Best Stylish Travel Purse for Europe in 2024

The traditional trip to see Europe, the Grand Tour, has long been a source of excitement and expansion for people from all over the world.

When you make your trip to Europe, wherever you go, go in style and convenience with the ideal purse for the journey – and for you.

Here are our favorites for 2024:

Our Top Picks

Essential Features to Consider

The first consideration when traveling in a European city should be the security of your money and data.

This is a place with a lot of tourism, so it also has a lot of thieves, many of them quite sophisticated in their techniques.

Look for these security features so you won’t be the easiest target, and thieves will move on to try someone else.

• Lockable zippers: A lockable zipper will prevent thieves from gaining quick access to your belongings. Thieves need to be quick and gone, so this is often enough to make pickpockets pass you by.
• Slash-resistant straps and body: Sometimes thieves may silently cut the bag to gain access to locked or zippered purses – but there are materials that resist being cut. Choose a bag made of material that is difficult to cut, or has a liner that is difficult to cut.
• RFID-blocking compartments: To thwart thieves who are stealing via contactless technology, an RFID-blocking bag will keep your data and money safe. The thief won’t even know you have any cards or ID with you; the scanning device will show nothing. All Von Baer wallets have this tech, see them here.

Comfort and convenience are very important too. After all, the point of such trips is pleasure and personal development. You will want to look good, to have easy access to your money and documents, hotel keycard, etc., and you’ll want the purse to be comfortable.

A good fit, adjustable, padded straps, and the right size are all important.

A quick-access pocket, worn against the body for security reasons, can be a very convenient place to store a phone, reading glasses, medications, or a little quick cash.

Magnetic closures offer a balance between security and convenience, allowing for easy access without the need for constant zipping and unzipping.

Quick takeaway: Ensure both security and comfort to maximize your travel experience.

Practical Organization and Size

Good organization can save you a little time and a little stress a hundred times or more over a single trip.

Add all of that up, and it will make a significant difference. Consider these options.

• Front pockets allow easy access to inexpensive but important items like maps or bus tickets.
• Inner compartments and/or secret compartments give you a secure place to carry valuables like passports, money, and plane tickets.
• Side pockets can offer quick and regular access to water bottles or umbrellas, depending on the weather. Expandable pockets adapt to different sizes of items and are very practical.

The size of your travel purse should be large enough to hold everything you need – plus a couple of small items you might pick up during the day or need to carry with you.

The purse shouldn’t be too big, though, or it will be awkward to carry and heavier than necessary. In most cases, a purse that is around 9-11 inches wide and 7-9 inches tall is a good place to start.

If you carry tech gadgets, consider a purse with a dedicated tech compartment, built-in power banks or connection ports, and padded pockets for security against a fall or bump.

Von Baer offer a luxury range, that you can find here.

Quick takeaway: A functional travel purse has multiple compartments, is the right size, and has the features you need for security and convenience.

Style Meets Function

Travel means you carry additional things with you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do so in style.

Clean lines, chic neutral colors that don’t easily show dirt, and a design that elevates your brand are all possible and relatively easy to find.

Perhaps a sleek black crossbody with gold accents suits you. It will go with a wide variety of outfits and settings, from casual daytime looks to evening dinners.

Minimalist designs provide a subtle, sophisticated pop to an outfit, from casual streetwear to more formal evening wear.

Quick takeaway: Your purse should balance style with practicality and security.

Durability and Material

Travel often means your bags are jostled about in narrow plane and train aisles, shoved under seats, beside seats, in luggage racks, and the backs of taxis… they can have a rough time of it.

Your purse should be made of durable materials, even if you don’t plan to treat it roughly.

Durable materials – like quality leather or high-end synthetics – can last long, through many perils, without compromising the look. We far prefer full-grain vegetable-tanned leather, as it's professional and durable, so we use it in all Von Baer purses (see them here).

Consider an unexpected rainfall in a place without immediate shelter. A water-resistant purse keeps your belongings safe from damage while you get yourself to someplace dry to wait it out, worry-free, knowing that your documents and other important items are safe.

Don’t ignore a good warranty, either. It is unlikely to help you when you’re off on your trip, but a great warranty shows how confident the manufacturer is of the quality and reliability of the product.

Quick takeaway: Durable, weather-resistant materials keep your things safe and secure, even if the unexpected happens.

Examples

Consider these examples of different purses and situations, and how their components and design choices worked out.

A woman moving through Italy to do a wine-tasting vlog ran out of power on her phone just before boarding a bus. She assumed she could charge it on the bus as she did back home. Not so on that bus.

Not to worry, her purse had a built-in charger, and she could plug in her phone, do her vlog footage, and step off the bus ready to do her next tasting.

Another woman felt a tug at her purse and turned to see nothing special about the crowded street behind her.

When she made it back to her room, however, she discovered a mark on her bag where a pickpocket had tried to slash through the bag to gain access to her wallet. Slash-resistant materials had saved her from loss, stress, and hassle.

A well-chosen purse can lift your travel experience in a hundred tiny instances, providing convenience, security, and peace of mind… all with excellent style.

We discuss luggage for European travel in more detail here.

Quick takeaway: The value of a well-chosen travel purse lies in the good experiences you have had and the bad ones you have avoided.

How can I clean and maintain my travel purse?

Cleaning and maintaining your travel purse is easily done. Consider the regular maintenance required for these common materials.

• Leather purses: Gently wipe with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt and stains. Apply a quality leather conditioner before first use and every four to six months thereafter – it only takes a couple of minutes each time. This will keep the material supple. We recommend this one.
• Nylon or fabric purses: Spot clean with mild detergent using a soft brush. Don’t press too hard. Some purses are machine washable; if so, always use a gentle cycle.
• Regular maintenance: Empty your purse regularly to remove items you don’t need in there, and to shake out any debris. If you store your purse, do so with it lightly stuffed to maintain the shape and avoid creases, in a dust bag to protect it from dust and sunlight.

Are there any specific styles that work better for different activities?

Yes, some styles lend themselves better to some activities than to others, so it is important to consider what you plan to do.

• Day trips and sightseeing: A smaller crossbody bag is great because it allows for hands-free convenience and security against the snatch-and-run.
• Shopping and markets: A larger bag, like a tote or backpack, is more practical, as it can handle more volume and heavier contents.
• Evening outings: A small and stylish clutch, mini backpack, or mini crossbody bag can complement any outfit and your essentials secure.

What are some tips for packing a travel purse efficiently?

Thoughtful, efficient packing is key to a smooth experience.

• Prioritize essentials: When travelling, even more than at other times, carry only what you need. Emergency items can be purchased, if need be, but your wallet, passport, phone, travel documents, and a few personal items, are reasonable to have with you.
• Use pouches: Using small pouches to separate items keeps your purse organized and allows you to find things quickly.
• Minimize bulk: Travel sizes are available for most products, and travel-sized bottles can be purchased to fill with anything you need that doesn’t.
• Pack light: Don’t overload your purse, so you ensure comfort and avoid strain and fatigue.

Summary

The ideal purse for your European adventure – your own Grand Tour – is the one that is secure, practical, and elevates your style in a variety of settings.

In years to come, when you look on that purse, memories of your great adventure will flood back to you – like a chat to a good friend.