10 things I swear by after 3 summers of European beach towns

The Shortlist vol. 13

If there’s one thing I’ve perfected after three summers of living in European beach towns, it’s the beach setup.

Not just what we packed, but the actual system. What goes in the bag, what stays home, and the one $15 item that changed how easy beach days can be entirely.

Every item here has survived multiple summers, multiple kids, and multiple countries of sand. Worth noting, we purchase only 2 items at our destinations: beach toys and a beach umbrella.

1. Extra Large Mesh Beach Bag the $15 item that started this whole system. Pool and beach approved, sand falls straight through, and it’s big enough to fit everything below.

2. Foldable Chairs these may seem extra, but just over 2 lbs each, and every friend we’ve ever brought to the beach has asked where we got them. Worth every ounce in the bag.

3. Waterproof and Sandproof Beach Mat Also feels extra. Also non-negotiable now. Sand does not stick, water does not soak through, and it dries in the sun in minutes.

4. Small Turkish Towels Typically long-term stay rentals don’t have beach towels. These dry in minutes and are super compact for packing.

5. Sunglasses the key is to get ones that are polarized AND flexible

6. Crocs easy to slide on and off, and waterproof. The least glamorous item on this list, the one I swore I’d never have my kids own, and possibly the most used.

7. Life Vest For ages 4 and up, we use vests. For ages 3 and under we use these instead.

8. Drawstring Mesh Bag for storing the beach toys we purchase there

9. JBL clip-on speaker clips right onto the bag, survives sand and water

10. Owala 16 oz kids water bottles Keeps drinks cold for hours and zero spills in the bag.

The exact carry-on kit that survived 22 hours of travel with a 4 & 6-year-old

Everything I’m packing for San Sebastián

"How do you just... move to Spain for the summer?”

💬 What’s your one non-negotiable beach item?

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Thanks for joining me on this journey,

Barbara

P.S: I’ve spent months researching European summer camps, and all of that research lives in the paid subscriber archive, along with my deeper thoughts on tools, systems & mindset for working moms. I’m also sharing all of my San Sebatian recs, plus the reality of living 6 weeks abroad with my family.