There is nothing quite as enjoyable as planning a holiday in the Algarve; your flights, accommodation and local activities are all exciting things to think about. However, packing is where a lot of people notice their excitement beginning to wane. Not only can packing be stressful – especially if you are not sure on what to take with you or you haven’t packed for a holiday abroad in a while – but it can be time consuming, even more so if you are disorganised and unsure of where your ‘must have’ holiday items are. To help you out, we have listed eight key things that everyone needs to pack for a holiday in the Algarve. As long as you have those, you will be off to a good start. Before you know it, you will be sitting back and relaxing in the beautiful Portuguese region.
Your Algarve Holiday Packing List
Packing for a holiday can be a stressful process, and it’s always hard to remember what to pack and what not to. When you are heading to the Algarve, you won’t need to pack anything out of the ordinary. However, you won’t want to forget anything important. Though you will be able to buy a lot of replacements in the Algarve, remembering to pack everything is a lot simpler. Plus, you don’t run the risk of having to break the bank buying items you already have at home. Here are some things that you might want to include in your Algarve holiday packing list.
- Passport – There is no denying that a passport is the most important thing to take on a holiday to the Algarve. Without one, you won’t be making it onto the plan. It’s important to check that you know where your passport is before you travel, as well as checking to ensure it’s not out of date. A lost or expired passport is a time consuming problem to fix, and it shouldn’t be left until the last minute.
- Comfortable Footwear – In the Algarve, you will find a whole host of outdoor activities to enjoy. There are hikes and walks to venture off on, as well as many towns and villages to explore. These will require you to wear comfortable footwear, which is why packing some is important. Even if you don’t have any specific plans to spend a lot of time walking around, it’s good to have comfortable footwear packed just in case.
- An Algarve Travel Book or Guide – There is a lot to see and do in the Algarve, which is why having a travel guide can be hugely beneficial. Not only do travel books highlight the key things to see and do, but they also provide recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, attractions and beaches. Many also include an FAQ question, which means you will find the answers to a lot of your holiday questions.
- Weather Appropriate Clothing – You are sure to know that clothing is one of the main things to take on holiday, but a lot of people underestimate the importance of taking weather appropriate clothing. This means taking something for a rainy day or if the weather is colder than you anticipated. Though the Algarve boasts warm days and sunshine for most of the year, there is no telling when a rare rainy day will occur.
- Phone and Camera Chargers – You will need a smartphone or a camera to capture all of those important holiday moments, but you won’t be able to use them for very long without a charger. Arriving at your holiday destination and realising that you have forgotten your phone charger can be hugely distressing, especially if you are someone that relies on their smartphone for a lot of things. You will be able to find a phone charger somewhere in the Algarve, but it’s a lot easier and less stressful to remember your own.
- Sun Cream and After Sun – Regardless of whether you are someone who tans easily or someone who burns, taking sun cream and after sun is equally important. The Algarve is considerably hotter than a lot of places in the summer and you are likely to spend a lot of time outside. Therefore, it’s important to protect your skin. You will be able to buy sun cream in Portugal, but you are likely to find a better range at home.
- Snacks for Fussy Eaters – If you are travelling to the Algarve with a fussy eater, or someone who has a specific dietary requirement, you should think about what food and drink you will need for the duration of your trip. It’s not always easy to find the type of food that you’re used to when you are on holiday, so it’s best to bring some with you from home. Though the Algarve caters to all dietary requirements and food preferences, having a supply of snacks can make it easier when you are out and about.
- First Aid Kit – There is no knowing when an accident will happen on holiday, which is why it’s helpful to travel with a first aid kit. Though the majority of hotels and resorts will have first aid kids, as will a lot of local restaurants and attractions, having plasters and antiseptic wipes to hand is key. This means if something should happen – perhaps your child falls and grazes their knee, or maybe you accidentally cut your finger when preparing lunch – you have everything you need to sort out the problem.
Though there are a lot of things to remember when you are packing for your trip to the Algarve, packing doesn’t need to be a stressful task. It’s always helpful to have a list of what to take, and consulting our list above could help you to remember anything you may have otherwise forgotten. As long as you are organised, packing for a holiday in the Algarve should be relatively straightforward.