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Appropriate dress for both Lisbon and Algarve Coast

I have a recollection of flying to Rome from Santorini in 2000. My wife, daughter and I had on shorts. When we landed in the Rome airport Italian women were making spitting sounds at my wife and daughter. Curious what is considered acceptable clothing for men and women in both Lisbon and the Algarve? Are shorts acceptable in the daytime on the Algarve? I am guessing they are more formal than here in the US where you can get by with tee shirts and shorts in the summer.

Posted by
6113 posts

Shorts are OK for the Algarve. If the current heatwave recedes, usual evening temperatures are cool, so you may need long trousers and a warmer top.

Lisbon is more formal, but shorts are OK.

I wouldn’t wear short shorts if visiting churches.

Posted by
1826 posts

It’s amazing the clothing I see tourists wear! No one would stop you but you really would stand out as a tourist if you chose to go shirtless if not at the beach. And, as Jennifer wrote, shorts and uncovered shoulders aren’t really appropriate in a church - as in the rest of Europe.
But, no one will make comments or sounds if you chose to wear shorts, even though one would rarely, if ever, see Portuguese wear shorts if they aren’t at the beach.
But, since you likely will look like a tourist no matter what you wear, be comfortable unless you are in a fancy restaurant or church.

Posted by
11 posts

So just one last word on the subject: would mens jeans be acceptable as evening wear or should I stick to dockers?

Posted by
1826 posts

Jeans would be fine most places. If you are going to a fancier (expensive) restaurant, I would say to not wear jeans. But, especially in the summer, you would likely be ok - as long as you aren’t going to Belcanto (2 Michelin star restaurant)..