A beach holiday is a well-deserved break that many of us look forward to all year long. But to make sure it doesn’t turn into a nightmare before it even begins, it’s essential to pay attention to preparation and packing.
Forgotten swimwear, sunscreen, or a phone charger can cause unnecessary hassle, stress, and expense at your destination. In this article, we share our ultimate beach holiday packing list so you can enjoy a carefree, relaxing getaway from the first day to the last.
How to Prepare Your Holiday Packing List
When packing for a beach holiday, it’s best to have a clear plan so you don’t forget anything important. We recommend creating your packing list several days before departure – or simply use ours below.
Also consider the length of your stay, planned activities, and specific conditions at your destination, such as the weather or availability of shops. Divide your list into categories – clothing, footwear, toiletries, beach essentials, electronics, documents, and medication.
💡You might also like: What Can You Take on a Plane
Beach Holiday Packing List: The Essentials
Planning a beach holiday is exciting, but packing? Not so much. We often find ourselves staring at an open suitcase, trying to fit in everything we need while avoiding unnecessary items. To make it easier, we’ve put together an essential packing list for holidays – covering everything you’ll need on the beach, on day trips, and for evening strolls.
💡Also read: Where to Go on Holiday in May
Clothing
- Swimwear (ideally 2–3 sets)
- Light summer clothing (t-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses)
- A light hoodie or jumper for cooler evenings
- Pyjamas
- Underwear and socks for each day
- Sun hat or cap
- A light waterproof jacket (just in case it rains)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or flip-flops for the beach
- A small handbag, daypack, or bum bag
Toiletries
- Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush)
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- After-sun lotion with aloe vera
- Aftersun relief spray or cream (in case of sunburn)
- Insect repellent
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitiser
- A smaller towel for the beach
- Make-up and make-up remover
- Body moisturiser
- Nail scissors, nail file, and tweezers
- Deodorant and perfume
- Spare contact lenses (if you wear them) and lens solution
- Hair ties and clips
- Lip balm with SPF
- Feminine hygiene products
- Tissues
- Cotton buds
💡TIP: 6 Cosmetic Essentials for Travelling
Electronics
- Mobile phone + charger
- Camera (if you don’t only shoot with your phone)
- Headphones
- Power bank for charging on the go
- Plug adapter (if needed for your destination)
- E-reader or tablet for entertainment
Documents and Finances
- Passport or national ID card
- Driving licence (if you plan to hire a car – we recommend RentalCars)
- Travel insurance (we recommend SafetyWing) and a copy of it
- Bank cards, a Revolut card, and a small amount of cash in local currency
- Student ID card (if you have one – it may get you discounts at attractions)
- Copies of important documents (both physical and digital)
- Boarding passes, flight tickets, and accommodation confirmation
Medication and Health Essentials
- Any personal medication you take regularly
- A basic first aid kit (painkillers, anti-diarrhoea tablets, plasters)
- Travel sickness tablets (if you’re prone to motion sickness)
- Throat lozenges or spray
- Antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes
Beach Equipment
- Beach bag
- Beach towel
- Flip-flops or slides
- Snorkel, swimming goggles, and fins
- Water shoes
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Inflatable lilo or beach mat (consider space and practicality)
- A book or magazine to read
Other Useful Items
- Travel pillow
- Earplugs
- Small notes for tips
- Playing cards
- Reusable water bottle
- Small sewing kit
- Notepad and pen
- Phrasebook or translation app
- Pop-up beach tent or parasol
- Laundry sheets for washing clothes on the go
- Portable travel coffee maker
Choosing the Right Luggage
Your choice of luggage depends mainly on the length of your stay, how you’re travelling, and personal preferences.
- Wheeled suitcase – The best option for longer stays. A hard-shell case protects your belongings from moisture and impacts, while a soft-sided one is lighter and often has expandable capacity.
- Travel bag – Great for shorter breaks or if you’re heading off on a road trip. It fits easily into a car and is usually lighter than a suitcase.
- Backpack – If you’re planning a more active holiday with frequent moves, such as travelling along the coast or combining beach and mountains, a larger backpack can be more practical than a suitcase.
- Carry-on bag – On a flight, it’s a good idea to keep a smaller backpack or bag with your documents, electronics, a book, toiletries, and other essentials you need during the journey.
Packing Tips – How to Make the Most of Your Luggage Space
Packing can be a real challenge, especially when you want to minimise the number of bags while still bringing everything you need. Here are some tips to make the most of the space in your suitcase:
- Roll instead of fold – Roll your clothes instead of folding them flat. It takes up less space and also reduces creasing.
- Use packing cubes – Packing cubes and compression bags help keep things organised and save space. They also separate clean clothes from dirty ones.
- Fill the gaps – Stuff socks or underwear inside your shoes. Use gaps in your suitcase for belts, cables, or small toiletries.
- Minimise toiletries – We recommend packing waterless cosmetics from NanoSpace Cosmetics (you can read our review in this article) or travel-size shampoo, shower gel, and moisturiser. Both options save space and weight in your luggage.
- Think mix & match – Put together combinable outfits. Instead of seven different tops and five pairs of trousers, bring a few versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. We recommend, for example, the Summer Eagle NanoSpace by Lada dress, which can be worn in up to 11 different ways.
- Leave the non-essentials behind – Think carefully about what you’ll actually use. If your hotel provides towels, there’s no need to bring your own. The same goes for a hairdryer or hair straighteners.
We hope this packing list for holidays has covered everything you need, so nothing essential gets left behind.
💡Learn how to pack efficiently into carry-on luggage only – read our guide HERE. It can be really handy if you want to save on flight costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SPF is best for a beach holiday?
It depends on your skin type, but a minimum of SPF 30 is recommended – ideally SPF 50 for extended time in the sun.
What must I not forget for a beach holiday?
The most important items are your ID or passport, bank card, medication, and sunscreen. Everything else can usually be bought at your destination.
What headwear should I take to the beach?
A wide-brimmed hat is ideal for sun protection, but a baseball cap or a linen bucket hat also works well. A bandana or scarf can double as neck protection too. Don’t forget sunglasses – while not technically “headwear,” they’re essential for protecting your eyes. If you plan to swim often, a swimming cap might also come in handy.
What should I wear on a beach holiday?
Pack swimwear – ideally two sets so one can dry while you wear the other. Bring light summer dresses or skirts, shorts, t-shirts, and tops in breathable fabrics. Beach cover-ups or loose shirts are great for throwing on over your swimwear. Even in warm destinations it can get cool in the evening, so pack a light jumper or cardigan. For footwear, comfortable sandals, flip-flops, and water shoes are ideal. Also bring a light waterproof jacket just in case.
What do you need for a beach holiday?
Besides clothing, don’t forget high-SPF sunscreen and an after-sun lotion with aloe vera. Toiletries and a basic first aid kit – including anti-diarrhoea tablets, plasters, and painkillers – are essential. You’ll also need a towel or beach blanket and a beach bag. A phone charger and possibly a plug adapter are important too. And of course, don’t forget your travel documents and insurance.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
