At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season September is one of Lisbon’s best-value months, with summer weather and hotel rates easing after August. Festa do Avante fills the first weekend across the river, and Sintra and Cascais stay busy at weekends. Tourist tax €4 per person per night, up to seven nights, under-13s exempt.
Lisbon in September — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Lisbon in September offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for beach lovers, festival goers & photographers. Expect temperatures of 17–27°C, around 4 days of rain, and medium crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around €70–1,500+ for mid-range travellers. Book three to four weeks ahead for the best mid-range rates and the widest hotel choice.
Contents14 sections
#Weather in Lisbon in September
Lisbon in September averages 17–27°C (63–81°F) with around 4 days of rain, and crowds are medium.
| Measure | September in Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 27°C / 81°F, easing through the month |
| Overnight low | About 17°C / 63°F |
| Rain | About 4 wet days, usually the first autumn showers |
| Sea | Around 19–20°C, as warm as the Atlantic gets here |
| Sunset | 8:08pm on the 1st, 7:22pm by the 30th |
| Crowds | Thinning from August, busiest at weekends |
Figures are IPMA 1991–2020 normals for Lisbon.
What that actually means for your trip:
- The first weeks are summer continued. Dry, sunny afternoons in the mid-to-high 20s, with none of August's crowding. This is the best-value stretch of the Lisbon year.
- This is a swimming month. The Atlantic lags the air all summer and is at its warmest now, still cool by Mediterranean standards but as pleasant as it gets.
- Rain returns towards the end. Four wet days is not many, but the first autumn fronts tend to arrive late in the month, so a trip in the last week carries a little more weather risk than one in the first.
- The breeze makes the heat manageable. Atlantic air keeps a 27°C Lisbon afternoon far more comfortable than the same number in a Mediterranean city.
Early or late September? Front-load if you can. The first three weeks give you summer weather, the warmest sea and thinner crowds at once, a combination Lisbon offers in no other month. The final week trades that for cooler evenings and the season's first rain, but also the quietest Sintra and Belém of the warm half of the year. The light is clear and golden throughout, without August's heat haze.
#What to Do in Lisbon in September
Festa do Avante! (first weekend of September). The three-day political and cultural festival organised by the Portuguese Communist Party at Quinta da Atalaia in Seixal, across the Tagus, is held on the first Friday to Sunday of September, which in 2027 would be 3 to 5 September; the organisers confirm the dates and programme each year. It draws huge crowds for concerts on several stages, from fado to rock, with theatre, cinema, a book fair and food stalls from every region of Portugal. The 2026 edition was its 50th.
Access: ferry from Cais do Sodré to Seixal or Cacilhas, then the festival buses.
Beach season at its best. September's warmest water, thinner crowds and air in the mid-20s make the first three weeks the best beach window of the year.
- Cascais (train from Cais do Sodré): the easy classic, with Praia da Rainha, Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa all a short walk from the station.
- Praia do Guincho (a short taxi ride from Cascais): the dramatic, wind-blown Atlantic beach, better for surfers and photographers than for swimming.
- Costa da Caparica (by bus across the 25 de Abril Bridge): miles of continuous beach on the south bank. The summer beach train that runs along it usually stops in September; check the operator before relying on it.
- Praia de Ribeira do Cavalo (near Sesimbra, about 45 minutes south): clear water and fewer people, reached by a steep path down from the road.
MOTELx Lisbon International Horror Film Festival (September). Premieres, retrospectives and guest talks at Cinema São Jorge, usually in the first half of September. The 2026 edition, the 20th, ran 3–13 September with the Cinemateca Portuguesa as a second venue. The 2027 dates appear on motelx.org.
The Alfama fado festival (mid-September). An annual festival of fado in Alfama's churches, halls and squares, held in recent years as Caixa Alfama and earlier as Santa Casa Alfama. The 2026 edition ran 11–12 September. Walking between venues through the tiled lanes at night is one of Lisbon's most distinctive experiences; check Visit Lisboa for the 2027 dates.
Vindima, the grape harvest (late August to early October). September is the heart of the Portuguese wine harvest.
On the Setúbal Peninsula, south of the river, estates such as José Maria da Fonseca run visits and tastings, and some hold harvest experiences with grape-treading and lunch.
Colares, near Sintra, makes rare Atlantic wines from old vines planted in sand, and the Alentejo, two hours east, makes a full day out.
Sintra in its best weekday weather. Sintra is calmer than in August but still busy at weekends.
Pena Palace is €20 for the palace and park, and timed tickets are booked online through Parques de Sintra; Quinta da Regaleira and the Moorish Castle are close by. Go Tuesday to Thursday, and start early.
Pastéis de Belém or Manteigaria? The original Pastéis de Belém, baking custard tarts since 1837, has shorter queues in September than in August.
Manteigaria, in Chiado and the Time Out Market, makes a crisper, warmer tart that many locals prefer. Try both in one morning.
#Getting Around
Arriving: Lisbon Airport is about 20 minutes from the centre.
The Metro red line runs from the airport into the city for a single fare, the Aerobus goes direct to the Baixa, and taxis and ride-hailing apps cost roughly €12–20 to central hotels.
In the city: The Lisboa Card, sold by the tourism board, covers the metro, buses, trams and the trains to Cascais and Sintra, with free or discounted entry to many museums.
It now costs €31, €51 or €62 for 24, 48 or 72 hours, well above the prices most older guides quote.
Tram 28 thins out from mid-September.
The train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais takes about 40 minutes and is calmer than in August but still busy at weekends; the train from Rossio to Sintra is similar.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | Per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €75–120 | Hostel €25–45 |
| Mid-range | €150–230 | 3-star €110–170 |
| Comfortable | €280–430 | 4-star €180–320 |
| Luxury | €500+ | Palace and boutique hotels |
September is one of Lisbon's best-value months: summer weather, with hotel rates easing after August.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Lisboa Card, 24 / 48 / 72 hours | €31 / €51 / €62 |
| Pena Palace and park | €20 |
| Tourist tax | €4 per person per night, up to 7 nights |
| Pastel de nata | About €1.50 |
| Bica (espresso) | About €1 |
- Do the Lisboa Card arithmetic. At €31–62 it pays off on days with several museums and plenty of transport, not on a beach day.
- Sintra is its own budget line. Pena alone is €20, and the palaces are ticketed separately.
- The tourist tax adds €4 per person per night for up to seven nights.
- Harvest visits are a September-only cost worth planning for.
#Food & Dining
Seafood season. The famous charcoal-grilled sardines of June fade by September, and other Atlantic fish take over: sea bass, bream, octopus and sole.
Cervejaria Ramiro on Avenida Almirante Reis is the classic for shellfish, with long queues; Solar dos Presuntos serves traditional Portuguese dishes, bacalhau à brás, arroz de pato and cataplana.
Figs, grapes and quince. The first figos and uvas reach the markets in early September, and marmelo by the end of the month.
The Mercado da Ribeira, with the Time Out Market under the same roof, is the easiest place to taste them.
Fine dining. Belcanto (José Avillez) and Alma (Henrique Sá Pessoa) hold two Michelin stars each, and Loco in Estrela holds one; all need booking weeks ahead.
Fado with dinner. Mesa de Frades in Alfama, in a former chapel lined with tiles, is one of the most atmospheric fado houses, with late sessions; book ahead.
Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto is the small, crowded, cheaper alternative.
#Nightlife
September nightlife stays close to its summer peak until the middle of the month, then shifts towards the locals.
Bairro Alto is busy at weekends; on weeknights it is more local.
In Cais do Sodré, Pensão Amor (a former brothel turned bar), Musicbox for live music and the bars of Pink Street run late.
Lux Frágil by the river is one of Europe's best-known clubs.
Rooftop and garden bars are at their best on warm September evenings: Park Bar on top of a car park in Bairro Alto, Topo Chiado, and Pavilhão Chinês, a bar crammed with collections of toys and curiosities.
On the Festa do Avante weekend, central Lisbon is a little quieter as much of the local crowd crosses the river.
#Shopping
The summer sales fade by mid-September and the autumn collections arrive later in the month.
A Vida Portuguesa (Chiado and Largo do Intendente) has classic Portuguese products, soaps, tins and ceramic swallows.
Embaixada in Príncipe Real gathers independent designers in a neo-Moorish palace.
The Feira da Ladra flea market runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Campo de Santa Clara.
Cortiço & Netos in Intendente sells vintage industrial tiles from closed factories, and Garrafeira Nacional in the Baixa is the place for Portuguese wine, including bottles from the Setúbal and Colares estates.
#Culture & Etiquette
- September brings Lisboetas back from their August holidays, and the city wakes up. "Bom regresso!", welcome back, is the greeting.
- Tipping is modest: round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants.
- The couvert is charged if you eat it; send it back if you don't want it.
- Lunch is a main meal, from about 1pm; dinner from about 8pm. Many traditional restaurants close between lunch and dinner.
- Festa do Avante is open to everyone; the food and music dominate.
- At wineries, book harvest visits ahead; they are working farms in September.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Portuguese | English | When you'll use it |
|---|---|---|
| Bom dia / Boa tarde | Good morning / afternoon | Standard greetings |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | Thank you (m/f) | Standard thank you |
| Por favor | Please | Asking for anything |
| Bom regresso! | Welcome back! | What locals say after the holidays |
| Quanto custa? | How much? | Markets, taxis, shops |
| Está fresco hoje | It's cool today | Small talk in late September |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please | Restaurants |
| Saúde! | Cheers! | Toasting |
#Packing List
- Light layers: warm afternoons, cooler evenings by the end of the month
- A light jacket for breezy Atlantic evenings
- Walking shoes with grip: the calçada portuguesa pavements are slippery when damp
- Swimwear and a towel: September is a beach month
- Sunglasses and SPF 30+: the sun is still strong in the first half
- One smarter outfit for fado houses and good restaurants
- A compact umbrella for the last week
- A reusable water bottle: Lisbon tap water is safe
- Shoes for gravel and grass if you're going to Festa do Avante
#Backup Plans (Rainy Days)
September has only a few wet days, mostly towards the end. Strong indoor options:
- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: one of Europe's great private collections, from Egyptian and Persian art to Lalique, in a modernist building set in gardens
- Museu Nacional do Azulejo: Portugal's tile art in a former convent
- MAAT: art, architecture and technology in a wave-shaped building on the river
- Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: the national collection of old masters
- National Coach Museum in Belém: royal carriages from the 17th to the 19th centuries
The Oceanário de Lisboa is the family-friendly all-weather choice, and LX Factory in Alcântara has shops and restaurants under old industrial roofs.
#Safety & Health
September is safe, but the pickpockets don't take the month off.
Tram 28, Rossio, Praça do Comércio and the airport metro see them all year. Wear bags across your front on trams and the metro.
At the miradouros, people may offer rosemary sprigs or try to tie a bracelet on your wrist, then ask for money; politely refuse.
Sea currents at Cascais, Guincho and Caparica remain strong despite the warmer water: swim at lifeguarded beaches, between the flags. Guincho is dangerous for non-surfers.
The sun is still high in early September; use SPF 30+ at midday.
Tap water is safe.
Emergency: 112. Pharmacies (green cross) run a 24-hour rota posted on their doors. Check IPMA for weather warnings before late-month beach plans.
#What's New for September 2027
- Festa do Avante is held on the first weekend of September, which would be 3–5 September 2027
- The Lisboa Card now costs €31, €51 or €62 for 24, 48 or 72 hours
- Pena Palace is €20 for the palace and park, with timed tickets online
- The tourist tax is €4 per person per night, up to seven nights
- MOTELx and the Alfama fado festival return in September; their 2027 dates follow on the organisers' sites
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), first written in May 2026 and refreshed in October 2026 for September 2027. Climate figures are IPMA 1991–2020 normals. Facts verified against:
- Festa do Avante for the festival and its first-weekend pattern
- Visit Lisboa shop for Lisboa Card prices
- Parques de Sintra for Pena Palace tickets
- MOTELx for the horror film festival
- IPMA for climate normals and warnings
For the season as a whole, see Lisbon in autumn, and for the month that follows, Lisbon in October.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in Lisbon in September 2027?
Festa do Avante, the huge music and culture festival in Seixal across the river, is held on the first weekend of September, which would be 3–5 September 2027. The month also brings the warmest sea of the year, the grape harvest on the Setúbal Peninsula, the MOTELx horror film festival and the Alfama fado festival, whose 2027 dates follow on their sites.
Is September a good month to visit Lisbon?
Yes, it is one of the best. Days are in the mid-to-high 20s, the Atlantic is at its warmest, the August crowds thin and hotel rates ease. The light is superb, and only the last week usually brings the first autumn rain. Budget for the €4 per person per night tourist tax, charged for up to seven nights.
How much is the Lisboa Card?
The Lisboa Card, sold by the city tourism board, costs €31 for 24 hours, €51 for 48 hours and €62 for 72 hours for adults, with cheaper child versions. It covers the metro, buses, trams and the trains to Cascais and Sintra, and free or discounted entry to many museums, so it pays off on busy sightseeing days rather than beach days.
What are the best beaches near Lisbon in September?
Cascais, about 40 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, has town beaches a short walk from the station. Praia do Guincho, beyond Cascais, is wild and windy, better for surfers than swimmers. Costa da Caparica, across the river, has miles of sand, and Praia de Ribeira do Cavalo near Sesimbra has clear water at the bottom of a steep path.
What’s the weather like in Lisbon in September?
Lisbon in September typically sees temperatures of 17–27°C with around 4 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.