There’s no better way to plan ahead for a trip than with a packing list. To make travelling to Portugal easier for everyone, we’ve made this awesome Portugal packing list, it covers everything you need for your trip.
It’s easy to forget an iPhone charger or your favourite sunscreen, so why not have a packing list to make sure that doesn’t happen?
We always say it’s better to be prepared and have everything than to pack at the last minute and end up forgetting a bunch of things and end up having to buy them abroad (even though sometimes we’re guilty of this).
A packing list doesn’t only help you not forget anything, it also speeds up the packing process. So hopefully, this packing list for Portugal makes your life a whole lot easier and saves you the hassle of trying to think of what to bring.
Before you know it you’ll be out hiking along the Ponta da Piedade or exploring the famous Castle of Moors in Sintra National Park.
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Packing list for Portugal: Accessories
In this post, you can find a list of all the items we brought ourselves on our trip to Lisbon and up the Silver Coast in Portugal. This Portugal packing list contains all the standard things that every traveller needs while visiting Portugal and also accessories that are nice to have for hiking, exploring, and if you have to work remotely while you’re travelling.
Download the list here so you can print it out and check off the items as you pack for your trip!
#1 LifeStraw Water Bottle
If you haven’t heard about LifeStraw water bottles before, they will change how you drink water forever. Okay, maybe not forever, but it definitely makes it easier and better to drink water from literally everywhere.
Life Straw water bottles are different from regular water bottles because they come with a built-in filter that makes any water drinkable.
On top of that, they are eco-friendly and so handy. Even though it might seem like it’s just a nice accessory to have we definitely recommend buying one to bring along wherever you go.
The bottles aren’t too expensive and the cost of buying plastic water bottles adds up in no time. Plus plastic water bottles are crap for the environment as we all know. It’s nice to know that wherever you go you can reuse your Lifestraw and know that your water is drinkable while you’re being good to the environment.
Although the Portuguese tap water is drinkable, we like to filter it as we don’t know how good the quality of the water is! We’ve had our LifeStraws for a while now and absolutely love them.
#2 Reef Safe Sunscreen
Reef safe sunscreen is a win-win for everyone! It’s better for your body and better for the oceans, so why not? We love Sun Bun since it is eco and reef-friendly.
At the end of the day if everyone can do the little things it adds up. Especially if we want these beautiful places to last longer.
Since it is reef and eco-friendly Sun Bum is a little more high-end than the standard sunscreen brands but it’s totally worth it.
The smell of coconut is also a lot nicer than the not-so-nice smell from the majority of regular sunscreen brands that are also crap for the environment.
So why not do our part and buy some eco-friendly sunscreen? We got SunBun for our trip to Portugal and the smell of coconut is so good – and knowing this sunscreen is better for the environment makes it a win-win!
#3 Sunglasses
One thing we’d highly recommend is bringing a cheap pair of sunglasses on your trip. You can get replicas of your favourite brands for dirt cheap online before you go.
Then you won’t have that stress of damaging your nice pair while you’re at the beach or forgetting them while you’re hiking along the coast somewhere in Portugal.
So make your life easy and buy a cheap (but durable) pair before you go! =)
Also read: 8 Cities on Portugal’s Silver Coast You’re Going to Love
#4 Cordless Headphones
We’ve both had cordless headphones for the past two years and they make a world of a difference. It might seem like a bit of a luxury but they’re so nice to have, especially while you’re travelling!
If you’re lying at the beach listening to an audiobook, a podcast, or music you won’t have to worry about having your phone out in the sun overheating since you can put it in your day bag and not be annoyed about the cords dangling everywhere.
Since cordless headphones have been around for a while now they’re not nearly as expensive as they used to be. We use the 2nd generation AirPods but there are lots of other great brands out there.
#5 Waterproof Phone Case
Not everyone has an underwater camera, and nowadays phone cameras are so good, so why not just use yours underwater? A waterproof phone case is a nice little accessory to have and to add to your packing list for Portugal. If you plan to try and get some clips while surfing in Ericeira or enjoying some of the beautiful beaches in Lagos a waterproof phone case is a good idea.
And it’s definitely a much cheaper alternative than buying an underwater camera. There are tons of universal waterproof phone cases so you can just pick and choose which one you like best.
Even if you’re just out kayaking or on a boat it’s a nice little safety feature having an underwater case. You obviously don’t want to happen but sometimes phones do fall into the water and a waterproof case is that extra layer of protection that is nice to have.
#6 Universal Adapter
If you travel often then this has probably saved you so many times. Portugal has the same outlets as the majority of Europe, so if you’re from Europe you won’t have a problem but if you’re like me (Dom) from Canada then your chargers won’t work in Portugal unless you have a universal adapter (or use your European girlfriend’s chargers).
A universal adapter is nice to have because that means that no matter where you go, you can use it. I (Jo) used to have 6 different adapters, and it just takes up a lot of space and things get lost.
Now I have a universal one and I love it. This one specifically also has room for you to insert a USB cord so you can charge both your phone and laptop or camera or whatever at the same time! So easy 🙂
Just a small little gadget but it does so much. It’s one little thing we go nowhere without. If you’re working remotely and need to charge stuff all the time like us then you’ll be very glad you bought one!
Also read: Best Things to Do in Lisbon in 2 Days (A Weekend Guide)
#7 Power Bank
If you’re planning on doing some day trips and spending a lot of time outdoors it’s nice to have a power bank in case your phone battery gets low or you need to recharge your phone or camera.
Around Portugal, you can find and buy a lot of bus tickets, train tickets, and tour tickets online so it’s nice to always have juice on your phone. Also, in case you need to book an Uber or a Bolt you have a way to do it.
I think we can all agree that it’s always nice to have a nice power bank with you in case you need it for your phone or any other gadgets.
#8 Quick Dry Towel
No matter where you go it’s nice to pack light and not have to bring too much. Especially if you’re not planning on bringing luggage and only have a carry-on, then a quick dry towel can be very handy. It takes up almost no space and is very useful.
It’s also great if you go visit some of the beaches along the coast and only bring a day bag. It fits comfortably in a little backpack and doesn’t take up to much room so you can fit more than just a towel in your bag.
If you’re planning to do some surfing in Ericeira, Nazaré, the Algarve, or anywhere else in Portugal it’s nice to have that little towel with you that you can dry off after your surf or dip in the ocean!
Also read: 8 Beautiful Beaches in Lagos You Need to Visit
#9 Dry Bag
It’s perfect if you’re like us and love going on fun adventures while you’re travelling where you may end up getting wet.
We’ve been there before and luckily have had our day bag which ended up saving all our gadgets from getting water damage.
The dry bag was a blessing while we were in Dubrovnik kayaking and also while we were white water rafting in Missoula. It folds up so nicely too that it takes up next to no space.
#10 Hiking Shoes
On almost every hike we did in Portugal (the Praia da Ursa trail is one of our favourites) we wore our hiking shoes. And the few we didn’t were more coastal walks and even there, hiking shoes would have been nice.
The hiking trails down in the Algarve and the Silver Coast of Portugal are absolutely beautiful and the trails are mostly easy to find and follow. But you never really know the terrain so it’s better to be prepared with the right shoes!
So if you have the room, bring a pair of hiking shoes for the trip to make it easier on your feet while hiking in Portugal.
Pro tip: Wear your hiking shoes while flying to save space + weight in your luggage.
Packing list for Portugal: Necessary items
Important travel items
- Passport
- Journal
- Travel insurance
- Drivers license (International if needed)
- Visa or debit card
- Euros (get the money from your bank before you go since it’s cheaper)
- Phone, camera, gadgets, and chargers for all your electronics
Clothing & footwear
- Underwear
- Sport and dress socks
- A few pairs of shorts (running and casual)
- Casual, dress, and sports shirts (few of each)
- 1-2 pairs of pants
- Pair of sandals
- Pair of sneakers
- Hiking shoes like we mentioned (if you have room)
- Definitely a few bathing suits
- 1 sweater
November to March is colder in Portugal especially in the evening so bring warmer clothes for those months!
Other things to bring
- Day bag
- Toothbrush
- Hairbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Body lotions
- Other toiletries
With all of these items listed above, we’ve made a full packing list for you – ready to print and use while you’re packing! Fill out the form here and get it straight to your inbox!
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You may also like…
- 8 Cities on Portugal’s Silver Coast You’re Going to Love
- Top 11 Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal
- The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Portugal
- 20 Fun Things to Do in Ericeira, Portugal
- Hiking the Beautiful Praia da Ursa Trail (From Cabo Da Roca)
Recap of your Portugal packing list
This works as a packing list for Portugal and anywhere else that consists of sunny weather, beaches, and the ocean!
The whole process of planning a trip and being organized is making a list beforehand to make sure you’re not forgetting anything along the way. It also makes it easier to check things off as you go. Especially if you’re doing things last minute like us! 😉
Creating a checklist for Portugal made it super easy to remember everything for us and it saves us a lot of stress.
We hope this will help make your packing easier! Maybe you can start with the things you have to bring and if you have some extra room you can maybe bring a few extra items.
Whether you’re going to Lisbon, Porto, or somewhere along the coast we hope you have a great time!
We are thrilled to explore this awesome country and share some of the best adventures, hikes, and our lifestyle as digital nomads in Portugal with you.
We love this country and hope you will too! Enjoy your time travelling around Portugal!
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