Are you wondering what to wear in Porto, or Aporto as the locals call it? Well then you have come to the right place as our season by season Porto Packing list will tell exactly what to pack for summer, winter, spring and Fall.
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Where is Porto?
Porto or Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon and is much further North in the country. Therefore you can expect the temperatures to be cooler in Porto than Lisbon.
Porto itself is an UNESCO World heritage site and is located on the Douro River and is famed for being the home of Port Wine as well as its stunning Old Tow and beautiful bridges.
So now you now where Porto is how should you dress for visiting this enchanting city?
But before we get onto our Porto Guide, if you plan on visiting some other Portuguese cities and sites be sure to check out our other guides:
Porto Dress Code
Porto is a relatively laid back city and as such you don’t need to be worried about taking formal clothes with you.
Most local people in Porto will adopt a casual dress code in the day but a smart casual one for nights and the office.
Therefore we recommend bringing a mix of casual daywear and smart casual wear for the evening.
However it is worth pointing out that casual does not mean unstylish.
What to Wear in Porto in Summer (June, July and August)
The key for putting together you Porto capsule wardrobe is preparing outfits for basically every eventuality.
Although you are likely to get warm weather in Porto in summer, you are also likely to get some breezy days that can make it feel cooler than it is. For this reason we have added some layers into this packing list.
Temperatures in Summer usually hover between 30 / 35 ºC or 86 / 95 ºF. However it can feel cooler if it is windy. For this reason we always pack a:
Pashmina
It may surprise you to find out that I would never travel to Porto in any season without a pashmina. Even summer. The reason for this is because Porto is actually quite a breezy place. Therefore a pashminas always come in handy.
It can also be pretty cold in the evenings so a pashmina can be handy for dining alfresco.
Note: Remember if you plan on visiting any churches while visiting Portugal then you should keep your shoulders and knees covered at all times. This is another way a pashmina can come in handy.
Dresses and Skirts
Dresses and skirts in natural fabrics are perfect for Porto in Summer. There are very few restrictions apart from in churches regarding length of dresses and skirts so pick whatever you feel most comfy in.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to dresses for exploring Porto and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular as they are very lightweight and good in the heat.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
Porto is quite casual so having t shirts and tank tops is perfectly acceptable for sightseeing. However I would urge you to also carry a cardigan or sweater with you for cooler days.
Cardigan / Sweater
I would always pack a cardigan that works with your evening wear but also a sweater or two for cooler days in Porto of which there are many.
Swimwear (optional)
Though there aren’t beaches in Porto there are certainly beaches within easy reach for a day trip. If you plan on visiting one of these or have accommodation with a pool then do bring swimwear with you. Otherwise this can be left at home.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Porto packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fit more in with the locals and to provide your face with added protection from the sun.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs.
What to wear in Porto in Winter (December, January and February)
Porto is a great Winter City break. However you do need to be prepared for cooler temperatures and rain.
Although in Porto you are unlikely to get frost, ice and snow as the temperatures rarely fall below 5 ºC (41 ºF) it is still worth packing lots of layers and preparing for cold. Porto is a city that tends to feel colder than it actually is because of the wind chill.
For this reason we recommend packing the following for what to wear in Porto in Winter.
Wool Dress
Wool dresses are the perfect evening outfit for Porto of for at vineyards and tastings. Just be sure yo pack
Tights
to go with them as you will get cold without tights.
Jeans and heavier weight trousers
As Porto is a casual city especially during the day you will find that jeans are perfect for sightseeing in.
If you want to wear trousers at night we recommend picking a heavier weight pair such as wool trousers.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for Porto as it will get cold. Cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights are perfect for the season.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Porto in Winter so we recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners.
Pashmina
I never go to Porto without one no matter the time of year you are visiting.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter than a lightweight pair.
What to wear in Porto in Spring
Usually on this year round and season by season packing guides I group the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall together.
However I am not going to do this in Porto as Spring and Fall has quite different weather.
Spring is actually very rainy in Porto so you will want waterproof shoes, a waterproof jacket/coat. The temperatures in Spring do often however around 10 ºC (50 ºF) but do remember to factor in the Wind chill again.
For this reason we recommend packing
- Warm Rain coat – be sure to check it has good waterproofing before travel
- Pashmina and Scarves
- Long Sleeve Tops
- Layers such as cardigans, jumpers and sweaters
- Jeans and heavier weight trousers (particularly for March in Porto).
What to wear in Porto in Fall
Out of spring and Fall, Fall is probably the better season to travel to Porto in because it doesn’t have such severe rain.
The temperatures are also warmer than Spring with a common average temperature being 15 ºC.
We recommend packing things more akin to summer than Winter, certainly for September and October. However always have extra layers as you never know with the wind chill in the city.
Our Porto Packing List in Fall comprises of:
- Jacket or Blazer though you may need a coat for November
- Pashmina
- Mix of Long Sleeve and short sleeve T-shirts and Shirts
- Layers such as cardigans, jumpers and sweaters
- Jeans and chinos
- Skirts and dresses – usually of a longer length for warmth but not yet necessary to be packing the woolen versions unless you are traveling in November
- Tights – but can be a thinner denier than in Winter.
Best Shoes for Porto Italy
Sneakers
The number one shoe for Porto is a sneaker. There is lots of walking in Porto to get around the main sites. And the streets are often cobbled. Add on top to that the hills. Therefore sneakers have to be the best pick.
However if you are traveling in Winter and Spring in particular it is worth having a waterproof pair.
Sandals
Only really really suitable in Summer as the other months are too cold, though you may be able to wear them in September too.
Be sure not to have a thin heeled sandal though as these aren’t good on cobbled or hills.
Boots
Boots are an essential in Winter and Spring in particular but also for November. The weather is cold and often rainy so you will need a boot with a good quality sole and I would personally recommend having something that is waterproof.
I would never pack a suede shoe for Porto no matter the season.
Porto Packing List (Non clothing)
What Else to add to your Porto Packing List
- Sunscreen
- Backpack or Crossbody bag
- Aftersun cream
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
FAQs About the Porto Packing List
Should I pack an Umbrella for Porto?
Porto is quite a rainy city however whether or not you should take an umbrella is up for debate. The reason for this is because Porto is so windy.
Umbrellas are very often blown inside out in Porto therefore you may be better with a rain jacket and waterproof wear instead of an umbrella.