NorahPortugal is one of the most gorgeous, spellbinding places I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Beautiful architecture, stunning natural views, yummy food, and kind people make this a spectacular spot to explore and enjoy. However, Portugal can be a bit tricky when it comes to packing-on any one trip, you could be bouncing around cities, tanning at the beach, climbing up mountains, or going on a world class wine tour. The range in this country is amazing, but makes it very difficult for packing. In this guide, I will be discussing everything I wore during my week long trip to Portugal, as well as advice to make your own packing easier.
What bag did I bring?
This might be a bit controversial, but I swear by bringing a backpack when going to Europe. The streets are OLD, and wobbly, and there is the occasional loose brick. Plus, you very rarely stay in one place the whole trip, so you are constantly dragging your luggage up and down stairs. Because of all of this, I would really recommend investing in a quality backpack. With some strategic planning, you can fit so much in one. They are easy to transport, navigate around, and keep organized. Plus, they emphasize the importance of packing light. I have this one from Osprey and absolutely love it. Having a quality bag will make your Portugal packing that much easier.
One quick note: A big part of what you wear on your trip will depend on what time of year you go. Summer in Portugal can be quite warm, and you will definitely want something light and flowy. Fall and winter can be a bit chillier, and you will want more sweaters and light jackets. I went to Portugal in the spring, and found that a light dress was fine during the day, but I definitely needed a sweater or light jacket at night.
The islands (the Azores and Madeira) tend to be more temperate, but they do involve some high mountaintops that can be absolutely frigid!
Ok, now on to the clothes!
Outfit option number 1: a loose dress to explore the city, plus a light sweater for layers.
When walking around Lisbon or Porto, I recommend a loose fitting, comfortable dress with layering options. The Portuguese cities are extremely hilly, and you will truly be walking everywhere (as you should! The area is gorgeous!).
Depending on the length of your trip, I would recommend bringing at least two dresses. If you are a bit short on luggage space, you could also pack a skirt and wear it multiple different ways. This will give you the same effect and be just as comfortable.
As far as shoes, I would recommend either sneakers or comfy, walkable sandals. I cannot emphasize this enough: you will be doing some serious walking. Having the appropriate footwear is critical for your success and happiness the rest of your trip.
Outfit option 2: A flowy, gorgeous dress for wineries.
Porto and the surrounding region is one of the most striking, authentic, epic places I have ever been. These people know their wine!
Most tours for this region start from Porto, and traverse to multiple different wineries in the Duoro Valley region. For this part of your trip, I would recommend glamming out to the highest degree. Go all out with your most pristine dresses and jumpsuits. On most of these tours, you will not be walking too much; you can wear whatever shoes you want. I recommend this outfit or this one.
Outfit option 3: appropriate hiking outfits.
If you are going to be doing any sort of hiking on your Portugal trip, I would recommend thinking carefully about how you want to dress. Many of these hikes are at a high elevation and involve traversing across scraggly cliffs and rocky outcroppings.
I would recommend focusing on a couple different elements when planning your hiking outfits. First, having layers is super important. Layers can ensure that you are adequately warm at the start of your hike, and cool towards the end.
The other thing to consider is where you are hiking. Hiking in Madeira is pretty hardcore and involves lots of different climbing-I would recommend having some quality hiking boots. I recommend these-I have had them for six years and they show no signs of breakdown!
If you are interested in exploring more of Madeira, I have a whole blog post on what I wish I knew before visiting!
If you are doing a more coastal hike, I would recommend not lugging the hiking boots all thw ay to a new country. Chacos or other sandals should be just fine.
The other big recommendation I have for hiking is breathable, high quality gear. Athleta has really great options, but there are also great pieces from Target and Old Navy as well. I recommend testing out your hiking clothes before going on an actual hike, as you will be able to determine if it fits and holds up well.
Some other things to keep in mind when planning outfits for your Portugal trip:
- Be sure to pack at least one sweatshirt and one pair of long pants. Even if you are going during the heat of summer, having specific colder weather clothes can be super important and is just a good thing to have.
- I did not find there to be too much of a conservative dressing culture-in fact, most of the tourists were definitely leaning more towards Western wear. I felt comfortable wearing shorts while I was in Portugal.
- I would also recommend bringing a swimsuit. You will never know what specific activities you will get into, especially if you are traveling to the Algarve region of Portugal.
- Packing cubes are great, and can help you stay organized. I would also recommend having some sort of crossbody bags, as they can deter pickpockets and are a good way to keep everything you need easy access to on your trip.
Have a great time on your trip, and happy Portugal packing!
