocean. But, hey… Cold water is great for boosting your metabolism! If you’re brave and feel like swimming, the trick is to quickly jump into the water without a second thought!

Also, you should know that the month of October is the best one if you like surfing. Portuguese waves are simply the best! From October, 16th until October, 28th, the surfing contest Rip Curl Pro Portugal will be happening at Peniche. It’s only about one hour away from Lisbon, but it is totally worth it if you feel like watching surf professionals surfing the greatest waves you’ll ever see.

The atmosphere is very peaceful and the beaches are clean. Sunglasses, a hat, some playing cards or a book, and a lunch box with some ice in it to keep the beers cold is all you need to have a great time at the beach.

Go to the top of Rua Augusta’s Arch

Right in the heart of downtown Lisbon is found Rua Augusta’s Arch. The arch was built to celebrate the reconstruction of the city after the 1755 earthquake. Rua Augusta is one of the main streets downtown and it is closed to traffic. There, you can find very good typical restaurants and a lot of shops.

The arch that leads to Praça do Comércio has recently been open to the public. What does this mean to you? It means you can now go up and take a new perspective on the city as you see the sunset from the top of this historical arch.

Eat some castanhas assadas

If you come to Lisbon during Autumn, your absolutely have to eat “castanhas assadas“, which are roasted chestnuts in English. The best month to eat roasted chestnuts is actually November. But in October, the harvest has already began and they are already selling the early ones. If you happen to come to Lisbon in October, not in November, you should eat some “castanhas assadas” anyway, it’s a must!

Have a night-out

You will probably be tired from all the walking you’ll do during the day. But try to save some energy for a night-out in Lisbon! Lisbon nightlife is pretty amazing and an unforgettable experience. It is a city so life-giving, there is no way you will get bored.

And believe me, you will surely make some friends because Portuguese are the most friendly and the funniest people you will meet. Especially during Halloween night, you will see many people disguised, drinking and dancing to songs, such as Thriller by Michael Jackson.

The best bars and nightclubs to go out at night are found in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré. Walk around these areas and get inside the bar that looks the most fun to you and have the spookiest and most fun night ever in Lisbon! But, don’t forget your jacket, because nights in Lisbon can get very cold.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about things to do in Lisbon in October and that it has been useful. From a film festival and visiting a museum to going to the beach and having a night-out, I’m pretty sure you will spend a great time in Lisbon. Alfama, Belém, Chiado are also must-do’s while in Lisbon. But there’s actually so much more to do! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything!

See you in Lisbon in the cool month of October!