Are you wondering what to pack for Portugal in October? We cover what to wear in Portugal in October as well as essentials for your Portugal packing list to help you deal with the Fall weather, create outfits appropriate for dress codes no matter your Portuguese destination.
Weather in Portugal in October
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October is definitely Fall throughout Portugal but as a Southern European city what can you actually expect of the weather?
And while this guide will talk about what to wear in Portugal generally in October, if you want more specific regional guidance be sure to check out the below seasonal and monthly specific posts:
- What to wear to Lisbon in October
- What to wear in Porto
- What to wear to the Algarve in October
- What to wear in Sintra
And if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
Is it hot in Portugal in October
Although October in Portugal is Fall you can still generalise the weather as being generally mild. The average highs in October tend to be around 22.5 Celsius / 72.5 Fahrenheit and the daily low is 15.1 Celsius / 59.2 Fahrenheit.
However, as with any month in Portugal, the evenings can be considerably chillier especially with the wind. Therefore it is always advisable to bring some layers with you, no matter the region of Portugal you travel to.
Does it Rain in Portugal in October
The rainy season in Portugal tends to be from November to March. Therefore you can expect October to be one of the drier months. However the later in the month you travel the more likely you are to experience rain.
Generally speaking there is 20mm of rain across the month so waterproof wear really doesn’t need to be your main concern in October though a travel umbrella can always come in handy.
Is it warm enough to swim in Portugal in October?
One of the best things about Portugal in October is that the water is still nice to swim in especially in the South.
So whether you are visiting Lisbon or the Algarve and want to use the beach then October is one of the best months to enjoy them.
What to Wear in Portugal in October
What to Wear in Portugal in October for women
Here is exactly what to wear in Portugal in October for women:
Skirts and dresses
Dresses and skirts are my go to for Portugal in October.
I usually stick with a maxi dress with a sleeve or a midi length skirt or dress that can be worn with sneakers or with boots and tights depending on the weather.
However I recommend you bring a pashmina as top layer with me for chillier days and evenings and also for use in churches.
Trousers
If you are traveling in Early October then lightweight trousers are your best friend. For instance chinos, loose cotton trousers and linen trousers are a great choice and work anywhere in Portugal. But by October it is also cool enough to wear jeans comfortably.
Note: if you do decide to pack linen be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.
Shorts
Shorts are good for sightseeing and on the beach in Portugal but are not appropriate attire for churches i Portugal as they wouldn’t be in places like the Sagrada Familia or in Italian churches.
Personally I would pack more trousers than shorts for cities in October as the weather starts to cool.
Blouses
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights in Portugal.
T Shirt
Although summer has ended t shirts should still be on your packing list for Portugal in October. The only change though is that we now recommend having a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts.
Jacket
It is highly unlikely you will need a coat when visiting Portugal in October however you may want to bring a lightweight jacket or blazer with you for evenings. And towards the end of October you may want a warmer jacket with you.
Click here to shop jackets for Portugal on Amazon.
Pashmina
A pashmina is on all of my European packing lists no matter the month of travel. They are perfect for cooler days as an extra layer and also can make outfits more modest if your top does not meet churches in Portugal dress code rules.
This is also good for days when there is a strong nortada (north wind). Click here to shop pashminas.
PJs or Nightie
Sunhat
I always recommend taking a sun hat if you are visiting Portugal in October. On beaches wide brimmed sun hats are definitely on trend but any hat is better than no hat in Portugal.
Sunglasses
Essential no matter the time of year you are visiting. Just be sure to have some UV protection.
Swimwear and Beach Covers (optional)
The sea is still good to swim in in October so if you are planning on hitting the beach or the pool you will definitely need swimwear and a beach cover.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying but don’t forget sneaker socks too to help reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
For more information on how to pack a fall capsule wardrobe for travel check out this post.
What to pack for Portugal in October for Men
The rules of what to pack for Portugal in October for men is similar to women. We recommend packing
Shorts
Shorts are still good for Portugal in summer and for on the beaches. The only places you can’t wear shorts are in churches.
Where possible we recommend packing more tailored shorts instead of cargo shorts to be more in keeping with local styles.
However in October I would pack more trouser.s
Chinos/Jeans
Chinos and jeans are perfect for Portugal in October as they are the perfect weight for the weather.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of short and long sleeve t shirts are perfect for sightseeing during the day in October as our tank tops, except for in churches.
However for evenings I would recommend having a button down shirt with long sleeves and maybe a polo shirt for day to night transition outfits.
Blazer
Coats definitely aren’t needed for October in Portugal however a lightweight top layer like a sweater or jacket is always a good idea.
Swimwear
The water is perfect in Portugal in October. So if you visiting the coast or staying somewhere with a pool be sure to pack swimming trunks with you.
Hat
For same reason as above.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Best Shoes for Portugal in October
Sneakers
The perfect shoe for Portugal at any time of year is a sneaker in my opinion. Sneakers will be able to cope best for the long days of walking you will be inevitably doing as well as being able to cope with the hilly and cobbled stone terrains that you find in Portugal.
But it is important if you are visiting you will need a lightweight and breathable pair. My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
Top Tip: We recommend also packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty.
Sandals
The weather in Portugal in October, particularly in Early October is perfect for sandals.
Just be sure they have a good sole and arch support if you plan on using them for sightseeing. And if you want a shoe with height for evenings, we recommend a wedge instead thin heels.
Now depending on where you are traveling in Portugal and whether you are going early or later in the month we recommend packing either:
However if it is cooler then we recommend packing:
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Portugal in October we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker.
However I would only select one out of sandals or ankle boots as I don’t like to overpack.
When picking the best ankle boot for Portugal we recommend looking for a flat shoe or something with a low thick heel.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Flip Flops (optional)
These are only really suitable if you plan to visit some of the beach areas of Portugal i.e. the Algarve at this time of year or are staying at a hotel with a heated pool.
What to Pack in Portugal in October (non clothing)
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best.
- Reusable Water bottle – as the temperatures are still warm in October, you will need to stay hydrated.
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Chub Rub – if you are worried about sweating and chaffing chub rub can be a life saver on hot days.
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Travel Adaptor for European plug sockets. For my American readers you will need an EU Type C Country plug adapter.
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- sunglasses – Sunglasses are essential in Portugal whatever the month.
FAQs about October Portugal Packing List
Should I take swimwear for Portugal in October?
The sea is still a relatively pleasant temperature at the start of the month in particular. For this reason it is recommended you bring swimwear with you.
Do you need a jacket in October in Portugal?
Layers are your friend in October in Portugal so I would recommend a lightweight top layer such as a denim jacket or even a thicker jacker towards the end of the month.
Can you wear jeans in Portugal in October?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in October in Portugal. In fact I find them a really great choice especially for the cities in October.
Have you visited Portugal in October? What else would you add to this Portugal packing list.