What to Pack for Lisbon in November

November is one of the best quiet months to visit Lisbon. The summer crowds are gone, hotel prices drop, and days are still mild enough to sit outside with a coffee. It is also one of the wettest months of the year, and the city is built on steep hills paved with polished limestone. Pack for rain and for walking, and you will enjoy it.

The short version

Think layers, a real rain jacket, and grippy shoes. Mornings and evenings feel cool, a sunny afternoon can feel warm, and showers come and go quickly. You will rarely need anything heavier than a light sweater under a waterproof shell.

Clothes

• A waterproof jacket with a hood. Wind makes umbrellas awkward on the hills and along the river.
• Two or three light sweaters or fleeces to layer over T-shirts.
• Long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops. Sunny afternoons can reach T-shirt weather.
• Jeans or travel pants, plus one pair of quick-drying pants in case you get caught in a downpour.
• One slightly dressier outfit for dinner or a fado night. Lisbon is relaxed, so smart casual is plenty.
• A light scarf. It takes up no space and helps on breezy evenings by the water.

Shoes

This matters more than anything else on the list. Lisbon's sidewalks are made of small limestone cobbles (calçada portuguesa) that are beautiful and very slippery when wet. Bring comfortable walking shoes with a rubber sole that grips, ideally water resistant. Leave smooth leather soles and heels at home. If you have room, pack a second pair so one can dry overnight.

Day bag and extras

• A compact umbrella for city days, in addition to the jacket.
• A small crossbody bag or daypack that zips closed. Busy trams and viewpoints attract pickpockets.
• A power adapter. Portugal uses Type F plugs at 230V. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V, but check the label on anything else.
• A refillable water bottle. You will climb a lot of hills.
• Sunglasses. When the sun comes out, it reflects off the white stone and the river.

If you're going to Sintra

Sintra, the popular day trip with the hilltop palaces, sits in the hills near the coast and is often noticeably cooler, foggier and damper than central Lisbon. Bring an extra warm layer and wear your best walking shoes, since the paths between the palaces are steep.

A November bonus

Around Saint Martin's Day on November 11, street vendors sell roasted chestnuts all over the city, and locals celebrate with chestnuts and new-season wine. Leave a little room in your schedule, not your suitcase.

What to leave at home

• A heavy winter coat. Layers under a rain jacket do the job and pack smaller.
• Rolling luggage you can't carry. Many older buildings have stairs and no elevator, and wheels rattle on cobbles.
• Lots of shoes. Two good pairs beat five pretty ones.