Packing Like a Pro: What to Bring on Your Portugal Campervan Adventure

Camper Wise
Mar 26
7 min read

Imagine this: You're far from any store, watching a pretty sunset in Portugal, and you realize you forgot your favorite travel mug. Or you're ready to surf and you left your wetsuit shoes behind. We've all forgotten things when packing. But packing for a campervan trip? That's even harder!

A campervan trip is different from a regular vacation. Your home is also your car. You have to pack for sleeping, cooking, going outside, and all kinds of weather, and you have to fit it all in a small space. It's like playing a puzzle with your stuff, and you have to be ready for anything Portugal throws at you.

Portugal is a great place for a road trip, with sunny beaches, green fields, and old cities. Imagine waking up to the ocean, seeing old towns, and eating yummy seafood by the water. But to have a really fun and free campervan trip, you need to pack smart.

That's why we made this awesome packing guide! We want to help you think of everything so you don't forget anything, and have a good, fun, and memorable campervan trip in Portugal. Let's pack like a pro!

Essential Documents & Tech

Driving and Car Papers

Before you drive in Portugal, make sure you have these things:

Driver's License: Your regular driver's license from home is usually okay for driving in Portugal if you're a tourist.
International Driving Permit (IDP): If your driver's license uses letters that aren't like English letters, you should get an International Driving Permit. Check if you need one before you go.
Campervan Rental Papers and Insurance: Keep copies of your rental papers and insurance with you. You'll need them if something goes wrong or you need help on the road.
Car Registration: The rental company will give you the car registration papers. Keep them in the van.

Travel Insurance

You need travel insurance for any trip outside your country, especially a campervan trip.

Why You Need Good Travel Insurance: Make sure your insurance covers things like getting sick, canceling your trip, losing your bags, and if you hurt someone or damage something.
Insurance for Campervan Travel: Get insurance that covers renting a campervan, help if your van breaks down, and if you damage the van. Check if your insurance works in Portugal, and if it covers camping in the wild.

Maps and Staying Connected

It's important to know where you're going and stay connected on your trip.

GPS or Maps You Can Use Without Internet: A GPS or a map app on your phone that works without internet is a must. Download maps of Portugal before you go, because sometimes you won't have phone service.
Portable Wi-Fi or Local SIM Card: If you need to be online all the time, get a portable Wi-Fi device or a SIM card you can use in Portugal.
Phone Charger and Power Bank: Keep your phones and other devices charged with a car charger and a portable charger, especially when you're far from power outlets.

Taking Pictures and Videos

Portugal has beautiful places you'll want to remember.

Camera, Extra Batteries, and Memory Cards: Bring your camera to take good photos and videos. Bring extra batteries and memory cards so you don't run out of space.
Phone and GoPro: Your phone is good for quick photos and videos. A GoPro is great for action shots and underwater videos. Don't forget their chargers.

Clothing & Personal Items

Clothes You Can Layer

Portugal's weather changes in different places and at different times of the year, so bring clothes you can put on in layers.

Clothes for Hot and Cold: Bring t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and sweaters. That way you can put on or take off clothes when it gets hotter or colder.
Rain Jacket and Windbreaker: It can be windy and rainy by the ocean, so bring a jacket that keeps you dry and a windbreaker.
Good Walking Shoes: If you want to hike or walk on the beach paths, bring strong, comfy shoes. They're also good for walking around cities.

Stuff for the Beach

Portugal has awesome beaches, so don't forget your beach stuff.

Swimsuits, Towels, and Beach Shoes: Bring two swimsuits, towels that dry fast, and beach shoes or flip-flops.
Sunscreen, Hat, and Sunglasses: The sun is strong in Portugal, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Things to Keep You Clean

Bring these things to stay clean on your trip.

Small Bottles of Shampoo, Soap, Etc.: Bring small bottles of shampoo, soap, and toothpaste to save space.
First-Aid Kit and Medicine: Bring a first-aid kit for small cuts and scrapes. If you take medicine, bring enough for your whole trip.
Other Things You Need: Bring anything else you need, like makeup, contact lens stuff, or shaving supplies.

Things to Make You Comfortable

Make your campervan feel like home with these things.

Nice Bedding: Your campervan will have bedding, but you can bring your own pillow or blanket if you want.
Small Pillow: A small pillow can make sleeping and relaxing better.
Other Things You Like: Bring anything that makes you feel at home, like a book, a blanket, or a small speaker for music.

Kitchen & Cooking Supplies

Things to Cook With

One of the best things about a campervan trip is cooking your own food. It saves money and you can use fresh food from local markets. Here's what you'll need:

Pots, Pans, and Cooking Tools: Bring pots and pans that fit inside each other to save space. Also bring a spatula, tongs, a sharp knife, and a cutting board. Maybe bring tools that fold up or do more than one thing.
Plates, Bowls, and Silverware: Bring plates, bowls, and silverware that are light and strong. Camping sets are good.
Containers You Can Use Again: These are great for keeping leftovers, packing lunches, and keeping food fresh. Bring containers that stack well and have lids that close tight.

Keeping Food and Drinks

It's important to keep your food and drinks fresh and organized.

Cooler or Small Fridge: A cooler with ice or a small fridge will keep your food cold. Think about how big the fridge is and how much power it uses.
Water Bottles You Can Use Again: Bring water bottles you can use again to drink water. You can fill them up in many places in Portugal.
Containers to Keep Food Fresh: Use containers that close tight to keep dry food, snacks, and leftovers fresh. This will stop food from going bad and keep your van organized.

Things to Clean With

Keeping your kitchen clean is important for a good trip.

Soap and Sponges That Don't Hurt the Earth: Use soap that breaks down easily and doesn't hurt the environment to wash dishes. Bring strong sponges or cloths.
Trash Bags: Bring lots of trash bags to throw away your trash. Always throw trash away in the right places and don't litter.
Paper Towels: Paper towels or cloths you can use again are good for cleaning up spills. You can also bring a roll of kitchen towels.

Outdoor & Adventure Gear

Things for Camping

To have a really good time outside on your campervan trip in Portugal, bring these things:

Camping Chairs and a Table: Bring chairs and a table you can carry. They're great for eating, playing games, or just hanging out under the stars.
Lights for Outside (Headlamp, Lantern): You'll need lights to see at night when you're camping. A headlamp lets you use your hands, and a lantern gives you light all around.
Blocks to Make Your Van Level: These blocks help make your van level when you park on bumpy ground. It makes sleeping and living in the van more comfortable.

Things for Fun Activities

Portugal has lots of fun things to do outside, so bring the stuff you need:

Surfboards, Hiking Sticks, or Bikes (if you want): If you want to surf, hike, or bike, bring your own stuff or rent it there. Having your own stuff lets you do what you love whenever you want.
Snorkeling or Diving Gear: You can see cool things underwater in Portugal. Bring snorkeling or diving gear if you want to explore the ocean.

Things for Staying Safe

It's important to be safe on your campervan trip, so bring these things:

Fire Extinguisher and Carbon Monoxide Alarm: A fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide alarm help stop and find problems inside your van.
Simple Tool Kit: A tool kit with screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and tape can help you fix small things.
Flashlight: A good flashlight is important for walking around at night, especially if something bad happens. You can also use it to keep yourself safe.

Tips for Smart Packing

Saving Space

Campervans don't have a lot of space, so you need to pack smart to keep things organized and comfortable.

Rolling Clothes and Using Packing Bags: Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Packing bags help squish your clothes down and keep them organized in drawers and cabinets.
Using All the Storage in Your Van: Use all the places you can store stuff in your van. Use the space under the bed, the cabinets above you, and any hidden spots to put things you don't need all the time.

Keeping Things Organized

Keeping things organized and easy to find will make your campervan life easier.

Keep Things You Use a Lot Close By: Put things you use a lot, like your toothbrush, chargers, and cooking tools, where you can easily get them. Use organizers to keep small things together.
Label Your Boxes: Labeling your boxes and drawers will help you find things fast. This is really helpful in a small space where things can get lost easily.

Packing for the Weather

The weather in Portugal can change a lot in different places and at different times of the year, so pack smart.

Tips for Packing for Different Weather: Bring clothes you can put on or take off when it gets hotter or colder. Bring a rain jacket and windbreaker, even in summer, because it can be windy by the ocean.
How to Get Ready for Weather Changes: Check the weather before you go and pack clothes for that. Bring a light blanket for cool nights and light clothes for hot days. If you go in the winter, bring warm clothes and good rain gear.

Your Portugal Adventure Awaits!

Packing for a campervan trip in Portugal is about getting ready and choosing the right things. We talked about papers and tech, clothes, cooking stuff, and more to make your trip fun and easy. Remember, having the right stuff can make your trip amazing instead of stressful. Now you know how to pack like a pro and enjoy being free on the road.

Portugal has beautiful places and fun things to do, and a campervan is the best way to see them. You can go where you want, watch beautiful sunsets, find secret beaches, and make your own trip. Don't worry about packing! Just have fun, be ready for anything, and make memories you'll never forget.