Lisbon Packing List: Be Prepared for Hills and Sightseeing

Lisbon is an incredible destination at any time of year, and it is a city that’s always high on our wish list for going back to. Luckily for travelers, going to Lisbon during all seasons is pretty pleasant. This packing checklist will help you with exactly what you should expect in terms of what you’ll need, and what to bring along!

In the list that follows, I’ll cover every area of packing requirements and you can take some of my recommendations, based on what worked well for us in Lisbon. Of course, the rest of this list will serve well for Portugal travel, too, because it’s a pretty compact country. There are some variations in climate from south to north, but overall, you’ll find yourself going to a few cities in a single trip as it is.

Before we get started, make sure to use the trip selector tool below, and adjust it for how long your trip will be!

For more on what to see and do in Lisbon, check out our Lisbon city guide.

Packing essentials

With the foundation of these packing essentials here, you won’t leave anything important behind when you leave for Lisbon or your Portugal trip. I like to look at my essentials in one go, and make sure I ticked all my boxes.

Packing organization

I always try to pack efficiently, and I’ve turned into more of a pro as the years have gone by. With this list of things I take, in addition to my luggage, I separate my packed items by theme, and then my unpacking when I arrive is less overwhelming.

Clothing for Mediterranean climate

Lisbon’s Mediterranean climate means mild winters and warm summers. From June to September, the weather is agreeable and can be quite hot during the day. Winter months can see temperatures dip between December and February. Don’t sleep on the fact that the hilly streets and cobblestones require comfortable footwear, as there can be a bunch of slipping if there’s any rainwater or dampness on the sidewalks.

For variable weather, or windy areas at the coast, having layers is one of my top priorities. Even in summer, you’ll get a chilly night by the water with some breezes, and although winters are moderate to cold, you may find that the heat in some places doesn’t work all too well.

Shoes and footwear

Lisbon’s hilly streets and cobblestones require comfortable, supportive footwear, even if you consider yourself fit! You’ll do a lot of walking, from exploring neighborhoods like Bairro Alto and Alfama to visiting viewpoints and running along the river, if you want some exercise during the trip.

For hiking outside Lisbon (we’ve hiked in Cascais), beware of wet trails as well as very dry trails in dry seasons. We were almost sliding down the hills during a dry spell that left the paths rocky and sandy. Bring boots if you wish!

Toiletries and health

You can buy most things in Lisbon, but having these items on hand saves time and stress. During our trips, we’ve luckily had most health essentials already packed, but going to a pharmacy wouldn’t have been out of the question if we needed a particular product in Portugal.

Electronics and tech

Stay connected and powered up while exploring Lisbon’s neighborhoods, using public transit and capturing photos of the tiled buildings and viewpoints. You’ll need your camera charged up, and your phone on full battery to enjoy getting around the streets in the neighborhoods, as well as translating menus!

Sightseeing essentials

For exploring Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, viewpoints, tiled buildings and attractions, these items will come in handy.

Viewpoint and sunset essentials

Lisbon is known for incredible viewpoints and sunsets. Watching the sunset from viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Catarina is a highlight of any Lisbon visit and it is how we’ve taken some of our most memorable photos. Remember, though, as soon as the sun goes down, it might get chilly or breezier during your walk back to the hotel or out to dinner.

Going out

Lisbon has a great dining scene, from trendy cafes to traditional restaurants. You’ll want to dress appropriately for restaurants, bars and evening activities, and Europeans tend to dress up and look decent, even on weeknights. For weekends, especially at trendy locales, take your attire up a notch to include a blazer, nice shoes, pants (some places do not allow shorts) and nice tops. Snap a photo!