Do you want to know what to wear in Europe in Summer? Our Europe in Summer packing covers you whether you are travelling to Europe in June, July or August.
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Summer is absolutely peak season in Europe no matter which region you are travelling to. And as the crowds increase so do the temperatures. In this guide we will:
- tell you what to expect from summer weather in Europe,
- how to put together a European capsule wardrobe for summer
- dress codes in Europe and more.
Weather in Europe in Summer (June, July and August)
The weather in Europe in Summer is varied depending on the region you are travelling to but generally speaking the weather will be warm.
Generally speaking however Northern Europe, Eastern Europe and the Nordics tend to be the coldest area but even there you can expect pleasant temperatures, though you can also expect some rain. While Southern Europe is the warmest region with the temperatures heating up.
Note: if you want some specific country packing lists be sure to check out our regional posts:
- What to wear in France in Summer
- What to wear in Italy in Summer
- What to wear in the Netherlands in Summer
- What to wear to London in Summer
- What to wear in Portugal in Summer
- What to wear in Spain in Summer
Note: Even summer travel in Europe is liable to some outlier weather. For this reason we always recommend checking the weather forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do local people dress in Europe in Summer?
Once June hits you will find that locals in Europe have transitioned fully from their Spring Capsule wardrobes into their Summer ones. And the further South you go the warmer it gets so you will need lots of loose light layers made of natural fabrics.
Regarding the best colors to wear in Europe, there is not a hard and fast rule. However, in Southern Italy I try to avoid black as these absorbs the heat. Instead I opt for lots of white linens and flowing dresses in more pastel colors. But this is a personal preference.
For more tips on putting together a capsule wardrobe (a capsule wardrobe is a method of preventing overpacking by making every item you pack work in multiple different outfits) check out these posts:
What to Wear in Europe in Summer
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Now depending on the part of Europe you are traveling to will obviously affect what you need to pack. But generally speaking we recommend packing:
Skirts and Dresses
Dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in Europe in Summer. I tend to wear dresses that are Maxi in length and that also have a cap sleeve as then you can wear these if you decide to tour religious places such as Florence Duomo, the Vatican and the Sagrada Familia for instance.
Click here to shop dresses for Europe in Summer.
Trousers
Depending on where you are traveling to in Europe and what activities you are doing once you get there will depend on what type of trousers you require.
Jeans are a great choice of trousers for sightseeing in Northern Europe and Scandinavia however in Southern Italy I don’t think you can go wrong with a linen pant. For more information on traveling with linen check out this post.
Blouse
A loose blouse is another good pick for visiting religious sites and for evenings in Europe. Personally I like plain white linen shirts as they are very easy to use as part of a capsule wardrobe.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Europe no matter what season you are visiting. For Summer I like to pack a short sleeve t-shirts and style-wise, I tend to stick to a plain or lightly patterned t-shirt instead of neon, graphic or slogan tees.
Layers
The amount and thickness of layers needed for Europe in Summer really depends on where you are going. In Southern Europe light layers such as waterfall cardigans and light weight hoodies are a good pick while if you are crusing the Fjords in Norway you will want slightly heavier weight top layers.
Click here to shop layers for Europe
Coat / Jacket
Now in Southern Europe your top layer may only need to be a blazer or denim jacket. However in Northern Europe you may want a lightweight puffer jacket or a pack away raincoat if you plan on heading to Scandinavia as it can be rainy in Northern Europe even in Summer.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling to in Europe a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer.
PJs
As not many places in Europe have air conditioning we recommend packing lightweight night and lounge wear.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying really.
Sunglasses
The sun is strong in Europe in Summer so be sure to pack a good pair of sunglasses with UV protection with you.
Swimwear
Many European Summer itineraries will include beaches or pool. If you are staying in a hotel with a pool or plan to visit a beach then be sure to pack at least one piece of swimwear. And the great thing about Europe is you can pack any style for the beach and feel comfortable.
What to pack for Europe in Summer
Crossbody Bag
A cross body Bag is an essential for women and men in Europe no matter what month you are visiting. Unfortunately, as with any big tourist attractions around the world, Europe’s attractions do attract pickpockets. A good deterrent is a crossbody bag with lots of zips. We love the travelon brand as it is very practical but also comes in a wide variety of colors.
Backpack
A backpack is an essential for storing items on your longer day trips in Europe.
Travel Adaptor
Most places in Europe uses the traditional European plugs (though the UK has a different plug). So if you are coming from the UK or USA etc you will need an adapter to make your electronics work.
Click here to shop Travel adaptor
Power Bank
You will have your phone out a lot taking pictures, as well as for using for navigation, essential travel apps and more. For this reason you will want to have a battery pack with you at all times
Travel First Aid Kit
No matter where we go we never travel without a travel first aid kit which includes all required medication blister plasters. As nothing will ruin your European Summer vacation quicker than sore feet.
Documentation
Including but not limited to passports, travel insurance, vaccination certificates, visas etc.
Toiletries
For our essential toiletries packing list click here.
Best Shoes for Europe in Summer
Sneakers
Sneakers are my number one shoe anywhere in Europe in Summer. In Europe you will be walking over lots of different surfaces, such as cobbled stone streets. The best shoe for walking across these is definitely sneakers.
One of my favorite white sneaker is the Addidas Cloud Foam as I find them comfortable for walking long distances.
Sandals
Europe is hot in Summer, especially the further south you go so for your second pair of shoes you will want sandals. We recommend packing a pair that have good arch support and that is good for walking.
If you plan to do lots of hikes then Teva are our favorite brand.
Flip Flops
Flip flops aren’t great for walking in European cities. However if you have a beach or pool on your itinerary it is worth taking a pair of flip flops as they don’t take up much space in the case.
For what not to wear in Europe check out this post.
FAQs About Europe in Summer Packing List
Do you need sandals in Europe in Spring?
Yes given the temperatures in Europe in Summer we recommend packing at least one pair of sandals. All your sandals should have good arch support and be good for walking. However Teva is a good brand for hiking.
Can you wear jeans in Europe in Summer?
You can wear jeans in Europe in Summer however I would caution against them in Southern Europe as they can be very hot and uncomfortable.
Have you been to Europe in Summer? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!