This guide to packing for hot weather in Europe isn’t about looking like a postcard – it’s about understanding the climate of where you’re going, packing smart and surviving that 38°C (100°F) afternoon in a city built of heat-retaining stone.
Packing for Europe in summer is a tactical exercise – you have to balance a touch of chic European style with the reality of walking 15,000 steps on sun-drenched cobblestones. Here’s what to think about when packing for Europe, and how to build a suitcase that works as hard as you do.
1. Check the weather at your upcoming destinations
In continental Europe, summer is not singular. You might experience the crisp, dry heat of Madrid on Tuesday and be hit by a wall of Alpine humidity in Lucerne by Thursday. If your coach tour covers a handful major cities across different regions and countries, your suitcase needs to be able to adapt.
Don’t just look at the daily high temperatures. Check the humidity percentages and the nighttime lows. A 30°C day in London can feel will more suffocating than the same temperature in Lisbon because of the Atlantic breeze. Oh, and did we mention less than half of London’s Tube is air conditioned?
Check your weather app again 48 hours before you fly to make any minor adjustments to your bag.
READ NEXT: 8 most iconic destinations in Europe to spend your summer
Decoding the heat: humidity vs. dry heat in Europe
In Southern Europe – think Greece, southern Italy, Spain, Croatia, Portugal – the heat is intense and dry like an oven. In the shade it’s noticeably cooler and the dry heat evaporates sweat quickly.
If you head into the rest of Europe, particularly the north and east, the heat feels heavy and damp. Humidity in places like Budapest or Venice means your clothes will cling to you. In these climates, air circulation is your best friend.
2. What to pack for hot weather in Europe
Every traveler’s suitcase will be different, but when packing for hot weather in Europe consider the fabric of what you pack. Go for breathable, natural fibres and light-weight clothing. If you visit somewhere cool or alpine, or expect cooler evenings add a light sweater or denim jacket.
First, choose the right fabrics
- Linen: It’s breathable and dries almost instantly. Yes, it wrinkles, but if you wash, shake and hang right away you can get away without ironing. Linen shirts, shorts, dresses should be your European summer uniform.
- Merino wool: It seems counter-intuitive, but a lightweight (150gsm) merino tee is a miracle worker. It’s naturally antimicrobial, meaning you can wear it three times without it smelling – ideal if you’re packing carry-on only.
- Technical fabrics: Save the gym gear for the gym! That said, there are some travel-specific items like technical chinos or shirts that look like cotton but have stretch and sweat-wicking properties. Those would be brilliant for long coach days.
- Cotton: Cotton is a natural and breathable fibre, but take care to avoid heavy denim and thick cotton tees. Once they get damp with sweat, they stay damp, causing chafing and discomfort.
READ NEXT: The best European summer destinations for your personality
Then, build your European summer wardrobe
In summer you need less clothing, making it easy to pack everything into a carry-on bag (if you dare!). Use packing cubes to compress your layers.
- 3-4 lightweight tops – A mix of linen shirts and high-quality tees.
- 2 bottoms – One pair of tailored shorts and one pair of lightweight trousers (linen or thin chinos) or a skirt.
- Light scarf – Many cathedrals in Italy and Spain require shoulders and knees to be covered. A lightweight shawl in your daypack can transform your outfit.
- Spring layer – a light jacket or sweater is always good for travel. If you don’t use it on your trip, it will keep you warm on the aeroplane!
- Walking shoes – Broken-in sneakers with good grip, or walking sandals. Avoid flip-flops for city walking.
- Underwear and socks
It really is that simple. To that list you can add a linen dress and/or a silk top for women.
Packing tip: Pack a few laundry detergent sheets. They take up zero space and allow you to do a sink wash of your socks and basics in your hotel room, drying them overnight on a heated towel rail or by an open window.
3. Accessories and extras things to pack for hot days
Besides clothing, there are some handy extras you should have in your bag for hot days in Europe.
- A handheld fan – Whether it’s a high-tech handheld or a traditional folding fan, the ability to create your own breeze in a crowded queue is a game-changer.
- Sunscreen – Don’t think European doesn’t burn, it does. Pack 50+!
- Refillable water bottle – Most European cities (especially Rome and Vienna) have incredible public fountains with drinkable, ice-cold water flowing for free.
- Sunglasses and hat – It’s summer! Come prepared for sunshine.
- Swimsuit – for beach dips and hotel pools.
- Light towel – As the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy says, “[a] towel is just about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can carry.” A Turkish-style towel dries fast and can double as a shawl or warmth layer on planes.
READ NEXT: The ultimate Italy packing list
4. What to do in a European heatwave
If a heatwave hits during your trip, do as the locals do – retreat indoors. In European culture, particularly in Spain, Italy and Greece, the afternoon is not a time for sightseeing. Between 2-5pm, many smaller towns will effectively shut down. If you’re on the streets, you’ll think it’s a ghost town.
Don’t fight it – instead head back to your hotel and take a cold shower, or find a deeply shaded museum. Closer to dusk, Italians will emerge for passeggiata – a traditional evening stroll. As the sun dips and the stone starts to cool, the streets fill with people, gelato and a second wind of energy. Don’t spend all yours pushing through the 3pm heat and miss the best part of the day!
Anything we’re missing in our guide for what to pack during hot weather in Europe? Leave us a comment…