The Ultimate Greece Packing List

Figuring out what to pack for Greece is a something I have had to do a lot. My extended family lives in Greece so I have visited many times and used to spend my summer vacations there when I was a student.  For those of you traveling to Greece and not sure what to wear or what to pack, I have put together the ultimate Greece packing list for both men and women.

Greece Packing List (2023)

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Below is a comprehensive packing list for a trip to Greece.

Essentials for Greece

• European Travel Adaptor – European travel adaptor for your electronics

• External Battery –  External battery to recharge phone, camera or other electronics (this is one of my travel essential items for any trip)

• Universal waterproof phone case  – Keep smartphones dry with this waterproof case when hanging out at the beach.

• Camera/photography gear – Greece is very photogenic so don’t forget to bring your camera!  A GoPro or an affordable underwater camera is great for taking photos at the beach. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, you might want to bring a selfie stick/portable tripod to take amazing photos of yourself. Don’t forget to bring an extra memory card.

• Scarf –  A lightweight scarf or shawl will keep you warm on chilly summer nights or places with too much air-conditioning. It also comes in handy when visiting churches or monasteries which require women to cover up their shoulders.

• Sunglasses – Greece is very sunny so sunglasses are a must! For optimum protection I prefer polarized sunglasses with dark lenses like this pair for women.

• Reusable water bottle –  I like this insulated water bottle because it keeps my water and other drinks cool. While the water in Greece is safe to drink the water in the islands tastes salty so you might want a water bottle with build in filter.

• Bathing suits  – Don’t forget to pack at least 2 bathing suits for the beach.

• Sarong/kaftan  – Women might also want to bring a sarong or kaftan or swimwear cover up for the pool or beach.

• Hat – If visiting Greece in the warmer months bring a hat. I love Coolibar hats because they have excellent sun protection.

What to Wear to Greece: Clothes and Shoes

Greeks dress a bit nicer than most North Americans so I don’t recommend walking around in sweatpants or sneakers.  However, in most parts of Greece (especially Athens and the islands) the locals are used to tourists so you can pretty much wear what you want. The temperature in Greece in the summer is very hot so you will need lightweight clothes.  In the winter, the temperature can get very cold and even snow in some parts of Greece. To figure out what the weather will be like when you visit Greece, check the average temperature by month at weatherbase.com.

• Dresses and skirts  – Bring at least 2-3 dresses/skirts. A basic black dress can be worn from day to night. Maxi dresses or midi dresses are perfect for Greece. I recommend not wearing short dresses (unless they are tight) in the islands because they can be windy.

• Shorts – If you wear shorts bring 2-3 pairs for the day.

• Lightweight pants  –  Men should bring at least 1 or 2 pairs of lightweight pants that can be worn at a nice restaurant or bar. Women might want to pack a pair of lightweight or linen pants as well or they might want to just bring dresses or skirts. Avoid jeans in the summer as they will make you feel too hot!

• Shirts/tops –  I recommend men bring at least 4-5 short sleeve shirts, including a t-shirt, a nicer polo shirt and a performance short sleeve tee that keeps you cool and provides odor protection when sightseeing. Women can get away with fewer tops if they pack more dresses.

• Sweater, fleece or hoodie – Pack at least 1 long sleeve sweater, cardigan or hoodie for chilly summer nights and air-conditioned places.

• Comfortable walking shoes – A must for sightseeing. Depending on the season you might want to bring either casual sandals or comfortable flats.

• Dressier sandals/cute flats – Bring a dressier pair of sandals or cute flats that can be worn for dinner or drinks.

• Platform shoes for women – Many of the islands have cobblestone streets so avoid high heels especially stilettos or any other heels which are hard to walk in. If you need some height, I recommend platform shoes or shoes with wedge heels which are easier to walk in.

• Flip-flops – If you are visiting Greece in the summer you might want to bring a pair of flip flops to wear at the beach. Havaianas flip flops are great because they have great traction and don’t slip when walking on wet surfaces.

• Underwear, socks and bras –  If you are checking luggage, pack at least 1 of each in your carry on bag in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed.  ExOfficio underwear is great for travel because it is breathable, quick-drying fabric and odor-resistant. You might want to pack 1-2 pairs of compression socks if you have a long flight.

Other Things to Pack for Greece

• Passport
• Cash, credit cards, ATM cards
• Glasses, contacts, contact lens solution
• Medication and prescriptions
• Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer
• Electronics (smartphone, computer, tablet, kindle, cords, memory cards, tripod)
• Apple AirTags, Samsung Galaxy SmartTagss or other luggage trackers to put in your checked luggage
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Toiletries (makeup, lotion, deodorant, tissues, comb/brush, feminine products, razor, shampoo/conditioner/soap)
• Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs
• An eye mask to sleep on your flight or block out the sun if your hotel does not have black out curtains
• Body wipes to wipe off sweat
• First aid kit (band aids, pain reliever, allergy medicine, anti-nausea medicine, antacid tablets, charcoal tablets, qtips)
• Lip balm with UV protection – Don’t forget to protect your lips! Most people apply sunscreen but they overlook sun protection for their lips
• Sunscreen  – Don’t forget to bring sunscreen with high SPF to protect you from the strong sun. Sunscreen is easy to find in Greece if you forget to pack it.
• Insect repellent – There are a lot of mosquitoes in Greece in the summer.
• Bandana – A bandana is so versatile, you can use it to wipe off sweat or use as a scarf
• Beach bag – For carrying your beach essentials if visiting during the warmer months
• A quick drying travel towel for the beach or if you are staying at a hostel
• Travel umbrella –  I recommend packing a small travel umbrella. It does not usually rain in Greece in the summer but winter is especially rainy.
• Packing cubes
• Day bag, tote or purse for sightseeing
• Reusable bag for carrying groceries or shopping for Greek souvenirs
• TSA approved locks
• Notebook and pen

These are my travel essentials for Greece. Is there anything else I should add to my Greece travel packing list?


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