After spending a few weeks exploring the Netherlands, London, Paris, and Barcelona, we realized that packing smart can make a huge difference. While every traveler has their own must-haves, these are the items we actually used throughout our trip—and the ones we'd pack again in a heartbeat.
If you're planning your own European adventure, we've also gathered our favorite travel essentials in one place.
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1. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes kept everything organized, especially since we visited multiple cities. Instead of unpacking our entire suitcase every time we arrived somewhere new, we simply grabbed the cube we needed.
2. Universal Travel Adapter
From hotel rooms to airport lounges, a universal adapter was essential. With different plug types across Europe, one adapter was all we needed to keep our devices charged.
3. Portable Power Bank
Between Google Maps, train tickets, translation apps, and taking hundreds of photos, our phones rarely got a break. A portable power bank meant we never had to worry about running out of battery during a full day of sightseeing.
What we especially loved about ours was that it had built-in charging cables, so we didn't have to remember to pack extra wires. It could also charge an Apple Watch, making it easy to keep both our phone and watch powered up while we were out exploring. One compact device replaced multiple chargers and helped keep our day hassle-free.
4. Comfortable Walking Shoes
There were days we easily walked more than 20,000 steps. Cobblestone streets, museums, parks, and city centres all add up, so comfortable shoes are worth every penny.
5. Crossbody Anti-Theft Bag
Having our passports, wallets, and phones secure while still being easy to access gave us extra peace of mind in busy tourist areas.
6. Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated while walking all day is important, and many European cities have refill stations. Bringing our own bottles also helped reduce plastic waste.
7. Portable Luggage Scale
One of those small gadgets (Portable luggage scale) you hope you won't need—until you're packing to fly home with souvenirs! It saved us from guessing whether our luggage was over the airline weight limit.
8. AirTag or Luggage Tracker
Checking luggage through multiple airports can be stressful. Knowing exactly where our suitcase with our AirTag tracker made travelling much less stressful.
9. Lightweight Rain Jacket or Compact Umbrella
Summer weather isn't always predictable. We experienced everything from sunny afternoons to unexpected rain showers, especially in London. Having a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella meant we could keep exploring without missing a beat.
10. Phone Lanyard
This quickly became one of our favourite travel accessories. Our phones were constantly in use—for maps, transit tickets, restaurant recommendations, translations, and of course, taking photos.
The phone lanyard kept our phones within easy reach without constantly digging through a bag or worrying about dropping them while sightseeing. It was one of those simple items that ended up being surprisingly useful every single day.
11. Smartphone + Gimbal
Believe it or not, every photo and video from our Europe trip was captured on our phones.
The one accessory that made the biggest difference was our smartphone gimbal. It doubled as a tripod for family photos, kept our walking videos smooth, and helped us level our shots so our photos looked polished without any editing. It also meant we didn't have to ask strangers to take our photo nearly as often.
If you enjoy documenting your travels but don't want to carry a bulky camera, a smartphone and gimbal are a fantastic combination.
One Thing You Can't Pack? The Memories.
After thousands of steps, countless laughs, incredible food, and unforgettable views, we came home with more than just souvenirs—we came home with thousands of photos.
Instead of leaving those memories on our phones, we love turning our favourite travel moments into personalized keepsakes that we can enjoy every day. Whether it's a custom mug with a favourite vacation photo or another meaningful gift, it's a simple way to relive the journey long after you've unpacked.
We hope this list helps you prepare for your own adventure. Safe travels, and don't forget to capture the moments that make the trip unforgettable.
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Happy travels!