Portugal Packing List

Are you ready for a wonderful journey through Portugal?

Note that these are just suggestions and you will need to add and subtract from this list to fit your needs. 

Some questions to ask yourself:

  • Can you lift all your luggage? If not, you are bringing too much. You need to be able to carry your bags.

  • Your bag should be no more than 50 lbs because of space limitations in the van.

  • Do you get cold easily? Take a look at the temperatures in Lisbon and Porto as you pack. Layers, layers, layers!

  • Do your ankles swell on long flights? Don’t forget to pick up a pair of knee-high compression stockings to wear on flights.

Carry-on

Tip: Keep in mind that sometimes luggage is delayed. While we hope this doesn’t happen,  it’s always a good idea to bring any necessary items in your carry-on.

  • Copies of your passport and credit cards (carry on you throughout trip)

  • Medications (prescription plus ibuprofen, antacids, Imodium, etc.)

  • Eye mask & ear plugs (or Soundcore by Anker Space A40)

  • Book or e-reader

  • Hand sanitizer & disinfectant wipes

  • Your toothbrush and some basic toiletries/cosmetics

  • Mask (in case the person next to you on the plane is sick)

  • Water bottle (fill up after you’ve gone through security)

  • Snacks you like from home (Luna Bars, Kind Bars, nut mix)

Checked Bag

Shoes

Tip: Always break in your shoes before any trip. We will be walking a lot, so best to make sure they are comfy before you hit the cobblestones and hills of Lisbon and Porto.

  • 1 pair of walking shoes

  • 1 pair sandals or flats with good tread (Portuguese sidewalks can be slippery in the rain)

  • Cozy socks or slippers for the hotel room

Clothing

Tip: Pack clothes you can wear more than once. Follow a color theme so you can mix and match separates. Pack extra underwear and socks. Buy fast-drying undies you can wash out in the sink and dry overnight if needed. Hotels will have laundry service for a fee; you can find self-service laundromats in Lisbon and Porto.

  • Casual clothes (5 complete outfits of slacks, tees, jeans, dresses, whatever you like to wear; create a capsule wardrobe to mix and match)

  • Cardigan, sweater, or shawl

  • Light jacket, windbreaker, or rain shell

  • Socks and underwear (6-8)

  • Pajamas and eye mask

  • https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-portugal/

Accessories

  • Sun hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Day pack or a bag large enough to carry your water bottle, hand sanitizer, kleenex, and any layers you may need for the day

  • A cross-body purse (easier to be hands-free and harder to steal)

  • Umbrella (be prepared for potential showers)

Toiletries, Rx and more

Portuguese pharmacies will carry just about any toiletry or medication you forget (aside from your prescription meds) but they may be more expensive than in your home country.

  • 1 toiletry kit

  • Sunscreen (or wait and buy European sunscreen)

  • Small first aid kit/baggie with some bandaids and blister care

  • 1 washcloth or bath pouf (hotels in Europe do not usually offer them)

  • Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer

  • Kleenex for public bathrooms that don’t have TP (it happens sometimes)

  • At-home COVID test in case you experience symptoms while traveling

  • Extra snacks from home (in addition to your carry-on snacks)

  • Large Ziploc bags (can be used also as packing cubes)

  • Soap to quickly wash out clothes at night and let air dry if needed (e.g. Dr. Bronner's)

  • Dramamine or ginger chews (Gin-Gins) for the van rides if you tend to get sick

Electronics & More

Pack an adapter. For phones, tablets, cameras etc you only need an EU plug adaptor. CURLING IRONS and STRAIGHTENERS will NOT work unless they are dual-voltage (i.e. can be set to 220V/240V for Europe).

  • Cell phone & charger 

  • Travel alarm clock (or use your phone)

  • Adapters for your various electronics (Type C or Type F, or Epika Universal Adapter)

  • USB powerbank to charge your phone (Zendure Power Bank 10000)

    • Power bank size limits: Up to 27,000 mAh (approx. 100 Wh) permitted on flights (carry-on only). Most standard phone power banks fall into this category.

  • Noise cancelling earbuds (Soundcore by Anker Space A40)

  • Anything you need to style your hair (curling iron, etc)

Other Considerations:

  • If you don’t want to lose it, do not bring it. Leave your laptops and valuables at home. Save space for other goodies you may buy while in Portugal.

  • Travel insurance: Leave your policy # with someone at home. Carry your policy with you at all times.

  • Wear a cross-body purse. Never keep all your money and credit cards in the same purse while out sightseeing. Leave some stashed back at the hotel in a safe place.

  • Use a VPN (like NordVPN or Mullvad) if you are going to access personal information on public WiFi (like at the hotel).

  • A phone data plan with your telephone company that allows you to use the internet and call while away ($10-12/day for an International Pass or free with some companies); you could also use an eSIM

  • Some guests like to have RFID sleeves for your wallet and your passport

  • Password manager (1Password or Bitwarden)

  • 400 euros in cash from AAA or your bank before you arrive in Europe; split up your money so it is not all in one place

We can’t wait to see you in Portugal! This is going to be a magical trip.

Regina Winkle-Bryan