10 Things I Packed for My Europe Trip That You’ll Want to Pack Too

Rome wasn't built in a day, and, rest assured, neither was the perfect packing system. 

Famous travelers like Anthony Bourdain and Rick Steves offer plenty of wisdom to aspiring globetrotters; one valuable tidbit, in particular, is to embrace a minimalist packing strategy. Experience collectors all over the world encourage saving space for memories rather than filling suitcase after suitcase with items you'll likely never even unpack; and they might be on to something.  

The truth is, we live in a materialistic world, and we’re all guilty of overpacking our suitcases or backpacks until they look as though they might rip at the seams. We’re only human, after all. 

Organizing weeks' worth of items into a small backpack or a TSA-compliant carry-on is almost always tricky, especially if you're planning to spend months abroad. But eliminating items you're unsure about makes room for multipurpose essentials, allowing you to explore Europe and all its historic sights and scenes without worrying if you packed too much.

Packing is, in a way, an art form perfected by frequent travel. I only scratched the surface myself during the six weeks I spent abroad in 2025, traveling from Portugal to Italy, France, Spain, England, and Scotland.

I quickly learned that less is, in fact, more, and that the cute outfit you envisioned or the hairdryer you just had to bring along might not be worth it in the end. The best thing you can do for yourself the week before your trip is to sit down and have a heart-to-heart with the version of you who thinks ten different pairs of shoes and five face creams are absolutely vital to your experience. Spoiler alert: they’re not. 

While essentials vary from person to person, there are a few things that I, and many other travelers, would suggest you pack for your next trip to Europe, regardless of your accommodations or the intensity of your schedule. Some of these items are easily forgotten as you toss things into your backpack or suitcase, while others are simply not considered until you’ve experienced Europe beyond a basic 7-day itinerary.

Here are 10 things I packed for my European excursion that you'll also want to slip into your luggage ahead of your upcoming journey across the pond. At the very least, it’s a good starting point!

1. UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER
2. PORTABLE CHARGER
3. TOWEL
4. UMBRELLA
5. PACKING CUBES
6. FANNY PACK
7. CARIBINERS
8. AIRTAGS
9. PILLOWCASE
10. JOURNAL

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

Keyword: Universal.

This might seem like an obvious item, one you should keep in your carry-on and take out the second you arrive at your accommodation, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of checking off an endless list of essentials (some of which, you’ll discover, aren’t so essential after all).

With a travel adapter in your arsenal, you’ll be able to charge your phone all over Europe. If you’re visiting both the EU and the UK on the same trip, you’ll realize the outlets aren’t the same. A universal travel adapter lets you switch between multiple outlet styles and charge your phone anywhere.

PORTABLE CHARGER

That being said, there will come a day, a very lengthy day of exploring at that, when, despite your every effort to conserve charge, you’ll get that 20% battery notification much sooner than you expect, especially if you’re exploring off-grid sites. It really does happen to the best of us. 

Packing a portable charger (and remembering to charge it overnight at your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel) means you can keep taking photos and videos you'll cherish forever. In an emergency, it gives you enough battery to phone a friend or stay trackable. Your trip companions who are also suddenly low on battery will thank you for being prepared with a fully charged device.

TOWEL

Sure, some accommodations provide free towels, others charge a small fee, but few things bring reassurance like having your own. It’s a great idea for people sensitive to scented detergents and also serves as a useful, multipurpose must-have.

While it’s nice to save money on towel fees, this item can also double as a makeshift blanket, beach towel, or face washcloth in a pinch. A quick-dry towel is even better since it doesn’t need to hang for long before you pack it away for your next destination.

It can be annoying to make room for this when you’re staring at your already stuffed-to-the-brim backpack before your trip, but you will not regret it. 

UMBRELLA

Depending on where you’re traveling in Europe, the weather can be unpredictable, to say the least. Certain regions are rainier than others, but even on days when rain isn’t forecasted, you can never be too sure. While space-consuming, it never hurts to include a compact umbrella in your luggage, or even in your fanny pack for those long days out and about.

If you’re the type of traveler who always has their camera out or wants to stay dry for the rest of the day’s itinerary, an umbrella turns a problematic downpour into a non-issue. In some cities, like London, it’s even a fashion statement!

PACKING CUBES

Packing cubes might seem like they’re just for the organized, type-A eldest daughters, but really, they’re for everyone. This convenient travel hack saves you both packing and unpacking stress. While it might take extra time to roll your clothes and compile toiletries into cubes, you’ll be so glad you did by day three, when everything is separated into neat piles, ready to grab and go, instead of looking like a disaster zone. 

Packing cubes also help keep your wet and dry clothes separate. Put a damp towel into a cube and zip it up so the rest of your clothes stay dry and fresh as you begin your next adventure.

FANNY PACK

The fanny pack is SO back.

It’s been in style, out of style, and back again, but when it comes down to it, convenience is always trendy. After a week in Europe, it becomes crystal clear why this mighty accessory is vital.

It’s the safest and most convenient way to store the keys to your accommodation, phone, passport, euros, credit cards, and any other essentials you might need on hand while wandering those yellow-drenched European streets. 

Maybe you need hand sanitizer after a crowded Paris metro ride (trust me, you do), or you’re in Barcelona in August, and a travel-size tube of sunscreen will save you from a painful burn. While museum security might ask to search your bag, potentially delaying your reservation, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with having everything you need together in a reliable place.

CARIBINERS

Even if you wear your fanny pack across your chest where you can see it, it never hurts to be extra cautious about pickpockets. During my time in Western Europe, in cities where theft is said to be common, I never felt threatened or unsafe, nor did anyone approach me too closely. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. 

Attaching a carabiner from one zipper to the next ensures no one can easily open your fanny pack, backpack, or suitcase, for that matter. Some travelers even use them on luggage to keep it secure during transit from point A to point B.

In addition to safety, carabiners let you attach bulky items to your backpack rather than desperately attempting to fit them inside, making packing more efficient and saving space for that towel we discussed in the previous section. Dream big, friends.

AIRTAGS

Bourdain and Steves’ travel guides feature expertise that transcends the ages, but these lists likely say nothing about AirTags. This device is a modern travel luxury, and anyone who’s ever misplaced their luggage knows it’s not to be taken for granted.

Place this small button-like device in a zipper pocket, sync your phone, and you’re instantly able to track whatever it’s attached to. This is especially helpful for checked luggage or any bag containing valuables. If you’re staying in hostels and can’t lock up all your items, consider putting an AirTag directly in your backpack.

PILLOWCASE

You don’t have to be a “germ freak” to pack your own pillowcase. The obvious purpose is to zip it around the pillows at your accommodation to ensure your head rests on a clean surface, especially if you have sensitive skin, but it does have additional functions. 

After you’ve gotten your beauty sleep (or, in Europe, the few hours between your next sightseeing tour and Aperol Spritz), use the pillowcase to hold your shoes, transport laundry, or even as a makeshift packing cube for clothes. If your accommodation doesn’t provide enough pillows for your liking, fill your pillowcase with clothes and voilà! You have another pillow. This can also come in handy for an hours-long train or bus ride. 

JOURNAL

While not essential, bringing a journal as you travel through Europe is a sentimental touch. It’s a wonderful way to record your experiences, the sights, the places, and the people you encounter, so you have something to look back on one day.

Recalling these memories might spark inspiration, nostalgia, or even serve as a guide for your friends, children, or grandchildren if they visit the same places. In a world overflowing with digital accounts of everything, it’s nice to slow down and keep a written record just for yourself. Each entry doesn’t need to be a 2,000-word dissertation; a brief jotting of your thoughts will be more than enough to recall your carefree days in Europe. 

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