Packing for your Portugal trip is probably one of the easiest trips to plan for. Its sunny days, beautiful beaches, and amazing seafood are just a few reasons Portugal is the perfect travel destination. So if you are looking for the perfect packing guide for Portugal, look no further.
But anyone unfamiliar with the cobblestones, stairs, and many hills might find themselves spending more time handling luggage than enjoying their journey. So if you are thinking about traveling to Portugal, let us help you decide on the best things to pack since we live here year-round!
The best way to pack for Portugal is to Travel Light!
One of the most asked questions I see on social media and other sites about traveling to Portugal is what luggage should I take? Portugal and Europe are known for their cobblestone streets and sidewalks, and lugging around big, heavy luggage can get very tiresome very quickly, especially if you are in a hilly city such as Lisbon or Porto.
We usually pack light, meaning that we can get away with carry-on luggage for a week or two easily. We pack for the weather and make sure that there is a washer or a way to wash our clothes. Most of the time, we figure this out about halfway through our trip.
Carry-on luggage is a good option for several reasons. One, many discount airlines will only allow one carry-on, and that’s it. Plus, we don’t like to take the chance of the airline misplacing our bags.
Furthermore, smaller luggage makes it much easier to climb steps and navigate very bumpy and narrow streets and sidewalks, and there is always the chance that your Airbnb doesn’t have a lift. I speak from experience.
Plus, if you are on and off trains and buses, you sometimes need to move very quickly. Having luggage you can carry makes this much easier, especially when your traveling partner goes to the bathroom right before boarding, and you are in charge of all the luggage (this has happened more than once). A carry-on bag also means you can store your bag above your seat or next to you on a train, which prevents theft and tampering.
If you are traveling throughout Europe, please know that carry-ons are smaller than those in the US. We use one Travelpro soft case, which is often more flexible, and one hard case in case we want to ship wine or fragile items or need to check luggage on the way back.
Backpacks are also a good choice for traveling light if you are in good shape and don’t mind carrying all the weight at one time. A duffel bag seems too awkward and heavy to carry, but if it is a small bag, it might be a good choice for you.
Wear practical and comfortable shoes
Portugal’s sidewalks are cobblestones, and they are NOT smooth. Plus, you are probably going to do lots of walking. Good walking shoes are an excellent choice. Good walking shoes are somewhat subjective to all of us, but I like Asics. Plus, since we are packing light, you don’t want to pack too many pairs of shoes. They add weight and take up a lot of space.
I know this is sometimes hard, especially if you are thinking about going out to a nice dinner and sneakers ruin the outfit. I will sometimes take a pair of sandals, but mostly they are hiking sandals like Chacos or Tevas, and I can deal with the cobblestones. Beth loves her Merrell’s that are very thick-soled.
If you are planning any backcountry trips or hiking along the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean, you may want to consider hiking shoes. I have a pair of Keens that I wear on trips that can handle dirt trails and sidewalks, and my feet are comfortable all day.
Packing Clothing
This depends on what you feel comfortable in, but many people will ask about what to wear in Portugal. You are a tourist, so you are going to stand out no matter what. But, I will say that most Portuguese people dress well. They do not come out of the house in sweats or unkempt clothes (unless they are going to the gym and even then, they look good).
Summer Months
In the summer, it is usually quite warm but cools down at night. You might want a light jacket or pants to wear out to dinner. I find it best to always dress in layers. I have been known to be at a dinner in the middle of August and wish I had brought a jacket.
If you are headed to the Algarve and beach areas, it does get hot–very hot–in the summer. Pack shorts, and light-coloured shirts, and don’t forget your bathing suit! I’d also take a hat and pack sunglasses too.
Also, remember you are trying to stay light so being versatile in your choices helps a great deal. For a two-week trip, I usually pack 3 pairs of shorts, 4 shirts, a jacket, a pair of pants, and underwear and socks for 6-8 days.
I know that around the time I am low on underwear, laundry needs to be done. There is always a laundromat that usually washes and dries clothes in about an hour.
Your hotel might also have a service for you. If you stay in Air B&B’s, you are likely to have a washer but not a dryer. Sometimes you have to be creative.
Winter Months
During the months of October to April, it rains here a lot so bring a light rain jacket and an umbrella that does well in the wind. We use this umbrella for all over during the winter and it has held up to strong storms. We also love this packable jacket. It can be stuffed into a bag and will fit in my backpack and not take up too much space in my luggage.
t can get rather cold here, especially on rainy days, so it is a good idea to bring a heavier winter coat and hat for the strong winds. Porto, especially, is chilly even in March! I wear a light-down coat and a hat most of the time.
Packing Electronics
In Portugal, the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz per second. What does that mean?
If you are coming from outside the EU, you will need an adapter. We use this one. It has two plugs and two USB jacks, including a lightning jack. If you have an Apple product, the voltage automatically converts, so your product is fine.
Others should check about using a converter, especially for electric razors, toothbrushes, hair dryers, etc. But remember, you are packing light anyway! Your hotel or Airbnb will probably provide a hair dryer anyway. Just check with them first.
Phone battery backups and SIM cards
You might also want to bring a battery backup or power pack for your phone or camera. Most newer phones can last 24 hours without needing a charge, but the more you use the camera, Google, and Google Maps, the more you use that battery. We take a small one with us just in case. We bought the one linked above and LOVE it. It has a cord already attached to make it easier for travel. The cord is short, though.
Check with your phone carrier about phone plan deals when traveling overseas. We used to be on a plan with Verizon where we paid about $10 a day for phone service. That can get expensive when you are here for more than a week.
Most mobile carriers here have some sort of SIM or eSIM you can purchase. We recommend the Airalo eSIM. It is easy to use, affordable, and we have never had an issue for it. You can get anywhere from 3 to 30 days, and if you run out, you can always top off.
Most places have free Wi-Fi; you just have to ask. We have a friend who only uses WIFI when she travels, and she did just fine for a couple of weeks here.
Cosmetics and Lotions
Of course, TSA is going to ask you to take out those carry-on liquids (unless you are pre-approved). Even here in Europe, we sometimes have to remove them from our carry-ons. In that case, we love these clear bags.
For a long time, we just used quart zip locks, but they sometimes leaked, broke down, or just looked pretty shoddy. We do take a few zip locks just in case for ice packs or emergency items.
Packing certain cosmetics and lotions is a personal choice. Since we only bring a carry-on, I usually end up with hair gel and contact solution. Many hotels and Airbnbs have shampoo and body wash, but if they don’t, you can get them fairly cheaply here.
The one really expensive thing is sunscreen, and in the summer months, you need it! Depending on how long you are staying, I would bring a small tube (or several) with you, especially if you burn easily.
Bags and Backpacks
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, but there is still pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in tourist areas. In most of the countryside, we see people leave their purses and phones on tables and go inside to use the bathroom or pay for food. DON’T DO THAT IN BIG TOURIST AREAS.
When we go into Lisbon or Porto (or any big city) we usually use public transportation, so we take our bags that have locks on them. Beth loves the Travelon Hobo bag. She still carries it on long trips. It does not look like a hobo bag, but it has lots of pockets and locks down.
I like Pacsafe products. I like this Metrosafe bag. It looks small, but I can fit lots of stuff in it, and I can attach it to my chair or table with the adjustable strap. It doubles as my day pack. It’s lightweight until I start filling it up, but I carry not only my wallet and keys but a change purse, notebook, tripod/selfie stick, a jacket, glasses, and other small items. Plus, we use this as a personal item when we fly, and it makes it easy to pack a lot in one bag.
We also have a Venture Pal pack that I will take on occasion, especially if I know I am going to the beach or for long days on a tour. It is foldable, so it is easy to pack, and it allows me to pack a towel or bathing suit if needed, or any extra items I buy while shopping. I have even used it as a personal item when I have checked my carry-on full of wine!
Packing Other Important Travel Essentials
There are a few other essentials to mention as you are getting ready for the best trip ever. One, make sure you have a travel-friendly bank card. This will help with all purchases and will also help with exchange rates on ATMS.
ALWAYS use a Multibanco ATM and not an Euronet. Reject the conversion rate twice so that your bank gives you the exchange rate. Credit Cards are used a great deal in bigger cities, but in small villages and stores, make sure you have some cash.
We have several covers for our passports, but we never use them. We always have to take them out of the carrier when presenting them, so we have let them sit in a drawer for now.
Water bottles are also something many people want to bring along. Personally, my bag doesn’t handle a large water bottle, so I always buy a small one and refill it with tap water or water from the meal. You usually don’t see many people walking around with big water bottles, but know that you usually have to pay for water with your meals.
One important thing you should not leave without is travel insurance. It will help cover the cost of lost luggage, canceled flights, health services, and other problems that may come up. We always use World Nomads. They are affordable and have different plans to choose from.
So what should I pack?
You know that old travel quote that says, “When you are traveling, lay all your clothes and your money. Then take half your clothes and twice the money.” It’s true. You always need less than you think (except for money.) And Portugal is not a third-world country, so you will be able to buy what you need. My aunt used to only bring one or two shirts and buy t-shirts as souvenirs and wear them as she went. Sure, she looked like a tourist, but she always had room in her bag for goodies!
Wondering where you should go in Portugal? Check out our Podcast for trip ideas, tips, and fun adventures! Click the links below to hear these specific episodes or find us on Spotify, Apple, Prime, and YouTube!
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Shelley is a full-time traveler, writer, and podcaster based in Portugal, where she lives with her wife and their beloved bulldog, Scoot. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Shelley is a former history teacher who swapped the classroom for cobblestone streets and passport stamps. These days, she explores Portugal and Europe in search of fascinating stories, unforgettable sights, and local flavor—then shares it all through her blog and podcast, Wandering Works for Us, where curiosity meets adventure (and sometimes wine).
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