In a nutshell
- Heading to Italy, Portugal, or Spain? Our complete beach vacation packing list covers everything you need — so nothing gets left behind.
- Less is more! Most people pack way too much and end up using only half of what they brought.
- A waterproof phone case and a dry bag are two beach essentials you’ll seriously wonder how you ever managed without.
Our Packing Tips: How to Pack Like a Pro
Before we get into the actual beach vacation packing list, here are a few general packing tips worth knowing.
Less is more!
Most of us only wear a fraction of the clothes in our closet on a regular basis.
Our advice: only pack that fraction! How many times have you come home from a trip and realized you wore maybe half of what you brought?
Aside from travel documents, your laptop, and similar essentials, you can always do laundry on the go or pick up anything you forgot — whether it’s shampoo or swim floaties.
Packing cubes for better organization
We use packing cubes ourselves and really can’t recommend them enough for keeping your stuff organized in your suitcase.
They’re basically just simple zippered pouches. But instead of throwing everything in at random, you can sort your luggage logically — making it super easy to find what you need even when you’re on the move.
Everything for the Beach - These Beach Essentials Are Especially Useful
- waterproof phone case
- power bank
- sunscreen with adequate SPF
- beach bag / daypack
- thermos bottle
- beach towel
- snorkel / diving mask / swim fins
- dry bag
- sunglasses
- sun hat
- something to read
- inexpensive headphones (no big deal if they get stolen or end up full of sand)
How to Protect Cash and Valuables at the Beach
There are some really clever gadgets that can protect your valuables from theft at the beach.
For example, a waterproof fanny pack lets you simply take your smartphone and wallet into the water with you.
Buy a waterproof fanny pack online
If you’d rather not swim with a bag, you can leave your valuables in a beach safe instead. You can attach it to a beach chair or lounge chair and store cash and other valuables inside.
And since not every hotel room has a reliable safe, a portable safe is also worth throwing in your bag. You can store valuables like passports, jewelry, or credit cards inside and attach it to furniture in your room. It’s secured with a combination lock, cut-resistant, and folds flat into your suitcase. In our opinion, the Pacsafe absolutely belongs on the city trip packing list and on the Southeast Asia packing list as well.
Clothing and Shoes for a Beach Vacation
Women in particular have very different preferences when it comes to packing more dresses versus more shorts and T-shirts. Here’s our personal clothing list for one week at the beach.
Beach vacation clothing packing list for men:
- 1 x long, lightweight pants
- 2 x shorts
- 1 x hoodie
- 7 x T-shirts
- 7 x boxer shorts
- 2 x ankle socks
- 1 x long socks
- 2 x swim trunks
- 1 x sneakers
- 1 x flip-flops
- 1 x water shoes for rocky beaches
Beach vacation clothing packing list for women:
- 1 x long, lightweight pants
- 2 x shorts
- 1 x hoodie
- 5 x T-shirts
- 1 x lightweight long-sleeve shirt
- 2 x short dress
- 7 x underwear
- 2 x bra
- 2 x ankle socks
- 1 x long socks
- 2 x bikini
- 1 x beach tunic
- 1 x sneakers
- 1 x flip-flops
- 1 x water shoes for rocky beaches
Beach Vacation Packing List with Kids
Traveling as a family for a summer beach vacation? There’s a whole lot more to add to your beach holiday packing list when kids are in the mix.
- beach toys, e.g. kites, toy gliders, ball games, shovels and molds for sandcastles
- kids’ sunscreen
- sun hat with neck protection
- swim floaties
- water shoes for rocky beaches / rocky shores
- inflatable swim gear such as baby swim trainers
- towel/poncho/bathrobe
- beach tent for wind protection
- swimsuit
- UV shirt
- swim diaper
- wet bags for wet swim diapers and swimwear
- small cooler bag for snacks and drinks
- travel games for on the go
Here you'll find more info on the packing list for the family vacation:
Toiletries for a Beach Vacation
Forgetting your toothbrush — a classic! To make sure that doesn’t happen, here’s a look at what we always keep in our toiletry bag. Add your own personal everyday items on top of this.
- shower supplies: shampoo, body wash, conditioner; alternatively: solid body wash & shampoo bars, e.g. Carlos Cocos by Duschbrocken
- razor
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- dental floss
- deodorant
- hairbrush
- hair ties
- face cream
- lip balm
- nail file
- tweezers
- period products if needed
- makeup and makeup remover if needed
Travel First Aid Kit for a Beach Vacation
Sure, there are pharmacies in Italy and elsewhere too. Still, it’s super convenient to have a few basics from your travel first aid kit on hand right away — and many products can be more expensive abroad than at home.
Don’t forget to add personal medications to the checklist.
- After Sun and aloe vera gel for sunburn
- Perenterol Forte
- Leukoplast
- ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Bepanthen wound and healing ointment
- gum for motion sickness
- magnesium
- waterproof bandages
- blister bandages
- Tiger Balm
- wound disinfectant spray
Tech Packing List for a Beach Vacation
- e-book reader
- AirPods headphones
- multi-port USB charger
- power bank (carry-on only)
- possibly a travel adapter (usually only needed outside of Europe; you can find info on outlet types worldwide here)
This Is the Camera Gear We Pack for a Beach Vacation
- 2 x Sony Alpha 7 ii and lenses
- Travel tripod – Rollei Compact Traveler No 1 Carbon
- camera protection wrap to protect your gear if you don’t have a camera bag
- silica gel packets to protect against moisture
- air blower for cleaning the camera
- B+W Lenscleaner for cleaning the lens
- Microfibre Screen Cleaning Cloth microfiber cloth for cleaning the lens
- anti-static brush for cleaning the camera
- wireless remote shutter release
- external battery charger
- spare batteries
- 32 GB SD cards
Want to learn more about our travel photography gear or get better at travel photography in general? Check out these articles:
Our photography gear for travel
The best cameras for travel
10 tips for better travel photos
Our tips: storing photos while traveling
Important Documents for Your Summer Vacation
- national ID card (outside the EU: also visa and passport)
- health insurance card for travel within the EU
- driver’s license if you’re renting a car
- if applicable, international driving permit
- flight or train tickets
- hotel booking confirmation
What You Must Not Forget Among Your Travel Documents
Your documents are the things you absolutely cannot leave behind under any circumstances.
It’s a good idea to back up all of these as digital copies in a cloud service or email storage. Even if your bag — smartphone and all — gets stolen, you’ll still have access to all your important documents.
Important: Make sure to check the validity of your documents well before your departure, as getting a new passport issued can take several weeks.
Do You Need Travel Health Insurance?
Within the EU, your European health insurance card is generally accepted. However, if something more serious happens, you’re better off with dedicated travel health insurance — standard coverage often only reimburses costs at home-country rates, which can leave you seriously out of pocket abroad.
If you take out travel health insurance, make sure to bring your insurance certificate along, either digitally or on paper.
