Who doesn’t love a European vacation? Ever since our first trip to Greece together nearly a decade ago, my husband Ryan and I have tried to visit Europe annually. Since then, we’ve basked on the beaches of Barcelona, driven from Paris all the way to the South of France, explored the otherworldly beauty of Rome and Florence, and spent long, languid days on the Cyclades. Through all of our trips, we’ve enjoyed incredible food, seen countless historic sights, and met so many incredible people—we’ve also got our packing list down to a science.
As carry-on only travelers, Ryan and I are sticklers about efficient packing. In fact, after years of traveling together, we recently put our expertise to the test during a two-week trip to Greece. Based on this trip (and our experience with many others), we collectively pulled together our non-negotiable travel clothing and accessory essentials for any European vacation. Shop our absolute must-haves, from comfy joggers to sleek sneakers and spacious sling bags.
Europe Travel Essentials
Sleep Accessories
First things first: Before you reach your destination, you’ll want to feel well-rested (at least, as well-rested as you can be after a long-haul flight). That’s why we’ll spare some precious space in our luggage for some sleep-supporting accessories. These days, my husband will not travel without his Coop Travel Neck Pillow. He loves that it truly feels customizable: Not only can you arrange it in multiple ways to suit your favorite sleeping position, but you can also pump it up or deflate it to reach your preferred level of firmness.
I’m partial to a really great sleep mask, like this mulberry silk one from Dore & Rose. It impeccably blocks out the light around me, and feels oh-so-luxurious against my skin—two factors which help me get some much-needed shuteye during a flight.
Reliable Luggage
What you pack for your European vacation is important—but where you store it is just as crucial for your overall packing efficiency and travel experience. It all starts with a reliable piece of luggage. Ryan loves to borrow (ahem, steal) my Away Carry-on suitcase whenever we’re headed for a trip abroad, but luckily, I also love my Monos Carry-on.
Both of these hardside suitcases are compact, have many chambers and compartments, and look chic from the airport to the hotel. These pieces truly feel like the Mary Poppins bags of luggage, with a surprising amount of room for all your packing staples.
Travel Joggers
Would it be a complete packing list if I didn’t include my utmost favorite pair of joggers? Probably not. I don’t travel anywhere without my tried-and-true Vuori Performance Joggers. They’re buttery-soft, ultra-breathable, and look put-together enough to wear while sightseeing as well as on the plane.
My husband, admittedly, also swears by his Vuori sweats, but they’re closely tied with his Cozy Earth Bamboo Joggers. These sustainably-made pants are silky-soft to the touch, very lightweight, and also include a discrete zippered back pocket to stash all his essentials.
Running Shoes
Both my husband and I are runners, and we love starting a trip by taking a morning jog through our destination. As such, we always bring a pair of sneakers that are suitable for logging miles. We’re both fans of the Adidas Adizero SL collection as well as the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus—both of which are incredibly comfortable and dependable.
I have both of these sneakers in my travel rotation, and can count on either to provide me with the support I need for just about any activity. What’s great about these shoes is they’re not just for running—they’re also perfect for hiking, sightseeing, walking miles all over town, or trekking through the airport.
Classic T-shirts
In our household, we’re incredibly particular about our T-shirts—they have to be breathable, just the right thickness, and tailored to perfection. Luckily, both the Everlene Box Cut Tee and Madewell Vintage Tee fit the bill. They’re both made of 100 percent cotton, so they’re comfortable, soft, and breezy—perfect for a busy day of exploring.
What we also love about both of these shirts is that while they’re simple tees, their structured design helps elevate a simple pair of jeans, and they can pair effortlessly with slacks for a more put-together evening look. Basically, these tees are like the Swiss Army knife of tops.
Daytime Bags
For both travel days and vacation excursions, we love to have a small day pack handy. After eyeing the FP Movement Bulls Eye Sling Bag I wore all over Japan, Ryan decided to get a similar style for himself from Uniqlo. He loves that it keeps everything he needs during a trip easily accessible.
While I pivot between a few different vacation bags, I’m currently smitten with my Hammit Kyle Crossbody Bag, which lays completely flat in my suitcase, making it a dream to pack. Plus, despite its petite size, it fits everything I need for a day of sightseeing (phone, keys, wallet, snacks, etc.) I also love that it has interchangeable straps, so you can wear it as a shoulder bag for a nicer dinner out or crossbody for daily wandering.
Sleek Sneakers
While our running shoes are key, sometimes you also need a pair of stylish sneakers to complete a travel outfit. Recently, I’ve been turning to my classic Reebok Club Cs for any trip, including those in Europe—they’re comfortable, go with everything, and keep my feet feeling great even after thousands of steps.
Ryan, on the other hand, loves his Nike Killshot 2s—he wore them all over Greece during our two-week trip, and they looked great for both daytime and evening looks. What’s more, he notes that they’re more compact than other sneakers, so they’re easy to pack—plus, he’d barely broken them in before our trip but never faced a single blister.
Versatile Trousers
No matter where I’m traveling, I bring either the Aritzia Limitless Pant or the Aritzia Effortless Pant (the former has belt loops, and the latter does not). These trousers are chic, well-tailored, just a bit stretchy, and miraculously do not wrinkle during transit.
Ryan also packs a staple pair of pants for every trip to Europe, specifically the Everlane Performance Chino (he owns multiple pairs, and one always makes it into his luggage). He loves them because they’re breathable, well-tailored, nice-fitting, made of cotton, and look great with a button-down or a T-shirt.
Vacation-worthy Button-ups
There are few clothing items more versatile than a relaxed button-up. You can wear them as an overshirt, as a put-together top, or even as a swimsuit cover-up at the beach or pool. Ryan swears by his linen shirt from Quince (which comes in both long- and short-sleeve varieties), while I’m partial to this oversized cotton shirt from one of my favorite vacation-ready brands, DISSH.
Light Layers
For chilly nights abroad (especially if you’re hanging out by a seaside destination), layers are key. I love going for a classic denim jacket—like this staple style from Levi’s—which goes with literally everything and can easily dress up or down depending on the occasion. Ryan is partial to Vuori’s layers, like this versatile tech jacket, which features technical fabric that’s ready for any adventure.
Slip-on Shoes
While sneakers are great, you also need a pair of easy-to-slip-on shoes during vacation. Ryan swears by his Birkenstock Arizona sandals (which he has literally owned since our very first trip to Greece in 2016). They’re comfortable, durable, and complete any breezy summertime outfit.
While I have a few favorite travel sandals, I’ve recently been a big fan of the Soludos Dali Mules. This shoe offers the same coastal-chic style as its classic espadrille counterpart, but with the ease of a slip-on design. They also come in a wide range of colors (23 to be exact), so you can find the perfect pair to suit your personality.
Cute Swimwear
What’s a European vacation—especially one on the coast—without some chic swimwear? I’ve been wearing the Etam Striped Bikini Top and matching bottoms all summer, and I completely adore the style. The fabric is super comfortable, and the pattern has a cute retro feel.
Ryan, on the other hand, is obsessed with his Vuori trunks—in fact, he owns this style in several different colors. He loves that they’re stylish, quick-drying, and feature a zippered pocket to stash must-haves.
Sunglasses
Eye protection is key, especially when you spend as much time exploring outdoors as we do. Our two favorite brands are Costa Del Mar and Maui Jim for their high-quality, durable frames and top-notch polarized lenses. I’ve been reaching for the Maui Jim Lychee Polarized Cat-eye Sunglasses lately, and Ryan swears by his Costa Del Mar Sullivan shades.
Comfortable Headphones
Another non-negotiable travel accessory for both of us? Really great headphones. I like to keep things simple with a pair of Bose Ultra earbuds, which rest just outside your ear (I find these are more comfortable than classic earbuds, especially for longer periods of time).
My husband, on the other hand, is a Master & Dynamic diehard—he loves these over-ear headphones for travel, because they block out sound around him, and also provide the option to plug into the in-flight entertainment via an aux cord.
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