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Lisbon Marathon 2027: Race Guide, Course And How To Enter
The Lisbon Marathon is expected to return in October 2027, taking runners along the Atlantic coast and River Tagus towards the historic centre of Portugal's capital.
The established course starts in Carcavelos, west of Lisbon, and finishes in Praça do Comércio, one of the city's most impressive public squares. With its waterfront setting and relatively gentle terrain, Lisbon is an attractive autumn marathon and one of the eight founding members of the European Marathon Classics.
The Destination
Lisbon is an excellent destination for a marathon weekend. Portugal's capital combines historic neighbourhoods, impressive riverside architecture, traditional restaurants and spectacular views across the River Tagus, with plenty to explore before and after the race.
Baixa forms the heart of the city, with broad streets and squares rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1755. Nearby Alfama is famous for its narrow streets and viewpoints, while Belém is home to landmarks including Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower.
The coastal towns west of Lisbon provide another side of the region. Cascais, Estoril and Carcavelos are popular seaside destinations, and the marathon brings together the coastal landscape with the historic waterfront of the Portuguese capital.
History Of The Lisbon Marathon
The Lisbon Marathon was first held in 1986 and has developed into one of Portugal's best known international road races. Over the years, the event has attracted runners from around the world and established itself as a popular fixture on the autumn marathon calendar.
The course has changed during its history, with the coastal setting becoming one of the event's defining features. The combination of ocean views, riverside running and a finish in central Lisbon distinguishes it from many other European city marathons.
Lisbon is also a founding member of the European Marathon Classics, alongside Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Rome, Vienna and Warsaw. The series brings together eight established marathons, encouraging runners to explore different European cities through running.
When Is The Lisbon Marathon 2027?
The official date for the 2027 Lisbon Marathon has not yet been announced. The event traditionally takes place in October, with the 2026 marathon being held on Saturday 10 October.
The 2026 event has a six hour time limit, although the arrangements for 2027 will need to be confirmed when the organiser publishes the next race regulations. Runners planning an overseas trip should wait for the official announcement before making non refundable travel arrangements.
Lisbon Marathon Expo And Race Bib Collection
The Lisbon Marathon holds a Sport Expo before race day, where runners collect their race bibs and official event shirts. For 2026, the expo takes place at FIL, Feira Internacional de Lisboa, in the Parque das Nações district.
The 2027 expo location and opening hours have not yet been announced.
Race Morning
For 2026, the Lisbon Marathon starts on Estrada N6-7 in Carcavelos, outside NOVA School of Business and Economics. The event uses six starting waves, beginning at 8am and continuing at intervals until 8.35am, with runners allocated according to their predicted finishing times.
The organiser recommends travelling by train from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. Carcavelos station is around 1km from the start, and runners using the train must follow the departure instructions provided with their race bib.
The starting area includes toilets, baggage facilities and access to the allocated starting waves. The 2027 start time, transport arrangements and baggage procedures will be confirmed closer to the event, so participants should check the latest instructions before race day.
Lisbon Marathon Course
The final route for the 2027 Lisbon Marathon has not yet been published. For 2026, the organiser introduced a new starting location in Carcavelos, with the marathon finishing in Praça do Comércio in central Lisbon.
The defining feature of the course is its waterfront setting, with the organiser describing the route as running entirely beside the Atlantic Ocean or River Tagus. Rather than taking runners through the steep streets of central Lisbon, the marathon follows the lower lying coastal and riverside areas.
The following description covers the principal areas and landmarks associated with the established course. The exact sequence of roads and kilometre positions for 2027 will need to be confirmed when the new map is released.
Carcavelos
The 2026 marathon begins in Carcavelos, a coastal town approximately 20km west of central Lisbon. The start is situated on Estrada N6-7, outside NOVA School of Business and Economics, close to the Atlantic coastline. Carcavelos is known for its long sandy beach and is connected to Lisbon by the coastal railway. The location gives the marathon a distinctly different beginning from races starting among the buildings and busy streets of a city centre.
The Western Coastline
The western part of the Lisbon region is characterised by beaches, coastal roads and residential communities stretching towards the mouth of the River Tagus. The marathon's waterfront setting provides views across the water, with the surroundings gradually becoming more urban towards Lisbon. The precise roads used in this section depend on the final route selected by the organiser. The new Carcavelos start introduced for 2026 means runners should not rely on older course descriptions showing a different starting location or direction of travel.
Oeiras And The Tagus
Oeiras lies between Carcavelos and Lisbon, where the Atlantic coastline gradually meets the broad estuary of the River Tagus. The area combines seaside neighbourhoods, waterfront promenades and more developed urban districts. The established marathon corridor follows the northern side of the water towards the capital. This provides a very different landscape from Lisbon's historic hilltop neighbourhoods, with the waterfront remaining a prominent feature of the route.
Belém
Belém is one of Lisbon's most historic riverside districts, with landmarks including Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries. The area is closely associated with Portugal's maritime history and offers some of the most recognisable scenery along the city's waterfront. The 25 de Abril Bridge is another major landmark in this part of Lisbon. Although the bridge dominates the skyline, the marathon does not cross it, remaining on the northern side of the Tagus as the route approaches central Lisbon.
Alcântara And The Riverside
Alcântara occupies the riverside area east of Belém, beneath the imposing structure of the 25 de Abril Bridge. Former industrial buildings, transport infrastructure and modern developments give this section a different character from the historic landmarks farther west.
The waterfront continues towards central Lisbon, with the surrounding streets becoming increasingly urban. The route follows the river corridor rather than climbing into the hillier neighbourhoods overlooking the city.
Praça Do Comércio And The Finish
The Lisbon Marathon finishes in Praça do Comércio, the enormous square beside the River Tagus at the southern end of the Baixa district. Surrounded by distinctive yellow buildings and opening directly towards the waterfront, it provides a spectacular setting for the final metres. The square is one of Lisbon's most important historic public spaces, with the Rua Augusta Arch marking the entrance to the pedestrian streets beyond. Finishing here gives runners a memorable conclusion to a marathon that began on the Atlantic coast.
How Difficult Is The Lisbon Marathon Course?
Lisbon is famous for its hills, but the marathon avoids many of the steep streets found in the historic centre. By following the coastline and river, the established route remains relatively low lying, although runners should not expect a completely flat course.
There are changes in gradient along the waterfront, but these are generally less demanding than the sustained climbs found at hillier marathons. The final elevation profile for 2027 will provide a clearer indication of the precise climbing involved.
Weather is another important consideration. October can still be warm in Lisbon, while exposed coastal sections may be affected by wind, particularly if conditions are unsettled over the Atlantic.
What Makes The Lisbon Marathon Special?
The waterfront setting is undoubtedly one of the race's greatest attractions. Few major European marathons offer such a long journey beside the sea and a major river, with the surroundings changing from coastal communities to the historic centre of a capital city.
The finish in Praça do Comércio adds another memorable element. The combination of historic architecture, a vast open square and views towards the Tagus creates a particularly impressive setting for the end of a marathon.
Lisbon's inclusion in the European Marathon Classics provides another reason to consider the event. For runners working towards completing the eight race series, it offers a very different experience from the larger urban marathons in London, Frankfurt or Warsaw.
Is The Lisbon Marathon A Fast Course?
The Lisbon Marathon has genuine potential for fast running. The established waterfront route avoids the steepest parts of the city, and long sections of relatively level road provide opportunities to maintain a consistent pace.
It is not necessarily as flat as some of Europe's fastest marathon courses, however, and the coastal location can introduce wind as an additional factor. October temperatures may also be higher than those encountered at marathons in northern Europe.
For runners targeting a personal best, the combination of relatively favourable terrain and an autumn date makes Lisbon worth considering. The final 2027 route and conditions on race day will ultimately determine how fast the event proves to be.
Is The Lisbon Marathon Good For First Time Marathon Runners?
Lisbon is an attractive option for runners preparing for their first marathon. The 2026 route avoids major city centre climbs, offers varied waterfront scenery and finishes in a central location with plenty of opportunities to celebrate afterwards.
The six hour time limit used for 2026 also makes the event accessible to a broad range of runners, although first time participants should check the confirmed 2027 limit before entering. The coastal setting provides an appealing introduction to international marathon running.
The main additional consideration is the point to point route. Travelling to Carcavelos on race morning requires some organisation, but the railway connection from Lisbon makes the start accessible for runners staying in the city.
How To Enter The Lisbon Marathon 2027
Registration arrangements for the 2027 Lisbon Marathon have not yet been announced. The event currently operates a direct registration system rather than a ballot, allowing runners to purchase a place while entries remain available.
For 2026, entry fees were structured in stages, beginning at €70 for the first 2,000 registrations, increasing to €95 for the next 3,000 and then €130 for subsequent entries. A €4 transaction fee was also charged, although these prices should not be treated as confirmed fees for 2027.
The organiser's current regulations generally prohibit transferring an entry to another person or another edition, with limited exceptions for circumstances such as documented illness, injury or pregnancy. Anyone considering entering should read the 2027 regulations carefully once published, particularly the conditions covering withdrawal, refunds and changes to registration details.
Running The Lisbon Marathon For Charity
The Lisbon Marathon does not currently advertise a large official charity entry programme comparable to those operated by events such as the London Marathon. Runners can nevertheless use their own race place to support a charity of their choice and raise funds throughout their training.
This can be an attractive option for runners who want to combine an overseas marathon with a fundraising challenge. Without a charity place carrying a compulsory minimum target, participants can choose a cause that matters to them and establish their own fundraising goal.
Where To Stay
Lisbon has an extensive range of hotels and apartments, but the marathon's point to point route makes location particularly important. Staying in central Lisbon provides convenient access to restaurants, sightseeing and the finish, while the coastal railway offers connections towards the starting area in Carcavelos.
Baixa is an excellent choice for first time visitors. The district is close to Praça do Comércio and within easy reach of many of the city's main attractions, making it convenient for supporters as well as runners.
Cais do Sodré is particularly useful for those planning to travel to the start by train. The station provides services along the coast towards Carcavelos, while the surrounding area has a wide selection of accommodation and restaurants.
Belém offers a quieter riverside alternative, although reaching the start may require additional travel planning. Parque das Nações is another option, particularly if the Sport Expo returns to FIL, but it is farther from the marathon finish.
Lisbon is a popular destination throughout October, and the marathon adds to normal visitor demand. Booking accommodation early is sensible, especially for runners who want to stay close to the coastal railway or within walking distance of the finish.
Our Verdict
The Lisbon Marathon deserves its place among Europe's most interesting autumn races. Its waterfront course offers an appealing combination of coastal scenery, historic landmarks and relatively favourable terrain, while the finish in Praça do Comércio provides a memorable conclusion.
Lisbon itself makes an excellent destination for runners travelling from overseas, with plenty to explore around race weekend. Its inclusion in the European Marathon Classics should also help introduce the event to runners who may previously have overlooked it.
For runners considering a European marathon in October 2027, Lisbon offers an attractive alternative to the largest city events. The final date and entry arrangements still need to be confirmed, but the established course and destination already provide plenty of reasons to put it on the shortlist.
Race Website
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