It’s no surprise that summer marks the peak season in Europe. With its favorable weather and extended daylight hours, most travelers opt for this time to explore the continent. To ensure you’re well-prepared and can fully enjoy your trip, in this post I’ll detail what clothes to pack for a summer trip to Europe.
On this post you will find:
Despite the extreme heat that can occur in many cities, summer is a great time to travel to Europe because the days are long, there are plenty of activities, and you can make the most of your time compared to traveling in winter. It’s also worth mentioning that summer is the peak season for traveling to Europe, and you’ll generally find cities crowded with tourists.
Reasons to visit Europe in summer
- Beach. If your plan is to go to the beach, summer is perfect. There are many destinations in Europe with incredible beaches like the Balearic Islands, Italy, Croatia, etc., that you can enjoy if you travel in summer.
- Good weather. There are cities where winter can be very harsh, so summer is perfect for traveling if you like warm weather and don’t want to wear many layers. Also, summer is usually the driest season, so you won’t have many rainy days. Activities and parties.
- Summer in Europe is synonymous with life. It’s when there are the most activities and celebrations. If you like events and festivals, it’s the ideal time to travel.
- Longer days: with European summer time, there are more hours of sunlight, meaning you can enjoy the day until 9 in the evening or even later in some countries. This compared to winter (when it gets dark at 5 in the afternoon) is a great advantage.
If it’s your first time in Europe read: Tips your first time in Europe
Weather in Europe in summer
Obviously, Europe is a very large continent and temperatures vary greatly in summer depending on each region and country. Therefore, the clothes you pack in your suitcase will depend on the destinations you plan to visit and the activities you intend to do.
The climate in general is warm, but there are cities where it can be oppressive, while in others there may be cooler days and you will need warmer clothing. Summer in Europe extends from mid-June to mid-September, with August being the hottest month in most regions.
Some average temperatures to give you an idea of the climate in Europe in summer:
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- Madrid. 32°C máx / 19°C min
- Barcelona. 29°C máx / 21°C min
- London. 24°C máx / 14°C min
- Paris. 26°C máx / 14°C min
- Amsterdam. 22°C máx / 13°C min
- Rome. 32°C máx / 21°C min
- Berlin. 25°C máx / 13°C min
- Copenhaguen. 21°C máx / 12°C min
- Athens. 34°C máx / 22°C min
Packing list for Europe in summer
CLOTHES
- T-shirts. I recommend bringing t-shirts in light colors and breathable materials. It’s always better to bring clothing in basic colors that you can mix and match with different outfits.
- Dresses. If you’re visiting beach destinations, don’t forget a colourful dress like this one that you can wear for a night out.
- Shorts and skirts. Stick to basic colors that you can mix and match with the different t-shirts you bring.
- Jeans or long pants. Bring 1 or 2 lightweight long pants.
- Jacket or sweatshirt. Bring a light sweater or sweatshirt in case it gets chilly at night.
- Waterproof jacket. A lightweight and waterproof jacket like this one can save you on a rainy day.
- Socks.
- Underwear.
- Bikini
SHOES
- Sneakers. One of the most important things for your summer trip to Europe will be choosing the right footwear. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so you absolutely need to bring sneakers that are comfortable. A recommendation is to wear shoes that you’ve already broken in before the trip.
- Sandals. Since it’s summer, it’s also essential to bring a pair of sandals or flip-flops that are cool and comfortable. My recommendation is always a pair of Birckenstock sandals, which adapt perfectly to your foot and are the most comfortable option for walking and staying cool all day.
ACCESORIES
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Backpack or day bag: For walking around all day, you can carry a small backpack or a comfortable crossbody bag to pack your camera, wallet, water bottle, etc. If you are traveling with cameras and photography equipment consider using a special bag for DSLR cameras.
- Small umbrella
- Microfiber towel: Quick-drying towels are a super practical and easy-to-carry accessory.
- Packable daypack: Perfect for getaways or carrying all your belongings while exploring a city. I love Herschel backpacks and use them on all my trips. Here’s a post with the best Herschel backpacks for travelers.
ESSENTIALS
- Bathroom essentials. Remember that in carry-on luggage, only containers up to 100 ml are allowed. The simplest option is to have silicone containers like these, which can be refilled with your products.
- Cosmetics and makeup
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Medications
- Hand sanitizer Tissues
ELECTRONICS
- Portable charger: A must-have if you’re going to spend the whole day out of the hotel.
- Universal adapter: Another essential for any trip abroad. There are very cheap universal adapters like this one that work for visiting any country in the world.
- Cell phone and headphones
- Water bottle/thermos: Something I always bring on my trips is a refillable water bottle like this one. I use it in airports and refill it at the hotel to have water during the day.
- Extra padlocks. I recommend bringing 1 or 2 extra padlocks in case yours breaks and for the hostel locker in case you stay in this type of accommodation.
How to pack for Europe in summer
When choosing the luggage you’re going to take, keep in mind that it’s best to travel light, especially if you’re visiting several countries.
It’s best to travel with just a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. It’s also a good idea to bring a waist pack like this one that you can use every day while exploring.
I recommend buying some organizer cubes. Not only do they help you organize your clothes inside your suitcase, but they also allow you to identify them more quickly since you’ll put similar garments in each cube.
In your carry-on bag, whether it’s a backpack or purse, you’ll need to carry everything you’ll need during the flight. I usually choose the same bag that I’ll use every day during the trip. Here’s what I carry:
- Documents
- Wallet Toiletry bag: moisturizer, toothbrush, hairbrush, cocoa butter, and sunscreen.
- Glasses
- Book
- Refillable water bottle
- A snack like a cereal bar
- Headphones
- Cell phone charger
- Camera
Tips for visiting Europe in summer
- Take only the essentials. The best tip I can give you for traveling to Europe at any time is to bring only what you need. Don’t overload your suitcase with extra weight and things you think you might use. Bring clothes that you can mix and match to create several outfits. Lightweight luggage is key for traveling around Europe because you’ll have many transfers on different types of transportation.
- Check the weather of the places you’re going to visit before traveling. Look at the forecast for your destinations before traveling and organize your luggage based on this.
- Stay hydrated and use sunscreen! It may seem like a silly tip, but it’s very easy to get sunburned from spending the whole day exploring a city in the sun.
- Get travel insurance. For this or any other trip, it’s essential to have travel insurance in case you need medical attention. Click here to get a quote for your IATI insurance
- Get an eSIM to stay connected to the internet on your trip. Airalo is the company I always use on my trips. They offer really cheap eSIM packages. It works just like a regular SIM card, but as the name suggests, it’s electronic, meaning you don’t need to have a physical SIM card in your phone.
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Other useful posts abour Europe:
- Winter packing list for Europe
- Things to do in Rome in 3 days
- 20 tips for visiting London for the first time
- How to spend 2 days in Amsterdam
- Where to stay in Paris: best areas and hotels
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