Spain Packing List {Portugal too}

We just returned from 2 weeks in Spain and Portugal. After working to really get my packing down to a carryon size, I’ve not only nailed that, but I feel like I figured out exactly the right mix of layers for warmth and style! So here is my Spain packing list which also doubles as a Portugal packing list because the needs and weather were similar enough!

Spain and Portugal in spring is a beautiful time. It can still be cool and rainy at times, but the sun can also shine its glorious self! While the summers in these two places can get quite warm (and humid), the springtime weather was so lovely!!

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Spain Packing List

My perfect 2 weeks packing list started with our trip to Ireland a few years ago. You can see my Ireland packing list (suitable for rainy travel times anywhere). That’s the trip, however, that made me realize two pairs of jeans and two pairs of shoes is enough.

I have cheated the last two years for our European trips, however, and brought 3 pairs of shoes. But I’ve had the room in my suitcase (with room to spare coming and going!).

And then our trip to Italy last year really helped me figure out my stylish pieces because I want to pack lightly, I don’t want to stop caring what I look like! Take a peek at my Italy packing list and you’ll see a number of similar pieces as those in my Spain packing list – namely my boots, my silk scarf, my sneakers, and my quilted jacket (see similar options)!

How to Pack Less

I have my detailed Spain packing list below, but remember that all of our needs are different. More importantly, the goal here is to pack less. You now know that it’s taken me some time to get down to this small size. I’m here to tell you (and show you) that it’s completely possible to travel with way less. Here are a few tips to get you ready though…

Address the Bulky Stuff

Taking less underwear really isn’t going to save you room and weight. Shoes and outerwear are the bulkiest and heaviest items. If you cut back on nothing else, cut back on these two things!

Analyze Need vs Want

The number of items I WANT to take on a trip is way more than what I actually pack. I’ve realized that my “want” to wear is often what leads me to overpacking. Obviously the needed items are pieces I love to wear, but there’s no one-off outfits for a trip that doesn’t have one-off events.

Mix and Match Only

A good basic rule of thumb is to make sure that everything you pack goes with everything else. You can see by the photos here, nearly everything is white/cream or black. My pop of color is my quilted cotton jacket. I did pack one mustard yellow tshirt, but only once I saw how easily it would pair with the cotton jacket. Every shirt goes with every pair of jeans and both pairs of jeans go with all shoes!

Spain Packing List

4 short sleeve shirts
1 sleeveless top
1 button down shirt
2 pairs of jeans
1 dress (optional)
2-3 pairs of shoes
7 underwear
6 pairs of socks
2 bras
1 bralette (to wear on the plane)
2 camisoles
silk scarf
cotton jacket
1 pair of pajamas
1 belt
packable raincoat (if needed)

Spain and Portugal Packing List and Outfits

What to Pack for Spain & Portugal

5 Shirts

I packed 4 short sleeve shirts and one sleeveless top. I didn’t end up wearing the sleeveless top, but I absolutely could have given the warmer days in Lisbon. I love short sleeve shirts for travel because they layer easily but can also be worn on their own. Two of my short sleeve tops were just plain tshirts – this vneck (size up) and this crew neck.

My other two short sleeve tops were a little heavier and a little looser. This is the black one (probably not available for much longer) and the cream one is here.

The cream one has become one of my favorite tops, but I have to tell you that I actually cut the neck on my top. I’ve always felt I had a big neck and it was just a little too close. If you look closely in the photos, you can see the cut (inside the main seam), but nobody can tell and it’s made the shirt sublimely perfect for me!

And the sleeveless top was this one. Both this shirt and the one above are by Pact – read my full, honest Wear Pact review to learn more.

1 Button Down Shirt

This button down shirt is a recent addition to my closet, so it felt like a small gamble to bring it on the trip, but it was AMAZING! most days I wore it as a light outer layer. On the few cold days, I used it as an extra layer. And one day, I splattered shrimp juice all over the shirt I was wearing and grabbed this out of my bag. I tied it at the waist above my jeans, buttoned it up over my camisole, and it looked great!

I’m a sucker for black, but I also think it’s great for not showing stains and looking more polished that some other colors.

2 Pairs of Jeans

As is my standard now – 2 pairs of jeans. I always pack one pair of black jeans. I was in a big debate about whether to take another pair of black jeans or to take blue jeans. I asked everyone on Instagram and we ended up deciding that one blue and one black would be good. Either option would have been fine though!

These are the blue jeans I took. They’re a medium blue denim and have a tailored mom jean cut of sorts. They’re higher rise, flattering on me, and comfortable!

The black jeans I took are these. They’re a slightly wider cut (as wide as will look good on my curvy shape) and they’re unbelievably comfortable. I love that these are slightly cropped (my legs aren’t long) and they roll nicely.

1 Dress

This one is optional and definitely weather dependent. Things looked as though they were heating up toward the end of our trip and I didn’t want to pack shorts, so I opted for a basic black cotton dress that’s conservative in length, flattering, and comfortable. This dress is similar. I only ended up wearing this dress one day, so I think I would’ve been fine without it.

2-3 pairs of shoes

I’d love to say two pairs of shoes here, but since I took three, I can’t get hypocritical here. The absolute musts were these boots and sneakers like these.

When we lost our luggage for seven ays in Scotland a few years ago, I was wearing these boots the entire time and I never got sick of them. They’ve since gone to Ireland, Italy, and now Spain and Portugal with me, so if that doesn’t tell you I love them and how they’re worth every penny, I don’t know what will!

And then a good pair of sneakers. My exact pair is no longer available but these ones will be what I opt for when my current ones are no longer wearable. I love that they loosen easily, so they’re perfect for those puffy feet moments during flying and they’re comfortable for walking. This other pair is by sustainable shoe company Veja – you can read my veja shoes review for more info.

2 camisoles

I wasn’t originally planning ot pack two tanktops, but they took up very little room and I thought they’d be nice for layering. As it turned out, I forgot my bras (accidents do happen), so these camisoles were lifesaving for me on our trip!

Stylish Jacket

I had no idea how wonderful a quilted cotton jacket would be until I bought myself one a few years ago. It’s somehow lightweight but keeps me very warm. I love that mine is a statement of color and it matches everything else I brought. This specific one by Avec les Filles is no longer available, but I found an assortment of similar ones that would all be great!!

Silk Scarf

Besides my cotton jacket, my silk scarf is the only bold/colorful item I took. I bought if before our trip to Italy last year and discovered how versatile the piece was. You can see how to wear silk scarves for some styling ideas. It just turns a jeans and tee outfit into a stylish ensemble while adding a bit of warmth. It’s another one that’s truly worth every penny!

Packable Raincoat

This recent trip of ours managed to fit right in between any rain, so I left this item at home. It was on my Spain packing list because spring often has rain. This packable rain coat has been in my closet for about a decade. It’s unlined and fuss-free, but it’s the PERFECT outer layer in the rain and/or cold. It isn’t waterproof, but it’s water resistant. It’s also squishable (taking up no room and adding no weight).

Accessories

A quick note on the jewelry I took. First of all, I NEVER travel internationally with my engagement ring – it’s the fastest way to be identified as an American tourist. Beyond that I took all my favorite everyday pieces – namely my initial necklace and my stacking rings. And then I stuck in my arch gemstone earrings.

I also always take my squishee crossbody (which I wear mostly as a shoulder bag). My mom bought this for me in 2013 and it’s still just as wonderful – 13 years later. It squishes into a suitcase without harm and is such a well-made, sturdy bag. This current style is the most similar and can be swapped between a crossbody and shoulder bag length.