I Spent 8 Days in Europe with Just One Minimalist Travel Backpack (And Didn't Miss a Thing)
How a 20L Backpack Changed My Entire Travel Philosophy
I used to overpack. Back when I thought comfort meant having options, I dragged rolling suitcases across cobblestones and up hostel stairs. Heavy bags, checked luggage fees, and the constant worry about lost items—that was my travel reality.
This time, I wanted the opposite: 8 days, 3 cities—Madrid, Milan, and Santorini—with just one minimalist travel backpack. The 20L EXTEND Waterproof Backpack looked impossibly small the night before I left London. But when I zipped it shut, I still had room left.
That trip changed everything I believed about travel.
Why a Minimalist Travel Backpack Works for Short Trips
The 20L Sweet Spot for 5-10 Day Trips
A 20L minimalist travel backpack works perfectly for short European trips (5-10 days) because it forces intentional packing while fitting everything you actually need. It qualifies as a personal item on most airlines, eliminating checked bag fees and overhead bin battles.
Why It Works for Europe
European cities weren't built for rolling suitcases. Cobblestone streets, narrow stairs, metro stations—a minimalist travel backpack lets you move freely. When you're hopping between cities every 2-3 days, lighter luggage means you actually enjoy the journey instead of managing baggage.
The Hidden Advantage: Expandable Space
The key feature that made this work? The EXTEND Waterproof Backpack 20L has an expansion compartment. This extra space saved me when I needed room for shoes or souvenirs I picked up in Milan. The expandable section means your minimalist travel backpack adapts to your trip—not the other way around.
The Outfit I Wore Out of London
Leaving rainy London, I wore my bulkiest pieces to save backpack space:
- Quick-dry long sleeve shirt — Base layer that works alone or under fleece
- Light fleece jacket — Core warmth without bulk
- Windbreaker — Rain protection and outer layer
- Quick-dry hiking pants — Zippered pockets for passport and cards
This layering system got me through airport AC, mountain wind in Milan, and sunny Santorini streets. Europe's weather can shift dramatically between cities and seasons, making versatile layers essential for any minimalist travel backpack setup. By wearing these bulkier items, I maximized space inside my minimalist travel backpack for other essentials.
Pro tip: Always wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on travel days. This keeps your minimalist travel backpack lighter and leaves room for items you'll use more frequently.
Complete 20L Packing List: What Fit Inside
Here's exactly what I packed in my minimalist travel backpack for 8 days across three European cities:
Clothing (Compression Cube)
- 2x quick-dry t-shirts
- 1x shorts
- 2x underwear (Merino wool — dried overnight)
- 2x socks
- 1x microfiber travel towel
Why so few clothes? With quick-dry fabrics, I washed items in hostel sinks every 2-3 days. They dried overnight on balcony railings or bathroom racks. This minimal rotation meant everything in my minimalist travel backpack served a purpose.
Toiletries (Transparent Pouch)
- Travel-size shampoo bar
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen (30 SPF)
- Contact lenses and solution
European airport security still requires the 100ml liquid rule, so keeping toiletries minimal and in a clear pouch saved time at security.
Tech & Accessories (Small Organizer Pouch)
- Phone charger with EU adapter
- Laptop charging cable
- Foldable phone tripod
- Pen
- Kindle (loaded with three books)
Laptop Compartment
My 13" laptop fit perfectly in the padded sleeve of my minimalist travel backpack. On trains, metros, and flights, I never worried about bumps. The inner sleeve kept it protected while remaining easily accessible—essential for a digital nomad setup.
For more detailed guidance on packing, check out our complete guide on what to pack in travel backpacks.
What I Intentionally Left Behind
Minimalist travel isn't about deprivation—it's about intentional choices. Here's what I didn't bring:
❌ Second pair of shoes — Wore comfortable sneakers the entire trip
❌ Backup outfits — The "just in case" clothes never get worn
❌ Rain jacket — My windbreaker handled light rain perfectly
❌ Hair dryer — Hostels and hotels provide these
❌ Multiple toiletry options — One of everything was enough
❌ Physical books — Kindle held my entire reading list
The crossbody exception: I did bring a small crossbody bag, but it traveled flat inside my minimalist travel backpack. It only came out during city exploration days when I needed a lighter option for museums and restaurants.
My pants had zippered pockets, so passport, cards, and coins never left my body. This security setup made me feel light and unbothered the entire trip.
Many experienced travelers have strong opinions about what constitutes essential travel accessories—but I found that a well-chosen minimalist travel backpack eliminates the need for many items people think they need.
From Madrid to Milan to Santorini
The minimalist travel backpack came with me on flights, metros, trains, and buses. It fit under airplane seats, slipped through metro turnstiles, and never needed checking. On Santorini's beach, I tossed it in the sand—the waterproof exterior kept everything dry. No zippers failed. No fabric tore. For 8 days of constant use, it held everything I actually needed.
Choosing Your Minimalist Travel Backpack
Not all 20L backpacks work equally well. Here's what matters:
Must-Have Features:
- Waterproof exterior — Protects electronics from rain
- Padded laptop compartment — Fits 13-14" laptops securely
- Expandable space — Extra room when you need it
- Comfortable straps — Even small bags get heavy
Size Guide:
- 20L is ideal for: 5-10 day trips, warm climates, city travel
- Need 25-30L for: Winter trips, 2+ weeks, camping gear
3 Minimalist Packing Tips That Work
1. Pack Two of Everything
One to wear, one to wash. This rotation eliminates overpacking while ensuring clean clothes. When one item is dirty, wear the backup while washing.
2. Compression Cubes Are Essential
A single compression cube reduced my clothing volume by 40%. Roll clothes tightly, compress, and suddenly you have space for other essentials in your minimalist travel backpack.
3. Wear Bulky Items on Travel Days
Shoes, jacket, and pants worn during travel don't count against your minimalist travel backpack space. This trick effectively increases packing capacity without a larger bag.
Why I'll Never Go Back to Heavy Luggage
I used to believe minimalist travel required sacrifice. This 8-day trip through Madrid, Milan, and Santorini proved otherwise.
With the right minimalist travel backpack and intentional packing, I felt freer. Not just lighter in weight, but lighter in energy. I didn't waste time:
- Digging through overpacked bags for one item
- Worrying about checked luggage getting lost
- Struggling to fit bags into train racks or hostel lockers
- Paying extra fees for bags I didn't need
Instead, I moved. I traveled. I explored without baggage—literally and figuratively.
The mental clarity that comes from knowing exactly what you have, where it is, and that you truly need it? That's the real benefit of minimalist travel backpack packing. Not the weight savings (though that's nice), but the freedom from decision fatigue and "what if" anxiety.
And I'm keeping the 20L rule for every future trip.
Common Questions
Can you really travel Europe with just 20L?
Yes—for 5-10 day trips. I spent 8 days across three cities with a 20L minimalist travel backpack. The key is quick-dry fabrics, doing laundry every 2-3 days, and an expandable compartment for extras like shoes or souvenirs.
What about things you buy during the trip?
This is where the expansion compartment matters. My minimalist travel backpack had extra expandable space—perfect for shoes, shopping finds, or souvenirs without sacrificing the compact 20L base size.
Does minimalist travel work for longer trips?
For trips over 10 days or winter travel, you'll need 25-30L. But for short European city hopping (which most people do), 20L with expansion space is the sweet spot.
The Minimalist Travel Backpack I Used
The EXTEND Waterproof Backpack 20L made this 8-day trip work. Here's why it's perfect for short European trips:
Game-Changing Features:
- Expandable compartment — Extra space when you buy shoes, souvenirs, or need room for layers. The expansion section saved me multiple times when I picked up items in Milan and Santorini.
- Waterproof exterior — Handled beach sand and rain without issues
- Laptop sleeve — Fit my 13" perfectly with padding
- 20L base capacity — Ideal for 5-10 day trips
Why It Works for Short Trips:
This minimalist travel backpack is specifically designed for 5-10 day adventures. The expandable space means you're not locked into strict minimalism—when you need room for an extra pair of shoes or souvenirs, the bag adapts. For longer trips (2+ weeks) or winter travel, you'd want 25-30L. But for typical European city hopping? This 20L with expansion is perfect.
The waterproof exterior proved crucial on Santorini's beach and during Milan's unexpected rain. Nothing seeped in. The laptop compartment kept my tech safe on trains and flights. And most importantly, it fit under every airplane seat, meaning no overhead bin stress or checked bag fees.
Ready for minimalist travel? The EXTEND 20L handles short trips perfectly while giving you flexibility when you need it.
