The Only Three Pairs of Shoes You Need to Pack for Portugal

I never imagined I would be here writing an article about the best shoes to pack for Portugal.  However, as I slipped and slid down yet another black-and-white stone sidewalk in Lisbon I realized that packing the right shoes for your Portugal trip can be the difference between spending your evening drinking port and listening to Fado or spending your evening in the emergency room getting your sprained ankle wrapped by a nurse.

In 2023 I spent more than a month in Portugal, crossing the country from the Douro Valley in the north to the Algarve coast in the south. I visited cities, towns, rural areas and beaches, and I walked more than 20,000 steps every day.  With each step I took I became more and more thankful that I’d packed some of my favorite travel shoes… and more and more regretful that I’d wasted space in my suitcase on shoes that were completely useless on the streets of Portugal.

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, I recommend packing three specific pairs of shoes. These are the shoes I wore again and again, all month, no matter the weather, and these are the shoes that I highly recommend you bring with you when you travel to Portugal.

#1 – A Great Pair of Running Shoes

Portugal is famously hilly: Lisbon is known for its seven hills, and Porto is built atop two hills. Even in the Algarve, many beaches are only accessible by walking up a cliff and then down an access stairwell. You need a good, or even great, pair of running shoes to wear as you explore Portugal by foot.

⭐ If you’d rather not have to hike to your hotel in Lisbon, check out my guide to the best areas to stay in Lisbon, including hotels that are not up huge hills! ⭐

I think there’s an idea that you have to wear “cool” running shoes when you’re in Europe, but once you actually get there you’ll find that local men and women are wearing all sorts of running shoes, from Balenciaga to Primark. However, locals may not be walking 15+ kilometers every day, the way tourists are.  So, choose a comfortable pair of high-quality, durable running shoes, maybe like these:

• Sketchers – These are a classic walking shoe for a reason. I recently bought some pull-on trainers for the first time and love them for travel – they are so easy to slip off at the end of a long day of sightseeing!
• Converse – On my trip to Portugal the airline lost my luggage.  I had one evening in Lisbon to run around buying replacement clothing before I left for Obidos the next morning. I bought the first pair of running shoes that fit – these Converse All-Stars – and ended up wearing them almost every day (even after my luggage was returned) because they were so comfortable and stable on the slippery sidewalks (see below).
• On Cloud – These may be heavier than the running shoes you’re used to, but fans say they literally do feel like you’re walking on clouds.  Wear them around the house for a week or two before your trip to get used to them.
• Reebok – Looking for a classic white runner?  Reebok has you covered, with tons of accent colors to match any outfit. These also look great with summer dresses and skirts.

#2 – Comfortable Walking Sandals (Summer) or Boots (Winter)

All across Portugal you will find streets, sidewalks and squares with intricate black-and-white tiles. Known as calçada portuguesa, these sidewalks are beautiful… and extremely slippery.  Over the years, people walking over these stones have made the surface become flat and smooth, almost like an ice-skating rink. I can’t count how many times I lost my footing, and while I personally didn’t have any major falls I did witness numerous other tourists completely wipe out on these sidewalks.

To safely walk on these slippery sidewalks in Portugal, you’ll want to have both a good pair of running shoes (see above) and a second pair of seasonally-appropriate walking shoes, which could be sandals in the summer or boots in the winter.  Whichever style you choose, you’re looking for a sole with excellent grip and traction, and where you foot is securely held inside the shoe.

The Best Sandals for Portugal

• Birkenstock – While I love my Madrids and Arizonas, the only style of Birkenstock I wear when traveling is the Mayari, because the straps that criss-cross over my toe help keep my feet securely in the sandal.
• Clarks – Some Clarks sandals can be a bit too utilitarian for me, but this simple pair could pass for something by The Row (okay, from a distance).
• Teva – The classic Teva sandal never worked for me (my foot slid around on the footbed) but this model has raised edges to help with stability.

The Best Boots for Portugal

It rarely snows in the parts of Portugal that tourists are likely to visit, so the good news is that you don’t need to worry about packing snow boots. However, cities like Porto and Lisbon can be quite rainy in the cooler months, so it’s good to pack a great pair of non-slip, waterproof boots.

• Chacos – I love these Chacos Chelsesa boots made from waterproof leather. They feature Chacos’ new “Chacogrip” rubber sole, which is extra-sticky and will keep you from slipping on the stone sidewalks. They come in four colors and would look great with jeans or skirts and tights.
• Blundstone – These Australian-made boots are well-known for their non-slip soles and all-day comfort. I would choose a classic leather finish over a suede finish, and seal it in with a leather protecting spray.
• Timberland – If you get chilly easily, Timberland’s classic boots feature a waterproof finish and their signature lightweight insulation.

#3 – Beach-Friendly (or Pool-Friendly) Flip-Flops

I spent more than a week in the Algarve, but even if you’re not heading to the beach you may find yourself in a hotel with a pool, or at a spa, and you’ll need a good pair of sandals.  I know some people wear their Birkenstocks to the beach but I hate the feeling of wet, sandy Birks. Instead, I look for a good pair of water-resistant sandals that are comfortable for moderate walking:

• Ipanema – This is my favorite brand of casual sandals and I stocked up when I was in Portugal. That link should take you to their “sandal” store (not the flip-flop store) where you can find styles with a comfortable ankle strap to keep you secure on slippery sidewalks or wet walkways.
• Havaiana – I know some people prefer Havaianas, so I’ve also linked to one of their styles with an ankle strap (however I haven’t personally worn them so I don’t know how stable they are).
• Adidas – The Adidas waterproof pool slide is a classic for a reason. If you’re mostly walking short, flat distances, these are a good option (and they can double as a shower shoe if you’re staying in a hostel). Click through all the colors because some are cheap.

Don’t Bring These Shoes to Portugal

When you’re packing shoes for Portugal, there are definitely a few that you can leave at home:

• Snow boots – Again, unless you’re heading to rural mountainous areas in the winter, then you’re unlikely to need snow boots.  Any of the regular boots I mentioned above will be more than sufficient.
• Very high heels – The public transit systems in Lisbon and Porto are unreliable (when I stayed in Bairro Alto the escalators at the station were usually broken, meaning you had to ascend hundreds of stairs from the tracks to the exit), so you need to choose footwear that is comfortable for walking in the worst-case scenario.
• Brand-new shoes – You’ll be walking a lot in Portugal, so make sure you break in your shoes before you go.  Just in case you still get blisters, I recommend packing moleskin (it’s just the name!), which can form a protective barrier between your shoes and your skin at any friction points.

I’ve written tons of guides to traveling in Portugal, from visiting charming small towns to finding the best vegan sushi in the capital. You can read them all here.

Do you have questions about traveling in Portugal?  Leave a comment below and I will answer ASAP!

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