01 — The Race
Start on a bridge. Finish at a monastery.
The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is part of the SuperHalfs series, alongside Valencia, Prague, Copenhagen, Cardiff, and Berlin. It is one of the fastest half marathons in the world: point-to-point, almost entirely flat, and consistently producing quick times. The 36th edition takes place on March 7, 2027.
PONTE 25 DE ABRIL · The start line
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Based on 2025 and 2026 editions, the half marathon starts at approximately 9:30 AM. The 2027 start time has not yet been confirmed. Check
maratonaclubedeportugal.com for the official time closer to race day.
You start south of Lisbon, on the other side of the Tagus (in Pragal). The race begins at the foot of the Ponte 25 de Abril, the big red bridge that you'll cross. If this looks familiar, that's because it's virtually identical to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The first 1-2km take you over the bridge itself. Depending on where you position yourself, you may find yourself running over a metal grill. Be ready for the first stretch to be a bit congested. After that, the course descends for a few kilometres, then flattens out entirely. You follow the north bank of the Tagus all the way to Belém, finishing in front of the Jerónimos Monastery.
The race holds World Athletics Gold Road Race Label status. Course records stand at 57:20 (men) and 1:04:21 (women), both set in recent editions. For all race information and registration: maratonaclubedeportugal.com.
02 — Getting There
Flying into Lisbon
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) sits about 7km north of the historic centre. Getting in is straightforward, and the city is well connected from most of Europe.
Metro
The red line runs direct from the airport to the city centre in 20-25 minutes. Cost: €1.90 for a single journey. Connects at Oriente and São Sebastião for other lines. Runs from 6:30 AM to 1 AM.
Taxi
Metered taxis wait outside arrivals. Budget €15-20 to the centre, plus a €1.60 luggage surcharge. Journey is 15-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Uber / Bolt
Both operate in Lisbon and are very reliable. Depending on when you arrive the price will vary anywhere from €5 all the way up to €18 to the centre. Generally they are cheap and quick, and also a good option to explore areas outside of Lisbon.
- Book flights early. Lisbon is one of Europe's most popular city breaks, and March race weekend prices spike fast once the race sells out.
- A Navegante card (€0.50) pays for itself after a few trips and works on metro, buses, trams, and Fertagus trains, including the race-morning journey to the start.
- Staying in Belém or Alcântara? Consider a taxi from the airport rather than metro, as Belém is not on the metro network and you'll need a connection.
03 — Where to Stay
The right neighbourhood makes race morning easier
The race is point-to-point: start in Pragal (south bank, Fertagus train), finish in Belém. Your hotel location affects how much stress you carry on race morning. Staying west of the city centre puts you closest to both.
Belém
Best for finish-line convenience
You finish here, in front of the Jerónimos Monastery. Quieter than the centre, with the Belém Tower and the original pastel de nata bakery nearby. Restaurant options are fewer than central Lisbon, but race-morning simplicity is hard to beat.
Cais do Sodré
Best all-rounder
You'll run through here on race day. Good connection to the Fertagus via Entrecampos. Plenty of restaurants and bars for the night before. Easy tram access to Belém. Lively at weekends without being chaotic.
Chiado
Best for sightseeing
Between Baixa and Bairro Alto. Great restaurants, beautiful streets, and central enough to reach everything. Tram 15E from Praça do Comércio (five minutes' walk) connects to Belém in around 25 minutes.
Alcântara
Best for a local feel
Right on the course, between the centre and Belém. Creative neighbourhood with good restaurants and the LX Factory on Sundays. Quieter than Chiado, a more local pace, and well placed for race weekend.
Book as soon as you register. Lisbon fills fast for race weekend. Mid-range options in Belém and Alcântara are typically sold out by November for a March race. Don't wait.
04 — Where to Eat
Carb up, Lisbon-style
PASTÉIS DE NATA · Lisbon's most famous pastry
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lisbon is a brilliant city for eating around a race. Prices are lower than most Western European capitals, portions are generous, and the carb options the night before range from solid Italian to very good Portuguese rice dishes.
The night before
Keep it familiar and simple. Pasta or rice with lean protein. Grilled fish with rice is a Portuguese staple and a legitimately good pre-race meal. Italian is easy to find if you want something more predictable.
01
Leonetta
Italian in Príncipe Real with a wide pasta menu, about half of it vegetarian. Book ahead. Popular, busy, and exactly what you want the night before a race.
02
Fábrica di Pasta
Pasta-focused spot in Chiado, near the Convento do Carmen. Menu is labelled for dietary preferences and rotates. Good quality, good value, easy to book.
03
Honest Greens
Spanish fast-casual chain with multiple Lisbon locations. Good for everyone: plenty of options for different dietary needs, quick service, and solid portions. A reliable pre-race dinner that covers all bases.
04
VeganBuffet
A vegan buffet with literally anything and everything. Really good food, super cheap, and a great lunch option the day before. Perfect if you follow a plant-based diet, but honestly worth going for regardless.
Race morning
Stick to what you know. Don't experiment with dairy-heavy foods on race morning: the pastel de nata is a Lisbon icon, but it can sit heavy before a race. If you're in an Airbnb, buy what you need the day before from one of the city's big supermarkets: Continente and Pingo Doce are everywhere. There are plenty of bakeries around too. The Padaria Portuguesa chain is good and cheap. If you're in a hotel, eat what you're familiar with from the breakfast buffet.
After the finish
You finish in Belém, surrounded by cafés and restaurants. If you eat meat, a bifana (marinated pork in a soft roll) from any nearby café is quick, cheap, and popular. Or sit down properly: grilled fish, rice, a cold drink. That's how many Portuguese would celebrate. However, you can find anything you want in Lisbon. One of my personal favourites would be Mercado Oriental Martim Moniz, a food market with various stands. Very affordable and the best (tofu) ramen.
Insider tip: Omakase Ri. If you like sushi, book a table for Sunday evening after your race. It's not a carb-load option, but it's an incredible experience and perfect for any foodie who loves fish. Book well in advance, otherwise you will not get a seat.
omakaseri.com
The original Pastéis de Belém bakery has been making the same custard tart recipe since 1837. It's at Rua de Belém 84, five minutes from the finish line. Queue before 11 AM for the best experience. Worth every minute.
05 — Getting Around
Moving around Lisbon
Lisbon is hilly and spread out, but public transport is good once you know how to use it. Your race bib gives you free access to the metro, buses, trams, and Fertagus trains on race day.
Metro
Four lines (yellow, green, blue, red) covering most of central Lisbon. Runs 6:30 AM to 1 AM daily. Single ticket: €1.90. A Navegante card is better value for multiple trips.
Tram 15E
The modern articulated tram runs from Praça da Figueira along the waterfront to Belém. About 25 minutes, every 10-15 minutes. €3.20 per trip (or free with Navegante or bib on race day). The best way between the centre and Belém.
Bus 714 / 728
Faster than the tram to Belém: roughly 20 minutes from the centre. Useful if the 15E is packed. Both run regularly.
Uber / Bolt
Both well established in Lisbon. Useful for late nights or with luggage. Budget €8-15 for most city trips. Available without issue most of the time.
On race morning, the course route is closed to traffic. Alcântara and the riverfront are shut during the race. To reach the start in Pragal, take the metro to Entrecampos or Roma-Areeiro, then Fertagus to Pragal. Allow at least 90 minutes before the race start.
06 — Race Day
Getting to that bridge
Bib pickup (March 4-6, 2027)
Bibs are collected at the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa Sport Expo. Open 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (March 4, 5, and 6). No bib pickup on race day. Bring your registration confirmation and a photo ID. Third parties can collect on your behalf with proof of registration.
Race morning
The start is in Pragal, on the south bank of the Tagus. You cannot drive there on race morning. Take the metro to Entrecampos or Roma-Areeiro, then catch the Fertagus train to Pragal. From Pragal station it's a 15-minute uphill walk to the bridge toll plaza where the start corrals are.
Leave your hotel early and get on a train at least 90 minutes before the start of your wave. The trains fill with runners, queues form at the station, and the walk to the bridge takes longer than it looks. Also, the queues for the toilets can get long. Better to avoid stress!
MOSTEIRO DOS JERÓNIMOS · The finish line backdrop
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
After the finish
You cross the line in front of the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém. Medal, water, and fruit at the finish. No bag drop is available at the race: leave your bags at your hotel before you head to the start.
- Free public transport with your bib on race day: metro, buses, trams, and Fertagus trains included.
- There's no bag drop. Leave your bags at your hotel, or use a locker at one of the stations. Check citylockers.pt and bounce.com.
- The Fertagus trains to Pragal fill fast on race morning. Aim to be at the station at least 90 minutes before start time.
- The walk from Pragal station to the bridge start is about 15 minutes. Just be prepped for that.
- Aid stations from 5km, then every 2.5km. Water and isotonic drinks at each. Energy gels also available on course.
07 — Things to Do
Belém and beyond
TORRE DE BELEM · Built in 1515 to guard the Tagus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The race finish is in Belém, one of Lisbon's most historically rich areas. You'll run past a lot of the good stuff on Sunday. Saturday is for exploring before you rest up.
🏛️
Jerónimos Monastery
Your finish line backdrop. UNESCO World Heritage, built in 1502. Book tickets online to skip the queue. The cloisters are extraordinary.
🏰
Belém Tower
Fortified tower guarding the Tagus since 1515. You can see it from parts of the course. Tickets online are strongly recommended.
⚓
Monument to the Discoveries
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos on the riverfront. Climb it for views over the Tagus towards the bridge where you start on Sunday.
🏭
LX Factory
Former industrial complex turned weekend market and restaurant hub. Sunday market runs all morning. The Ler Devagar bookshop is worth going for on its own.
🎵
Alfama
Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood and home of fado. São Jorge Castle above, winding streets below. Best on Friday evening before the legs start to complain.
🌅
Miradouros
Lisbon's viewpoints: Miradouro da Graça, Portas do Sol, São Pedro de Alcântara. All worth a visit. Maybe skip the stair climbs two days before race day.
Saturday plan. Morning: bib pickup at the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa expo. Afternoon: walk the Belém waterfront, see the Jerónimos and Belém Tower, get a feel for the finish area. Early dinner by 7 PM. Feet up by 9:30. Race morning comes fast.
08 — Runner Tips
What runners say about Lisbon
Tips from 2024, 2025, and 2026 editions, drawn from race reports and runner accounts.
The bridge experience is unique, but be ready for it. For the first 1-2km you're running on a metal grill alongside the car lane. You can see the river below. Some runners slow right down here. Don't let it rattle you: lock into your pace, keep your eyes forward. It passes quickly.
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon 2024 runner reports
March can be warm. Really warm. Past editions have seen temperatures hit 27-33°C with high humidity by the second half of the course. Runners have been caught out expecting cool spring weather. Train for it, dress accordingly, and use every single aid station from 5km onward.
EDP Lisbon 2024 runner accounts and race reports
Get to Pragal station early. At least 90 minutes before the start. The Fertagus trains fill with runners, and the walk from Pragal to the bridge toll plaza is 15 minutes of uphill. Arriving at the station just 65 minutes before the start is not enough. You will be stressed.
Multiple runner reports, 2024-2026 editions
There is no bag drop at the finish. Leave your bag at your hotel before you head to the start. If you need storage, check citylockers.pt or bounce.com for locker options near the train stations. Running with a bag is not the answer.
Official race information
The course feels flat but the first 5km descent from the bridge into Alcântara can pull you into going out too fast. The riverfront from km 7 onward is properly flat and exposed to wind off the Tagus. Pace conservatively through the bridge and descent. There is plenty of race left.
EDP Lisbon 2024/2025/2026 runner accounts
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