What to Pack For a Trip to Europe in the Summer
Europe is one of the most desirable travel destinations during any time of the year, but there’s no doubt that there’s something exceptionally enchanting about a European summer – from our long-sunny days, eating at a café on a terrace or patio, and the enjoying an infamous gelato or aperol spritz.
As someone who lives in Paris and has spent several summers traveling around Europe, I have a lot of experience in packing for a trip to Europe in the summer – and can share with you my best tips and tricks on what to pack for your upcoming vacation for countries like France, Italy, and more.
Street View of Old Town Nice; March 2024
Whether you’ll be spending your summer in Europe at coastal beach towns like the French Riviera or an electric European capital like London or Budapest – I’ve got you covered with exactly what to pack for your trip.
What is the Weather Like in Europe During the Summer?
The weather in Europe during the summer is contingent on where in the continent you are – with southern European countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece prone to more excessive heat waves. On the other hand, countries like Germany, France, Switzerland, and across the U.K. tend to have relatively temperate summers with temperatures usually between 70 °F and 80 °F during the day, with temperate cooling off in the evenings.
What is Challenging About Traveling to Europe in the Summer?
The biggest challenge of summer travel to Europe is dealing with the massive crowds, as it’s high tourist season and usually the most beautiful time of year to see places like Paris, Rome, and more.
Furthermore, many Americans are accustomed to air conditioning everywhere they go – but it can be sparse, even during the summer, in Europe. Remember, it won’t be a given that hotels, shops, or restaurants in Europe will have air conditioning – so keep this in mind while packing your clothes for a trip to Europe in the summer.
Approaching Plage Mala; June 2025
The table below will break down additional things to keep in mind while traveling and packing for a trip to Europe in the summer.
☀️ Summer in Europe: What to Know Before You Go!
| 🌡️ Lack of A/C | Many hotels and Airbnbs — especially in older buildings — may not have air conditioning, so prepare for hot nights. Consider bringing a mini fan! |
| 🧳 Crowds & Lines | Expect long queues at popular attractions, especially in cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Book skip-the-line tickets whenever possible! |
| 🚆🚉 Full Trains & Flights | Summer is high travel season, so trains and flights often sell out. Always book tickets in advance — especially for routes like Paris–Amsterdam or Rome–Florence. |
| 💸 Higher Prices | Hotels, flights, and attractions are typically more expensive in July and August. Traveling in early June or September can save you money! |
| 🧍♀️🧍 Crowds Everywhere | Tourist hotspots get packed — don’t expect quiet museums or empty beaches. Early mornings and weekdays are your best bet for avoiding the chaos. |
| 👜 Pickpockets | Be extra vigilant in crowded areas like metros, bus stations, and tourist zones. Here’s how to protect yourself. |
Here’s a full-breakdown of what I usually bring with me on a European summer weekend getaway or a long trip to Europe in the summer alike:
What to Pack for Europe in Summer
Backpack
Portable Battery: It’s essential to be able to charge your phone during long travel days during the summer in Europe. This is my favorite portable battery by far, with dual charging ports and both USB 2.0 and USB-C – so there’s a way for everyone to charge their favorite devices!
Camera: You simply can’t take a trip to Europe in the summer without a camera, as the photo opportunities will be incredible! I’ve used the Canon G7x for years and it has always served me well, as it’s perfect for vlogging and point-and-shoot pictures. Best of all, it’s easy to fit in your pocket while traveling!
Headphones: If you’re going on a long trip to Europe this summer, odds are – you’ll be in transit a lot of the time. Whether it be on a bus, plane, or train – you’ll want to enjoy some downtime listening to your favorite music or podcast. These are my favorite over ear headphones to travel in Europe with, as they can be Bluetooth operated or also make use of a headphone jack to watch in-flight entertainment.
Travel Adapter: A summer adventure to Europe means you’ll be visiting lots of different countries, all of which will likely have different electrical plugs than in your home country – meaning you’ll need a reliable travel adapter. Remember, countries in Europe like Switzerland use their own individual plugs often not included in travel adapter sets – meaning you’ll need a separate Swiss Adapter. Don’t worry, I’ve been to the country many times and confirm that this Swiss travel adapter is the best one I have ever used.
Day Pack: When hiking up to the Acropolis or trying to get the best photos of the Eiffel Tower, you won’t want to lug all of your stuff around in a giant backpack. A travel day pack just like this one is lightweight, foldable, and water-resistant – making it perfect for a summer trip to Europe.
Journal: Much of the beauty in Europe during the summer is enjoying still moments in parks, cafés, and more – meaning it’s a great idea to bring a journal to not only immerse yourself in the culture, but to take note of your own thoughts and experience as they happen in real-time during your trip to Europe this summer.
Wallet: If you don’t already have a passport wallet-style holder like this one, be sure to bring your wallet – and only pack the credit cards, debit cards, and local currency you’ll need while traveling to avoid potential pick pocketing in Europe.
Want to see pack my backpack in action? Check out my packing video below!
Toiletries
Toothbrush: It’s great to bring a toothbrush, and even a spare, when traveling – especially to keep your breath fresh during long travel days between countries on a summer trip to Europe.
Deodorant: Many of the deodorants available in the United States don’t exist in Europe due to strict product regulations and laws on banned ingredients in the E.U., meaning – if you’re attached to a certain deodorant, bring it with you on a trip to Europe. I can’t tell you uncomfortable it was when I ran out of deodorant in Madrid one summer, and could only buy a European brand roll-on travel deodorant that wasn’t an anti-perspiration formula.
Sunscreen: Especially in countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece – you will be prone to sunburn while being out and about and exploring. Be sure to pack your favorite sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays while traveling in Europe!
Vitamins: Traveling Europe in the summer can be exhausted, but keep up with your vitamins can help to maintain your energy levels while venturing across this magical continent. I love to take a multivitamin like this one with me for long trips to Europe to help supplement whatever nutrients I may be missing while traveling.
Contact Lenses & Your Favorite Solution: If you wear contact lenses, I always recommend bringing another pair – as you don’t want a repeat of what happened to me at the Great Barrier Reef. It’s also a good idea to bring your favorite contact lenses solution with you too, in case your eyes are sensitive to the different formulas here in Europe. If you wear glasses, I highly recommend traveling with a backup pair – just in case something happens while traveling.
View of mountains in Swiss Alps; June 2022
Documents to Bring to Europe
Driver’s License: It’s always great to take a second form of I.D. with you on a trip to Europe, as this can let you leave your passport safely in your hotel when going out to eat or clubbing.
Student I.D.: Several places in Europe may let you qualify for a discount for bus tickets and even entrance to museums, but you’ll need your student I.D. to qualify – making it an essential to bring on a summer trip to Europe.
Passport: Clearly, you won’t be able to take a trip to Europe in the summer without your passport! I highly recommend keeping your passport protected from potential water damage with a passport case just like this.
Passport and euros; December 2017
Clothes
Lightweight dress
Let’s face it, as much as you’ll want to take cute pictures on your trip to Europe this summer – dresses won’t always be the most functional when exploring European cities like Madrid, Florence, or Amsterdam.
However, to keep your suitcase light but still have one dressier option for dinners out or pictures – I recommend bringing one lightweight dress or lightweight dress shirt.
This could be a sundress, blouse, or a linen dress – all will be a little bit more upscale than the rest of the clothes bound to go in your suitcase for a trip to Europe.
Swimsuit
There will be many opportunities to take a dip in the ocean or nearby lake when traveling to Europe in the summer, such as if your visiting Capri, Nice, or the Swiss Alps.
I always make sure to pack a swimsuit for a trip to Europe in the summer!
View of people swimming in Cap D’Ail; June 2025
Basic Tees
The best way to pack for a longer trip to Europe is to stick to basic colored tees that you can mix and match, but more importantly – that you feel comfortably wearing for long travel days exploring Europe.
These can easily be paired with sweaters, shorts, and more to not only provide a few different outfits during your trip.
Need some outfit inspiration for traveling to Europe this summer? Check out my summer outfit of the week video below!
Walkable Shoes
In Europe, especially in cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Athens – you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
It’s a great idea to bring a pair of comfortable, white sneakers – so ensure you’ll be able to mix and match your outfits and stay in style while trekking around big European cities this summer.
Sandals or “Dressier” Shoes
When I would take long trips to Europe in the summer a few years ago, I always brought two pairs of shoes: my “main” pair of walking shoes, my waterproof sneakers, and then one pair of “nice” shoes in case there was a night out.
This could be a pair of sandals, heels, flats – or anything else you think may go nicely with a few outfits on a summer trip.
Longer Shorts
It’s completely fine to wear “short shorts” on a trip to Europe, but just know – that people will know that you’re tourist if you do. Honestly, Europeans tend to stick to jeans – even in extremely hot weather. The happy medium I’ve found is to pack capri or shorts on the longer side, so I can stay comfortable and also blend into my surroundings.
Versatile Utility Jacket
While this isn’t the most “stylish” option for a European summer, I will say – in my years traveling and living in Europe – it is the most functional. This is because the weather in Europe in the summer is subject to change, and a utility jacket is lightweight, water, and wind resistant – making it the perfect “all in one” jacket for a summer trip to Europe.
Plus, a utility jacket has multiple zippered and button compartments for your phone, camera, cash, and tickets – making it super easy to stay organized while out and about exploring European cities!
Wearing longer shorts in Santorini at sunset; May 2023
Light Sweater
As I mentioned earlier, countries like France, Switzerland, Scotland, and Ireland can cool off at night in the summer – meaning packing a light sweater is a good idea to keep warm at the end of the day during a summer trip to Europe.
Shawl, Scarf, or Cover Up
Essential to enter places in Europe such as the Duomo in Milan, it’s a great idea to keep some sort of shawl or cover up handy in your suitcase for a trip to Europe in the summer – in case you plan on wearing shorter shorts and visiting churches across the continent, as many will require you to cover your legs.
A thin scarf that can be used for a cover up in churches in Europe
Summer Europe Packing FAQ ☀️👗🧳
👗 What should I wear in Europe in July?
Europeans, even in the summer, tend to stick to chic and covered clothing – such as blouses, jeans, and flats or trendy sneakers. If you want to fit in, you should avoid short shorts and tank tops, as it isn’t a very “European” look and is a dead giveaway for tourists.
🇪🇺 Do Europeans dress differently than Americans?
Yes, Europeans do dress very differently than Americans – especially in the summer. Europeans tend to stick to less patterns or casual clothes than Americans do, opting for trousers and longer pants in comparison to our yoga pants, leggings, or shorter shorts or vibrant colors. Tip: think black, white, and beige when packing clothes for Europe in the summer.
🩳 Can I wear shorts in Europe?
Yes, you can wear shorts in Europe – just keep in mind that you'll have to remain more vigilant as people will realize you're a tourist. Also, you may be cat-called a few times – but it won't be anything that puts you in danger, especially if you'll be visiting major European cities.
Additional Items to Bring to Europe in the Summer:
Laundry Bag: Summers traveling in Europe mean long, sweaty travel days – where even the lightest clothes will need to be washed at some point during a trip to Europe. Bring a laundry bag like this one to easily keep your dirty clothes separated from your clean ones while visiting Europe this summer.
Sunglasses: Don’t underestimate the fact that Europe is far away from the equator, as summers here can not only be hot, but sunny in a blinding kind of way. Be sure to pack a pair of sunglasses so you’ll be able to see all of Europe’s beautiful cities comfortably!
Small Hand Towel: Hotels across Europe rarely, if ever, provide the small face or hand towels that we’re so accustomed to in the United States. If using a smaller, square shaped towel is a part of your beauty routine – it’s best to bring pack your own with you on a trip to Europe.
Snack Bag: I find that European grocery stores have less single, pre-packed snack options than in the U.S. – meaning it may be a great idea to pack your own personalized, “snack bag” in a packing cube and take it with you during Europe. This especially great for vegetarians or vegans that may feel like they could get hungrier during travel days or find less options to eat while abroad.
Want a full breakdown of what I usually pack in my carry-on for international trips? Read more here for a detailed-list of exactly what I pack in my carry-on for a trip abroad such as a summer in Europe.
Interactive Packing List: Summer in Europe ☀️🧳
🎒 Backpack Essentials
🧳 Suitcase Staples
Want to see me pack my summer travel essentials for Europe in action?
Check out my video on what to pack for a trip to Europe in the summer below!
Looking to read more about Europe to plan your trip this summer?
I’ve traveled much of Europe having lived in Paris these past few years, meaning I’ve got a wide variety of content on the continent to help you plan the perfect itinerary for a summer trip to Europe!
Last updated: July 6, 2025