Here's Lynne's Packing list for Portugal and Spain.
What to wear in Portugal, by an actual Portuguese person (Lynne's comments too!)
Wondering how to pack for the California of Europe?
Get your notebook and write down this packing list for Portugal, by an actual Portuguese person:
Some things to consider
1) Light-colored clothes for summer.
Darker clothes will absorb the heat from the big hot sun we get to enjoy so much of here. However, if you come in whites and beiges from head to toe, you will look like a tourist for sure. Portuguese people, regardless of gender, do not go for an all-caqui and all-white wardrobe.
2) Dresses, t-shirts and tank tops are your friends. It can get really hot here, up to or just over 40ºC. The interior regions are a lot warmer too, and people don’t even leave the house around noon. (We will stay on the coast so it is cooler). Nights can nice and warm too, but there might be enough humidity in the breeze to make it cool and uncomfortable, in which case you might want to wear a cardigan.
3) Dresses, but… it can get windy by the sea. Why not wear some cycling shorts underneath for extra comfort?
4) Swimsuit and towel
You wouldn’t forget your swimsuit, would you? Portugal is known for its dreamy beaches, each more beautiful than the next… If you’re in Algarve (we will be!), the water is deliciously warm! But from the south up (Lisbon also has beautiful beaches), be prepared to face some icy waves even in the peak of summer. But here’s a tip: wait for the sunset. The water will be a lot warmer by 5pm and the sand a lot less scorching.
You wouldn’t forget your swimsuit, would you? Portugal is known for its dreamy beaches, each more beautiful than the next… If you’re in Algarve (we will be!), the water is deliciously warm! But from the south up (Lisbon also has beautiful beaches), be prepared to face some icy waves even in the peak of summer. But here’s a tip: wait for the sunset. The water will be a lot warmer by 5pm and the sand a lot less scorching.
5) Shoes
Shoes are easy in Portugal. Walking around in sneakers is common. Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes because you’ll probably be walking on cobbled streets in actual medieval castles.
Also, Portuguese sidewalks are famously made of limestone, and they are hand-made. Visitors find that lovely and quirky, but they get quite slippery or even wobbly. Even your sandals should have tread.
Shoes are easy in Portugal. Walking around in sneakers is common. Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes because you’ll probably be walking on cobbled streets in actual medieval castles.
Also, Portuguese sidewalks are famously made of limestone, and they are hand-made. Visitors find that lovely and quirky, but they get quite slippery or even wobbly. Even your sandals should have tread.
6) Lynne's tip: Change of clothes
Every trip, someone's bag didn't make it. Make an overnight gallon ziplock bag: 2 pair underwear, sundress or nylon t-shirt/shorts, comb, toothbrush/paste, medication. You can borrow deodorant, shampoo, etc. It's a pain to shop for underwear and a toothbrush when you arrive.
Accessories
Portugal is known for its delightfully golden sun, shining for most of the year. It’s the California of Europe.7) Sunglasses. The sunlight is bright, and can even be painful to your eyes throughout the year.
8) Umbrella, maybe... to block out the sun! Yes, it rains in Portugal unless there is a drought. Come summer, however, and you may not see a drop for months. I'm packing a tiny flimsy one, to ensure I won't need it!
8) Scarf, only if fall/winter or you want that fashion. I'm addressing this because every list has "scarf" on it. You will visit the seaside, where it’s windy and cold. Your neck will feel exposed. You won't be there long, and you won't catch cold. I'm considering a light one instead of...
9) SunHat. If you’re coming in the summer, you will realize that the sun feels hot. People often avoid walking outside around lunchtime in the summer because it can be kind of dangerous. If you’re sensitive to the heat, bring a hat to protect your head and yourself from sunstroke.
10) Sunscreen. What did you expect? High SPF too!
11) Backpack. A light nylon backpack is perfect, (light color and weight to keep your back from sweating while you wear it). If you come in looking like a tourist, chances are nobody will mess with you. Portugal is a really safe place and people appreciate tourists. Do be careful in bigger cities like Lisbon, though, and watch out for your wallet.
12) Photocopies of Documents In past trips, someone has lost a purse, someone lost a phone, 3 wallets have been pickpocketed, a credit card mysteriously stopped working. Please do not skip this part. Run a physical photocopy of your passport, both sides of your credit cards, and both sides of your debit card. Place them in an envelope in the bottom of your suitcase.
13) Laundry bag It's nice to have a light bag with you for your dirty clothes. We'll drop the laundry at a lavanderia. We might have machines available in our rentals, but the laundromat option is the easiest.
14) Night time activities We can't run 24/7, (although we try!). Sometimes where we're staying the WIFI is a little weak for 7 of us. You can't count on your phone to entertain you. Download a few movies or shows on your Ipad that aren't internet dependent. Bring a book, a puzzle book or a journal if that's your thing. I like having a deck of cards to play hearts or spades.