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Beach Holiday Packing List: Everything You Actually Need
The most common beach holiday packing mistake isn't forgetting something — it's bringing too much of the wrong things and not enough of the right ones. Most people overpack clothes and underpack the gear that actually makes a beach day work.
This is the core list for everyone, regardless of who you're travelling with. Jump to the group-specific section below if you're travelling with kids, toddlers, or babies — those pages go much deeper on what changes.
Find the right packing list
Who are you travelling with?
Each list is tailored to your group — what to add, what to skip, and the gear that's actually worth it.
- Family with Toddlers View list →
- Family with Older Kids View list →
- Solo Coming soon
- Couple Coming soon
- Friends Group Coming soon
- With Elderly Parents Coming soon
Packing Checklist
Clothing
- Swimwear × 2–3 (one dries while you wear the other)
- Light cover-up, linen shirt, or kaftan
- Smart sandals × 1 pair
- Flip flops × 1 pair
- Evening outfits × 2
- Casual day clothes × 3–4
- Sun hat or cap
- Light cardigan (for flights and air-conditioned restaurants)
Sun Protection
- SPF 50 for faces (non-negotiable, especially for children)
- SPF 30 body sunscreen for adults
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel
- Lip balm with SPF
Beach Gear
- Beach bag — waterproof-lined, large enough for towels and kit
- Towels × 2 per person (or microfibre travel towels)
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Sunglasses + a spare pair (they always get sat on)
- Reusable water bottle per person
- Pop-up sun shade (essential with young children)
- Snorkelling mask (don't rely on resort hire)
- Dry bag for valuables at the water's edge
Toiletries
- Insect repellent (destination-appropriate — look it up)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister pads, tweezers
- Travel sickness tablets if needed
- Rehydration sachets (dehydration arrives fast in heat)
Tech & Documents
- Passports — valid for 6+ months beyond return date (check this now)
- Travel insurance documents — print a copy
- GHIC card per person (free via NHS app, valid in EU countries)
- Booking confirmations — keep offline copies
- Driving licence (if hiring a car)
- Universal travel adapter
- Portable charger (10,000mAh+ for a family)
- Earphones
What to buy there (don't pack it)
For popular European beach destinations — Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, the Canaries — these are widely available and often cheaper locally. Save the luggage space.
- ✓Nappies and wipes — widely stocked; often cheaper than the UK.
- ✓Sunscreen — supermarkets stock major brands. Pack for day one, buy the rest there.
- ✓Baby formula — most UK brands available (Aptamil, Hipp, Cow & Gate). Verify your specific brand and stage first.
- ✓Beach toys — cheap and abundant. Don't transport a bucket-and-spade set from home.
Kit worth buying before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many outfits should I pack for a week's beach holiday?
- One per day, minus two. For 7 nights, that's 5 casual outfits and 2 smarter options for evenings. You'll spend most of the trip in swimwear and a cover-up — most people come home with clothes they never touched.
- What documents do I need for a beach holiday abroad?
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date, travel insurance documents (print a copy), GHIC card for EU travel, booking confirmations for flights and accommodation, and driving licence if hiring a car. Screenshot everything and email copies to yourself — don't rely on mobile signal in an emergency.
- Is sunscreen cheaper to buy at the destination?
- For most popular European beach destinations, yes. Supermarkets in Spain, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, and the Canaries stock major brands at competitive prices. Pack enough for your arrival day and buy more locally. The exception is specialist formulas like mineral sunscreen for babies — bring your preferred brand from home.
- Should I pack snorkelling equipment or rent it?
- Pack your own mask. Resort hire quality varies enormously — worn seals and poor-fitting masks are common, and a mask that leaks ruins the experience entirely. Fins can be rented. A decent own mask costs around £20–30 and the difference in experience is significant, especially for children.
- Do I need travel insurance for a beach holiday?
- Yes, always. Medical costs abroad can be significant even in EU countries where you hold a GHIC card — that card reduces costs but doesn't eliminate them. Make sure your policy covers all planned activities including water sports and excursions.