A panoramic view of Porto, Portugal, showing colorful buildings along the Douro River, with boats docked by the waterfront and a clear blue sky overhead.

Packing List

14-Day Portugal Trip

What to Pack for Your
Portugal Adventure 

You're heading to Portugal for two weeks of surf, mountains, medieval villages, and everything in between. This trip takes you from Lisbon's beaches to the peaks of Gerês, so you'll need to pack for variety: coastal days, mountain hikes, city exploration, and a few nicer dinners out.
Trip dates: May to September

Climate: Warm and sunny along the coast (20–30°C), cooler in the mountains, especially evenings

Activities: Surfing, hiking, swimming in rock pools and the ocean, city walking tours, wine tasting

Accommodation: Mix of hostels and guesthouses with shared rooms

The golden rule: Pack light. You'll be moving between locations throughout the trip, and a backpack or duffel bag (around 40 litres) makes everything easier. You'll have access to laundry mid-trip, so you don't need 14 days worth of clothes.
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Women's Men's Trip Specific
A woman with long, wavy red hair dressed in white standing on rocks near the ocean, facing cliffs in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Women's Packing List

A packing list for women, titled "Coast to Mountains," organized into categories: Essentials, Optional, Clothes, Shoes, and Documents. The list includes items like credit cards, a daypack, clothing, accessories, and travel documents, with illustrations of a camera, hat, and bikini.

DOCUMENTS & MONEY

☐ Passport (plus photo or printed copy stored separately)
☐ Travel insurance documents (printed or saved on phone)
☐ Flight details and booking confirmations
☐ Required visas (check if you need one)
☐ Credit/debit cards (bring at least 2 different cards)
☐ Cash in euros (for small purchases and tips)

BAGS

☐ 40-50-litre backpack or duffel bag (your main luggage)
☐ 20-litre daypack (for day trips and activities)
☐ Small crossbody bag or tote (for evenings and cities)
☐ Padlock (for hostel lockers)

TECH & ESSENTIALS

☐ Phone and charging cable
☐ Power bank (essential for long days out)
☐ Universal adapter (Portugal uses Type F plugs - two round pins)
☐ Headphones
☐ Camera (optional - your phone works great)
☐ E-reader or laptop (optional)

CLOTHES

Remember: you'll have access to laundry, so pack for about a week and plan to wash clothes halfway through.
Tops:
☐ 5–6 t-shirts or tank tops (everyday wear)
☐ 1–2 nicer tops (for dinners out)
☐ 1 sports top or active tee (for surfing and hiking)
☐ 1 long-sleeve linen or cotton shirt (cooler evenings in mountains)
☐ 1 button-down shirt (sun protection or layering)
☐ 1 nice top for going out (Porto and Lisbon evenings)

Layers:
☐ 1 lightweight jacket or windbreaker (essential for mountains and evenings)
☐ 1 cardigan or hoodie (Gerês can be cool in the evenings)

Bottoms:
☐ 1–2 pairs of jeans or trousers
☐ 1 pair of lightweight trousers or flowy pants
☐ 1–2 pairs of shorts (essential for summer)
☐ 1 pair of athletic shorts or leggings (for hiking and surfing)
☐ 1–2 dresses or skirts (optional but nice for dinners)

Other:
☐ Pyjamas
☐ Underwear for 7–8 days
☐ 2–3 bras (including 1 sports bra)
☐ 2–3 swimsuits 
☐ 1 sun hat or cap (Portuguese sun is strong)
☐ 4–5 pairs of socks

SHOES

You'll be doing a lot of walking, hiking, and beach time, so comfortable shoes are essential.
☐ 1 pair of comfortable walking trainers (for cities and general use)
☐ 1 pair of hiking shoes or sturdy trainers (for Gerês mountain trails)
☐ 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (for beach and hostel showers)
☐ 1 pair of dressier sandals or shoes (for nicer dinners in Porto/Lisbon)

TOILETRIES & HEALTH

☐ Sunscreen SPF 50+ 
☐ After-sun lotion or aloe vera
☐ Mosquito repellent
☐ Shampoo and conditioner (travel size or bring your own bottle)
☐ Body wash or soap
☐ Toothbrush and toothpaste
☐ Deodorant
☐ Hairbrush and hair ties
☐ Makeup and skincare (keep it minimal)
☐ Prescription medications
☐ Basic medicines (ibuprofen, antihistamines, plasters)
☐ Contact lenses/solution and glasses (if you wear them)
☐ Tampons/pads or menstrual cup
☐ Razor (if you use one)

SLEEP & COMFORT

☐ Sleeping mask (hostels can be bright in the mornings)
☐ Earplugs (for light sleepers in shared rooms)
☐ Small first-aid kit (plasters, pain relief, antiseptic)

BEACH & ACTIVITIES

☐ Quick-dry travel towel (microfibre works best)
☐ Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated and reduce plastic)
☐ Sunglasses (essential for bright Portuguese days)
☐ Waterproof phone case (optional but useful for beach days)
☐ Snorkel mask (optional - only if you have your own)
A man in a white tank top, navy shorts, and a gray baseball cap sitting on a wooden railing near a beach with turquoise water, cliffs, and boats in the distance.

Men's Packing List

A packing list for a trip from coast to mountains for men, including essentials, clothes, optional items, shoes, and documents, with illustrations of a camera, hat, and surfboard on a pastel-colored background.

DOCUMENTS & MONEY

☐ Passport (plus photo or printed copy stored separately)
☐ Travel insurance documents (printed or saved on phone)
☐ Flight details and booking confirmations
☐ Required visas (check if you need one)
☐ Credit/debit cards (bring at least 2 different cards)
☐ Cash in euros (for small purchases and tips)

BAGS

☐ 40-50-litre backpack or duffel bag (your main luggage)
☐ 20-litre daypack (for day trips and activities)
☐ Small crossbody bag or tote (for evenings and cities)
☐ Padlock (for hostel lockers)

TECH & ESSENTIALS

☐ Phone and charging cable
☐ Power bank (essential for long days out)
☐ Universal adapter (Portugal uses Type F plugs - two round pins)
☐ Headphones
☐ Camera (optional - your phone works great)
☐ E-reader or laptop (optional)

CLOTHES

Remember: you'll have access to laundry, so pack for about a week and plan to wash clothes halfway through.
Tops:
☐ 6–7 t-shirts
☐ 1–2 long-sleeve shirts (cooler mountain evenings)
☐ 1 button-down shirt or polo (for dinners out)

Layers:
☐ 1 lightweight jacket or windbreaker (essential for mountains)
☐ 1 hoodie or light jumper

Bottoms:
☐ 2 pairs of jeans or trousers
☐ 1 pair of lightweight trousers or chinos
☐ 2–3 pairs of shorts
☐ 1 pair of athletic shorts (for hiking and activities)

Other:
☐ Pyjamas or sleep shorts
☐ Underwear for 7–8 days
☐ 2 pairs of board shorts or swim trunks
☐ 1 sun hat or cap
☐ 5–6 pairs of socks

SHOES

You'll be doing a lot of walking, hiking, and beach time, so comfortable shoes are essential.
☐ 1 pair of comfortable walking trainers (for cities and general use)
☐ 1 pair of hiking shoes or sturdy trainers (for Gerês mountain trails)
☐ 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (for beach and hostel showers)
☐ 1 pair of casual shoes (optional, for nicer evenings out)

TOILETRIES & HEALTH

☐ Sunscreen SPF 50+ 
☐ After-sun lotion or aloe vera
☐ Mosquito repellent
☐ Shampoo and conditioner (travel size or bring your own bottle)
☐ Body wash or soap
☐ Toothbrush and toothpaste
☐ Deodorant
☐ Hairbrush and hair ties
☐ Prescription medications
☐ Basic medicines (ibuprofen, antihistamines, plasters)
☐ Contact lenses/solution and glasses (if you wear them)
☐ Razor (if you use one)

SLEEP & COMFORT

☐ Sleeping mask (hostels can be bright in the mornings)
☐ Earplugs (for light sleepers in shared rooms)
☐ Small first-aid kit (plasters, pain relief, antiseptic)

BEACH & ACTIVITIES

☐ Quick-dry travel towel (microfibre works best)
☐ Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated and reduce plastic)
☐ Sunglasses (essential for bright Portuguese days)
☐ Waterproof phone case (optional but useful for beach days)
☐ Snorkel mask (optional - only if you have your own)

Trip-Specific Packing Tips

For the surf sessions in Sagres

☐ Wetsuits and boards are provided - just bring your swimsuit and a towel
☐ Bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect the ocean
☐ A rash guard can help prevent chafing if you don't normally surf

For the historic village

☐ Cobblestone streets can be slippery - sturdy shoes are better than flimsy sandals
☐ Bring a light layer for evenings - stone villages can be cooler

For Porto and Lisbon

☐ You'll be walking a lot on hills - comfortable shoes are essential
☐ A small crossbody bag is perfect for exploring cities
☐ Pack one nicer outfit for dinners and evenings out

For hiking in Gerês

☐ Proper hiking shoes make a huge difference on mountain trails
☐ Bring a light rain jacket just in case (mountain weather can change)
☐ Pack your swimsuit in your daypack - you'll want it for the natural pools

General Portugal tips

☐ The sun is stronger than you think - reapply sunscreen regularly
☐ Portugal is casual - leave fancy clothes at home
☐ You can do laundry at hostels mid-trip 
☐ Bring a reusable water bottle - tap water is safe to drink everywhere
☐ Power banks are essential - you'll be using your phone for photos all day

Weather Guide: May to September

May: 18–24°C, perfect for hiking
June: 21–27°C, sunny, great surf conditions
July–August: 25–30°C, peak summer, hottest months
September: 22–27°C, warm water, fewer crowds
Coast (Lisbon, Sagres): Warm days, cooler sea breeze in evenings
Mountains (Gerês): 5–10°C cooler than coast, chilly evenings
Cities (Porto, Lisbon): Hot during day, pleasant evenings

Need help?

Still not sure what to pack? Get in touch via Email or WhatsApp and we'll help you sort it out.

Ready to book? Check out the full 14-Day Coast to Mountains itinerary →

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