12 Things to Do in Lisbon in October

October is a good time to travel to Lisbon. Why? Because in addition to the more international dates like Halloween, the Portuguese capital celebrates during this month other important events with a great cultural value for the city.

If you are looking for alternative plans for October or want to visit a unique Lisbon that is not available during the rest of the year, you have chosen a good month to go. My favourite plans include lots of cinema and the occasional party night, but don't worry you'll also have the chance to see more rural areas around Lisbon.

Lisbon has a lot of good things to offer, and one of them is its food. Of course, you don't have to go in October to enjoy its gastronomy, but if you're travelling that month I have good news for you: the city's tapas route is taking place. What does it consist of exactly? For an affordable price that combines a drink and a tapa in different places, you can take a gastronomic tour and savour Lisbon.

The Portuguese actually call tapas petiscos, as they are like small plates that you eat in one bite. Although there are all kinds, for me the best and the ones you can't miss are the ones with seafood, which in Lisbon is a very high quality product.

The October tapas route is a very good alternative to make sure you try different petiscos. The bars of the Portuguese capital usually devise and cook new proposals exclusively for this event, fulfilling the objective of combining the pleasure of tapas and a few beers while you walk around Lisbon; in short, a way to enhance the value of its culture and gastronomy. Are you going to miss it?

If it rains one of the days you are going to be in Lisbon, which is quite likely if you are going to Lisbon (the forecast is for at least 8 days of rain) I advise you to opt for a plan that will keep you entertained for at least half a day. Where? Book tickets for the Oceanarium. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of life in its 5 million litres of water.

With species from all the world's oceans, Lisbon's Oceanarium has become one of the city's major attractions, both for children and adults. The best thing is that the natural habitats of marine animals have been recreated very well, so that under its tunnels and in its rooms, you can find penguins, rays and even a sunfish.

A runner always travels in his running shoes... Is this your case? Well, you're in luck because in October Lisbon celebrates its marathon. Not only will you have the chance to beat your personal best, but you'll do it while you see one of the most beautiful parts of the city: its coastline. Because yes, the 42 kilometres run through beautiful scenery, starting in Cascais and finishing in the centre of the capital.

Every year thousands of runners, some from all over the world, meet in Lisbon to add another marathon to their list. The good news is that if you don't fancy the long course, there are two shorter ones: the Half Marathon, which crosses over the Vasco da Gama bridge, and the 10km Vodafone race, which crosses over the 25 April bridge.

I won't kid you, Lisbon's hilly profile is tiring and challenging, but it's worth it if you've trained for it and want to do some sightseeing in and around the city while running a marathon.

Catholics know that on the 13th of October 1917 something important happened at the Shrine of Fatima. On that date the "Lady of the Rosary" is said to have appeared for the first time to her faithful and then on several other occasions also on the 13th. Since then, it is very common to go to the sanctuary on that date and you might see the virgin!

Whether or not you are lucky enough to have the virgin appear before you, this is a must-see if you are in Lisbon, as it will take you about an hour to get there if you book an excursion to Fatima from Lisbon. Be warned, however, that due to the importance of the date, you will meet many other pilgrims. Even so, it is a good opportunity to contemplate their devotion and also to get to know the sanctuary itself, which is quite beautiful.

The apparition at Fatima

It was in 1917 when three little shepherd children, Lucia de Jesus, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, were lucky enough to have the Virgin Mary appear to them in the village of Fatima. On that first visit, she told them to pray hard and that they would see her again in a month's time. When that day came, she asked them to build a basilica in her honour.

The Chapel of Apparitions

This is the most important place and the first to be built. You will find an image of the Virgin at the place where she appeared to the little shepherds; today this place is like an altar to which pilgrims pray when they arrive in Fatima, on foot, by one of the four routes.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima

It was erected after the chapel to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who came to see the Virgin. It was designed by Gerard Van Kriechen in a baroque style and Moimento, the most famous stone in the region, was used to construct both the building and the sculptures inside.

Inside the basilica are also the tombs of the three children who first saw the Virgin Mary.

October is the start of the roasted chest nuts season in Lisbon, so you'll find it hard to resist buying them from some of the wooden stalls that fill the city. Although November in Lisbon is when most chestnuts are consumed, October is the month when they start to be harvested, so be prepared to taste tender and flavourful chestnuts.

When you arrive in Lisbon you will find that roasted chestnuts are a real treat, their smell is all over the city! Be careful not to end up buying them in the most expensive and poorest quality stalls. My advice is to start wandering the streets and, in busy and traditional areas such as Largo do Chiado or Rua Augusta, get yourself a newspaper cone full of chestnuts.

Who wouldn't want to enjoy Lisbon? If you go in October you will, and with a wonderful temperature. During this month the capital of Portugal has quite pleasant temperatures, even at night (around 16ºC), which will allow you to experience Lisbon's nightlife like never before.

The Portuguese capital is famous for its intense nightlife. If you feel like dancing to the rhythm of the music, or just hanging out in the city's bars, you can do so without being too cold in the streets or too hot inside the bars. No matter what kind of party you like, after dinner you can choose between having a few beers on a terrace, paying the entrance fee to a discotheque or simply going from pub to pub.

Where to go out? You could say that Lisbon's party scene is concentrated in four neighbourhoods; which one to choose will depend on your mood, the atmosphere you're looking for and the budget you can afford.

• Bairro Alto: the students' favourite and therefore the most affordable and trendy. Here you will find many nightclubs, bars with live music and also a LGTBIQ+ area.
• Docas: in this area you will need to get your savings and also your best looks, because they tend to have admission policies.
• Santos and Cais Do Sodre: the newest and most alternative places are in this neighbourhood.

If you like surfing, the town of Cascais, very close to Lisbon, is an idyllic destination to enjoy the waves in October. Its fame is such that for years in this same month, one of the most important international surfing championships has been held there. Even if you don't want to take part, you can always take a day trip from the Portuguese capital and spend a day surfing.

A few years ago Cascais, and the rest of the Portuguese Riviera, was known as a tourist destination for the aristocracy, but nowadays it is a much more modern and surfing town. October is a month when many water sports enthusiasts flock here to take advantage of the waves.

If there's one beach that has surfers in love, it's Carcavelos, where the locals flock every morning. If you want to join them too, you won't have any problem; there are several surf schools and surf shops nearby where you can rent equipment. When you're done catching waves, remember that Cascais is a fishing village, so you can enjoy a delicious meal in one of its restaurants.

You can also book a surf lesson in Lisbon on the Caparica coast, the ideal place to practice this sport because of the extension of its beaches and its proximity to the Portuguese capital.

The tram is undoubtedly one of the symbols that most identifies the city of Lisbon. Its use as public transport is vital in the city, but what about enjoying it by taking a sightseeing tour on it?

Booking a tram tour of Lisbon will give you 24 hours to use it and get on and off as many times as you like. Among the stops along the way you will find emblematic places of the city such as the Alfama district, which you can see from the Portas do Sol viewpoint, the great Castle of St. George and the Santa Justa Elevator, among many other attractions.

Fado is an artistic genre that combines poetry and music and is practised throughout most of the country. It is an Afro-Brazilian song and dance that has been considered Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2011 and which, if you travel to the Portuguese capital, you can witness in many shows.

If you book tickets to attend a Fado concert in Lisbon you can discover one of the greatest gems of Portuguese culture. You will attend a live music concert, with local singers and guitarists to experience this traditional art form first hand.

The scariest night of the year also comes to Lisbon. Every 31 October, the Portuguese capital celebrates Halloween with multiple themed parties. If you're going to be in the city around that time, don't forget to wear your best costume and get ready to spend the whole night with ghosts, good music and plans that will keep you awake at night.

Lisbon is a city with a great nightlife and, on Halloween, it's not unusual to find everyone dressed up in costumes, going from bar to bar and going to parties. Beyond these, there are other activities and events going on around the city, from trick-or-treating tours (recommended if you're going to Lisbon with children) to tours of Lisbon's legends and scary stories.

My advice is to enjoy a bit of everything. When night starts to fall, put on your costume, if you don't already have one, and book a night tour of Lisbon. The guide is sure to be in costume too, and will try even harder to put the fear into your body as he tells you the spookiest stories of the city. When you're done, take the opportunity to grab some dinner and join the party.

How's the world? It's hard to answer this question, but they say that by attending the International Film Festival held every October in Lisbon, you can get a clearer answer. This event focuses on documentary cinema and screens films that portray the most immediate reality.

In addition to the many (and very interesting) films that you can see at DocLisboa, this festival is also known for having become a place for debate, reflection and activism. Without a doubt, it is a clear example of the idea that art can change the world. In total, the festival takes place over 11 days, so there is time for films from different authors and countries to be shown and compete in the different categories.

If you fancy a different plan in Lisbon and want to see the premieres of documentaries that are likely to be nominated for major international awards, you can't miss DocLisboa.

Do you like fashion? The beauty of visiting different cities is to see how the people adapt to different trends or develop their own style according to the place. In Lisbon this also happens, and if you travel in October you will also have the opportunity to see it during its Fashion Week. Here, different Portuguese designers present their proposals in fashion shows that are sometimes open to the public.

Of course, you'll have to prepare your best outfits, because during the week that the Moda Lisboa event lasts, emblematic places in the city, such as the Parque Eduardo VII, are filled with creativity, elegance and originality. If you would also like to attend, you can check the website for the calendar of events, the location and also whether you need an invitation or whether you are free to attend during the opening hours.

In addition to artistic values, this Fashion Week is very involved with sustainability, inclusion and the training of young talent, so you can attend a workshop or conference on the subject. Another aspect that might interest you is that they are opening a pop-up shop where you can buy designs by Portuguese designers.

You're in luck! October is a very pleasant month in Lisbon. Why? Because the temperatures are autumnal, neither too cold nor too hot. Most days you will find highs of 23ºC, so you can walk around the city without a coat, and lows of 16ºC, especially at night.

There is only one downside, rain is common. Approximately 8 days a month, although in short periods that will not prevent you from enjoying the city. My advice is to carry a mackintosh in your suitcase, rather than an umbrella, which is always more bulky and you will only need it for a few hours a day. However, when the October sun comes out in Lisbon, you'll need glasses, believe me.

Generally speaking, Lisbon, even as a European capital, is quite cheap, so it's easy to find good value flights and hotels all year round, but especially in October. As it is not summer in Lisbon or coincides with holidays such as Easter or Christmas in Lisbon, the city is quiet and with it its prices.

My recommendation is always to book everything in advance to get the best deals, but even planning a weekend in Lisbon at the last minute you can find flights for about 50€ (round trip) and accommodation also with reduced off-season prices. My advice is to take advantage of this to sleep in more central and historic areas such as Chiado, Alfama and Bairro Alto.