Fall is in full swing—but it doesn’t feel like it quite yet in Lisbon. Although the end of September marks the official end of summer, it’s not unusual for warm temperatures to continue well into the 10th month of the year.
As a result of the lingering pleasant weather, our roundup of what to do in Lisbon in October is a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for the most part. That is, until the last weekend of the month, when the clocks go back one hour and days become shorter.
Celebrate the birth of the Portuguese Republic
On October 5, 1910, a coup led to the end of the Portuguese monarchy and the beginning of the First Republic. It was one of two main revolutions to change the course of Portuguese history. The second would happen almost 70 years later, on April 25, 1974, to restore democracy after 5 decades of dictatorship.
But let’s focus on the former for now. Now a national holiday, this special date is celebrated with military parades, speeches by the current president and the prime minister, and the hoisting of the Portuguese flag.
The calendar of events changes every year, but most public museums join the celebrations with special themed events or exhibitions.
Discover foreign cinema at the French Film Festival
The Festa do Cinema Francês (French Film Festival) kicks off in Lisbon and then goes on a tour to several other cities in Portugal, including Almada, Setúbal, Coimbra, and Porto.
Organized by the French Institute and the Embassy of France, this event is the perfect chance to both see some classics or discover new generation of independent filmmakers. Chances of rubbing shoulders with French film stars are high.
Spruce up your style at Lisboa Fashion Week
Running for more than two decades now, ModaLisboa – Lisboa Fashion Week is one of the most important events of its kind in Europe.
Of course, there will be plenty of the usual shows, where seasoned designers and newcomers showcase their creations on the catwalk. But you can also attend conferences and see what’s new in the world of Portuguese fashion.
Experience 10 days of documentaries at DocLisboa
“The whole world fits in Lisbon in October” is more than just the slogan for DocLisboa – International Film Festival. For this 10-day event, Lisbon becomes the unofficial international capital of documentary film.
It showcases the work of film students and veterans alike, and often raises questions about current issues, art and culture.
The festival includes two competition sections: one for international films and one for Portuguese films. For those who attend for the love of documentary cinema and not the awards, the “From the Earth to the Moon” selection showcases the best recent works of famed documentary directors.
Run one of the most beautiful races in the world
International publications like Forbes have called the Lisbon Marathon one of the most beautiful races in the world—and we couldn’t agree more. The 42-kilometer course from Cascais to Praça do Comércio makes for quite the scenic run.
If you’re a beginner, you can choose one of the smaller, but equally spectacular courses from Ponte Vasco da Gama to Praça do Comércio (21 km) or Alameda dos Oceanos (8.5 km).
Whether you decide to run or walk, we at Devour Lisbon suggest you celebrate the feat either way with a couple of pastéis de nata after the race.
