Portugal Packing List: What to Pack for Portugal in September

Last updated on March 22nd, 2025 at 08:46 pm

I recently returned from my first solo trip to Portugal. After spending a week in Portugal, split between Lisbon and Porto, I learned some very important lessons about what to pack for Portugal. Perhaps more importantly I’ve learned what not to pack for Portugal – especially if the trip is in the early fall. If you’re wondering what to pack for Portugal in September, keep reading.

This packing list for Portugal is perfect for a trip that includes exploring the cobbled hills of Lisbon and the wineries of Porto. Of course, I’ll also include items to pack throughout the year so that you can have a comfortable and memorable trip to Portugal!

This Portugal packing list is geared towards exploring Portuguese cities. If you’re planning on walking the camino or heading to the Azores for hiking, make sure you add the appropriate athletic wear and hiking shoes for your unique itinerary.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to make a purchase or booking. For more, check out my disclosure. 

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Reasons to Pack in a Carry-On for Portugal

The first part of having a comfortable trip to Portugal is packing lightly. I recommend doing your best to pack in a carry-on only.

Lisbon is the city of seven hills, cobbled streets, and accommodations that often don’t have elevators. If you’re taking the train from the airport into the city, you may have to carry your luggage up those streets and steps to your accommodation. Don’t hurt yourself by over-packing.

Also, if your Portugal itinerary includes traveling the country via train or bus, you’ll have to carry the luggage to the train or bus station. There is limited space on public transportation to store huge bags! Make it easier on yourself by minimizing what you’re carrying.

My only exception to this rule is if you plan to stay in one place for your entire trip, and use a taxi or Uber to drop you off directly at your accommodation. If that’s the case, then fill that suitcase with whatever you’d like!

Otherwise, this Portugal packing list is based on packing in a carry-on bag!

Type of Luggage to Bring for Your Portugal Trip

Typically, I pack for international trips using two backpacks. I traveled for over a year with my 40L Osprey travel backpack and love it!

I carry the secondary backpack on my front and use it for my most important items, such as my wallet, passport, electronics, and snacks!

However, on this trip, I wanted to try packing in a carry-on suitcase and a backpack for a day bag. I used a Monos Carry-On, which I got on a Black Friday sale a few years ago. It’s a bit small, but since the clothing needed to Portugal is light, I was able to fit what I needed.

For this trip, I used the Nordace Siena bag which I absolutely adore. It has many small pockets to help with organization with I love! It’s perfect for having near you on the flight, day trips, and even walking around the city. 

I also recommend bringing a small bag, like the Uniqlo cross body bag, to explore the city. It will easily fit your wallet, keys, and even a camera.

I will say that I don’t think it would’ve been much easier moving about with the double backpack route. Either way you’re going to have to heft your items up stairs and hills. Even many accommodations don’t have an elevator! So no matter what you decide to pack your items in, make sure it’s light enough to carry!

3 Quick Tips for Packing in a Carry-On Only

I’ve got a full blog post that goes into detail about packing in a carry-on only, but I’m going to highlight three of my biggest tips to pack light for Portugal.

1. Use Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a great way to keep your items organized! For this trip, I upgraded to these compression packing cubes from Amazon and found I had space to fit a few extra items. 
2. Plan Outfits in Advance: This will ensure you know what you’ll wear and probably re-wear. Remember, laundry is available in hotels and hostels!
3. Pack for One Week: Except for underwear, pack your clothes as if you were going for only one week. Use Febreze to keep things fresh for re-wearing. Let’s be honest, we all wear the same 5-7 things at home anyway! And if you are going for a week – then you’re set.

I also have a TikTok video of my actual packing process for this trip. If you want to see how I used the packing cubes and what I packed, you can watch it here.

Portugal Weather in September

September is the best time of the year to visit Portugal. The water is warm enough for swimming, crowds begin to decrease, and the temperatures are milder than in the summer months

Here’s what you can expect when visiting different parts of Portugal in September

• Lisbon & Central Portugal: Highs around 26-29°C (79-84°F), lows around 17-19°C (63-66°F).
• Porto & Northern Portugal: Slightly cooler, with highs around 24-27°C (75-81°F) and lows around 14-17°C (57-63°F).
• Algarve (South): Warm and sunny, with highs around 27-30°C (81-86°F) and lows around 18-21°C (64-70°F).
• Madeira & Azores: More temperate, with highs around 24-27°C (75-81°F).

As your trip approaches, track the weather to see if it will be warmer or colder. And always remember that you can purchase anything you need while there, too!

Travel Essentials for Your Portugal Packing List

We’ll get to what to wear in Portugal soon, but first there are a few key Portugal packing list items that are not influenced by the weather (or fashion trends).

Backpack: As noted above, you’ll need a backpack, or some sort of day bag to keep your portable charger, water bottle, camera, and anything else you may need for a day of exploring. 

Travel Insurance: I never leave for an international trip without travel insurance. In the past I’ve used World Nomads, but for this trip I went with SafetyWing as it was a better price point. No matter what travel insurance company you choose, ensure it covers the activities on your itinerary.

Camera: Another item I never travel without is my mirrorless camera. I got into photography during the pandemic but don’t practice as much anymore. But I loved using my Sony to capture the beauty of Portugal. Let me tell you it helped reignite my passion for photography! Portugal is filled with fantastic cityscapes just begging to be photographed. I found that I used my Tamron 17-28mm wide-angle lens for most of the shots I took. I also like trying the 50mm for a lighter option.

Portable Battery Pack: You will be out all day using your phone for photos, directions, and restaurant reviews. Make sure that you start the day with both a full phone battery and a fully charged portable charger. I’ve traveled with this one for years, and it can recharge my phone and camera multiple times with one charge. 

Universal Travel Adapter: On my first solo trip, I traveled with multiple adapters for various countries. It was cumbersome and bulky! Thankfully, they’ve come out with adapters that will fit multiple countries and have USB ports all in one. I got this one off of Amazon and love it for easy charging of all my devices simultaneously.

Umbrella or Waterproof Jacket: I did not anticipate rain in Porto and got downright drenched one morning. It taught me to bring a compact umbrella like this for unexpected showers or a packable rain jacket to throw in my backpack for the day.

Reusable Water Bottle: You can drink the tap water in Portugal. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce plastic usage. You may want to bring a collapsible water bottle to save space when it’s not in use. I simply traveled with my Hydro Flask.

Sunglasses: Did you know Lisbon gets an average of 300 sunny days every year! Pack a couple pairs of your favorite sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sunshine! They also make an easy accessory.

Sun Protection: Remember sunscreen for your face and body! I love Inisfree sunscreen for my face and SunBum for my body.

Hat: I recommend packing a baseball-style hat. They’re in style now and are an easy accessory to an outfit. A wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea to protect your ears and neck from the sun. 

Febreze: You will likely be re-wearing a shirt or two. Keep your clothing smelling fresh with Febreze. They make a small travel size you can purchase here! I never travel without it.

What to Pack for Portugal in September

September in Portugal is still quite warm and humid. Expect the temperature to hover in the mid-70s, along with humidity. It is a bit cooler in Porto, but still humid. It also cools off in the evenings enough to require a sweater.

When packing your clothes, think in terms of light layers and breathable fabrics that can easily be removed or added as needed.

Clothing to Pack for Portugal in September

I found that Portuguese people dress fairly casually, but still very on trend. Jeans are acceptable for day and night.  

• T-Shirts: 2 short sleeve shirts
• Tank Top: 2-4 tank tops that are flowy. One could be a dressier tank top for a nice dinner at one of Lisbon’s fancier restaurants, worn under a jacket.
• Vest: I’m loving the button down vest trend. They look great with jeans or a skirt.
• Linen Shirts: Pack at least one button-down linen shirt. A white one works great as a cover-up for beach days as well. 
• Jeans: I did not pack a pair of jeans and really regretted it. I wish I’d brought my wide leg jeans from Madewell. Any jeans you like that go well with the shoes you’re packing and the rest of your clothing. 
• Shorts: I packed a pair of trouser shorts that were really comfortable for exploring Belem.
• Linen Pants: I wore a pair of linen pants almost every day. They were so comfortable and breathable. 
• Linen Jumpsuit: I love this black linen jumpsuit I got recently from Madewell and I was able to wear a denim vest over it for a bit of versatility.
• Silk Skirt: This silk skirt came in so handy for nicer dinners and hot days. I have to wear shorts under them to prevent my thighs rubbing together. If that’s the same for you, make sure to pack them!
• Sweater: Pack a light sweater for cooler evenings.
• Rain Jacket: A lightweight, packable rain jacket is sufficient for September
• Jean Jacket: I found an oversized jean jacket as the perfect item for cooler evenings. But any light jacket you love will work!
• PJs: A pair of shorts and a t-shirt should do the trick. 
• Undies: Undies are where you can overpack! I usually pack two per day. 
• Bra: I love bralettes, they’re so comfortable!
• Socks: Pack at least one pair of socks for every day of your trip. 

What Shoes to Pack for Portugal

How many pairs of shoes do you need to pack for Portugal? I recommend two to three. You’ll wear your bulkiest pair of shoes on the flight, and pack the other one or two. 

Comfortable Walking Shoes: Your Lisbon itinerary includes lots of walking so make sure you have a pair of comfortable shoes. Thankfully sneakers like New Balance are trendy so you should be able to find a pair of good walking shoes that work for you. I love these Keen shoes and am excited to try a pair of ASICS for my upcoming trip to Rome. Test out the soles of your shoes on slick surfaces first because when the cobblestone streets get wet it gets very slippery!

Sandals: I packed a pair of Birkenstocks and only wore them once or twice, mostly when I knew I’d only be walking a short distance. But any pair of sandals you like and are broken in are great for Portugal. 

Ballet Flats: I wore ballet flats like these a few times for dinner out. They wouldn’t be great for long distances, but if you’re just going out to dinner or drinks at places I recommend on my Porto itinerary, they’re great!

Swimsuit: So many beaches are quick day trips from Lisbon and Porto. If you plan to visit a beach or your accommodation has a pool, bring your bathing suit.

Miscellaneous Items Pack for Portugal

Portable Fan: I don’t handle heat well, even the mild mid-70s. A friend I made on a day trip to Sintra brought a portable fan, and it was so helpful in cooling off after walking up the steep hills in Sintra.

Toiletries: Remember deodorant, moisturizers, shampoo, and conditioner. Or check with your accommodation to see if they provide shampoo and conditioner so that you don’t need to pack them.

Travel Debit and Credit Cards: Bring a travel-friendly bank card or two! I travel with the Charles Schwab debit card, which allows me to get cash from any ATM, and they reimburse the fees. I also use Chase Sapphire credit card to avoid foreign transaction fees. 

Tripod: If you’re traveling solo, pack a lightweight tripod to get photos and videos of yourself. I like this one because it stands up pretty high and I also like this smaller one to use in restaurants and cafes because it’s more inconspicuous.

Important Documents: Triple-check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Portugal. Also, ensure that all other important documents, like a visa, are in order. 

What Not to Pack for Portugal

Surprisingly, I wore everything I packed at least once. But there were a few items I wish were just a bit different. 

• Tight Clothing: In the heat, I found myself wanting looser clothing, so maybe pack a couple of flowy tops or loose dresses.
• Anything you’re not comfortable in: If there is anything you don’t absolutely love and feel great in when you trial pack and try on your outfits, leave it behind (and maybe donate it!). Save the space for something you actually love, or just leave room for Portuguese souvenirs.

Following this Portugal packing guide for the fall, you’ll have everything you need for a fun and comfortable trip to this gorgeous country. The beauty of this somewhat minimalist packing list is that you’ll have plenty of space in your bag for souvenirs! Let me know if there’s anything you packed for Portugal that you found essential, that’s not on this list so I can add it to further help others planning their solo trip to Portugal!

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