What to Wear in Portugal?

As one of the oldest countries in Europe, Portugal has been an independent country for nearly a thousand years. Today, Portugal's industrial base is relatively weak, but tourism has become a pillar industry. In addition, the geographical location adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean has also created favorable conditions for Portugal's prosperous foreign trade. Therefore, thousands of tourists and business elites come to Portugal every year.

People who come to Portugal for different purposes will of course attend different occasions, so their clothes and outfits are also different. On the other hand, the time and season you come here will also lead to different clothing needs. But it doesn’t matter, whether you come here in winter or summer, for tourism or for business meetings, we will provide you with many specific and practical clothing suggestions!

The Characteristics of Climate in Portugal and Famous Tourist Attractions

Portugal spans fewer degrees of longitude than latitude, so it is not surprising that it spans two temperature zones. The southern part of Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. Although the summer temperature does not exceed 28 degrees Celsius most of the time, in some years, the extreme summer temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius. While the northern part of Portugal has a temperate maritime broadleaf forest climate. Temperature in summers is lower than that in the south, but can occasionally reach 30 degrees Celsius. Winters are colder, sometimes the temperature is below zero in the mountains.

As for precipitation, Portugal has very significant regional and seasonal differences in precipitation. From a geographical perspective, the northern region has a lot of precipitation, with annual precipitation usually exceeding 1,000 mm. In the south, precipitation is much less, with annual precipitation usually not exceeding 600 mm, and even droughts occur from time to time. And in terms of seasons, precipitation is relatively intense in winter, especially in the southern part of the country, which has a Mediterranean climate. More than 40% of the country's precipitation occurs in winter. The climate characteristics determine that the spring, summer and autumn seasons with little rain are the peak tourist seasons in Portugal. Travelers who come to Portugal for other purposes also need to add or remove clothing according to the changes in seasons and weather.

As a tourist, whether you prefer to relax in the natural scenery or appreciate the masterpieces of human urban civilization, Portugal will definitely satisfy you. Specifically, Portugal has the following famous tourist attractions:

🍇Cape Roca. This is the westernmost point of Portugal and the European continent. The cliffs here are towering, and you can see the majestic and surging Atlantic Ocean from here, experiencing one of the most spectacular scenes in nature.

🍇Algarve Beach. The golden beaches in the Algarve are great for soaking up the sun and enjoying a series of water activities including surfing, swimming and more! If you want to relax by enjoying the sun and the sea, then don't miss the Algarve beaches!

🍇Madeira. The Madeira Islands, known as the Pearl of the Atlantic Ocean, not only have beautiful scenery, but also produce delicious wines. For loyal fans of Madeira wine, do not come to Portugal without visiting its place of origin!

🍇Castelo de Sao Jorge. This historic castle, which was built in the Roman period, is the highest point in the capital Lisbon and is also one of the iconic buildings. There are many historical relics preserved in the castle that allow visitors to fully understand the historical changes of Portugal.

🍇Palacio da Pena. As the summer palace where the king and queen once lived, the Palacio da Pena is not only extremely gorgeous, but also integrates multiple architectural styles such as Gothic and Moorish. Its preciousness cannot be overstated, so it was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

The Dressing Codes and Speciality Clothing in Portugal

Portugal's dressing culture is relatively tolerant and diverse, but on some special occasions, you still need to follow certain norms to maintain decorum. To speak more specifically, some dressing codes are as follows:

Do not wear overly revealing clothing in religious places. Some of Portugal's most famous attractions are religious sites such as Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. To visit such religious sites, ladies need to wear long-sleeved tops and long pants, or at least a long skirt below the knee. Some churches even require women to cover their hair with a headscarf. If you don't want to do that, it's best to avoid such churches when you visit.

In urban areas such as Lisbon, there are a large proportion of youngsters, so people's clothing styles are relatively trendy. While in rural areas, the proportion of middle-aged and elderly people is relatively high, and they are more conservative in clothing and tend to wear traditional clothes. Therefore, if you are only sightseeing in the city, then unless it is a religious occasion, most of the time you can decide what to wear according to your preferences. If you want to visit the pastoral scenery or need to go to the countryside for research, it is best to avoid more avant-garde outfits such as ripped jeans.

Another point worth noting is that it is best to avoid wearing high heels when visiting some ancient cities. This is not because of any dress taboos, but because in these ancient cities, many roads are still cobblestone roads, so high heels are very easy to get stuck. Instead, sneakers may be a more appropriate choice.

Or maybe you'd like to try out some Portuguese clothing. The speciality clothing of Portuguese women is mainly wool skirts made of heavy fabrics and in bright colors. Therefore, if you come to Portugal in winter, you can try it. They can be matched with a beautifully embroidered top. If you come to Portugal in summer, ladies can try court-style dresses. For example, long dresses with lace trims and so on. These long dresses are usually made of luxurious fabrics such as silk, and they look particularly dazzling when paired with bright jewelry.

What to Wear in Portugal in Different Seasons and Occasions

Portugal's climate determines that if you come here in the summer, no matter what your purpose is, you should not only consider whether your clothes are fashionable and appropriate, but also pay attention to sun protection and cooling. If you come here in the winter, you need to consider more factors. Not only the style of the clothes cannot be ignored, but also the thermal performance of the clothes. Of course, rain gear is also a must. Below we will give you different clothing suggestions in winter and summer respectively for your reference.

In Summer:

🍇For your beach vacation. Just wear a floral printed T-shirt and a pair of shorts! This outfit looks very relaxed and cozy, perfect for sunbathing on the beach! At the same time, you can choose a larger print to show your enthusiasm. For other water sports such as surfing and swimming, you can prepare a set of bikini.

🍇For your visiting to the historical sites. At this time, you need a look that makes you look very gentle and knowledgeable. To create this look, you can choose a tender yet formal silk or lace shirt for the upper body and a maxi skirt for the lower body. Considering the wearing experience in summer, it is better to choose a chiffon skirt.

🍇For your business attire. Since the weather is too hot, don't bring your blazer unless you have to. A solid cotton shirt will be enough to show your capability. In most cases, you can even choose a short-sleeved version. For the lower body, you can choose a pair of linen or acetate pants, which will show formality without being stuffy.

In Winter:

🍇For your city sightseeing. You will need both a warm mock neck sweater and a waterproof parka. It is best to choose a loose fit to avoid hindering movement. You can pair them with a pair of jeans, which are versatile and durable, and thsu very suitable for travel. As for shoes, a pair of thick-soled Martin boots may be a very suitable choice for rainy weather.

🍇For your mountains climbing. For activities like hiking or mountains climbing, you often need clothing that is warmer and better at waterproof. First, a cashmere thermal underwear is a must. Second, choose a very warm, waterproof, and lightweight outerwear. For the lower body, you can choose a pair of cargo pants made of fabrics such as nylon. Don't forget to choose a pair of non-slip hiking boots!

🍇For your business attire. For areas where there are not particularly cold, ordinary business suits can largely meet the need for warmth. However, if the temperature in winter can even reach below 0 degrees, you may need additional warming measures. For example, over your blazer, you also need to wear a long wool coat and a scarf. A pair of ankle boots is a good choice for your business attire in winter since it is both elegant and formal.