Lisbon Marathon weekend: 10–11 October 2026 routes and visitor tips
Lisbon’s biggest running weekend lands on 10–11 October. Here is where each race begins, where spectators can gather and what ordinary visitors should check before crossing the city.
At a glance
Saturday 10 October: EDP Lisbon Marathon, 42.195 km, starting in Carcavelos. Sunday 11 October: Hyundai Half Marathon, 21.0975 km, and EDP 8K, both starting at the Vasco da Gama Bridge. The organiser lists Praça do Comércio as the marathon and half-marathon finish.
What happens on Saturday and Sunday
The EDP Lisbon Marathon takes place on Saturday 10 October 2026, with a full 42.195-kilometre course beginning in Carcavelos, west of central Lisbon. The organiser describes a coastal route towards the city, ending at Praça do Comércio beside the Tagus. On Sunday 11 October, the Hyundai Half Marathon and the shorter EDP 8K start from the Vasco da Gama Bridge. The half marathon also finishes at Praça do Comércio. These are different starting areas on different mornings: do not assume the marathon, half marathon and 8K use the same assembly point.
Race timings and registration
The event FAQ lists the marathon start at 08:00 on Saturday, and the half marathon and 8K at 09:20 on Sunday, Lisbon local time. The race organisers can still revise operational timings, so runners should follow their official participant instructions rather than a copied timetable. The organisers listed 30 September as the marathon entry closing date, subject to capacity. If you are only now considering running, do not assume that race-day entry will be available; check the official registration portal and any remaining category availability.
Where visitors can watch
For a central spectator location, Praça do Comércio is the clearest common reference point because the principal distances converge on that finish area. Expect barriers, crowds and managed pedestrian access near the finish. If you want to see someone at several points, plan an uncomplicated route on foot or public transport and allow far more time than an ordinary sightseeing day. The picturesque coastal section through the Carcavelos approach is another appeal of Saturday’s marathon, but reaching precise spectator spots may be affected by controlled roads and race infrastructure. Do not step onto the course or promise a meeting point without checking race-day maps.
How the weekend may affect sightseeing
A major race weekend can disrupt normal road access, taxis, ride-hailing and bus routes along the published course, even for visitors who are not taking part. Central travel around Praça do Comércio and waterfront connections may be slower than usual; the Carcavelos start area matters on Saturday and the Vasco da Gama Bridge approach matters on Sunday. Exact restrictions are set by the event organisers and local authorities, and they can change. Check the official race access notices and local live transport updates before setting off, especially for an airport transfer, cruise connection, pre-booked tour or timed museum ticket.
A sensible visitor plan
If the race is the reason for your trip, collect your bib and race pack in advance at the official SPORTEXPO at FIL, following the opening times and documentation stated in your registration confirmation. Choose accommodation and a pre-race journey that match your actual start location, not just the city-centre finish. If you are visiting for something else, avoid tight road transfers across the route early in the morning, keep a short list of walkable attractions and give yourself flexibility. The marathon is a lovely spectacle, but a runner’s dedicated start entrance is not necessarily a useful place for casual spectators.
Sources, accuracy and what to recheck
We checked the event organiser’s race information and FAQ, alongside Visit Lisboa’s current event calendar, on 9 October 2026. The verified core dates are 10 October for the marathon and 11 October for the half marathon and 8K; the 08:00 and 09:20 starts are organiser-listed, not guarantees against late operational changes. Detailed police road closures, individual bus diversions and exact spectator access points require a final check with the organiser and Lisbon transport operators. This article is independent visitor guidance, not an official race bulletin.