What to pack for Portugal
12 Packing tips and recommendations for a trip to Portugal - Packing list for Portugal!
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Here are some important (and sometimes surprising!) items to help you be prepared for a trip to Portugal:
Shoes. Do not underestimate the amount of walking you will do! Most of the cities in Portugal are not heel-friendly. Think hills and slippery tiles. Instead, invest in cute white sneakers and sandals that will allow you to enjoy your walks. Whether you pick Vejas, New Balance, or Stan Smiths, be sure to break them in before your trip. In the summer, you will also want some supportive sandals like some cute colorful sandals similar to Birkenstocks.
For more active trips, also bring some hiking shoes. I love these Salomon Hiking Shoes which have held up really nicely over the years for me.
Finally, if you plan to enjoy river beaches consider water shoes. The rocky river beaches are not forgiving and if you plan to visit the volcanic islands, you absolutely need something to protect your feet from the sharp rocks and flip flips are just not the way to go. These Simple Water Shoes water shoes are a low cost entry point but if you know you are going to regularly use them you might consider investing in more durable water shoes like these Beach and River Water Shoe.
Sunglasses. Self explanatory! You will be wearing them in a lot of your pictures so make sure you like them and also that they come with UV protection. If you need a sunglasses refresher these and these playful ones are great options. Finally, for any more athletic moments when you might lose your glasses, put on some Croakies!
Electronics
You will definitely need a European power plug adapter if traveling from outside Europe. I recommend this one because I can charge multiple things at the same time.
I also recommend portable charger 2 pack like this one for any vacation. You want to be able to take photos without worrying about losing access to google on the road!
Finally, I can’t recommend a good pair of noise cancelling headphones enough. You never know what kind of noises you are in for — babies crying on the plane? Loud tourists on the train next to you? I am obsessed with these like these Sony WH1000XM4 which are the best on the market in my opinion (I find the M4 more comfortable than the M5).
Bottoms.
Summer, Spring, and Fall call for lighter bottoms. Go for something that is both easy to care for and comfortable but that you can also dress up. These lightweight linen pants come in multiple colors and these are another option with fun patterns — perfect for photos by the beautiful tiled buildings! For more athletic adventures, hiking pants like these Lightweight UPF 50 Hiking Pants are definitely something to consider!
For the Winter and Spring/Fall evenings, you can bring your favorite dressy jeans! Something like this or these AG jeans (if you want to splurge a bit!) will pair nicely with your white walking shoes.
Tops. You will want to balance functionality with cuteness. You absolutely must bring at least one oversized white button up shirt like this one. This adorable top will pair easily with lots of different bottoms, and be sure to bring some basics like these t-shirts or these for a more fitted option. This loose short sleeve blouse comes in many colors and are also a great option.
Versatile dresses. In the summer you will want dresses that are on the looser side and that can work for both the daytime and the nighttime. Opt for breathable fabrics and styles that you will feel happy in all day! This flowy white option is great, as is this option.
Sun protection!
First thing is first — sunscreen! Elta MD Sunscreen is a great pick and they also make a tinted version which can double as foundation depending on your skin tone!
I have entered the era where a wide brim hat is a must! I personally took the approach of using a hiking hat (like this one: SPF 50 Hiking Hat). If you want a less functional and cuter option, this is a nice one: Cute SPF 50 Sun Hat. Both options have neck protection and a hole to pull your pony tail through. I also brought a cute straw hat for less active moments. This foldable one is great and still has SPF: SPF 50 Foldable Straw Hat.
I also recently discovered shirts with UV protection and I am in love. I often forget to reapply sunscreen or can’t be bothered to apply it if I will only be out for a few minutes. Being able to throw on these SPF 50 shirts for just a little while helps me not compromise my skin.
Day pack. For a cute cross body this is a wonderful option. For something bigger and more athletic, I have the Osprey Daylite Backpack from years ago and it is still in great shape and will be in great shape for years to come. This Hydro flask Water Bottle fits into the Osprey Daylite Backpack as well.
Jackets
Layers layers layers! The way to stay comfy is with layers. Bring thin sweaters like these cute cardigans for summer nights and sweaters like these or these for the fall and winter.
A raincoat is always a good idea, especially if you are traveling to the North of Portugal. This Columbia Rain Coat is a reasonably priced option that is lightweight enough to stash away. In the winter you will want a light jacket water resistant jacket like this one or this one to stay dry and warm!
Water gear
A bathing suit. I recommend this one: Summersalt Black One-Piece . You will probably also want a pair of athletic shorts to wear over your swimsuit while travel. These shorts are super cute, fast-drying, and very similar to lululemon but less expensive.
Fast drying and small towel you want to be able to carry this around comfortably for water activities and for it to be able to dry humid air. Also great for having a little picnic blanket! I recommend this one: Dark Travel Towel
Cash to exchange or Euros. We encountered several situations in which we had to pay in cash and I recommend taking care of the exchange at the airport!
Diva cup. Let's talk about it. Your period shouldn't stop you from enjoying the travel activities! Diva cups are a great option to make water activities worry-free. This Lily cup comes in two different sizes and is easy to learn how to use. If you are nervous, buy one a few months before your trip and practice using it :) If you are are worried about leaks, wear something like this when you wear your diva cup (which FYI are HSA and FSA eligible!!)
To plan the best Portugal trip see the 12 best things to do in Portugal!
To help organize yourself or your family as you pack consider using this packing list tracker which is customizable and the colorful drop downs allow you to easily visualize your progression and you can sort your gsheet by what remains to be packed (also available on etsy). This format is also great for helping younger travelers get going with their packing experiences!
