Running a marathon is, in itself, a special experience. But doing so with the Atlantic and the Tagus as your companions for a large part of the 42.195 kilometers makes it even more memorable.

The EDP Lisbon Marathon 2026 will take place on Saturday, October 10, starting at 08:00 in Carcavelos, next to the NOVA School of Business & Economics, and finishing in one of the most iconic spots in the Portuguese capital: Praça do Comércio. The organization presents a course that runs almost entirely along the sea and the river, from the coast to the historic center of Lisbon.

If you are going to travel to Lisbon to run, the 42 kilometers are only one part of the weekend. Where to stay? Which shoes to wear? How to prepare your supplementation? Where to go for a short run before the race? And where to eat when it's all over?

At BeUrban we have prepared a guide so you have everything organized before you reach the starting line.

Lisbon Marathon 2026: date, start, and course

There is an important detail for the 2026 edition: the marathon will take place on Saturday, while the Hyundai Half Marathon and the EDP 8K will take place on Sunday, October 11.

The marathon starts on the N6-7 road in Carcavelos and ends at Praça do Comércio. These are the traditional 42.195 km, with a six-hour time limit to complete the race.

The course first follows the coast and then the Tagus river towards the center of Lisbon, providing an experience quite different from the image of narrow streets and major climbs that we usually associate with the Portuguese capital.

Another important point is the logistics of the start.

For runners staying in Lisbon, the organization recommends using the Cascais train line from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos. On the day of the race, there are special trains and the trip is free for participants upon presentation of their bib number. The Carcavelos station is approximately one kilometer from the start.

This is something worth keeping in mind when you choose your hotel.

Before running: collecting your Lisbon Marathon bib number

The Sport Expo will be held at FIL — Lisbon International Fair, in the Parque das Nações. In 2026, the collection of bib numbers and official t-shirts is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9, from 10:00 to 20:00.

In other words: if you are running the marathon on Saturday, you will have to collect your bib by Friday. This is especially important information if you are traveling from Spain or another country. Try to arrange your arrival in Lisbon with enough margin so as not to turn the last hours before the race into a race against the clock.

Which shoes to choose for the Lisbon Marathon?

This is probably one of the questions we ask ourselves the most before a marathon. And there is no single answer.

The best shoes for the Lisbon Marathon will be those that correctly combine your pace, technique, experience, goal, and preference for cushioning.

For a runner looking for performance and who is already used to competing with a carbon plate, models such as Nike Vaporfly, adidas Adizero Adios Pro, ASICS Metaspeed, or HOKA Rocket X might make sense.

But running a marathon does not necessarily mean wearing the most aggressive shoe available.

For many recreational runners, especially when the main goal is to finish the 42.195 km comfortably, it may be more important to find a model with good protection, stability, and cushioning for several hours. This is where less radical alternatives or high-performance training models come in. The most important thing happens before Lisbon: the marathon shoes must be tested.

Do not take advantage of the Sport Expo to buy a new pair of shoes on Friday and run 42 kilometers in them on Saturday. Test the model beforehand in long training runs and, ideally, also in some sessions with paces close to those you intend to use in the race.

According to our expert Alberto Navarro…

A good marathon shoe should not be chosen just by its weight or the presence of a carbon plate.

An extremely fast shoe for five kilometers may not be the one you feel best in after three hours of running.

Supplementation for the Lisbon Marathon: prepare it before the race

If your shoes need to be tested, so does your supplementation.

During a marathon, carbohydrates play a fundamental role in maintaining performance. Your strategy may include gels, carbohydrate drinks, electrolytes, and, in some cases, caffeine, but the quantities and combinations must be individualized.

Products from specialized brands such as Maurten, Santa Madre, or 226ERS allow you to build different strategies depending on the digestive tolerance and needs of each runner.

But there is one rule that we consider much more important than choosing a specific brand:

Do not try anything new on the day of the Lisbon Marathon.

The long training runs in the weeks prior also serve to train your digestive system. That is where you should test which products you tolerate, when to take them, how much water you need, and how your body responds.

Where to run in Lisbon before the marathon

You arrive in Lisbon, drop your bags at the hotel, and feel like going for a run. But remember that you have 42.195 kilometers ahead of you.

If you usually do a short shake-out run before competitions, Lisbon has several areas perfect for running peacefully without constantly facing the city's famous hills.

Belém and the banks of the Tagus

The riverside area allows you to run along the Tagus, passing by some of Lisbon's most well-known spots, such as the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Belém Tower. The path along the river allows you to easily adapt the distance and avoid most of the elevation typical of the historic center. You don't need to turn this outing into a training session.

Twenty or thirty minutes at an easy pace can be more than enough if they are part of your usual routine before competing.

Parque das Nações

The Parque das Nações is located along the Tagus and offers large open spaces, pedestrian zones, and mostly flat terrain. The Alameda dos Oceanos runs through a large part of this modern area of the city.

You can take advantage of your visit to the Sport Expo to get to know the area and, if it fits into your preparation, come back later for a very gentle run along the river.

Where to stay to run the Lisbon Marathon

Here is an interesting decision. The start is in Carcavelos, but the finish line is at Praça do Comércio. Therefore, we wouldn't necessarily choose a hotel next to the start.

For many runners, it may be more practical to stay in the center of Lisbon, especially near Baixa, Chiado, or Cais do Sodré. This way, you have relatively simple access to the train to Carcavelos on the morning of the race, and after you finish, you will be back near your hotel.

Some options due to their location are Pousada de Lisboa, situated directly at Praça do Comércio; Pestana CR7 Lisboa, on Rua do Comércio; or Hotel Vincci Baixa, also in the historic center.

For those looking for a much simpler and more economical option, there are alternatives like Home - Lisbon Hostel or Lisbon Lounge Hostel.

This does not mean they are the only suitable accommodations. The idea is to look for a location that simplifies both the trip to Carcavelos before the race and the return after finishing at Praça do Comércio.

Where to eat in Lisbon before and after the marathon

Here we would clearly separate two things. On Friday, we are preparing for a marathon. On Saturday, after crossing the finish line, we are in Lisbon.

Before the race

The day before, look for foods that you already know you tolerate well. If pasta or pizza are usually part of your pre-competition meals, Lisbon offers several Italian alternatives.

Come Prima is an Italian option in the Estrela area, while Forno d’Oro and Il Mercato are other possibilities.

We are not saying that there is one "perfect restaurant for marathon runners." The important thing is to choose relatively simple dishes and, above all, not to turn the night before into an experimental gastronomic experience.

After the Lisbon Marathon

After 42.195 km, the scenario changes.

To discover Portuguese cuisine in the center, you can consider Casa Augusta - Restaurante Português Desde 1875, on Rua Augusta, or Duque.

And of course, being in Lisbon, there will probably be room during the weekend to try a pastel de nata. Balance is also part of traveling to run.

What to do the day before the Lisbon Marathon

Lisbon has a small danger for any runner traveling to compete: its hills invite you to do much more exercise than it seems.

Alfama, Bairro Alto, Castelo de São Jorge, Chiado…

When you realize it, you have taken thousands of steps the day before a marathon. Try to leave some of the sightseeing for after the race. On Friday, collect your bib in time, prepare your gear, confirm how you are going to get to Carcavelos, and rest.

Get your shoes, socks, clothes, bib, and supplementation ready before you go to sleep. The fewer decisions you have to make at six in the morning, the better.

Frequently asked questions about the Lisbon Marathon 2026

When is the Lisbon Marathon 2026?

The EDP Lisbon Marathon takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, starting at 08:00.

Where does the Lisbon Marathon start?

The start is located on the N6-7 road in Carcavelos, in front of the NOVA School of Business & Economics.

Where does it end?

The finish line is located at Praça do Comércio, in the center of Lisbon.

How to get to the start?

The organization recommends using the Cascais train line from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos. There are special services on the day of the race and participants can use the transport provided by the organization for free upon presentation of their bib number.

Where do you pick up the bib?

At the Sport Expo, at FIL, in Parque das Nações, on October 8 and 9, from 10:00 to 20:00.

What shoes should I wear for the Lisbon Marathon?

It depends on your pace, goal, technique, and preference. You can opt for a racing shoe with a carbon plate or a more comfortable and stable option. The most important thing is that it has been sufficiently tested before the race.

How many gels should I take for a marathon?

There is no universal number. The amount depends on the carbohydrate concentration of each product, the expected duration of the race, and your individual nutritional strategy. Test your strategy during long training runs and, if necessary, seek advice from a sports nutrition professional.

Where can I run in Lisbon before the marathon?

For a short and quiet run, we especially recommend the riverside area of Belém and the Parque das Nações, as they allow you to run along the Tagus while avoiding most of the hills in central Lisbon.

Lisbon is waiting for you: now there are only 42.195 km to go

Traveling to run a marathon completely transforms the way we get to know a city.

At the Lisbon Marathon 2026, you will start by the Atlantic in Carcavelos, move forward with the sea and the Tagus as company, and finish 42.195 kilometers later in one of the most iconic squares in Portugal.

But the experience begins long before, choosing your shoes, testing your supplementation, preparing your long training runs, and organizing the logistics are all part of the journey to Lisbon.

At BeUrban you can find running shoes, supplementation, and gear to prepare for your next marathon, as well as advice from our team to help you find what really suits your way of running.

Then there is only one thing left.

See you at the starting line.