As summer comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next holiday. October offers mild, pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists, making it one of the best months to explore Portugal.
Whether you want to relax at thermal spas with stunning autumnal mountain views, indulge in Portugal’s rich culinary experiences, or discover cultural activities on the islands, there’s something for every traveller. This guide highlights the top destinations for a memorable October holiday in Portugal.
What the Portuguese islands have to offer
Starting with Portugal’s islands, October is an excellent month to explore Madeira and the Azores. With mild temperatures and stunning natural landscapes, these regions offer far more than just beaches and viewpoints. The month also brings a rich cultural calendar, making your visit even more special.
Madeira Island
Madeira is an island worth exploring, offering a variety of events that let you experience its culture, nature, and traditions. At the start of the month, from 2 to 5 October, the Camacha Apple Festival takes place, celebrating the harvest with ethnographic parades, traditional music, and dance.
Just a few days later, from 3 to 5 October, the Eco Rally Madeira hits the roads—a competition for electric cars passing through Funchal, Calheta, Porto Moniz, and Machico, where the thrilling Power Stage takes place.
From 7 to 12 October, the island becomes the stage for the Festival of Nature, offering a range of outdoor activities that let you discover Madeira’s stunning landscapes. Later in the month, the Chestnut Festival in Curral das Freiras, running from 31 October to 1 November, is a highlight, featuring tastings, live music, and cultural entertainment. On 31 October, Halloween is also celebrated, with events designed especially for children, including parades and parties in shopping centres and parks.
Graciosa Island, Azores
In October, Graciosa Island, the most peaceful of the Azores archipelago, offers a perfect mix of unspoiled nature, cultural traditions, and local gastronomy. A must-visit site is the Caldeira da Graciosa, an extinct volcano accessible via a spiral staircase built in the early 20th century. Inside, you’ll find a small cold-water lake and bubbling mud pools.
Another highlight is the Dutch-style windmills, particularly around São Mateus, which shape the landscape and reflect the island’s agricultural heritage. And of course, no visit to Graciosa is complete without tasting the famous star-shaped queijadas, filled with milk, caramel, and cinnamon, available in the local bakeries.
Thermal destinations in Portugal: where to relax in October
With milder temperatures and fewer tourists, Portugal's thermal spas are the perfect way to unwind and recharge. Across the north and centre of the country, historic and authentic locations offer unique experiences in thermal waters.
Gerês Thermal Baths, Peneda-Gerês National Park
The Gerês Thermal Baths offer an authentic wellness experience surrounded by nature, renowned for the unique quality of their thermal waters. The scenic surroundings, fresh mountain air, and tranquillity of the Peneda-Gerês National Park make this an ideal destination for those looking to relax, recharge, and restore balance.
The thermal water is hyposaline (low in minerals), silicated, thiosulphated, and sodium bicarbonated, with a pH of around 9.2 and a temperature of approximately 45–50°C. These properties are believed to provide therapeutic benefits for digestive issues, liver and gallbladder problems, hypertension, chronic rheumatism, and metabolic or endocrine conditions.
São Pedro do Sul Thermal Baths, Viseu
The São Pedro do Sul Thermal Baths are among the oldest spa resorts in Portugal, attracting both visitors seeking relief from physical ailments and those simply wanting to relax.
Located in the Viseu district and surrounded by the Arada, São Macário, and Freita mountain ranges, these thermal baths operate year-round, with two main spa facilities:
- Rainha Dona Amélia, ideal for short wellness breaks;
- D. Afonso Henriques, focused on therapeutic thermal treatments and physiotherapy, with stays ranging from 14 to 21 days.
The thermal water at São Pedro do Sul naturally emerges at around 68.7°C and is sulphurous, bicarbonated, sodium-rich, and fluoridated. In addition, the baths offer wellness services such as massages and relaxation circuits, as well as physiotherapy programmes designed by qualified teams to suit each visitor’s specific needs.
Monchique Thermal Baths, Faro
If you’re in the south of Portugal and seeking a unique thermal experience, the Monchique Thermal Baths are the perfect choice. Nestled in the Monchique Mountains, these baths offer therapeutic treatments in waters renowned for their healing properties since Roman times.
The thermal water, rich in bicarbonate, fluoride, and silica, emerges at temperatures between 27°C and 31.5°C, making it beneficial for respiratory, digestive, and muscular conditions.
The Villa Termal Caldas de Monchique Spa Resort is the Algarve’s only thermal resort. Combining tradition and modernity, it offers exclusive treatments using these therapeutic waters.
Portuguese gastronomy: where to visit in October
With festivals, markets, and gastronomic events, October is the perfect month to explore local traditions and seasonal produce. Here are three cities ideal for following a culinary route through Portugal and experiencing its rich food culture.
National Gastronomy Festival, Santarém
The 44th National Gastronomy Festival in Santarém will take place from 16 to 26 October 2025 at Casa do Campino.
Under the theme “Tradition with a Taste of the Future”, the festival brings together chefs, producers, and artisans from across the country, offering a full programme of tastings, culinary demonstrations, and workshops. Entry is free, with tickets required only for certain activities.
Beyond the festival, Santarém has plenty of tourist attractions to explore. Jardim das Portas do Sol is one of the region’s most important viewpoints, offering panoramic views over the Tagus River. Igreja da Graça is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture in Portugal, featuring beautiful azulejos and intricate ornamental details. Don’t forget to visit the Municipal Market, where you can find fresh local produce and regional specialities.
Gastronomic Festival, Fundão
The “Fundão, Here You Eat Well – Flavours of Autumn” Gastronomic Festival is an annual event celebrating seasonal flavours while promoting local and regional cuisine. In 2025, the festival will take place on weekends from 18 October to 9 November across various restaurants in the Fundão municipality.
Visitors can sample traditional dishes made with seasonal products such as chestnuts, pumpkin, honey, walnuts, maize, quince, mushrooms, new wine, and jeropiga.
Beyond the festival, Fundão offers a variety of tourist attractions worth exploring in October. Parque Verde da Cidade do Fundão is a pleasant outdoor space with leisure areas and greenery. Quinta Pedagógica do Fundão is ideal for families, offering educational activities and close encounters with farm animals. Just 13 km from Fundão, the Historic Village of Castelo Novo is a site of historical and cultural interest, with slate streets and medieval monuments.
Chícharo Gastronomic Festival, Alvaiázere
The Chícharo Gastronomic Festival in Alvaiázere is an annual event celebrating local cuisine.
In 2025, the 21st edition will take place from 3 to 5 October, featuring food stalls, live music, and cultural activities that showcase the flavours and traditions of the municipality. Visitors can sample dishes made with chícharo (field beans), including soups, salads, and sweets, prepared by local restaurants and regional producers.
Alvaiázere also offers several tourist attractions worth exploring in October. The Municipal Museum of Alvaiázere provides insight into the area’s history, with exhibitions on cultural and traditional heritage. The Alvaiázere Mountains are perfect for hiking and outdoor walks, while the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Covões, located in the hills, is a charming historical site.
Top sights to explore on every island in the Azores
The Azores are a stunning Portuguese archipelago made up of nine volcanic islands scattered across the Atlantic Ocean. Known for their unique landscapes and rich culture, the islands offer something truly special in Europe. From crystal-clear lakes and volcanic craters to fajãs, waterfalls, and natural swimming pools, each island has its own distinct charm.
Perched above the Atlantic: the only hotel in the Azores with a Michelin Key
In the heart of the Azores, where dramatic landscapes meet refined design, one boutique hotel is setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality. Nestled atop a volcanic cliff on São Miguel Island, WHITE Exclusive Suites & Villas has just become the first and only hotel in the region to be awarded a coveted Michelin Key — a new recognition from the Michelin Guide, celebrating excellence in hospitality worldwide.
Things to do in October in Portugal: festivals, fairs, and autumn runs
October in Portugal has that first-hint-of-autumn feel. Grape juice on your trainers in the Douro, chestnut smoke in the lanes, soft light on the castles, and a steady run of food and film events in the cities. You'll get calmer beaches, busy cultural calendars and the odd Atlantic downpour while getting stuck into the things you can do in October in Portugal.
National Castle Day in Portugal: key events and unmissable castles
With National Castle Day on the horizon, picture Portugal’s hilltop fortresses and coastal bastions opening up with special goings‑on behind the gates. A neat excuse to wander ramparts and explore a stretch of the Romanesque Route.
Republic Day in Portugal 2025: history, meaning and what to expect
Commemorating the 1910 revolution that ended the monarchy, Portugal’s Republic Day sits at the heart of the national calendar. The date is remembered as a reset of Portugal’s political life in the 20th century, with official ceremonies across Lisboa, Porto and beyond.
The best medieval towns in Portugal to visit this autumn
As summer draws to a close, the lure of a weekend getaway is still strong, but instead of heading to the coast, why not explore Portugal’s medieval towns? These historical villages offer breathtaking landscapes, centuries of history, delicious regional cuisine, and charming streets perfect for wandering. From ancient castles to narrow cobbled alleys, Portugal’s medieval towns transport you back in time.
Golf season kicks off at Vale do Lobo: a must-visit destination for golfers in the Algarve
As the Algarve welcomes cooler September weather, golf enthusiasts are heading to one of Portugal’s most prestigious resorts: Vale do Lobo. Known for its world-class facilities and stunning surroundings, Vale do Lobo offers the perfect combination of sport, luxury, and lifestyle for both visiting golfers and those considering property investment in the region.