Season guide · Lisbon · Portugal
Lisbon in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Georges Jansoone, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Warm sea in September, pleasant October days and the first rains in November, when prices drop. Expect highs up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 20 rainy days across September–November. September–October are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 20
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F) to 19°C (66°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 | 12.4 h | 4/5 |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 8 | 11.1 h | 3/5 |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 10 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 23°C (73°F) against a yearly 22°C (72°F), and 20 of the year's roughly 76 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- October: Lisbon Marathon (usually October)
- October: Doclisboa documentary film festival (usually October)
- November: São Martinho — roasted chestnuts and new wine (around 11 November)
- November: Web Summit tech conference fills hotels (usually November)
Make the most of the weather
Landmark · Baixa
Praça do Comércio and Rua Augusta Arch
The royal palace stood here until the 1755 earthquake; its replacement is a vast arcaded square opening onto the Tagus, with the equestrian statue of King José I and the Cais das Colunas steps leading into the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Graça
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the low wall.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Avenidas Novas
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian's collection spans Egyptian antiquities, Islamic ceramics and carpets, European painting including Rembrandt, and a celebrated room of René Lalique jewellery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
- Outdoors
Aquarium · Parque das Nações
Lisbon Oceanarium
Book online for a timed slot and combine it with the riverside cable car and the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre nearby.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Architecture · Belém
MAAT and the Tejo Power Station
The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology occupies a curving white building by Amanda Levete, opened in 2016, and the red-brick Tejo Power Station next door.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Évora (About 1.5 hours by train or bus) — The walled capital of the Alentejo has a 1st-century Roman temple, a fortress-like cathedral with a rooftop walk and the Chapel of Bones, lined with human skulls and bones.
- Óbidos (About 1 hour by bus) — A whitewashed medieval town enclosed by walls you can walk along, with bougainvillea-draped lanes, a castle and bars serving ginja cherry liqueur in small chocolate cups.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Lisbon?
Yes: September–October are among the best months. Warm sea in September, pleasant October days and the first rains in November, when prices drop.
+What is the weather like in Lisbon in autumn?
Highs of up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 20 rainy days over the season.