What’s the Best Purse for Traveling in Europe? My Top Stylish and Practical Picks

I’ll be honest with you. When I first started traveling to Europe, I brought a crossbody bag and a clutch.

Back in 2013, I was somehow convinced I would need both, find myself somewhere ‘fancy,’ and desperately need the clutch in addition to my day bag.

Save the space; you only need one bag, and I’m about to tell you how to choose the best purse for traveling in Europe for your personal travel style.

After traveling across 25 European countries over the past decade, including Spain, Italy, Finland, Portugal, Greece, and more (most of the time solo), I’ll break down the features that actually matter for safety, my top picks, and the honest cons of each.

Quick Answer: Best Crossbody Bag for Europe

• 🏆 Best Overall: Travelon Classic Anti-Theft Messenger Bag — the most durable, spacious, and feature-packed option for long-term travel.
• ✨ Best Stylish Option: Thafael Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag — sleek vegan cactus leather that doesn’t sacrifice anti-theft protection. ($169)
• 💰 Best Budget Option: Travelon Classic Messenger Bag — by far the better value at $88 retail, often on sale at Amazon for $33–$69 — less than half the price of the Thafael.

**Prices last verified June 2026

What Makes a Purse Actually Safe for Europe?

In my experience, safety comes down to three things working together: a strap that can’t easily slip off your shoulder, zippers you can lock shut, and material that can’t be sliced open in two seconds flat.

Both the Travelon and Thafael check all three boxes, which is exactly why they made this list over the other bags I tried.

But “safest” also depends on how you wear it.

I keep my bag in front of my body, not swinging behind my hip, especially on crowded metros or in tourist-packed squares like St. Mark’s in Venice or La Rambla in Barcelona.

No bag is safe if it’s out of your sightline.

You also have to make sure to use those locking zippers. My aunt was notorious for this when we traveled to Greece. Always leaving her fanny pack wide open!

Why Should You Pick a Crossbody Bag for Europe?

Over the years, I tossed the clutch and stuck with the crossbody. Why?

Because it’s far more challenging for someone to take it from you.

If something is strapped across your body, they can’t just rip it off your shoulder as they could with a shoulder bag or take it from your hand as they could with a clutch.

That’s why the best purses for traveling in Europe are crossbodies, even if you don’t go with the specific bag I adore here.

Simply having a crossbody will lessen your chances of having any of your valuables stolen.

Now, you, of course, have to follow other safety steps, especially as a solo traveler, but getting a crossbody is a step in the right direction.

What is an Anti-Theft Purse?

The next step is finding an anti-theft purse.

What does that mean?

Anti-theft travel purses feature a variety of safety features, such as wire mesh built into the bag, slash-proof straps, and lockable zippers.

These help make it more difficult for someone to get into your bag, even if they aren’t trying to lift it off you.

Whether you’re walking around a city or in a crowded tourist area, it becomes far more difficult to steal from you if your zippers are locked and the bag is made of stronger stuff than the average purse.

Features Found in the Best Anti-Theft Travel Purses

The level of slash-proofing may vary by bag, so make sure that whichever anti-theft travel purse you choose, you are aware of its level of protection.

Sometimes, it’s fully proofed, and other times, the protection is only in a couple of exterior panels. There can also be slash-proofing within the strap.

When deciding which is the best anti-theft travel purse for you, please look for these.

Either way, their function is designed to prevent what they call “cut and run theft.” Slashing your bag, stealing its contents, and running off before you’re even the wiser.

The zippers rely a bit on you, as you’re the one who has to latch them to ensure protection.

I have a relative notorious for leaving the zippers on their bags open. It drove me nuts!

So even if she had lockable zippers, they would have done nothing for her, as she doesn’t bother to zip! Not only do you have to zip, but you also have to latch.

Me, the safety nerd, loves the security it gives me when I latch my bag after paying for something, but again, this is a step YOU must be diligent about.

Another note on zippers: Whichever travel purse you choose, check how easy it is to puncture.

I know it sounds weird, but poke a pen at the zipper and see if it comes apart easily. Some bags come with puncture-proof zippers (aka Tough Zip), adding an extra layer of anti-theft to even the best purse for traveling in Europe.

Nefarious people can use an RFID reader to scan information from your credit card or passport.

They can even do this from several feet away. To prevent this, you can get a wallet or bag with RFID protection to block these radio waves.

Not every credit card can be scanned by a reader, but it is possible. Readers can also reportedly steal your name, address, nationality, photo, and other information stored in your passport.

If you’re concerned about identity theft, this is one of the key features to look for!

What Size Purse Should I Bring to Europe?

Bring a purse large enough to hold your passport, phone, wallet, and a few essentials, but small enough that museums and attractions won’t make you check it.

I look for something roughly 9–10 inches wide and not too bulky.

Before you buy, measure a bag you already own at home so you have a real-world size reference instead of guessing from product photos.

Also look at how big the bag looks compared to the models in the promotional pictures to get a general idea.

You’ll want to thin out what you usually pack in your bag at home; it’s one of my #1 things I do before a trip. I remove anything I won’t use, e.g., a Costco membership, library card, etc.

Comparing Practical & Stylish Travel Purses for Europe

Now that you’re aware of some of the features to look for, it’s time I tell you about my favorite purses and why I know they’re the best purses for traveling in Europe.

My Review of the Travelon Purse

I’ve been using the Travelon Messenger Bag since 2021, when I went to Barcelona solo.

Before I traveled to Spain, everyone I spoke to had warned me about pickpockets, so I searched for a bag I could rely on.

I’ve used the Travelon Messenger Bag for every trip since, and it hasn’t let me down yet!

Why did I pick the Travelon Messenger Bag?

To begin my search for the best purse for traveling in Europe, I went to Amazon, as I appreciate the vast reviews there.

Amazon’s ‘Overall Picks’ banner on the Travelon Messenger Bag caught my eye.

Beyond that initial interest, my experience with it over the past five years has made me fall in love with this purse. Let’s dive into the details!

Where I’ve Tested this Bag

• Greece — Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes
• Portugal — Lisbon and Sintra
• Spain — Barcelona, Seville, and Granada
• Italy — Milan, Venice, Florence, Naples, and the Amalfi
• Thailand — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi
• Mexico — Mexico City, Bacalar, and Palenque
• England — London, Liverpool, Whitby, and Chester
• Finland — Rovaniemi and other parts of Lapland
• Sweden — Stockholm
• Belize — Ambergris Caye and San Ignacio
• + carrying it through 18 countries during my 4.5-month Europe trek

Style

I’m not someone who needs to keep up with the latest trends. However, I still highly value my aesthetic, so I wanted a purse that could at least not scream ‘tourist’ as many do.

That’s my main issue with fanny packs.

I’ve got such an image of 80s and 90s movies with the fanny packs, and it makes me feel dated.

So, as much as some love them, I knew that was not a route I was willing to go.

Instead, because of the safety of having a crossbody, I knew it had to be the style of my travel bag.

Color

Much like my thoughts on style, I knew I wouldn’t pick a bag (as much as I love color) in any color other than black, so that it would work with any outfit.

However, it is also available in Midnight, Nutmeg, Teal, and Hazelnut.

Black also hides a lot of dirt.

The number of times I’ve put my bag down on a dusty road in Tuscany or the ground in the jungles of Thailand.

And I’ve yet to see any discoloration or staining.

I’ve been using my bag for five years, and it still looks very new!

That’s because they use water and dirt-resistant fabric.

The only issue with my bag is a little rust/discoloration on the D-ring that the zippers clip to, which is hardly noticeable, and it took five years to get there through snow, rain, and tons of excursions.

It’s not something that’s going to keep me from using it going forward.

Safety Features

With the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag, you can protect your belongings from pickpockets and slash-and-grab thieves.

The bag features a 5-Point Anti-Theft security system:

• Lock-down straps secure the bag to a stationary object or chair, helping prevent grab-and-go thieves from dashing off with your bag.
  I’ve yet to use this, as I honestly forgot about it, but it would have been helpful in some situations where I was eating outdoors in places like Mexico or Barcelona.
• Locking zippered pulls secure your bag compartments and help prevent pickpockets from getting into your bag.
  I love the locking zippers, as they give me peace of mind!
• The Slash-resistant body of the bag helps prevent slash-and-grab theft in busy areas with a slash-resistant mesh barrier in all four sides and the bag’s bottom panel.
  Luckily, I haven’t had to test this out, but I feel good that it would help should that unfortunate circumstance happen.
• Slash-resistant straps with a stainless steel wire inside the strap help prevent slash-and-run theft.
  Again, I’ve not had the misfortune to have this tested, but I like the assurance I found when searching for the best anti-theft travel purse.
• RFID blocking pockets help prevent electronic identity theft with RFID blocking card slots and passport pockets.
  As mentioned above, this is great for those concerned about identity theft!
• Tethered interior key clip.
  It’s great to clip your keys to make it more difficult to snatch them! It also helps me find my keys so they don’t fall to the bottom of the bag.

Size & Weight

The Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag is 9 x 3.5 x 12.5 inches.

Since I usually travel with several items, I wanted a bag with enough space for them all.

I’ve fit everything I need in this bag: passport, cell phone, money, credit cards, a contact case, a glasses case, sunglasses, an external battery pack, a cable, a pill bottle, tissues, and other miscellaneous female travel essentials.

However, even though it’s large enough for all this, the bag isn’t heavy on its own, so any actual weight is what I’ve chosen to add to it.

Shape

I did have a specific shape in mind, but I wanted something that could hold my journal, which is a little taller than it is wide, so anything too narrow wouldn’t work.

Additionally, I wanted to be able to tuck a water bottle into it, so anything short wouldn’t work either.

Some of the bags you’ll see online will be asymmetrical; those just weren’t my vibe and I liked the classic messenger bag shape best.

Pockets

The Travelon Classic Anti-Theft Messenger Bag helps organize more items than everyday bags due to its multiple storage pockets inside and out.

There’s even a rear-panel zippered wall wallet, so you don’t have to carry the extra weight of a wallet.

I put my passport in the rear panel because that pocket is against my body when I’m wearing the bag, making it much harder for anyone to access it.

Strap Adjustment

Another thing I love about this purse is that the strap adjusts!

I’m a little on the taller side (5’8″), so sometimes bags fit me awkwardly.

However, with an adjustable strap, I can adjust it until it’s just right for me, without being too tight or too loose.

Water Bottle Holder

One thing that stood out amongst all the other anti-theft purses on the market was that the Travelon Classic Messenger Bag has a place to hold a water bottle.

I’ve been on a health kick since COVID, so having the ability to bring a water bottle with me easily made this the best purse for traveling in Europe.

This feature also makes it easier to be sustainable since you have a place to store your water bottle instead of tossing it after one use.

This zippered expansion pocket found on both ends can hold something other than a water bottle, such as sunglasses, an umbrella, or a beanie (I tucked mine in when I wasn’t wearing it in Finland, as it made it easily accessible).

Reviews

The last thing that convinced me the Travelon Classic Messenger Bag is the best purse for traveling in Europe was the reviews I found on Amazon.

As I write this, this purse has 4.4-stars out of 5. 71% of those are 5-stars, with 13% of those being 4-stars.

Of course, there are some one-, two-, and three-star reviews, but they are in the minority.

The written reviews are also highly helpful and give you real-world data on how others liked or disliked the bag.

Cons of the Travelon Purse

To be fair, I’ll note some issues I’ve had over the past five years with this bag.

1. The mesh in the zippered expansion has ripped on one side of the purse. I can still use it to put a water bottle or other sizeable items in since the hole isn’t too bad, but I wouldn’t put anything small in. However, I see this as normal wear and tear, so I wouldn’t let this dissuade you from its position as the best purse for traveling in Europe.
2. In Finland, I was constantly wearing a scarf, as it was negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, my scarf kept getting stuck on the zipper that closed the main compartment. This would happen with any zipper, so it’s not a product-specific issue, but I wanted to note it nonetheless.
3. The discoloration/rust on the D-ring I mentioned earlier. Again, this is normal wear and tear after half a decade in a variety of weather.

My Review of the Thafael Purse

I’ve been using the Thafael anti-theft bag since 2025.

Their team reached out to me about a review, and I’ve since received two purses from them in differing styles.

Transparency: These are complimentary items I was gifted in exchange for blog coverage, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Where I’ve Tested this Bag

• USA — New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Washington DC

Style

As I stated earlier, I’m not someone overly concerned with style, but I do like to look nice and non-touristy, and this is where the Thafael really wins over the Travelon.

They are both crossbodies, but the sleek design of the vegan cactus leather gives the Thafael a large lead over Travelon’s polyester body.

It’s also scratch-resistant, tear-resistant, and water-resistant.

However, because it is made of cactus leather, there is a warning that is may tent.

I’ve yet to have this happen, but I also haven’t smushed my Thafael’s into my luggage like I have the Travelon when I needed to lessen the amount of stuff I was carrying.

Color

My first Thafael was an orange color, but with their new design I got one in black.

Again, black is great because it works with any outfit and hides dirt more easily than lighter colors.

And I’ve yet to see any discoloration or staining in the year I’ve used the 1st bag.

It also comes in Olive Green, Taupe, Navy, Beige, and Orange.

Safety Features

With the Thafael crossbody bag, you can protect your belongings from pickpockets and slash-and-grab thieves.

The bag features several security features:

• Just like Travelon, it boasts locking zippers to secure your bag’s compartments and help prevent pickpockets from getting into your bag.
  This is something they really improved on over the first version; these zippers now open all the way, making it easier to reach in and find your belongings
• Features two distinct inner linings—one made from soft, high-quality cotton, adding an element of luxury, and the other from robust polyethylene anti-cut fabric. This material is a protective barrier that significantly reduces slash-and-grab theft by resisting cuts and slashes on all sides of the bag.
• The straps are reinforced with two metal wires, ensuring that they are strong and durable and provide added security against “cut and run theft.”
  They’re also more easily adjustable on version 2! I found version 1, sometimes the strap would loosen on its own. I don’t have that problem with their updated product
• A chairlock that lets you secure your bag to a chair or suitcase so no one can walk away with it.
• RFID-blocking pockets help prevent electronic identity or credit card theft (7 card slots, 1 passport pocket, and 2 additional pockets).

Size & Weight

The size is also large enough for me to fit my essentials in without overpacking or overstuffing it.

It’s 7.8 X 2.75 X 10.4 inches.

This bag is also rigid enough to stand upright when placed on a table, so no annoying falling over when placed down somewhere.

However, it’s not as large as the Travelon, which sometimes makes me play Tetris a bit.

I have a rather large glasses case, and when I went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park recently, I brought that case along with my new Insta360 camera and had to find space for both.

The bag on its own isn’t very heavy, and because it is smaller, I do find that being choosy with what I pack does lighten the load.

Travelon is 1.1 pounds, while Thafael is 1.2.

Shape

I really like the new shape over the old Thafael design.

Before, it was a bit hard to reach in and grab stuff if it wasn’t dead center.

Now, that’s no longer an issue!

Pockets

They have a few pockets in the main compartment as well as a zippered section within (where I’ve been putting my lipstick and other cosmetic items).

On the exterior of the bag is another zippered pocket that has its own lock.

Cons of the Thafael Purse

Since I’ve only used their original concept for one year and the new one for a couple of months, it’s harder to note cons on this bag.

However, the only thing I’ve noticed so far is that the zipper sometimes gets turned around, and I have to jiggle it a bit to flip it back, but aside from that, it’s been super reliable.

Which Purse Should You Choose?

Choose Travelon if:

• Durability is your top priority
• You need a larger bag with a built-in water bottle pocket
• You’re traveling long-term and want a bag that can take a beating
• You’re shopping on a budget

Choose Thafael if:

• Style matters as much as security to you
• You prefer vegan leather over polyester
• You want a dressier, less “touristy” look
• You’re packing light and don’t need a water bottle slot
• You’re using it for day-to-day city trips rather than long-haul travel where durability would be an essential

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for something fashionable, you can’t go wrong with the Thafael bag.

It’s been my go-to bag for day-to-day use, and the only reason I’ve yet to travel long-term with it is fear of it denting.

During my 4.5-month trek through Europe last year, I constantly rejiggered my luggage to fit whatever I needed, and that sometimes meant squishing in my Travelon into my carry-on or travel backpack.

I didn’t want to risk damaging the Thafael like this, which is why I didn’t take it and instead brought the Travelon Classic Messenger Bag.

Because it’s more durable, I can really beat it up on travels and not worry about it.

I adore the pockets, which I use for water bottles, umbrellas, and other items.

Lastly, because it’s larger, I have more space for whatever I need or may pick up along the way.

After traveling across 25+ European countries over the past decade, I’ve found the Travelon Classic Messenger to be my preferred anti-theft travel purse.

FAQs

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