Recently, we had the privilege of spending our honeymoon in Europe. We travelled throughout parts of Italy and Greece for a total of three weeks enjoying several European cities! We had a brilliant time taking in all the beaches, food, historic sites and sunshine. Packing for a European vacation can be quite different when comparing to other destinations. We also understand that coming up with the perfect packing list for Europe can be quite challenging at times. These are my top recommendations for your next European vacation.
Our Best Packing List for Europe
After personally experiencing it first hand, we have come up with the best packing list for Europe so that you too can experience the ultimate European vacation. Lets get started!
Choosing Your Luggage
To start, Europe is all stairs, narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets; none of which are conducive to wheelie luggage. In addition to the terrain; taking trains, buses and ferries are also more challenging to navigate with wheelie luggage. It’s definitely not impossible, but it’s worth taking into consideration. (My husband had the joy of lifting my over-packed suitcase for 3 weeks when I struggled to do so).
Small Wheelie Bag
When I say small, I do mean small. Realistically, you should be able to lift the bag over your head or at least up to your waist. Now I know this doesn’t give you much space to work with, but this will dramatically improve your vacation and reduce your stress and worrying when you are moving around from place to place. It will also lessen your risk of busting a wheel on the streets as you aggressively pull it alongside you. It’s always hard choosing the best luggage, but I really like this smart luggage with expandable cup holder and charger. It’s the little things! I also recently saw this front pocket carry-on bag and it really peaked my interest. I will definitely keep this one in mind when I’m ready for an upgrade and looking for a new type of luggage.
(Did you know that Dubrovnik’s historic centre in Croatia has now banned wheelie luggage? You have to check it as you enter and pay for it to be dropped off at your accommodation)
Backpack-Duffle bag combo
The first time I travelled Europe and Asia, I used a backpacking backpack (a very large, very heavy and very cumbersome backpack that often caused me to tip over backwards). While it got the job done, I’m not sure if my back was appreciative and I didn’t want to put all that stress on my body again. A proportionally sized backpack that can also be carried as a duffel bag is a fabulous option for travelling. What’s awesome about this small backpack is that the straps can be zipped up into the bottom making it easy to check the bag if you wish to do so if you’re flying. This a great 45L option or this super fun 4-way bag!
Backpack Carry-on
I bought this fabulous carry-on backpack and have really enjoyed it! Full disclosure, it did come completely bent in half so I had to flatten it out by putting a heavy tote on it for a week. However, once I packed it I haven’t have any issues it’s been the best travel backpack that I’ve owned. I didn’t think I would use the portable charger port on the side, but I actually did! I also really liked the hidden pocket on my back for my passport. This was a good buy and a great price for the functionality that it provided. What’s nice is that we also used it as a small day pack.
Personal Item
Having a personal item is a must! With all the limitations on luggage weight the airlines are implementing, having a personal item is a great way to give yourself some added capacity. Personally I love me a good fanny pack, but if you’re looking for a little more space this expandable tote bag is a great choice.
As for my husband, he’s recently purchased the DB Hugger Backpack and he loves it! It’s lightweight, water resistant, and it’s even got a laptop compartment to safely store your devices.
Clothing Choices
To continue with our Europe packing list, we decided to travel around Europe in June, so these wardrobe recommendations reflect the warmer summer months. Depending on the time of year you end up taking your European trip, and the dress code that may be required, you may want to consider making some adjustments to this ultimate packing list.
Summer Travel
The first thing to note is, if you’re planning your European travel throughout the summer months, then you’ll want to consider bringing items like tank tops, sun dresses, and couple pairs of shorts to accommodate that hot weather. You might even want to bring a light jacket for those cool summer nights. What’s important to remember is to have at least a couple pieces of clothing that cover your shoulders and knees that allow you to visit those religious sites if that’s something you want to do.
Footwear
What’s amazing about about these European countries is how walkable they truly are. That being said, having comfortable shoes is a must. You’ll want a pair of travel shoes that are fitted to the right size and provide you with enough support so that after a long day of walking you aren’t feeling too sore to keep exploring.
Winter Travel
If you’re looking to plan a Europe trip in the middle of winter you’ll most likely be expecting some cold weather. That being said, you’ll want to look at things like long pants, sweaters, and even a warm coat.
Clothing Favourites
Nipple Covers
I am a big believer in ditching the bra whenever I can, especially when it’s hot and humid outside. If I can make no bra work, believe me I will! In the cases where some shape or coverage is required I use these nipple covers. They’re quite inexpensive and can be washed and reused over and over. These have been an incredible addition to my wardrobe. (They are also available in a variety of skin tones and cup sizes).
Linen Button Up
We all know that linen is a natural breathable fabric great for hot vacations. I loved having a button up for dinners as the evenings got a bit cooler or even on the beach to shield my shoulders from the sun. The button up is a classic look that can be casually left open, tied up in the front or buttoned for full coverage.
Ponytail Hat
I am adamant on protecting my skin, especially while on the beach or out hiking and touring around. As much as wearing a hat isn’t always in my aesthetic or part of my outfit, I make sure to wear one. I brought two different hats, one a full brim and the other a ponytail hat. The full brim only works if your hair is down which isn’t always too comfortable when you’re sweaty and the hair is sticking to the back of your neck. However, the full brim is adorable looking and great for protecting your ears. The ponytail hat, while more casual, is great for high and low ponytails/buns. Keeps the hair off your neck and is more versatile than a classic baseball cap.
Travel Essentials When Packing for Europe
Reef Safe Sunscreen
As already mentioned, protection from the sun is crucial. I have talked about the importance of reef safe sunscreen extensively in my eco-friendly blog post, and I’ll plug it again here. I would also highly recommend wearing SPF lip balm as well.
Sound Machine
We frequently used our sound machine at night throughout our trip. It’s just enough background noise to help muffle upstairs neighbours in the morning, people partying outside, loud traffic or guests checking in late at night.
Hat clip
I love bringing a wide brim hat for both cute photos and sun protection. The annoying thing is bringing it around without squashing it in your bag! I finally bought a multi-pack of hat clips and they lived up to my hopes. The clip made travelling with my hat easier than carrying it or jamming it into my bag. I managed not to ruin it and get it home in one piece!
Passport holder
I also sprung for a new passport holder because mine lacked pockets and functionality. My new one is very cute, has a stretchy cord closure, room for boarding passes, always has my passport open to the photo page and a SIM card slot.
(Note: we ended up buying an e-sim with Airlo instead of a physical SIM for our cell phone. You can use my code ALEX1487 and save $3 on your purchase).
Neck Pillow
I’m not here to tell you that I found a miracle neck pillow. In my opinion they simply do not exist. We aren’t designed to be sleeping upright in a tin can hurtling through the atmosphere on a long flight. I purchased the Huzi Infinity Pillow and it was pretty decent. I liked that I could contort it into some different shapes for versatility. It also rolls up pretty small and can be jammed into a bag. Lastly, it is machine washable which is a nice feature. I was still uncomfortable and barely slept on the trans-Atlantic flight, but I don’t think that’s the pillow’s fault.
Universal Adapter
A good travel adapter is perhaps your best friend while travelling. I like this universal adapter for its USB slots and portability. Please remember that this is just an adapter not a voltage converter! So don’t go using a coffee maker or blender with it.
Power Bank
If you’re someone who’s worried about draining your battery from all the pictures you’re about to be taking, then finding yourself a quality power bank is a good idea. The eco-friendly Champ Portable Charger is a great option if you’re looking for something small to fit in your pocket. But if you have a little more space, then the 10,000 mAh Anker Power Bank might be another good option.
Apple AirTags
We put AirTags in our check luggage for the added peace of mind so that we could track our luggage. It was one extra layer of protection in case of loss, theft etc. We purchased the Apple AirTag 4 Pack which was practical when traveling with multiple pieces of luggage.
Money
Since no trip is ever free, it is essential to remember to bring money. Having money in easy to use denominations, in the correct currency, and in easy to use payment methods (like credit cards and debit cards) is always recommended.
Other Items to Consider
- Travel towel
- Toiletry bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Money belt
- and any other travel gear you might think of
The Art of Packing
After gathering all of your items, the most difficult part is always finding enough space to make it fit. I get it! Fitting it all into a travel bag just might not be that easy as you’re working with limited space. The last thing you want to do is leave something behind that you think you’ll really really need.
One of the best things invented, and a great way to make that happen is with the help of plastic bags and packing cubes. I purchased these amazing packing cubes not too long ago and absolutely LOVE them! Not only does it make packing so much easier, but it allows me to find that specific piece of clothing buried at the bottom of my bag that I’ve thought about wearing all day.
As a general rule, and the best way I found to keep my items sorted is that I pack my items into these packing cubes according to type. For example; all of my dresses into one cube, my tank tops and t-shirts into another, swimsuits into yet another, and so forth. This keeps all of my things organized and easy to find. After they’re all packed, I throw them into my wheeled suitcase and off I go.
Packing List for Europe: Best Tip
Regardless of whether you’re taking a long trip or a short trip, it’s always a great idea to ensure you pack light so that you can travel light. Of course this is all based on personal preference and you might incur some extra cost, but there are always opportunities to find a washing machine and wash any dirty laundry.
Things I wish I would’ve brought
I definitely forgot how long the flight from Canada to Italy was and I regret not buying a travel phone holder. I am well aware that this is a small issue, but for pure convenience this phone holder would’ve been a 10/10 addition. I can see how it would help with neck kinks and viewing angles.
A polaroid camera. One of the bnb’s we stayed at had a polaroid camera, and said ‘snap a shot and post it on our guest board,’ and I loved that! There’s something really fun and special having an instant memory printed in your hand that captured an exact moment on film. I think I would have gotten a ton of use out of one.
All in, we had a fabulous trip traveling these European destinations and looking back at my photos makes me extraordinarily happy. I wish you well as you prepare for your adventure. Have fun and say Ciao for me when you get there!
