What to Wear in Lisbon, Portugal | Packing checklists and clothing tips for your vacation to Lisbon | WhatToWearOnHoliday.com (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear to Lisbon? ›

Choose clothes made of breathable materials like cotton and linen, which are ideal for Lisbon's weather. Depending on the season of your visit, pack light clothing for spring and summer and warmer clothes for autumn and winter. Women should consider packing a mix of light dresses, skirts, shorts, and jeans.

Don't do all-white or all-caqui. Even in summer, Portuguese people don't do the jungle-explorer look. We actually wear really dark colors, especially in winter. Black, navy, grey and other darker colors will help you blend in.

Mix of short and long-sleeved shirts, light jacket or cardigan for evenings. Light, breathable clothing for the day, sweater or light jacket for evenings, hat, and sunglasses for sun. Summer attire: Shorts, T-shirts, sandals; light sweater for breezy nights.

It rarely snows in the parts of Portugal that tourists are likely to visit, so the good news is that you don't need to worry about packing snow boots. However, cities like Porto and Lisbon can be quite rainy in the cooler months, so it's good to pack a great pair of non-slip, waterproof boots.

Therefore, ripped jeans, clothing covered with logos, or overly revealing garments may be frowned upon. Women might also wear heels for special occasions such as weddings or formal parties. And it's important to be aware that some places, such as cathedrals, enforce a conservative dress code.

Avoid demonstrations and public protests, monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities. Bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars occur. Keep valuables out of sight. Pay attention to your belongings at beaches, tourist spots, and public transport.

Portuguese tend to dress modestly with a sense of quality and elegance. It is important to dress in a respectful manner, particularly when entering formal spaces such as a church. Casual attire (e.g. barefoot, beachwear) is inappropriate in public and can make one seem unsophisticated.

Portuguese shoes are well known for their quality, style, and detail, and it's no different when it comes to sneakers and street shoes. Portugal's shoe-making industry is ever-growing – in 2022 Portugal made around 85 million pairs of shoes, with around 95% being exported, and appetite is only growing.

What is the proper etiquette in Portugal? ›

Portuguese people tend to be polite and indirect in their communication style, so being too direct or blunt may be considered rude. Interrupting someone while speaking is considered impolite in Portugal, and waiting until the speaker has finished before responding is important.

The risk for mosquito activity is high. Consider an EPA-registered repellent to deter mosquito bites. The risk for mosquito activity is high. Replacing outdoor lights with yellow bug lights can attract less insects.

For most travelers, $60-$80 USD (€50-€75 Euros) is how much spending money you need per day in Portugal. This covers the cost of food, transportation, and a little extra for attractions in most cities like Lisbon and Porto.

In Lisbon the locals dress in a smart, casual and understated elegant style. Opt for a smart casual look with nice shoes. Jeans are very popular especially with younger people, but they are always smart and clean.

Shorts are fine on the beach, but if you wear them around the city, you'll quickly brand yourself as a tourist.

Summer (June - August): Light clothing, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable sandals, and a swimsuit. Spring (March-May) / Autumn (September - November): Layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and an umbrella for occasional showers. Winter (December - February): Warm coat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof footwear.

Red and black are the two most popular colours. Traditional women's costumes typically consist of long bouffant skirts (saia) with vibrant checked or striped patterns (most often in red and white) with a blouse and sometimes a waistcoat/bodice. Highly embroidered aprons are worn over the skirt.