What to pack for the Azores
16 Packing tips and recommendations for a trip to the Azores
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The Azores are a place where you can enjoy many different types of outdoor activities and also where the outdoor weather can change quickly.
Here are some important (and sometimes surprising!) items to help you be prepared for a trip to the Azores:
1. Black or dark color bathing suit (some of the hot springs the islands are rust colored due to the naturally high iron content of the water and could stain a light color bathing suit). I recommend this one: Summersalt Black One-Piece . You will probably also want a pair of athletic shorts to wear over your swimsuit. These shorts are super cute, fast-drying, and very similar to lululemon but less expensive.
2. Fast drying and small towel you want to be able to carry this around comfortably for water activities and for it to be able to dry humid air. Also great for having a little picnic blanket! I recommend this one: Dark Travel Towel
3. Sun hat with SPF! I have entered the era where a wide brim hat is a must! I personally took the approach of using a hiking hat (like this one: SPF 50 Hiking Hat). If you want a less functional and cuter option, this is a nice one: Cute SPF 50 Sun Hat. Both options have neck protection and a hole to pull your pony tail through. I also brought a cute straw hat for less active moments. This foldable one is great and still has SPF: SPF 50 Foldable Straw Hat.
4. Sun protection! This was the first time I had used a sun shirt and I highly recommend it. I find it very hard to remember to reapply sunscreen and kept me protected: SPF 50 shirt . Of course, still bring your sunscreen of choice! Elta MD Sunscreen is a great pick and they also make a tinted version which can double as foundation depending on your skin tone!
5. A small hiking backpack. I have the Osprey Daylite Backpack from years ago and it is still in great shape and will be in great shape for years to come!
6. Breathable waterproof hiking shoes. I have the Salomon Hiking Shoe and I love them because they give some ankle support and are water proof while still giving you room to breathe. Some people we passed on our hikes definitely ruined cute running sneakers with mud so hiking shoes are highly recommended! And if you need to refresh your hiking socks collection, these are a lovely option!
7. Hiking pants or athletic bottoms. I preferred to cover my legs to protect myself from the sun and wearing hiking pants was required for a horseback riding tour, but otherwise, you can get away with your athletic bottoms of choice as there are few brambles on the hiking trails. It doesn't hurt to be well prepared though and these Lightweight UPF 50 Hiking Pants are cute and fast drying.
8. Water shoes. The beaches can be rocky and volcanic rock in particular can be hard to walk on. I resisted buying water shoes but if you plan to spent a lot of time on the beach, you will be happy you have them. These Simple Water Shoes are a low cost entry point if you are hesitant about water shoes. If you know you are going to regularly return to a rocky beaches in the future, you might consider investing in a more expensive verion like this Beach and River Water Shoe.
9. An athletic rain coat. This Columbia Rain Coat is a great reasonably priced option.
10. A slim water bottle. This Hydro flask Water Bottle fits into the Osprey Daylite Backpack linked above. I also recommend buying an additional liter bottle per person when you land which you can leave in the car when you hike. Then you can be sure extra water is waiting for you in the car when your hiking water bottles are likely to be empty! You can refill these throughout the trip.
11. Croakies for your sunglasses and a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection! There is nothing worse than peering over a boat and then watching your favorite sunglasses sink into the ocean. These Croakies are inexpensive and worth it!
12. Cash to exchange or Euros. We encountered several situations in which we had to pay in cash. See my post on general itinerary tips in the Azores about cash exchange tips.
13. Slightly dressier clothing for dinner (cute dress and nice sneakers/sandals or a button down and shorts with nice sneakers are both fine!). Opt for breathable fabrics and styles that you will feel happy in all day! This flowy white option is great, as is this summery option, and this white linen option that comes in many colors! These lightweight linen pants come in multiple colors and these are another option with fun patterns — perfect for photos in the beautiful towns! You absolutely must bring at least one oversized white button up shirt like this one. This adorable top will pair easily with lots of different bottoms, and be sure to bring some basics like these t-shirts or these for a more fitted option. This loose short sleeve blouse comes in many colors and are also a great option. A vacation like this one is a great time to break out some fresh white sneakers. You won't be walking for very long in them since you will be wearing more sporty shoes for most activities. These Stan Smiths or these Vejas are excellent options.
14. In addition to a European power plug adapter, I also recommend a portable charger because many of the rental cars do not have GPS and you will likely be using your phone for directions. This portable charger 2 pack has multiple different plug in options for different phone chargers.
15. Diva cup. Let's talk about it. Your period shouldn't stop you from enjoying the hot springs and ocean! Diva cups are a great option to make water activities worry-free. This Lily cup comes in two different sizes and is easy to learn how to use. If you are nervous, buy one a few months before your trip and practice using it :) If you are are worried about leaks, wear something like this when you wear your diva cup (which FYI are HSA and FSA eligible!!)
16. A plastic bag for wet items and a dirty clothes bag. I just reused plastic grocery bags for this but you can also get a wet bag. This set of wet bags is very affordable and comes with two bags in a variety of fun patterns.
To plan the best Azores trip see the complete Azores travel guide and the 10 best things to do in the Azores!
To help organize yourself or your family as you pack consider using this packing list tracker which is customizable and the colorful drop downs allow you to easily visualize your progression and you can sort your gsheet by what remains to be packed (also available on etsy). This format is also great for helping younger travelers get going with their packing experiences!
