Packing List for Backpacking Europe for Women
Updated: Aug 17
After two weeks of backpacking Europe, we are happy to share our list of "must have's" and "items to leave at home". And a few, you don't need, but it was nice to have items.
Bag Bag Recommendation

There are a lot of great options and after a lot of research, we landed on the Women's Osprey bag. This bag has a version that does not come with the removable backpack, but I found the little pack to be a great addition and used it for full day trips.
There is also a version that comes with wheels. And no day pack. If you feel like it might be too heavy for you, or you are not used to backpacking, then this is a great "both" option.
Packing Cubes - MUST HAVE

It was absolutely incredible how much we could fit into our bag with these cubes. Not only did they help to keep things organized, I felt like I could fit more into my bag. The Osprey pack above fits up to 3 or 4 cubes depending on the size. I could also fit a toiletry bag and two extra pairs of shoes.
Anti-theft Cross body Bag

There are a lot of different styles to pick from, but I found that having a small anti-theft cross body bag was perfect for evening outings. I also would highly recommend the investment into an anti-theft because while I wasn't paying attention, I was targeted by a pick-pocketer. Thankfully they were not able to get anything from me because they couldn't get the zipper open.
European Travel Plug Adapter

There are a lot of different options to pick from. As you are looking through travel plug adapters, it is important to think about what you will be plugging into it. Do NOT bother with brining a hair blow dryer. Every hotel and Airbnb has them and they take up a lot of space. If you need a hair straightener, then you'll want to look into the low Volt option. We liked this plug because it also has USB blog ins and it is small in Size.
Compact UV umbrella for rain or Shade - MUST HAVE

This umbrella comes with a carrying case and packs very small. It was something we used everyday while in Europe. Not only does it randomly start and stop raining at any time throughout the day, if you are there during the summer, it's HOT. Being under this umbrella kept us cool on hot days walking around and kept us dry when the rain suddenly came falling down out of the sky.
Hat
Shall
Casual Knee Length Dress with Pockets
Finding cute dresses that come down to your knees can be a challenge. These BD Moon dresses were great. They are 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex, so they dry quickly and are both machine and hand-washable.
(We are currently working on this post, please pardon our dust)
*Please note that if you do purchase some of these items we may receive a VERY small affiliate commission from your purchase. It is important to note that All items are our own recommendations and things we actually used on our 2 week trip.