September brings a change of pace to Portugal. The busiest summer weeks are coming to an end, temperatures become more comfortable and the harvest season begins across the country. It is a month when you can still enjoy the beach while also discovering local traditions, food and wine.

From traditional festivities and cultural events to vineyard visits and weekend escapes, September offers plenty of ways to explore Portugal before autumn arrives.

Monthly Calendar

Commemorative Dates

21 September — International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace is observed around the world through cultural activities, educational initiatives and events promoting peace and dialogue. Check your local cultural programme to see what is happening near you.

22 September — Beginning of Autumn

The autumn equinox marks the transition from summer to autumn. In Portugal, September can still bring warm and sunny days while the evenings become cooler and the first signs of autumn begin to appear.

Cultural Events

Festival F

3-5 September — Faro

Festival F takes over Faro’s historic centre with concerts, cultural activities and performances. The festival brings together Portuguese artists and audiences for several days of music and entertainment in the Algarve.

Festa das Vindimas de Palmela

3–8 September — Palmela

Festa das Vindimas celebrates Palmela’s winemaking traditions with several days of music, gastronomy and local festivities. The programme includes traditional grape treading, the blessing of the first must, parades, wine tastings and cultural activities.

MOTELX — Lisbon International Horror Film Festival

3–13 September — Lisbon

MOTELX brings horror cinema from around the world to Lisbon with film screenings, special sessions and events for fans of the genre. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s 20th anniversary and brings together films from several countries.

São Paio da Torreira Festivities

4–8 September — Torreira, Murtosa

The São Paio da Torreira festivities are one of the region’s main traditional celebrations, with the beach and waterfront providing the setting for several days of music, entertainment and local traditions.

Festas do Sítio

4–13 September — Nazaré

Festas do Sítio is one of Nazaré’s main annual celebrations, combining concerts, traditional entertainment, food stalls and activities for different ages. The festivities bring the community together around the Sítio da Nazaré throughout several days of celebration.

Óbidos Opera Festival

5–20 September — Óbidos

The Óbidos Opera Festival brings opera performances to several historic locations throughout the medieval town. The 2026 edition follows the theme Light and Darkness, with a programme spanning opera, oratorio, symphonic music and dance.

Feiras Novas

9–14 September — Ponte de Lima

One of Portugal’s largest traditional pilgrimages, Feiras Novas combines folk performances, street celebrations, music and local traditions. The festivities are recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Festa dos Capuchos

10–15 September — Vila Viçosa

With more than 150 years of history, Festa dos Capuchos is a traditional celebration dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia. The programme combines religious traditions with cultural activities and local festivities.

Festival Língua Terra

11–12 September — Setúbal

Festival Língua Terra celebrates the diversity of Portuguese-speaking cultures through music and cultural activities connecting Portugal, Brazil and Cabo Verde.

Caixa Alfama

11–12 September — Lisbon

Caixa Alfama celebrates fado across several venues in one of Lisbon’s most traditional neighbourhoods. The festival brings together established and emerging fado performers throughout Alfama.

Jazz em Monserrate

11–13 September — Sintra

Jazz em Monserrate brings live jazz performances to the gardens of Monserrate Park. The festival combines music with the historic setting of one of Sintra’s most distinctive estates, with concerts, workshops and other activities throughout the weekend.

FICTON — Tondela Industrial and Commercial Fair

11–16 September — Tondela

FICTON brings together local businesses, commerce and regional production alongside cultural programming and entertainment. The fair offers an opportunity to discover products and activities from the Tondela region.

Douro Muscat Festival

11-13 September — Favaios, Alijó

Dedicated to Moscatel wine, the Douro Muscat Festival celebrates the region’s winemaking traditions through wine, gastronomy and activities connected to local wine production.

ExpoMora

11-13 September — Mora

ExpoMora brings together businesses, local organisations and community activities from the Alentejo region. The event combines economic and social initiatives with cultural entertainment.

Feira das Colheitas

24-27 September — Arouca

The Harvest Fair celebrates the agricultural traditions of the region with local products, traditional activities and events in the centre of Arouca.

Palmela Medieval Fair

25-17 September — Palmela

The historic centre and castle of Palmela become the setting for a medieval fair featuring markets, performances and historical reenactments. Visitors can explore the town while experiencing a programme inspired by its medieval heritage.

Monthly Suggestions

September is a good month to explore Portugal at a slower pace. With fewer summer crowds and more comfortable temperatures, you can still enjoy the coast while discovering vineyards, historic towns and local traditions.

The beginning of the harvest season also makes September a particularly interesting time to explore Portugal’s wine regions and experience some of the country’s food and agricultural traditions.

September Getaways

Tomar

Tomar combines a historic centre with riverside landscapes and a strong connection to the Knights Templar. Its compact centre makes it easy to explore on foot while the Nabão River provides opportunities for relaxing walks.

Must-visit spots:

• Convent of Christ
• Tomar Castle
• Nabão River
• Praça da República

Aljezur

Located in the Algarve, Aljezur combines a historic village with beaches and countryside. September offers a chance to enjoy the area with milder temperatures and fewer visitors than during the peak summer months.

Must-visit spots:

• Aljezur Castle
• Amoreira Beach
• Arrifana Beach
• Monte Clérigo Beach

Lamego

Set among the vineyards of the Douro region, Lamego is a good base for discovering the area’s wine culture and historic heritage. September’s harvest season makes the region particularly interesting to visit.

Must-visit spots:

• Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
• Lamego Cathedral
• Historic Centre
• Lamego Castle

Vila Nova de Foz Côa

Located in the Douro Superior, Vila Nova de Foz Côa is known for its prehistoric rock art and surrounding vineyards. The region offers a different perspective on the Douro away from the main tourist routes.

Must-visit spots:

• Côa Valley Archaeological Park
• Côa Museum
• Vila Nova de Foz Côa Historic Centre
• Douro viewpoints

September Activities

Grape Harvest Experiences

September marks the beginning of the grape harvest in many Portuguese wine regions. Visitors can join harvest experiences, visit wineries and learn more about the process behind Portuguese wine.

Suggestions:

• Douro Valley
• Alentejo
• Dão
• Setúbal Peninsula
• Vinho Verde region

Food and Wine Tastings

September is a good time to explore Portuguese gastronomy as seasonal produce changes and the harvest season begins. Combine regional dishes with local wines to discover the food traditions of different parts of the country.

Try:

• Regional cheeses
• Fresh grapes
• Alentejo dishes
• Douro wines
• Setúbal Moscatel

Birdwatching

September is a good month for birdwatching as migratory birds begin moving through Portugal. Wetlands, estuaries and protected areas provide opportunities to observe different species while enjoying the country’s natural landscapes.

Suggestions:

• Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve
• Ria de Aveiro
• Ria Formosa Natural Park
• Sado Estuary

Enjoy September and keep exploring!