October is one of my favourite months to visit Portugal. It’s now almost an open secret that one of the best times to visit Portugal is October. Yes, October. It’s a time when the crowds are largely disappearing, its tourist attractions are much less hectic, the prices are lower, and the weather is still usually quite warm! Yes, October in Portugal might not be the busiest, warmest, or the month with the most activities, but it is still a great month to plan a trip!
What’s the Weather like in Portugal in October?
Portugal is widely considered to have three main areas, the North centered around Porto, the Lisbon region based around the capital, and the sunny south, the Algarve. Temperatures in the north are the coolest, and you can usually expect highs of around 22°C (70°F), but the lows can drop to around 12°C (54°F). Lisbon is usually somewhat warmer, bright sunny days will easily be 23°C (73°F) or higher. The Algarve is the warmest of Portugal’s regions in October, with highs of 25°C (77°F).
| Location | Highs | Lows | Rainy Days |
| Porto | 22°C (70°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 10 |
| Lisbon | 23°C (73°F) | 13°C (56°F) | 8 |
| Algarve | 25°C (77°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 5 |
How often does it Rain during October in Portugal?
The most recent averages for rain in Portugal published by its weather agency show that the further north you go, the more rain you might get. In the south you get much less rain. In the Algarve, you can expect just 5 days of rain in October. In Lisbon you can expect around 8 rainy days, and in Porto around 10 rainy days. In the Algarve, those warmer temperatures and lack of rain mean that you can still have a few beach days during October! Alternatively, in Lisbon and Porto, October is a great time to explore as if you do get the odd shower, there are plenty of museums and activities to keep you indoors and dry!
Can you Go to the Beach in Portugal in October?
If you’re interested in visiting the beach in October, then your best bet is to head to the south. In the Algarve, it is absolutely possible to fit a few days on the beach during October and if you’re brave go for a swim. With the micro climates of the Algarve, you should probably consider the east Algarve, over the west Algarve, if you want a day or two of sunbathing.
The west is usually much windier and the seas can get rougher, which is great if you’re interested in surfing and wind sports. Less great if you’re a lazing on the beach type. That said, in October it is warm enough, dry enough, and the sea is warm enough for a swim across the whole Algarve too. The average sea temperatures aren’t that much different from July and August, the traditional summer months! Although if you’re not used to Atlantic sea temperatures then it will definitely feel chilly.
Don’t believe us? Well all the photos in this article were taken during October of 2022 and 2023!
| August | September | October | |
| Max | 23.3°C (72.7°F) | 22.9°C (72.2°F) | 22.6°C (71.7°F) |
| Min | 20.1°C (69.5°F) | 20.4°C (69.7°F) | 20.3°C (69.4°F) |
How busy is Portugal in October?
As October is officially the start of low season in Portugal, this is when crowds and visitors begin to fizzle out. Queues for its major attractions are now a thing of the past, those hour long queues you read about to ride Tram 28 in Lisbon? Not needed, tours and tour activities can now be considered a little less far in advance, and there’s no need to constantly book tickets.
If you visit in October, it will change how you view all these tourist activities during the summer season. Trust us, as tourists ourselves, we often find ourselves delaying visits to major monuments until later in the year, instead of visiting them during the summer.
October is also when you can take advantage of some of the lowest prices of hotels and accommodation. We’ve had stays in accommodation that usually costs around €200 a night in the summer, for less than €30 a night in October. And it’s still been warm enough to take advantage of the pools and the full facilities of the hotels!
What events happen in October?
Worried you’ll miss some major festivities by booking a trip in October? There’s no need, there’s plenty of festivals and celebrations across mainland Portugal for your to consider.
Douro Harvest: In the north, the biggest and most famous event in October is of course the grape harvest in the Douro valley. Multiple vineyards now allow a select number of tourists to participate in every part of the busy period of harvesting, from grape selection and picking, to stomping the grapes by foot in tradition tanks. Participation is limited so booking in advance is recommended, the harvest date is not guaranteed either and can be from the end of September to mid October!
Lisbon Marathon: Widely regarded as one of the most scenic marathons in the world. The Lisbon marathon starts in Cascais and ends in the centre of Lisbon at Praça do Comércio, following the waterside the entire route. If you’re feeling adventurous then for €45 you can register for the race, or if you’re less adventurous join in the sporting festivities and celebrations!
Festa do Vinho e Vindimas. Don’t think you have to head all the way to the Douro Valley to experience a traditional slice of Portuguese wine making. The Festa do Vinho e Vindimas or Festival of Wine and Winemaking is held in the small town of Bucelas, around 30 minutes north of Lisbon. Bucelas is one of the smallest DOCs of the Lisboa wine region. During this festival you can experience winery tours, wine tastings, local food, and arts and crafts all in a celebration of Bucelas and its long history of wine production.
Feira de Santa Iria Faro. Usually held between 19th-28th of October. Feira de Santa Iria was originally a religious festival celebrating Saint Irene. Today it’s a large fair with rides, concerts, local arts and crafts, and food, that usually takes place over ten days at the of October. One of the truly stunning things at this fair, is taking ferris wheel at sunset to look out over the Ria Formosa.
Visiting Portugal in October?
October might just be our favourite month to visit Portugal if you want to drift away from the crowds and the hectic atmosphere the peak season can bring. The temperatures are cooler, and you can also spend much more time outside exploring without the heat of the summer bearing down on you. Some of our favourit and longest hikes have been during the early autumn days.
