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When is the Lisbon Marathon taking place in 2026 and how will it affect the traffic in the city?
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The Lisbon marathon, considered one of the most beautiful marathons in the world, will take place on 10 October 2026. The race starts in Carcavelos and finishes at Praça do Comércio, affecting traffic in part of the city, between Belém and Baixa.
So, if you live, work or are visiting Lisbon, particularly around Alcântara, Belém, Cais do Sodré and Baixa, it is a good idea to start thinking about alternative routes.
Whether you're taking part or planning to watch, here's some useful information about the event.
Lisbon Marathon
The Lisbon Marathon is a founding race of the European Marathon Classics, a circuit bringing together eight of the best marathons in Europe: Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Rome, Vienna and Warsaw.
The 42 km route follows the coast and the river: it starts in Carcavelos at 8 a.m., passes through Cascais and Belém, continues along the waterfront towards Alcântara and Cais do Sodré, and finishes at Praça do Comércio.
This means that, throughout the morning of 10 October, you can expect traffic restrictions in these areas, with the greatest impact between Belém and Baixa.
(imagem - site Maratona Clube de Portugal)
Practical guide for participants
Starting point
The organization recommends taking the CP train: if you are coming from Lisbon, you can take the train from Cais do Sodré towards Carcavelos, with the station around 1 km from the starting point, opposite NOVA School of Business & Economics. If you are coming from Cascais, you can take the Cascais line towards Carcavelos.
Train travel is free for participants with a race bib and is valid until 5 p.m. on race day.
If you choose to travel by car, bear in mind the possible traffic restrictions along the route. The most practical option is to park away from the coast and walk to the starting point.
Arrive a little early so you can find your way to the starting area more easily.
Picking up your race kit
The delivery of the participation kitbags (bib number and official t-shirt), can be collected on 8 and 9 October (Thursday and Friday), between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Sport Expo, at FIL (Parque das Nações). You will need to show the registration confirmation sent by email; someone else can collect it on your behalf, provided they have the same confirmation.
If you are coming from outside of Lisbon and are organising the trip with other people, you may want to consider renting a car. With Guerin, you can add an Additional Driver, allowing you to share the driving before and after the race, without extra paperwork.
In the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, there are seven Guerin stations where you can pick up or drop off your car.
Practical guide for spectators
If you would rather watch the marathon, whether to support the participants or simply enjoy the experience, we suggest a few good spots where you can do so: Belém (near Belém Tower, CCB or the Monument to the Discoveries), Alcântara or Praça do Comércio, where the race finishes.
The most practical way to reach these spots is by public transport. If you'd rather drive, it's safer to park outside these areas, which will have closed lanes and heavier traffic.
Make the most of your visit to Lisbon
If you are coming from elsewhere to take part in or watch the marathon, or if you live in the area and want to make the most of the weekend to visit Lisbon, it is worth extending your stay beyond the marathon.
The route itself passes by some of the best places to visit in Lisbon, including Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Pastéis de Belém, LX Factory and, closer to the finish line, Chiado and Baixa, with Praça do Comércio as the final setting. It is a Lisbon itinerary worth exploring whether it is your first time in the city or you know it well.
Alternatively, you can use the weekend to explore other parts of the country, such as Porto, one of Portugal's most popular destinations.
There are several places to visit in Porto, including Ribeira, by the Douro River; Dom Luís I Bridge, with its incredible views over both sides of the river; and the unmissable Clérigos Tower, which stands 75 metres tall.
You can also take a stroll through the beautiful Crystal Palace Gardens, with views over the river, and, if you have time, don't miss the opportunity to take a boat trip along the Douro.
In Porto, you will find two Guerin stations where you can pick up or return your car.
It's exactly for trips like this one that Guerin created the Collection and Return at Different Locations service, so you can rent the car in one city and drop it off in another, without having to go back to where you started just to return it.
With more than 45 stations across the country, Guerin always has a pick-up and drop-off point near you, whether you're exploring the coast, the countryside, or combining an event or activity with a weekend getaway.
If you're planning a longer route - such as Porto, Algarve or other regions, with stops along the way - besides the Collection and Return at Different Locations service, you can also count on the Total Car Rental Protection. This option gives you a more relaxed trip, with extra cover, reduced deposit and no excess, among other benefits.
Renting a car without leaving home? Yes, it's possible, with 100% digital rental
At Guerin, we've simplified the car rental process: we were pioneers in Portugal in making it 100% digital, with online booking and car pick-up without paperwork or unnecessary waiting. On a Lisbon Marathon weekend, with a busier city and everyone's time already tight, this process can make things a lot easier.
Next destination: an unforgettable weekend
If October 10 is already marked on your calendar, whether to run the Lisbon Marathon or to cheer it on, the next step is simple: book your car with Guerin and make the most of it to discover (or rediscover) Lisbon, or head off toward another destination. All of this with a 100% digital rental, pick-up and drop-off wherever suits you best, and more than 45 stations waiting for you across the country.
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