Regardless of where you are heading to, packing for a holiday can be stressful. Not only do you need to remember everything you want to take, you have to ensure it fits in your suitcase without going over the weight limit. Otherwise, you could find yourself facing a hefty charge at the airport. Though we would all like to take a wide range of outfits and endless belongings, that’s not a possibility and so packing needs some careful consideration. By taking the time to plan what you are taking to the Algarve, you reduce the risk of forgetting something important. Plus, you can relax knowing that you will have everything you need when you get there. To help you out, we have listed six top tips to make your Algarve holiday packing easier.
How To Successfully Pack for a Holiday in the Algarve
There is no denying that packing for a holiday can be stressful, especially if you are travelling with children or as a couple. Luckily, there are some ways to ensure your packing goes smoothly.
- Pack Interchangeable Clothes – There’s a lot to see and do in the Algarve, but it’s not always viable to take an outfit for every occasion. To ensure you always have the right clothes to wear, take items that can be dressed up or down. For example, you could take a summer dress that can be worn for a stroll around a Portugese town, or dressed up for dinner at a nice restaurant. The same can be done with skirts and shorts. You could even take a variety of tops, which can be used interchangeably to dress up or down a pair of trousers.
- Pack at Least One Formal Outfit – It’s a good idea to take one dressy outfit with you to the Algarve, in case you go out for a nice dinner or a night out. Regardless of your holiday plans, it’s a good idea to take something that can be worn for a formal occasion. This doesn’t mean taking a suit or a ballgown, it means taking something that can be worn to a formal restaurant or classy bar.
- Pack Versatile Shoes – As your holiday to the Algarve is likely to be packed with various activities – one day you might go to the beach, another you might head out on a day trip or to a local attraction – it’s helpful to pack versatile shoes. If you bring a pair of shoes that go with a lot of outfits, you can cut down on the amount that you need to bring. Not only does this free up a significant amount of room in your case, it makes it easier to plan outfits ahead of time.
- Pack Toiletries Together – To avoid rummaging around your suitcase looking for toothpaste or deodorant when you first arrive, pack all of your toiletries together in one bag. This means you can grab your toiletry back out of the case, knowing that everything is together in one place. You will save a lot of time, as you won’t be desperately searching for shower gel that has found its way to the bottom of the back, and it makes unpacking a lot quicker.
- Pack as Light as Possible – Though you should ensure you have packed everything you need, try to avoid going overboard. Packing light reduces the risk of you exceeding the luggage weight limit at the airport, whilst freeing up a lot of room for souvenirs and anything else you might want to bring home. Even if you do pack a lot of clothes, the chances are you won’t wear them on. Work out how many days you will be there and how many outfits you will need, and avoid packing anything as a ‘just in case’ item.
- Pack for Rainy Days – Everyone knows how gorgeous the weather can be in the Algarve, with warm and sunny days guaranteed for most of the summer months. However, that doesn’t mean that rain is completely out of the question. To ensure that you are covered for all weather eventualities, it’s a good idea to take a jumper or a light jacket. There is a high chance that you won’t need it – unless you are visiting the Algarve in the winter – but it’s always best to be prepared.
As you can see from the six tips given above, there are certainly ways you can make your Algarve holiday packing a little bit easier. It’s also a good idea to pack in advance, rather than leaving things until the last minute. Though you won’t be able to pack too far in advance, as you will need a lot of the items being packed, organising everything a few days before can reduce the stress of packing. Plus, it gives you time to buy anything you may have forgotten. If you have forgotten sun cream, you will have time to stock up.
Don’t Forget The Algarve Essentials
Once you have mastered the art of packing successfully, it’s time to check that you have everything you need. This doesn’t mean checking to see if you have packed your favourite pair of shoes or swimming costume, it means checking that your passport is up to date and packed. It also means checking if you have any chargers you may need – for example, a phone charger or a camera charger – and your money, whether that be in the form of Euros or debit card. It’s also a good idea to have a print out of your accommodation information, especially if you are travelling from the airport by taxi. If your phone runs out of battery, you will need access to the address to ensure you arrive at your destination.
There is no need to feel stressed or overwhelmed about packing for a holiday in the Algarve. After all, you will be able to replace anything you have forgotten by heading to a supermarket or shopping mall.