Portugal in November – What to expect, see, and taste.
- Nana Guerreiro
- 10 hours ago
- 7 min read
November in Portugal is a quiet kind of beautiful.
The crowds are gone, the light turns golden, and the pace slows down — as if the whole country takes a deep breath after summer. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing Portugal without the rush, this is your month.
Weather & mood across regions
Portugal in November is gentle.
In Lisbon and the South, days still flirt with 18–20°C, and you can sit outside for lunch without freezing. The North and interior regions get cooler, misty, sometimes poetic — the kind of weather that makes a glass of red wine taste even better.
You might get a few rainy days, but they bring a special charm: cobblestones shining after the rain, the smell of roasted chestnuts on every corner, and cozy evenings inside traditional taverns.
There’s less light, yes — but also less hurry. And that’s when you start seeing the real Portugal.
Where to go: Lisbon, Alentejo, Douro Valley
Lisbon
Lisbon in November is soft and luminous. You can wander through Alfama without crowds, ride tram 28 without queuing, and visit Belém when the Tagus River reflects that late autumn light.
Evenings are perfect for fado — not as a show, but as an experience. Sit down, order a glass of red, and let the voices tell the story of the city.
Alentejo
If you want calm, head east.
The Alentejo in November feels timeless: white villages wrapped in silence, fields turning gold, and endless horizons that make you slow down without trying. It’s harvest time for olives and the moment to taste the vinho novo — the first wine of the season, often served with roasted chestnuts and laughter. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is perfect for this season — fewer tourists, beautiful light, and plenty of good food.
Douro Valley
Further north, the Douro wears its autumn colors like a painting. Terraces of vineyards fade from green to amber, and the river carries the reflection of the hills.
This is when the valley rests — after the grape harvest, before the winter sleep. You can visit wineries, take a quiet river cruise, or just sit by the fireplace in a wine estate and let time slow down.
Seasonal Foods: roasted chestnuts, new wine & comfort dishes
If you want to understand Portugal, taste it in November.
Every street smells like castanhas assadas — roasted chestnuts wrapped in paper cones.
Cafés serve açorda alentejana (a garlicky bread soup with poached egg), and restaurants bring out the hearty stews: cozido à portuguesa, feijoada, and bacalhau com natas.
It’s also the season for the vinho novo, that young red wine that marks the end of the grape harvest — simple, honest, and best enjoyed with friends. This is food that doesn’t pretend. It’s food that comforts.
Why November is a Hidden gem month for travelers
Most people skip November.
They wait for spring flowers or summer beaches — and that’s exactly why you shouldn’t.
Traveling in November means quieter streets, friendlier locals, and prices that don’t try to compete with the sun. It’s when Portugal belongs to the Portuguese again — and when visitors get to experience it more truthfully.
You see the same monuments, yes, but you also get to see the rhythm of real life.
The café owner who takes time to talk.
The fisherman is repairing his nets—the winemaker who invites you to taste something straight from the barrel.
Portugal in November is not about doing more — it’s about feeling more.
Things to do in November:
Event | Dates | What it is & why travelers might care |
Web Summit | 10–13 Nov 2025 | One of the world’s largest tech conferences, held in Lisbon. If you have clients in tech or want to tie in a business angle, this is it. For leisure travellers, it means hotel rates may be higher and some areas busier — a good planner tip. |
São Martinho’s Day & chestnut + young-wine tradition | 11 Nov 2025 | A more local-centred festival: roasted chestnuts on the streets, “vinho novo” (new wine) tastings, cosy autumn mood. Great to include as an authentic cultural moment. |
Wonderland Lisboa | From ~29 Nov 2025 to 5 Jan 2026 | The city transitions into festive mode with markets, lights, ice-rink and seasonal décor. If someone visits late November, this marks the start of the winter festive vibe. |
Theatre, cinema, comedy & shows
Event | Dates | Venue / Address | Notes |
AirOtic Soirée – “Naughty Noël” | Nov (multiple dates) | Lisbon (touring venue; cabaret/circus setting) | Immersive circus-cabaret, Christmas edition. |
Fiesta de Día de los Muertos | Nov 1–2 | Fábrica Braço de Prata, Rua do Material de Guerra 1 (Marvila) | 18h of activities; 13 free; Fri 20:00–02:00, Sat 13:00–02:00. |
A Morte do Corvo (immersive theatre) | From Oct 31 + Nov dates | Antigo Hospital Militar da Estrela, R. Santo António à Estrela 29A | Edgar Allan Poe × Fernando Pessoa; Wed–Sun 21:00/21:30. |
Galeria do Loreto + Real Fado | Nov (multiple) | Galeria do Loreto, Lisbon | Guided walk in underground aqueduct tunnel ending with fado session. |
Noites de Impro – Os ImproMix | Nov 6 19:00 + more dates | Fábrica Braço de Prata (+2 more locations) | 100% improvised comedy nights. |
Exhibitions, art & fashion
Exhibition / Event | Dates | Venue | Notes |
Living Van Gogh (immersive) | From Oct 24 (ongoing) | Lisbon (immersive venue) | 360º, VR & interactives. |
Santo António in Advertising | Oct 23 – Apr 20, 2026, Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 | Museum of Lisbon – Santo António (Largo de Santo António à Sé) | €3 incl. museum. |
AXIS – The Immersive Experience | Nov 9–24 (Mon–Sat 19:00/20:00/21:00; Sun 16:00/17:00/19:00/20:00/21:00) | Mīrārī Cultural Space, Av. 24 de Julho 170 | Multi-sensory art by Craig Viveiros. |
InShadow – Lisbon ScreenDance Festival (16th ed.) | Nov 7 – Dec 15 | Various (Casa do Comum, Museu da Marioneta, Teatro do Bairro, Cinemateca, etc.) | Videodance competitions, installations, workshops. |
Pixar Exhibition (“A Ciência da Pixar”) | Ongoing | Pavilion of Knowledge | Behind-the-scenes of Pixar & science. |
Gulbenkian Museum (Av. de Berna 45A)
Exhibition | Dates |
Petrarch and Boccaccio | Until Nov 4 |
MuseoBot: museums, democracy & AI | Until Dec 31 |
Venice in Festa | Until Jan 13, 2025 |
CAM – Modern Art Centre (Rua Marquês de Fronteira)
Exhibition | Dates |
Leonor Antunes – “da desigualdade constante dos dias de leonor” | Until Feb 17, 2025 |
Linha de Maré (CAM Collection) | Until May 11, 2026 |
The Western Calligrapher – Fernando Lemos and Japan | Until Nov 4, 2024 (archive/closing note) |
Go Watanabe – M5A5 | Until Jan 13, 2025 |
Yasuhiro Morinaga – The Voice of Inconstant Savage | Until Jan 13, 2025 |
Chikako Yamashiro – Song of the Land | Nov 29 – Jan 13, 2025 |
H BOX (video) | Permanent |
MAC-CCB – Museum of Contemporary Art (Belém)
Exhibition | Dates |
Berardo Collection | Permanent |
Object, Body and Space | Permanent |
Guest Work: “El Abraço” (1976) | Until Nov 24 |
MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology (Belém)
Exhibition | Dates |
The Electricity Factory | Permanent |
William Klein – The Whole World is a Stage | Until Feb 3, 2025 |
Black Ancient Futures | Until Mar 17, 2025 |
Catarina Dias – Inverted On Us | Until Mar 17, 2025 |
Light Everywhere II | Until Jan 27, 2025 |
Energies. Perpetual Movement | Until Jan 6, 2025 |
Museu do Oriente (Doca de Alcântara, N.)
Program | Dates |
Portuguese Presence in Asia | Permanent |
Japan – festivals and rituals | Until Dec 31, 2024 |
Guided tour: Circuits through the Orient | Nov 26 |
Oriental Dance (classes) | Mon & Thu through Dec |
Other museums & attractions
Venue / Experience | Dates / Hours | Address | Notes |
Puppet Museum (Museu da Marioneta) | Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 | Rua da Esperança 146 (Convento das Bernardas, Santos) | Story of puppetry worldwide. |
Banksy Museum (permanent) | Mon–Fri 13:00–20:00; Sat–Sun 11:00–20:00 (last entry 19:15) | Rua Viriato 25B (Picoas) | New works added; from €8. |
Museum of Communications | Various | Rua do Instituto Industrial 16 | Exhibitions: Submarine Cables (to 2050), From Cape Zero to Freedom (to Apr 1, 2025), D. Manuel I (to Dec 31). |
Experiences, attractions & games
Activity | Dates | Venue / Address | Notes |
Neon Brush – Paint in the Dark (+ drinks) | Nov 15–17 | Rive Rouge, Praça Dom Luís I 30 | Guided glow-paint session. |
Oceanário de Lisboa | From Oct 30 + daily slots | Esplanada D. Carlos I, 1990-005 | 8,000+ animals & plants; “Submerged Forests” and “ONE”. |
Escala 25 – Climbing under the 25 de Abril Bridge | From Oct 30 + more dates | Pilar 7, Av. da Índia (Alcântara) | 12m wall; sessions for all levels. |
Casa-Museu Amália Rodrigues – Guided Tour | From Oct 30 + more dates | Rua de São Bento 193 | Intimate look at the fado icon’s home. |
Dino Parque Lourinhã (surroundings) | From Oct 30 + more dates | Rua Vale dos Dinossauros 25, Lourinhã | 200 life-size dinosaurs, outdoor. |
Pharmacy Museum – Guided Visit | From Oct 30 + more dates | Rua Marechal Saldanha 1 | History of health & pharmacy. |
Museu 3D Fun Art | From Oct 30 + more dates | Av. Miguel Bombarda 91A | Interactive 3D illusions; family-friendly. |
Minigolf Experience (indoor) | From Oct 30 + more dates | Calçada Ferragial 8 | Indoor course with “psychedelic” twists. |
Concerts, parties & festivals
Artist / Show | Date(s) | Venue |
Fontaines D.C. | Nov 1 | Sagres Campo Pequeno |
André Rieu | Nov 1–2 | MEO Arena |
Jacob Collier | Nov 2 | MEO Arena (Sala Tejo) |
Joanna | Nov 15 | Sagres Campo Pequeno |
Dream Theater | Nov 16 | MEO Arena |
David Fonseca | Nov 16–17 | Coliseu dos Recreios |
Apocalyptica | Nov 17 | LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo |
BALTHVS | Nov 17 | LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo (Sala 2) |
Clã | Nov 18 | Teatro Tivoli BBVA |
Desire | Nov 19 | Capitólio |
Bryan Adams | Nov 20 & 24 | MEO Arena |
Cigarettes After Sex | Nov 21 | MEO Arena |
Amistat | Nov 23 | LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo (Sala 2) |
Pedro Abrunhosa & Os Bandemónio | Nov 23 | MEO Arena |
Within Temptation | Nov 25–26 | MEO Arena (Sala Tejo) |
RY X | Nov 27 | LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo (Sala 1) |
Branko | Nov 28 | Coliseu dos Recreios |
Ready to experience Portugal beyond the summer rush?
Day tours from Lisbon
Sintra & Cascais Tour: Palaces, gardens, ocean views, and pastel de travesseiro? Say less. I’ll guide you through Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and we’ll end the day by the sea.
Fátima, Nazaré & Óbidos: Spiritual peace, monster waves, and medieval charm in one perfect day. You won't regret it.
Évora & the Cork Trees: History, wine, and a side of something unexpected.
Setúbal - Palmela: Wine, views, and the stunning Arrábida coastline — with dolphins if we’re lucky. It’s the kind of day that makes you fall in love with Portugal all over again.
Remember: I can also take you on a Lisbon half day tour — quick, fun, and packed with hidden gems only a local would know
With Portugal Journeys With Peppe, all you have to do is show up ready to smile, eat, explore, and maybe dance a little.
My Fleet
No matter your group size or travel style, I’ve got the wheels to match — from comfy SUVs to spacious minibuses and a full-size bus for the party people. Let’s ride in comfort and style!
Check our prices HERE.
Book your private tour with Portugal Journeys With Peppe — and discover Portugal the way locals live it: slowly, warmly, and with heart.
Visit www.portugaljourneyswithpeppe.com or send me a message to plan your perfect Portuguese adventure.
Let’s make it personal. Join me for a private journey through Lisbon, Alentejo, or the Douro Valley — where every stop tells a story and every season has its own soul.
Peppe.