Brr! September, right? The days are getting colder and colder and maybe even one of the warmest countries in Europe starts to move indoors, right? Well, not really! The wonderful city of Lisbon actually sees average temperatures in September of approximately 78°F (26°C) during the day and roughly 62°F (17°C) at night. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Moreover, September usually comes with an average of only three rainy days. So, all in all, the temperature is pleasant – not too warm, not too cold. This is the perfect opportunity to further discover the city, especially if you decide to extend your August trip into September.
Lisbon has fewer crowds in September, but there are still plenty of tourists who are still discovering its charm. If you’re one of those and are looking to fill your must-see list with something fun and exciting to do, here are some things to do in Lisbon in September!
1. Festival Sete Sóis Sete Luas
When: September 1 – September 3
Where: Parque dos Poetas (R. A Gazeta d’Oeiras 29, 2780-171 Oeiras, Portugal) Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena
How much: Free entry
Translated in English as the Seven Suns Seven Moons Festival, this event is celebrating its 32nd edition and can be attended during the first three days in September. It consists of numerous contemporary music performances and shows. You can also attend plays performed right on the street. But this is not everything! For a complete package, you can also try the gastronomy as well as the visual arts exhibition.
Festival Sete Sois Sete Luas is for those who want to enjoy art and culture to the fullest. The bonus is that Parque dos Poetas (the festival location) is spectacular and offers panoramic views over the city! The other location, while slightly farther away from Lisbon’s city center, is also a must-see if you have the chance, so you’ll kill two birds with one stone – have fun and check out some beautiful landmarks!
2. Almada e Pessoa
When: September 1 – September 8, Tuesday to Sunday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: R. Coelho da Rocha 18, 1250-088 Lisboa, Portugal
How much: Free entry
If you’re passionate about Portuguese culture, then you’re most likely passionate about Pessoa as well – or at least intrigued to find out more about him! Well, this temporary exhibition may be just the ticket! Where is it held? In his house, of course – Casa Fernando Pessoa in the beautiful neighborhood of Campo de Ourique.
You’ll have the opportunity there to check out the private collections of Fernando Pessoa and Almada Negreiros. These include manuscripts, letters they wrote to each other, rare book editions, and more. You can also see two projects of illustrated mock-ups that have never been displayed before, so make sure to add Almada e Pessoa to your to-do list for your Lisbon trip!
3. Walking Tour – Locals
When: September 1 – September 14
Where: Cascais
How much: Free entry (requires registration in advance)
Cascais is one of the most beautiful towns in the district of Lisbon, especially when it comes to coastal views. It’s just a half-hour drive from the Lisbon city center. We actually recommend waking up really early one morning and exploring the beaches in Cascais – the atmosphere is serene, the views are breathtaking, and there’s a high chance it will be rather peaceful in the morning.
However, if you want to discover more about this area, you have the perfect opportunity until September 14th. Namely, there are Walking Tours organized by the Camara Municipal de Cascais with the support of local volunteers. There is no entry fee, and you get to be introduced to the wonders of Cascais by locals.
All you have to do is submit a form here.
4. Patio do Fado
When: September 20
Where: Marvila Library, R. António Gedeão, 1950-374 Lisboa, Portugal
How much: Free entry
You’ve experienced arts, gastronomy, and walking tours – what about music? Well, when it comes to music in Portugal, it’s all about fado.
Luckily for tourists, the Marvila Library in Lisbon organizes an event on September 20th for both locals and tourists who want to let themselves float on the rhythms of fado music. There is no entry fee, and most likely, you can pop in at any time to listen to some genuine fado.
The event takes place in the courtyard of the Marvila Library and is held by ACOF – 1st School of Fado.
5. Fernando Pessoa no Castelo de São Jorge
When: September 21; the English tour: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the Portuguese tour: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Castelo de São Jorge, R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal
How much: 10 Euro (tickets include this event only, not access to the entire castle)
Fernando Pessoa is known for describing Lisbon in detail in his works, be it poetry or prose. As such, this special visit to Castelo de São Jorge will turn Pessoa’s words into reality.
The event consists of a guided tour through several parts of the castle that are considered important in regard to Pessoa’s life and his works. The tours are for both tourists and locals, so if you don’t speak Portuguese, make sure to attend the one held in English – from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Don’t forget to stay close to your group, as the guided tour ticket includes this tour only and doesn’t grant access to the entire castle. Once the tour is finished, you can visit the castle as well – it is, after all, one of the most famous in Portugal.
6. Pela Calçada – Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
When: September 25; from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, R. de São Pedro de Alcântara, 1200-470 Lisboa, Portugal
How much: Free entry (registration required in advance)
Portugal simply isn’t Portugal without its impressive miradouros (viewpoints). Perhaps slightly more impressive than these viewpoints, from a cultural standpoint, are the artistic, long-standing paved roads that seem to always connect them.
This is why Escola de Calceteiros decided to organize a tour along the sidewalk, bringing you closer to some of Lisbon’s famous miradouros, at the same time encouraging you to look downwards too, observing the intricate paved roads that lead you to the best spots in Lisbon. Quite a unique event, isn’t it? It is definitely different from the standard walking tours in Lisbon.
There is no entry fee, but you do have to register in advance, and since the group can have a maximum of 20 participants, hurry up to book your spot!
7. Operafest
When: September 1 – September 11
Where: Gulbenkian Museum (Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisboa, Portugal), Palácio do Marquês de Pombal (Largo Marquês Pombal 21, 2780-289 Oeiras, Portugal)
How much: Depends on the event
Opera music in one of the most famous museums in Lisbon? Say that again! You definitely shouldn’t miss it if you enjoy such events – we certainly won’t! The festival has numerous performances (it actually started in August), of which some can be attended in September, including:
- Don Giovanni, by Mozart, on September 2 and 4, with a price tag of 35 EUR
- Tormento, on September 6 and 7, with a price tag of 7.5 EUR
- Operatic Rave, on September 7, with a price tag of 15 EUR.
8. A Revolução Das Marionetas
When: Throughout the month
Where: Museu da Marioneta, Convento das Bernardas, Rua da Esperança 146, 1200-660 Lisboa, Portugal
How much: 3 EUR for the temporary exhibition; 6 EUR for the long-term exhibition
Looking for something truly different? Then, we highly recommend this temporary exhibition that will take you all the way back to the 1960s, at the beginning of the world of puppets in Portugal. The Puppet Revolution exhibition focuses on the most flourishing period of the Portuguese puppetry industry, namely the 1970s and the 1980s.
The entry fee is 3 EUR if you want to visit only the temporary exhibition. There’s also a long-term exhibition which isn’t included in that price.
9. Somersby Out Jazz
When: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Where: Jardins do Palácio Marquês de Pombal, Palácio do Marquês Pombal, 2780 Oeiras, Portugal
How much: Free entry
Throughout September, you can attend five events at the Somersby Out Jazz Festival – the festival has actually been on for four months here in Lisbon. Every month, attendees have the pleasure of discovering a new location and listening to new jazzy tunes.
In September, you’ll find yourself in the Jardins do Palácio Marquês de Pombal, one of Lisbon’s most famous event locations – you surely know more about it from our other event guides!
Kaspar, M. Dusa, Ninguém, Zef, and Hugo are only some of the artists you’ll hear live at the Somersby Out Jazz Festival in September. The best part? You can just drop in whenever you like and jazz out – the event has no entry fee whatsoever.
Have yourself a September to remember in Lisbon and check out some of these fantastic events.
