I Grew Up in Greece: Here’s What You Really Need to Pack for Your Visit

When it comes to what to pack for Greece, it’s wise to think beyond stuffing your suitcase with options and more about what will be useful when on the ground. This incredible country is one where you can go from being slick in the city to sun-drenched ruins to sea-splashed tavernas in one day. So packing items that can fulfil several uses is the way to go.

In summer it’s not a place big on formalwear, but that doesn’t mean the locals don’t have an eye on the latest fashions. Comfort matters, but so does looking as though you’ve made a bit of an effort, especially in the big cities and on the more cosmopolitan islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete.

Occasional museum aside, most of your time will likely be spent outdoors, whether climbing to an ancient ruin, wandering bougainvillaea-lined courtyards, or paddling in the ocean. With that in mind clothing that breathes, footwear that supports, and accessories to protect from the sun and bugs should all feature highly on a packing list.

Swimwear

Elia Beach, Mykonos

For such a small country, Greece’s coastline stretches for some 8,500 miles, the 11th largest in the world. That coastline is also home to 650 beaches carrying the prestigious Blue Flag award for cleanliness. So, whether you’re planning on sunbathing, swimming, or snorkeling, it’s likely that swimwear will be number one on your list of what to pack for Greece.

If you’re dipping into the Aegean around the Athenian Riviera, from Glyfada to Cape Sounion, beachwear may be a little more conservative. Once on the islands though, particularly in more cosmopolitan resorts such as Mykonos, there’s more of an “anything goes” attitude.

In fact, many of the islands will have clothing optional beaches—where you may arrive in swimwear but it’s unlikely to stay on for long once there. If lunch is on the menu while at the beach, make sure to have a shawl or T-shirt handy to cover up in the restaurant, whatever bathers you’re wearing.

T-Shirts & Tanks

Acropolis Museum, Athens

Greece can be scorchingly hot in summer—with temperatures climbing well above 100°F, so T-shirts and tank tops should be high on your Greek packing list. Take a selection with you. Casual options are great for the beach and for daytime exploration around sites like Ancient Olympia and the Acropolis.

Collared versions are a good choice if you’re thinking of dining out somewhere a little more high-end, especially in big cities. Note that in churches and monasteries, particularly on the mainland in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Kavala, shoulders should be covered as a mark of respect.

Shorts

Mykonos Town

Much like T-shirts, a selection of different shorts should make it into your suitcase. More athletic-style gear is great for climbing Santorini’s cliffside paths for iconic volcano views, or taking the hike up to Nafplio’s legendary Palamidi fortress. Cargo shorts are a great way of packing your wallet, keys, cellphone, and other small items if you’re not looking to carry some kind of bag. Similar to shoulders, knees should be covered at religious sites, either with longer shorts or skirts.

Casual Pants and Loose-Fitting Dresses

Venetsanos Winery, Santorini

When planning what to pack for a trip to Greece, it’s worth remembering that the vibe might be relaxed, but the locals have style—so follow suit. Skip heavy denims and chinos: flowing dresses for women and linen pants for men are the order of the day as they can be both chic and breathable.

Not only do such items make a change from it being “shorts day again”,  they’re useful if you’re enjoying an impromptu courtyard lunch with Acropolis views, sampling wines on Santorini, or sipping a spritz overlooking the medieval crusader castle on Rhodes.

Light Jacket or Long-Sleeve Layer

Santorini

The temperatures may be testing in the middle of the day, but that doesn’t mean your Greek packing list shouldn’t include something long-sleeved, either a light sweater or jacket. Sea breezes can pick up, especially in early morning and late afternoon. These can be felt even more if you’re at an elevated position such as on top of the Athens Acropolis, visiting the Old Town in Thessaloniki, or gazing out over the blue of the Aegean at Cape Sounion.

A light jacket or long-sleeve layer will also help cover those shoulders while visiting religious sites and can also offer some extra sun protection without having to apply sunscreen every 30 minutes.

Flip-Flops or Sandals

Plaka, Athens

You’re unlikely to want to wear flip flops or sandals in one of the big cities like downtown Athens or Thessaloniki. But when you hit one of those sun-baked beaches or harborside cafés, kicking off your shoes feels like the right thing to do. As such, a pair of solid sandals or flip-flops should be on your list of things to pack for a visit to Greece.

Unless of really sturdy construction, flip-flops are great for pool or beach use but not ideal when walking over marble steps that have been polished by thousands of years’ use. Sandals might be a better choice. Opt for something with a decent sole and straps that won’t rub or slide—think function over fashion.

Read: What to Wear in Greece

Sturdy Walking Shoes

Lindos

There are many things about Greece that are incredible. The ground underfoot is definitely not one of them. Away from the beach you’ll come across cobbled alleyways, uneven stone steps, rugged coastal paths, and trails around ancient ruins. All require a pair of decent walking shoes with grip, support, and a sense of purpose.

Fashion trainers might be great for exploring the night clubs and restaurants of Athens, but elsewhere you’ll need proper traction. Hikes like Santorini’s coastal path, the climb to Nafplion’s Palamidi fortress, or a wander around Delphi or Ancient Olympia all require sturdy footwear.

You won’t need proper hiking boots, unless traversing the gorges of Crete, so look for anything with a bit of grip and as much style as you can find. That way your footwear can double up and be worn for everything from trail to taverna.

Sun Hat

Santorini

Outside of the cities, shade can be at a premium whether you’re hopping from island to island, lounging on a beach, or wandering around ancient ruins. A hat to cover your head, protect your scalp and neck, and help regulate your temperature is a must-pack item then. You’ll need it almost everywhere that’s not built-up.

The ruins of Delos off Mykonos, the elevated monasteries of Meteora, and the ancient theater of Epidaurus, a popular day trip from Nafplio, can all feel brutally exposed. Some of the more organised beaches can have umbrellas to rent, but if you like to go even slightly off the beaten path, there’ll be few if any beach facilities, so you’ll need one there too.

Sunglasses

Rhodes

The light in Greece seems to bounce around like it’s on a mission. Stone streets, whitewashed buildings, and the glittering sea combine to reflect and refract the light in ways you might have not thought possible. A decent pair of shades, then, is an imperative.

Getting full UV protection is a must, as are polarizing lenses if you want to sharpen the view. Most Greeks in the cities and the bigger islands are notoriously style conscious and the best of them can judge a decent pair of sunnies from a few hundred yards. If you want to impress the locals, choose something stylish, designer-made if possible.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen

You can readily buy sunscreen in Greece. On the islands it can be pricey, though, as can all goods that have to be brought in. Even in the big Greek cities, you’re unlikely to find wallet-friendly brands, so packing enough with you for your trip is a smart way of making a saving if you have the luggage space. It’s worth bringing more than you think you’ll need too—you’d be surprised at how quickly you can go through it here.

Bug Spray

Bug spray

Greece is pretty low-risk when it comes to mosquito-borne illness, but that doesn’t mean the little pests won’t go to town on you at every opportunity. This is especially true anywhere close to water such as the Lefkimmi wetlands in Corfu, or on nature walks, especially those in damp, forested areas, such as the gorges of Crete.

Even in the cities, you’re not immune—in summer, mosquitos can be practically anywhere. So having a decent bug spray is a must, as is making sure to spray every bit of skin. For anyone with allergies or who has an adverse reaction to insect bites, a soothing balm, like calamine lotion, or antihistamines can also help.

Daypack

Acropolis, Athens

Unless it’s a beach day, you’ll likely be on the move on a trip in Greece. There are ruins to explore, local markets to discover, and viewpoints to visit. With all these packing recommendations, then, it makes sense to have a backpack to carry all your needs: camera, sunscreen, layers, and snacks.

Read: Expert Tips for Visiting Greece for the First Time

Portable Charger & Power Adapter

Portable charger

On a day-to-day basis in Greece, your cellphone battery is likely to take a bit of a beating. If it’s not finding the quickest route to walk from the Monastiraki flea market to the Acropolis in Athens, your phone could be helping you search for the latest high-end eatery on Mykonos. And then there are the pictures.

Everywhere in Greece feels like a social media-worthy shot, from the imposing columns at Sounion’s Temple of Poseidon, to the jaw-dropping sunken volcanic caldera that makes Santorini the poster child of the Greek islands. With all that use, having something for a little extra charge on the go is worth carrying with you.

Greece uses both two-prong —Type C—and three-prong—Type F—plugs, the former being for simple appliances such as bedside lamps, the latter for appliances that need grounding. If you are traveling from anywhere outside Europe, you’ll need to bring a plug adapter with you, too.

FAQs

Rhodes

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