10 Things to Do in Lisbon in November

Lisbon receives fewer visitors in November than in summer, but if there's one thing the Portuguese capital stands out for, it's its off-season charms. There's so much to see in Lisbon beyond the summer season!

In this article, I'm going to show you everything Lisbon has to offer in November. If you find one of the usual cheap flights to Lisbon for traveling in November, you're in luck: there's so much to see and do in Lisbon.

Lisbon's Bullring (also called Parque Pequeno Square) kicks off the Christmas markets on November 29. Located on Avenida da República, it's the perfect place to immerse yourself in Portuguese tradition. Especially since it's a market that focuses on Portuguese products. There, among around 100 stalls, you'll find:

• Handicrafts
• Food
• Shows
• Crafts
• Restaurants
• Cinema

As you can see, it's an ideal place to spend a few hours, as you can browse, shop, and even eat there. Of course, you have to pay an entrance fee, but it's very reasonable. Tickets start at €1. You can also take advantage of one of the tours of Lisbon that pass through Avenida da República to learn more about this place.

This holiday takes place on November 1 and, as in many other Christian countries, is dedicated to commemorating ancestors and the deceased. In Lisbon, this celebration takes on a particularly colorful form, as it is traditional for children to visit homes with a bag in which they can collect sweets or chestnuts as gifts. As you can see, it's not very different from Halloween. This day also has its own gastronomic customs. Among them:

• Cinnamon sweets.
• Wine and roasted chestnuts.
• Pan de Deus (God's Bread), typical of All Saints' Day.

I recommend discovering these specialties through the many food tours that take place in the Portuguese capital. You can find out about your options in this article on the best food tours in Lisbon.

This religious festival takes place on November 11 and is summed up in the following phrase from Portuguese folklore: "pelo São Martinho, castanhas, pão e vinho." That is, "for Saint Martin, bread, chestnuts, and wine." As you can see, it's very clear what you'll be able to enjoy. In fact, there are often events where you can get your hands on these products to taste them.

I also recommend taking advantage of Saint Martin's Day to explore Portugal's rich and prestigious wine tradition. In fact, there are numerous wine tastings that will introduce you to exquisite Portuguese wines. Here you can discover the options for the best wine tastings in Lisbon.

A great plan for lovers of the seventh art. This film festival is held in Estoril, just a 20-minute drive from Lisbon. It is dedicated to all kinds of audiovisual creations such as fiction, documentaries, and animation. The Lisbon and Estoril Film Festival is held in November, often starting in the second week of the month, although I recommend checking the festival's official website for the dates of each edition, as there may be changes.

This festival is usually accompanied by events such as conferences and even concerts. There are different types of tickets depending on the event you want to enjoy, although all of them can be purchased from €5.

Also, if you go to Estoril, I recommend you don't miss the opportunity to visit Sintra, just a 15-minute drive away, and book your ticket for the Pena Palace in Sintra. Although it is not essential to go to Estoril to visit Sintra, there are many excursions to Sintra from Lisbon! Or you can also do it on your own. Here is the information you will need to do so:

• How to get to Sintra from Lisbon.
• What to see and do in Sintra.

Also known as the Lisbon Triennale, this is one of the Portuguese city's cultural highlights during the winter. In this case, the focus of the event is architectural design. There are not only exhibitions but also talks and presentations by internationally renowned professionals. As its name suggests, this triennial takes place every three years, so it is highly advisable to check whether there will be an edition in the year you plan to travel.

The event lasts for three months, from October to December, so if you travel in November, you will find it in full swing. As for prices, some events are free and others require payment (the latter are often conferences). Daily or three-day passes are also available. With regard to daily passes, pay close attention to the prices, as they may vary depending on the month. You will basically find these types of passes:

• Daily pass: Available from €30.
• Three-day pass: Available from €90.

There are several venues throughout Lisbon. I recommend checking this carefully, as it may change depending on the edition. The venues are usually the following:

• Sintel de Cordes Palace.
• Belém Cultural Center.
• MAAT Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Chiado Museum.

A perfect event not only for photography lovers but also for bibliophiles in general. The Lisbon Photography Book Fair takes place on November 26, 27, and 28. However, it is best to check this information before you go, in case there are any changes. At the fair, you can enjoy the following:

• Photography books.
• Exhibitions.
• Markets.
• Talks and conferences.
• Workshops.
• Children's activities.

Most activities are free and take place in two main locations:

• The Municipal Archives
• Avenida Conde Valbom 120

If there is one advantage to traveling to Lisbon in November, it is that you will find the city much more enjoyable. Especially because you won't have to deal with the long lines and wait times that characterize the crowded summer months. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy absolutely everything in a less stressful way. I recommend that you take advantage of this to visit the museums. I would highlight the following:

• Benfica Museum in Lisbon: Learn all about the history of the legendary soccer team with a guided tour of the Estádio da Luz and the Benfica Museum.
• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon: A significant number of pieces from the Greco-Roman era, the Middle East, and the Far East, as well as more than 10,000 Portuguese works of art await you in this popular museum.
• Royal Treasury Museum in Lisbon: Discover a complete collection of priceless royal artifacts and jewels.
• Museu do Oriente: More than 1,400 pieces of Asian art resulting from Portugal's historical colonial relations.
• National Archaeology Museum: I recommend it because the building, the Jerónimos Monastery, is a work of art in itself.
• Tile Museum: You can't visit Lisbon without visiting a museum dedicated to one of Portugal's most characteristic and universal products: tiles.

Scientific Culture Day takes place on November 24 and consists of various events, some for schools and teachers and others for the general public. The epicenter of the latter is the National Museum of Natural History and Science. This museum is well worth a visit if you like science, as Portugal has a significant scientific collection, largely drawn from its colonial era in America, Africa, and Asia. At this museum, you can enjoy the following:

• Botanical Garden.
• Tropical Botanical Garden.
• Astronomical Observatory.
• Chemical Laboratory.

So there is plenty to see. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in winter. Tickets start at €5.

Fernando Pessoa is perhaps one of the most famous Portuguese people in the world. Considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century, he is an institution in Portugal. Since the poet died on November 30, there are events related to him that may be of interest if you are a lover of Pessoa's work. Lisbon is Pessoa's city par excellence, so there is no shortage of places to remember the poet.

Without a doubt, the most important is the Pessoa House Museum. You can find the planned program on their website. The building is located at 16 Coelho de Rocha Street and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased starting at €3.

This is a highly relevant event, given the tens of thousands of people who attend it every year. It usually takes place in the first week of November, although it is best to check the official website for the dates when you are planning to visit Lisbon. It brings together large investment and technology companies, startups, and digital entrepreneurs from more than 150 countries. The program is extensive and includes:

• Thematic conferences.
• Hundreds of exhibiting companies.
• Dozens of speakers.

In short, it is an exceptional event for learning about new trends and the future prospects of new technologies. In fact, it is considered one of the most important European events in this sector. It takes place in Lisbon's Parque das Nações, and tickets are available from €9.

It is very likely that your motivation for traveling to Lisbon in November is precisely to attend this exceptional event. If you don't have much time to visit the charms of Lisbon, I recommend taking one of the many tourist buses. In a short time, you can see everything there is to see in Lisbon.

The weather in Lisbon in November is characterized by a drop in temperatures. However, they remain mild. Average high temperatures reach 17 degrees, while lows reach 11 degrees.

As you can see, it's warm enough to visit Lisbon without freezing to death. However, the proximity to the Tagus estuary causes significant humidity, which can make it feel colder. The weather can also be quite cloudy and windy.

While regions of Portugal such as the Algarve are subject to strong seasonality due to their sun and beach attractions, the same is not true of Lisbon. The main attractions of this city are its streets, art, and architecture. Therefore, although visitor numbers drop in November, tourism remains steady.

In any case, if your main concern is crowds, you won't find them when traveling in November. In fact, it can be a great time to visit Lisbon at a different pace, avoiding queues and waiting times.

Above all, warm clothing to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. In any case, temperatures are not excessively low (the minimum is usually around 11 degrees Celsius). Even so, I recommend that you bring the following with you:

• Warm clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes.
• A raincoat.

This will be more than enough to visit Lisbon in November. Even for the rest of the winter. If you end up visiting the Portuguese capital in December or January, these clothes will serve you well. However, when it comes to plans, I recommend that you find out more about what to see and do in Lisbon in winter.