Portugal has been calling to me for a very long time, and those calls are only getting louder as time passes. Portugal is one of those places that feels and looks like an unending dream: from golden-hour wine sipping in Ribeira, walking the cobblestone streets along Douro River, or spending an afternoon beaching somewhere off the Algarve cliffs, everywhere you look is filled with Instagram-worthy shots that you can easily describe as “life-changing” in your captions and mean every word of it.

The trick to packing for a trip like this (breezy enough for an 85+ degree day wandering Alfama in Lisbon yet polished enough for a rooftop sunset dinner overlooking the Tagus) is building your travel capsule wardrobe around pieces that are good for double-duty. Which is exactly what I did here, and let’s just say that the Rothy Espadrilles earn their suitcase footage ten times over.

Shorts + Tank Set | Espadrilles | Mini Dress | Bucket Hat | Straw Tote | Striped Tank

So, whether you’re sippin’ wine in Porto, enjoying the rich culture and nightlife in Lisbon, or enjoying the beaches and hiking the coastline in The Algarve, this post will help you pack for whatever your trip to Portugal throws at you. Think bright colors, bold prints, and the cutest shoes that promise to do all of the heavy lifting for you. Here’s what’s going in my suitcase the moment I finally book that ticket to Portugal.

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 7A | 7B | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

Sunglasses

A pair of sleek, polarized cat-eye sunglasses are perfect for the fashionable and fun city of Lisbon and the gorgeous Southern Coast of The Algarve.

Mini Dress

How perfect is this STAUD 100% cotton print mini dress?? Perfect European oceanside vacation vibes for Portugal, or even any other coastal trip you have planned this summer.

Straw Hat

Abby has gotten me back on the cute bucket straw hat train. This Brixton option is not only cute and vacation-ready but it’s completely packable too. I love the unique black and tan pattern and stripes. So fun!

Favorite Daughter Pareo

I love bringing along a pareo or sarong on my tropical and European vacations because they can be so functional and versatile. Not only as swimsuit coverup but as a wrap for evenings when the weather cools down, or even worn as a skirt for dinners with a cute tank top.

The Sophie Top

I have this 100% cotton Sophie Top in white, and it is easily one of my most-worn tops of the summer for sure. It’s comfy, cute and flattering. It’s the perfect top to bring on your trip to Portugal, and pairs so easily with everything else in this packing list from the Favorite Daughter Pareo, to the striped midi skirt from Gap to the shorts from the Free People Set.

Madewell Linen Pants

I just got in these Madewell Striped Linen Pants in and tried them on and they are SO GOOD. The quality is nice and thick and yet soft and feel durable at the same time. They are made from 94% linen and 6% cotton so the fabric is breezy, and the chic black stripes pair perfectly with everything else in this packing list.

Gap Striped Racer Tank

Gah, I can’t stop thinking about this new 100% cotton striped racer tank from Gap, so you know I had to order it immediately. I love the vibrant, vintage-inspired stripes and the soft fabric. Perfect for the also vibrant country of Portugal.

Gap Striped Sweater Skirt

I am such a fan of matching sets for vacation because they just add so much more versatility to your vacation wardrobe. I just couldn’t resist ordering this bold striped 100% cotton skirt and matching tank because it’s 100% the vibe I am going for on vacation this summer. Plus the fabric is built for breezes.

Quince Lace Shorts

I just discovered that Quince makes 100% washable lace shorts similar to Reformation’s, but under half the price. I love the idea of packing these shorts for Portugal because they can easily go from day to night and will help you stay cool while you’re at it. Plus, they can be washed while on vacay, if the need arises.

Croc Miami Sandals

When I called out for Portugal Packing Tips to the TME Team in our Slack Channel, one of the first things Shana said she always packs is a pair of comfy, flat, tan sandals and I agree. I am already wearing these sandals pretty much everyday, they’ve already made it to the beach and beyond, and I’ve walked miles in them without complaint! (And our whole team has been loving the Crocs Miami sandals – you can see our reviews, here)

Rothy Espadrilles

Kat, who studied abroad in Portugal (!!) lucky lady, made an excellent point: Lisbon is super hilly and is nicknamed ‘The City of Seven Hills’ so she suggests avoiding any and all stilettos. Thankfully, a pair of red Rothy Espadrilles will do the trick. They are comfortable and stylish. You’ll fit right in there in a pair of these.

AllSaint’s Lullah Tote

With a vacation location so diverse: the beach, the hills, the city, the countryside. I always like to make sure I pack a smaller crossbody and then a large tote for beach days and all day outings. With AllSaint’s Lullah Tote, everything you need fits easily in this bag and keeps you looking cute while you’re at it.

Donna Karan New York Back-Tie Dress

I love easy, swingy dresses like this for vacation, and how jaw-dropping is that subtle bow-tied low back?? This is another one that can be dressed up or down: over a swimsuit or paired with some show-stopping accessories that do all the talking for sunset dinners overlooking the city.

Free People Shorts Set

I’ve been eyeing this Free People Shorts Set for ages now, and when I saw it in the ‘red squash’ color option I knew it would be perfect for this Portugal Packing List. It’s loose fitting and breezy, but not short on style in the slightest. And as always, they can be worn together or they look just as cute when worn separately. The top easily pairs with Quince’s black lace shorts and the striped skirt from Gap and the shorts go perfectly with the black Madewell Sophie Top and the striped racerback tank from Gap.

The Sak Tess Sling Crossbody Bag

The Sak’s Tess Sling Crochet Crossbody bag is perfect for busy traveling days. It fits all the essentials that I like to keep close to my vest, and it’s secure and small enough to be worn comfortably all day long.

Gemma Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit

For vacation, I like to have a swimsuit I know I can 100% rely on, and if there is leftover room, I will throw in something else that is a little fun. J.Crew’s Gemma bandeau one-piece in Classic Sculpt^™ is flattering, classic and can be worn a couple of different ways (the straps are detachable).

TME Flight Kit

TME’s Flight Kit is SO GENIUS. Way to go, team. It has everything you need to get you from point A to Point B and then some! Complete with luxe lavender hand cream, hand sanitizer, grapefruit lip balm, a refillable pill case, a face mask and of course, a delicious dark chocolate bar. I feel like I could conquer the world with this thing tucked away in my laptop case.

Gap Canvas Flip Flops

A pair of flip-flops are another essential to bring on a trip to Portugal because they are much needed for so many activities like heading to the beach but also for the many ‘in-between’ moments that come with traveling, like heading to breakfast at the hotel or lounging by the pool.

Adidas Samba Janes

I think I will be taking my Adidas Samba Janes with me on every trip for the rest of my life. They are so convenient, comfortable and versatile. I wear mine everywhere, even on the plane. I prefer them to sneakers, and even on long days of touring city hot spots, they remain comfortable while also being a super cute upgrade to tennis shoes.

As always, thank you SO much for reading this fun Portugal Packing Post! If you have any questions or content you’d like to see me cover, just leave me a comment! Until next time,

xo, Jess (My Instagram | More of My Posts)