We've welcomed enough international guests now to know what most people overpack, underpack, or wish they had brought. Here is an honest packing list for a week at Casa do Sol, organised by season.
Already at the villa — leave at home
- Premium cotton bed linens and towels (Portuguese mills near Guimarães)
- Beach and pool towels (one large per guest)
- Hand-made olive-oil soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash
- Hair dryer in each bathroom
- Iron and ironing board (closet in utility room)
- Adapters: EU 2-pin sockets (you'll need adapters from US/UK/CH)
- Pool inflatables and rafts
- Sauna towels and slippers
- A starter pantry: olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar, coffee pods, herbal teas
- High-chair and travel cot on request (no extra cost — just message us in advance)
Season-by-season clothing
Summer (June – September)
- 3 swimsuits per person — pool is your default state
- Light cotton shirts and breathable t-shirts
- One light jumper or shawl for evenings (300 m altitude = cool nights)
- Trail-runner shoes for hiking
- Light sneakers / espadrilles for dinner
- One slightly smarter outfit for Porto or Guimarães dinners
- Sun hat, sunglasses, reef-safe SPF 50
Spring & autumn (March – May, October – November)
- Layers: t-shirts + light jumpers + a packable rain shell
- Trail shoes with grip — paths get muddy after rain
- Light gloves for early mornings (October–November)
- Swimsuit (the pool is open May–October; sauna year-round)
- Smart-casual evening outfit for indoor dinners
Winter (December – February)
- Warm jumpers, thermal base layers, wool socks
- Properly waterproof jacket — it rains
- Waterproof boots for muddy walks
- Hat, gloves, scarf
- Swimsuit (yes — sauna and post-sauna pool dip is a winter ritual)
- House socks or slippers (tiled and stone floors get cool)
Gear we wish every guest brought
- A travel adapter that handles US/UK/CH plugs to EU 2-pin (we have one spare, never two)
- A portable Bluetooth speaker for the terrace
- Real walking shoes — sneakers don't grip on wet stone
- A camera better than a phone — the light here punishes phone sensors
- Reusable water bottle (tap water is excellent and cold)
- Power bank for full-day excursions
Documents
- Passport (and a printed photocopy)
- EU citizens — national ID card is enough
- Driving licence (full home country licence is accepted for stays under 6 months)
- International Driving Permit if your licence is not in Latin script
- Travel insurance card
- Booking confirmation (we'll WhatsApp you the gate code 24 hrs before arrival)
Money
Portugal is largely cashless. Card payments work everywhere except some village cafés and the smaller quintas at harvest. Carry €50–100 in cash as a backup. ATM fees on foreign cards are typically €2–5 per withdrawal — withdraw €200 once rather than €50 four times.
Don't bring
- Beach towels (we have them)
- Hairdryer (we have them)
- Bottled water (tap is excellent)
- Pool floats (we have several)
- High-end kitchen knives (we have professional ones)
- A "Portuguese phrasebook" for the countryside — locals appreciate any attempt at "olá" and "obrigado/obrigada", and most under-40s speak English well enough for menus
Plan your stay
Check availability or browse the landing pages for family stays, workations, and wellness retreats.