I will be in Portugal December 12 to December 25. Will I need a winter type coat? I plan to bring sweaters, and clothing to layer underneath; however wondering if I will need a winter coat or if a lighter coat or jacket will keep me warm? We will be in Porto, Lisbon, down to Lagos.
I also read that not all accommodations have heat, one thing I overlooked when I made my reservations. I plan to bring a heating pad to warm up the bed, but any other advice?
Thank you!!
Julie
In the winter we wear, base shirt, fleece vest, rain jacket. Also took lightweight "puffy jacket" , the kind that can be squeezed into almost nothing, for colder weather (never had to use it).
Unless the heating pad can handle 220 volts don't take it, fire and electrocution hazard.
If it can handle the 220 volts take a plug adapter for Portugal ( AAA sells them).
You may also need an extension cord, buy it in Portugal (higher voltage cord), Worten is a electronics chain, they sell them.
Is your heating pad dual voltage? If not, you will need one like this for use in Portugal:
This is the one my sister uses on our trips and it works great. I’m not sure it would be safe to use to heat up a bed.
When I lived in Porto, flannel pj's and a pair of socks was enough. Ditto for Lisbon.
I did Lisbon and Porto in January one year and found it cool, often very wet but not actually cold.
I took a waterproof knee length puffa coat that’s light enough to squeeze down into my backpack and some thin fleece layers. Wore Goretex walking shoes.
I don’t recall the hotel room temperatures being either significantly hot or cold.
It’s a maritime climate so it tends to damp rather than very cold.
December temperatures in Lisbon average 49 degree F lows and 59 degrees F highs. Heavy clothing not required. I doubt any heating pad will be needed. It averages precipitation 11 days in December so you may want to bring a raincoat and/or umbrella.
We're following a month later after going to Budapest which is much colder.
You can read all about the weather on Wikipedia.com.
Hotels will have heat and I’d expect everything but the most basic Airbnb to have it. It’s often one of those units that doubles as aircon and heat. Maybe some tourist accom in the Algarve wouldn’t have heat as it’s really only designed for peak summer use.
We are just now having our first ‘cold wave’ in the Lisbon area but that’s a relative term. My weather app says it will remain cold for the next ten days or so. The highs are around 59 with lows mostly mid to low 40’s. Porto will be cooler and the Algarve a bit warmer. As others have written, layering is your best bet. A rain coat/wind breaker type coat is usually all you need. I actually purchased a heavier winter coat while in Germany a few years ago and have yet to wear it when I’m home in Cascais. You don’t need wool sweaters or pants, IMO.
Regarding heat in accommodations. Hotels will have heat. It’s the apartment rentals that might be a problem. If it’s a newer building, it will likely have mini-splits or radiator type heating. If older building, maybe not. But, the older apartments will likely have doors to every room. They will likely have some type of room heater, lots of times an oil radiator. Close the doors to the room you will be in and the oil radiator will warm the room. Not quickly but they work quite well. I remember a trip to Porto a few years ago in February. The apartment was so cold when we got there, we almost checked into a hotel. But, we gave the oil radiators a few hours and the place was nice and toasty!
Enjoy your trip. Tourists are fewer, the skies are very clear and every town will have lovely Christmas decorating.
Thank you everyone for the great advice! I was probably over thinking the weather and am more confident now that I will pack appropriately!!
Best, Julie
How did the trip go? Have a visit in a week and a half and I'm planning out my wardrobe! Currently thinking that most days will be jeans, a tee, a merino sweater, and a wind-proof rain jacket with waterproof ankle boots to handle the slick cobbles.
