One of the great perks of Portugal is its year-round sunshine and temperate weather, particularly on the coast and in the south. In October, Portugal's average high temperature sits around22.5 Celsius (72.5 Fahrenheit). Portugal's average low temperature in October is 15.1 Celsius (59.2 Fahrenheit).
October is a great time to visit Portugal since you will have fewer crowds than the tourist-packed summer and you will likely have comfortable temperatures throughout the country. There is a lot that you can dothis time of year.
Portugal Weather in October
In Lisbon, theaverage temperatureduring the day reaches a high of72 degrees Fahrenheitand at night dips down to around 57 degrees Fahrenheit. This time of year hashigher than usual humidity rates, averaging from 68 to 80 percent, but it's not terribly uncomfortable since the temperatures are mild. You can expect rain for about half of the days of themonth.The warmer Portuguese parts are Lisbon and theAlgarve, the southernmost coastal cities.
In Lisbon, you can still enjoy sunsets outside at themiradouros(look-out points) but without the hordes of people.The beaches in autumn along the Algarve coast are beautiful.The weather is nice enough for you to grab a book, plunk down on the beach, and enjoy the sun with fewer crowds. You can even takea surfing lessonor apaddle board excursionalthough the water temps may seem a little cool at67 degrees F, this is the warmest the water gets during the year.
Porto and the Douro Valley are a little cooler in October than the rest of the country.For example,in Porto, the average temperature is about 10 degrees cooler at 61 degrees F. But, it is still niceenough to enjoy a glass of Port wine on a rooftop while looking out at Porto's skyline. Or,take a tour of the city's famous Croft Winery, the oldest winery in Porto, for some out-of-this-world port.
If you are visiting the Douro Valley, you will still be able to sit outside at a quinta (wine-producer) and do wine tastingswhile taking in the views. You can book a day-long tour of thewineries, then,find a nice comfy bed in a close-by hotel.
What to Pack
In October, it is best to dress in layers. You may leave the morning with a pullover on, then by midday, it may warm up enough that you can remove it. The evenings usually cool down to the point where you will wear it again. You may feel like you want to wear shorts on a few warmer days, but you would be better off in jeans or long pants in case of rain.
Bring a sweater and a light jacket. Comfortable closed-toe shoes, or a pair of sneakers, are the best option for touring Lisbon’s steep paved streets. You may want to pack an umbrella.
If you're planning to spend time at the wineries or beaches, a sun hat could be useful, as October is still quite sunny. Make sure to pack a water bottle to keep hydrated after your wine tastings.
October Events in Portugal
You may not want to participate in a marathon or two, but it is always nice to cheer the runners on. This time of year is prime time for marathons in this part of the world. Food, films, and fashion are the buzzwords in October in Portugal.
- Lisbon Marathonand Porto Half Marathon: The 26-mile Lisbon marathon starts in Cascais and ends at the Parque das Nacoes in Lisbon. The route includes stunning views by the river or seaside and crossing the Vasco da Gama bridge, one of the longest bridges in Europe. Separately, the Porto half marathon also takes place. The course goes along the ocean and the Douro River crossing three bridges and passing by historical sights.
- Francesinha Festival: Usually in October, the Francesinha Festival was created in order to pay tribute to one of signature dishesof the city ofPorto, the francesinha, which translates from Portuguese to mean"little French girl."It is a sandwich with steak, sausage and cheese, and a spicy sauce.The event brings together various restaurants to show how they re-invent and present this popular Porto snack.
- Lisbon Fashion Week: Europe’s oldest independent fashion week presents Portuguese designers’ new collections.
- French Film Festival: The French Embassy and the Portuguese Cinemathequepresent amonth of French films.
October Travel Tips
- Take a day trip from Lisbon toSintra, where you can visit the three palaces of Regaleira, Pena, and Royal Palaces and the Moorish Castle. Thisis a popular day tripfrom Lisbon.
- At the Dourovineyards, the vines are bursting with grapes in October. You might even be able to join in the harvest and do some grape-stomping at some of the wine estates.
- If you're looking to stay in Lisbonin October, there are some affordable hotels in the area.As well, there isa list of cool hotelsto check out while you're staying in Porto and some hotels that won't break the bank in the Algarve.
