Photo: Contiki
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Everyone loves to flock to Europe for the summer – totally understandable – but it’s just as fantastic in the winter! Snowy wonderlands, Christmas markets with adorable trinkets on offer, and just a magical vibe that you really can’t find anywhere else. Sure, it may be a little colder, but you’ve really only seen half of Europe if you limit your exploring to summer. So, get ready for your adventure, and we’ll help you out with your Europe winter packing list.
The obvious items
Right, packing for a winter vacation in Europe isn’t too different to packing for Europe in summer, so let’s get those obvious items out of the way. In the winter time, you’re still going to need all of these bits:
- Underwear (duh)
- Comfortable walking shoes and/or winter boots
- Pair of warm socks and/or tights
- Long sleeves (shirts, dresses, etc.) – a turtleneck would be a great option here!
- Long pants
- Comfy clothes for your travel days, i.e. sweatpants and hoodies
- A couple of sweaters and jumpers
Image source:Contiki
Winter specific items
- Hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Merino wool everything (little bit expensive, but sooo worth it)
- Base layers to keep warm
- A winter coat
- Raincoat
Shoes to wear in winter in Europe
Winter weather varies in Europe depending on where on the continent you are. Places like Eastern Europe and Scandinavia are prone to getting colder days and snow, so you’ll want to bring some proper winter boots and waterproof shoes. Western Europe doesn’t always get snow, but the days tend to be grey and subject to rain (especially in the UK). Wellies are a good idea, or just any sturdy boot like a Dr. Marten for example.
If you’re planning on going out to hit the European club scene, then bring a pair of dressy shoes and heels – but maybe steer clear of any stilettos to avoid slipping on ice.
Image source:Contiki
Extra accessories for your Europe winter packing list
Beyond clothes, your Europe winter packing list is going to need a few other items as well, including:
- An umbrella for those rainy days (you can get small packable ones!)
- Lip balm to avoid getting chapped lips
- Moisturiser because colder weather leads to dryer skin
- A hot water bottle to heat up if you’re prone to getting really cold
- Gloves with tactile fingertips so you can still use your phone without getting frostbite
- Sunglasses because even though the temperature drops, the sun is still out
Packing for skiing in Europe
Another reason to visit Europe in winter is the ski game. It’s quite honestly pretty f**king fantastic with ski resorts all over the place. France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Italy, etc.; you can ski basically anywhere in Europe. But this of course comes with a packing list of its own. Check out our proper ski 101 guide for the full thing, but here are the highlights:
- Ski equipment (if you have it, you can also rent it there)
- Poles
- Goggles
- Proper ski gloves
- Proper ski pants and ski jacket (by proper we mean waterproof!)
- Base layers are a must
- Comfortable snow shoes for walking around
Image source:Contiki
Tips for packing for Europe in winter
As a general rule winter in Europe remains quite cold, but that being said it can really range. Some days may see rain or snow, and others will welcome a bright yolk-coloured sun in the sky. As a result, layering is key! You may want to strip down or layer up your outfits to adjust to the changing temperatures throughout.
Honestly you should just prepare for all kinds of weather, which might mean your suitcase gets a little heavy. So, pack smart with items like packing cubes! You’ll be able to stay organised and shove more items into your bag.
Even if you’re headed to the Southern parts of Europe like the Mediterranean, November through to March still brings cooler days. You can get away with lighter clothing, but always have a jumper prepared for cold nights.
