When I say Portugal, I think of mild climate, breathtaking landscape, amazing Atlantic coastlines, and history everywhere you look. It’s hard to resist, isn’t it? Plus, when you go to explore this impressive country on a campervan journey, the adrenaline is so big that you start breathing Portuguese air through all your pores.
There’s one thing that gives me a lot of headaches though. I don’t like packing and I am often under impression that I forgot something at home. If you don’t know how your Portugal packing list should look for a campervan adventure, then you are in the right place.
This article is going to show you what to pack on your campervan road trip to Portugal.
Going on a campervan seems like a lot of fun. And it really is if you think of all the freedom that you are going to experience.
However, it needs a thorough preparation if you want to have the perfect trip:
- You should consider the camping locations beforehand. While it is great to just go with the flow, you need to think that you are sleeping on a bedroom on wheels which needs to be camped in a safe area.
- Try alternative energy solutions as you will most probably stay in areas without or poor electricity. There are many solar powered chargers that can be an excellent emergency solution.
- Stay away from overpacking as your space is limited.
Essential Caravan Packing List
When you go on a road trip, my advice is to start with the personal essentials. So, here we go:
The Alpha Keeper RFID money belt keeps your personal documents and credit cards safe while you are traveling.
The RFID blocking design ensures 100% safety and protection. It is lightweight, comfortable, and equipped with an adjustable elastic strap. Finally, the YKK zipper is the highest-quality zipper you can ever find.
You will surely need a hat to cope with the hot Portugal sun. Plus, you need to look chic during your road trip.
The sun hat from Lanzom is soft, made of breathable cotton, being comfortable especially in the hot days. In addition, it is very easy to pack and carry it with you anywhere in your luggage.
Portugal is a developed European country where I am sure you can find English speakers. But, wouldn’t it be great to understand what the locals are saying?
Try the Lonely Planet Dictionary & Guidebook and I bet that you will quickly learn how to grasp your “saudade”.
A lot can happen during a road trip. So, a waterproof phone case cover is great when you want to prevent some accidents.
It comes with a clear window for both front and back, which allows you to do a lot of photos. Moreover, it protects your phone against water, dirt, or snow.
Portugal is a wonderful place for hiking also. So, this Outlander Travel Hiking Backpack is going to be your best friend during the road trip.
It is water-resistant and durable. You can easily fold it and it has multiple compartments, just perfect to take all your essentials with you.
Water can be a challenging subject when you travel abroad. Therefore, LifeStraw created a water bottle with filter that purifies the water and keeps you away from bacteria.
It is perfect for hiking as it is lightweight. What is more, you don’t have to replace anything after several uses. It will do the same job for years on end.
Surely ear plugs should be on your campervan essentials list. When you finally go to sleep after a long day, all you need is silence.
So, you need a soft and comfortable eye mask and high-quality ear plugs. This is how you can enjoy a noise-free sleep, even though the sun is already up.
When going on road trip, you won’t have the comfort of your home. Thus, you will need a bit of imagination for your showers.
You can try the sulfate-free J.R. Liggett dry shampoo which will keep your hair clean under any circumstances. Even when you have oily hair!
Especially in the summer, it is impossible to not be exposed to different bugs and mosquitos.
The Badger Anti-Bug Balm is 100% organic and excellent for your entire family. You can use it on your wrists, ankles, and behind the ears to keep the mosquitos away.
You will need it to keep you warm at night. Abco Tech created a very comfortable sleeping bag, tested to resist under any weather conditions.
It is very easy to clean and pack. It folds in a carry bag that you can take with you everywhere.
Campervan Essentials:
As you will possibly be camping in areas without electricity, it comes in handy to have a LED Headlamp during the night.
I love this one as it is ultra-bright and has 7 lighting modes. In addition, it is waterproof, so no worries if it's rain or shine outside!
If you are on a road trip, this doesn’t mean that you cannot be sophisticated. Check out this cool picnic bag!
It comes with a corkscrew and cooler, helping you create the perfect scene for a night in the nature, drinking a cool glass of wine. With high-density thermal insulation it's guaranteed to keep cool. Furthermore, its padded center separates the bottles and prevents them from clanking. Wine nights here we come!
An inverter is essential when going on a road trip. With 2 USB ports and 2 plugs, you will juice up your laptop or mobile phone when needed.
It is ideal for road trips as it is compact and lightweight. Plus it has inbuilt protection against overheating or overcharging.
I can bet that as soon as you put your feet on Portuguese land, you will fall in love with their music, may it be fado or something more hip.
Play it all day long on this wireless Bluetooth speaker. The battery is strong enough to offer 12 hours of continuous use. In addition, it is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry if you want to be “dancing in the rain” while listening to your favourite song.
Those excellent morning coffees from home don’t have to change when you're on the road.
Pack this stainless steel french press coffee maker! It'll keep your coffee hot over 60 minutes longer than any glass, so no more cold coffee! The material is durable and you can even get it in pink!
Your Portugal packing list should contain this portable washing system so you'll always have clean clothes along the way.
Plus, if you wash along the way, your luggage will be even lighter! This is the smallest and lightest washing machine in the world. It reaches the performance of a traditional washing machine in just 3 minutes, all while folding down to pocket size.
This travel kettle boils your water just like your traditional kettle at home. The adjustable size is excellent when you travel as it folds away and you can tuck it into the smallest spaces.
Happy times preparing your morning tea or a bowl of quick noodles along the way!
Why to pay for electricity when the power of the sun is free?
It’s 15,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge your phone several times. It is waterproof and shockproof, having also a LED flashlight incorporated.
Having a fully-equipped first aid kit during a road trip is a wise idea. It has everything you need in case you have a medical emergency.
Its medical supplies are FDA-approved, and really, 241 pieces that can save you in any emergency will be worth the piece of mind.
This compact kit is going to save you if you lose your key in the woods, lock it inside the van or simply head out for a surf sesh and don't know where else to put your car key.
You can hide your keys in this magnetic case and place it under your car. Its material is resistant to corrosion, rust, and it's also waterproof. Absolutely epic investment for any road trip!
If you don’t fancy sleeping in your car or van, you can easily set up this 3-person tent.
It has large windows to let the breeze in and cool the interior, plus it's proven to be very spacious.
How can you keep your valuables safe from thieves when you travel?
This portable safe has a stainless-steel wire to hook up to a fixture in your van for example, plus a patented 360-degree locking system that will keep the thieves away. It is also foldable and comes with convenient carry handles.
You don’t have to drain your car’s battery to get some light. Use the solar power with these lightweight and inflatable lights.
They come with 10 white LEDs having also an indicator to let you know when the battery is drained and needs a sunny recharge.
I love fairy lights, they are excellent for your van during the night.
The waterproof copper wire won’t cause you any troubles. The LEDs have a life expectancy of 100,000 hours without overheating.
This shower bag carries up to 5 gallons of water. You can easily switch it on and off and establish the preferred water flow.
It is also durable and easy to carry everywhere. Happy showering in the woods!
Even though the packing list for a road trip might seem overwhelming, it should include only the essentials.
Not the quantity is important, but the features of the items you are going to carry with you. After all, your focus should be on having fun and stress less about your luggage.
Don’t Go Without Travel Insurance
Why buy travel medical insurance from SafetyWing?
- Get insured, even if you already left your home country
- Covers visits to your home country if you’re travelling long-term
- Buy one-off or choose a start date and let your insurance extend every 28 days like a subscription until you cancel (no more paying upfront for long trips or open-ended adventures)
- COVID-19 cover is included
Please note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means that – at absolutely no cost to you – we earn a small commission on sales generated through this website. We only recommend sites we actually use and thank you for your support!
