What Should I Bring to Portugal?

Essential items include:

• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (cobblestones are slippery when wet)
• Layers for temperature changes between morning, midday, and evening
• Light jacket or sweater even in summer (ocean breezes and air conditioning)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Swimsuit (hotel pools, beaches, unexpected opportunities)
• Light rain jacket (weather can change quickly)
• Modest clothing for church visits (covered shoulders and knees)

For summer, pack light, breathable fabrics. The Algarve and inland areas get genuinely hot. For winter, bring a proper coat, especially for Lisbon and Porto where damp cold penetrates.

Portuguese dress relatively casually but neatly. Smart casual works for most restaurants; upscale venues may expect dressier attire for dinner. Beachwear belongs at the beach, not in town.

Power adapters are necessary for American electronics. Portugal uses European Type C and F plugs with 230V. Most phone chargers and laptops handle the voltage; check before plugging in other devices.