Rome wasn't built in a day, and believe me, the perfect packaging system didn't come about in a day either.
Renowned travelers like Anthony Bourdain and Rick Steves offer a wealth of sage advice to aspiring racers; one of the most valuable pieces of advice, in particular, is a minimalist packing strategy. Experience collectors around the world recommend leaving room for memories rather than cramming suitcase after suitcase with items you'll likely never even unpack; and there may be some truth to that.
The truth is, we live in a materialistic world, and we're all guilty of overloading our suitcases and backpacks with things to the point where they look like they're about to burst. After all, we're only human.
Fitting several weeks' worth of essentials into a small backpack or TSA-compliant carry-on is almost always challenging, especially if you're planning to spend several months abroad. But by eliminating unnecessary items, you'll free up space for multifunctional essentials, allowing you to explore Europe and all its historical sites without worrying about packing too much.
Packing is, in a sense, an art honed by frequent travel. I myself only scratched the surface during six weeks spent abroad in 2025, traveling from Portugal to Italy, France, Spain, England, and Scotland.
I quickly realized that less is more, and that that cute outfit you envisioned or that hairdryer you absolutely had to bring might not be necessary after all. The best thing you can do for yourself a week before your trip is sit down and have an honest conversation with the part of you that thinks ten different pairs of shoes and five face creams are absolutely necessary for your trip. Spoiler: they're not.
While everyone's essentials vary, there are a few items I and many other travelers recommend packing for your next trip to Europe, regardless of your accommodations or busy schedule. Some of these items are easily forgotten when you throw them in a backpack or suitcase, while others simply aren't considered until you've been in Europe longer than the standard seven-day itinerary.
Here are 10 things I packed on my European trip that you should also add to your luggage for your upcoming transatlantic journey. At the very least, this is a good starting point!
- UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER
- PORTABLE CHARGER
- TOWEL
- UMBRELLA
- PACKING CUBES
- Belt bag
- CARIBBEANS
- AIRTAGS
- PILLOWCASE
- MAGAZINE
UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER
Keyword: Universal.
At first glance, this may seem like an obvious thing to keep in your carry-on and take out as soon as you arrive at your accommodation, but in the rush of running through a never-ending list of essentials (some of which you'll discover aren't actually all that important), it's surprisingly easy to forget.
With a travel adapter, you can charge your phone anywhere in Europe. If you plan to visit both the EU and the UK, you'll notice that the power outlets vary. A universal travel adapter allows you to switch between different power outlets and charge your phone anywhere.
PORTABLE CHARGER
However, there will come a day, a very long day of exploration, when, despite all your efforts to conserve battery, you'll get a low battery notification much sooner than you expect, especially if you're exploring remote locations. It happens to everyone.
Bring a portable charger (and don't forget to charge it overnight at your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel) to keep taking photos and videos you'll treasure forever. In an emergency, it'll give you enough battery to call a friend or track your location. Your fellow travelers, who also suddenly run out of battery, will thank you for being prepared and bringing a fully charged device.
TOWEL
Sure, some hotels provide towels free of charge, while others charge a small fee, but few things compare to the peace of mind that comes with having your own towel. It's a great idea for those sensitive to scented detergents, and it's also a useful and versatile item that's a must-have for everyone.
While saving on towels is certainly a good thing, these items can also serve as a makeshift blanket, beach towel, or face washcloth in an emergency. A quick-drying towel is even better, as it doesn't need to hang for long before you can put it away for your next trip.
It may seem tedious to find a place for this when you're looking at your already overstuffed backpack before a trip, but you won't regret it.
UMBRELLA
Depending on where you're traveling in Europe, the weather can be, to put it mildly, unpredictable. Some regions experience more rain than others, but even on days when rain isn't forecast, you can never be sure. While it takes up a lot of space, a compact umbrella is always a good idea to pack in your luggage or even a fanny pack for long walks.
If you're the kind of traveler who always carries a camera or wants to stay dry throughout the day, an umbrella will make a nasty downpour a breeze. In some cities, like London, it's even a fashion accessory!
PACKING CUBES
It might seem like organizers are reserved for organized older daughters, but they're actually useful for everyone. This handy travel hack will relieve stress during both packing and unpacking. While folding clothes and sorting toiletries into cubes may take some extra time, you'll be so glad you did it on day three, when everything is neatly stacked, ready to use and go, instead of looking like a disaster zone.
Clothes organizers also help separate wet and dry clothes. Place a damp towel in the organizer and zip it up to keep the rest of your clothes dry and fresh when you head out on your next adventure.
Belt bag
Belt bags are back in fashion.
Comfort has come in and out of fashion, and then returned again, but at its core, comfort is always in style. After a week in Europe, it becomes crystal clear why this essential accessory is so important.
This is the safest and most convenient way to store your house keys, phone, passport, euros, credit cards and any other essentials you might need while walking the yellow-lit streets of Europe.
You might need hand sanitizer after a crowded ride on the Paris metro (trust me, you will), or you might find yourself in Barcelona in August, and a travel-sized tube of sunscreen will save you from a painful burn. While museum security may request a bag search, which could potentially delay your reservation, it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with having everything you need in a safe place.
CARIBBEANS
Even if you wear a fanny pack on your chest where it's visible, it never hurts to be extra cautious about pickpockets. During my time in Western Europe, in cities where pickpocketing is said to be common, I never felt threatened or in danger, and no one ever approached me too closely. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
By attaching a carabiner to one zipper, you ensure that no one can easily open your fanny pack, backpack, or suitcase. Some travelers even use them on luggage to keep it secure while transporting it from point A to point B.
Besides providing security, carabiners allow you to attach bulky items to your backpack instead of desperately trying to squeeze them in, making packing more efficient and saving space for that towel we mentioned in the previous section. Dream big, friends.
AIRTAGS
Bourdain and Steve's travel guides offer timeless knowledge, but those lists likely don't mention AirTags. This device is a modern travel luxury, and anyone who has ever lost their luggage knows it's not to be taken lightly.
Place this small, button-like device in a zippered pocket, sync it with your phone, and you'll be able to instantly track anything it's attached to. This is especially useful for checked luggage or any bag containing valuables. If you're staying in hostels and can't lock all your belongings, consider putting the AirTag directly in your backpack.
PILLOWCASE
You don't have to be a germ-obsessed person to bring your own pillowcase. The obvious use is to wrap it around your pillows to keep your head on a clean surface, especially if you have sensitive skin, but it has other uses, too.
After you've had a good night's sleep (or, in Europe, for a few hours between your next excursion and an Aperol Spritz), use your pillowcase to store shoes, carry laundry, or even as a makeshift packing cube for your clothes. If your hotel doesn't have enough pillows, stuff a pillowcase with clothes, and voila! You have an extra pillow. This can also come in handy during a long train or bus ride.
MAGAZINE
While not required, keeping a journal while traveling in Europe is a sentimental gesture. It's a wonderful way to record your impressions, what you see, the places, and the people you meet, so you'll have something to look back on one day.
Memories of this can spark inspiration, nostalgia, and even serve as a reference point for your friends, children, or grandchildren if they visit the same places. In a world overflowing with digital evidence of everything, it's nice to slow down and keep a written record just for yourself. Each entry doesn't have to be a 2,000-word dissertation; brief notes are more than enough to recall carefree days in Europe.