Greece packing list? We´ve got you covered.
Establishing what to have, and what not to have in your Greece packing list can be overwhelming. There are a lot of variables with what you should pack depending on the season, the area you are traveling to, the things you want to do when you arrive, etc.
Greece Packing List & What to Wear in Greece for Women
This Greece packing list focuses on summer travel in Greece. It assumes that you are planning on venturing out to the idyllic Cycladic islands, or wandering around the crumbling ancient sites of mainland Greece.
This is the most popular time of year to travel to Greece for most people. Keep in mind that Greece experiences a Mediterranean climate and the summer months, particularly July and August, often see temperatures that soar up to 35-40 degrees celsius.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
It is important that you have a really comfortable pair of shoes that you can wear while exploring Greece. This applies regardless of where you are going.
Sometimes flip flops just don’t provide you with enough support! A pair of walking sandals may not be the epitome of international chic.
However, they are incredibly comfortable and well suited for long walks, hikes, and exploring archaeological sites and ruins in the intense summer heat. Tennis shoes are also okay but walking sandals are arguably better as they let your feet breathe.
Suitcase
Whether you prefer a suitcase or a large backpack is something that comes down to personal preference. However, a suitcase can save your back from having to deal with the strain of carrying large weights.
A four-wheel suitcase is the easiest option for getting your things from A to B. Opting to buy a case with a built-in, TSA-approved combination lock also helps to ensure security. If you are only travelling with carry-on luggage, be sure to double-check the dimensions that your airline allows.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes and compression bags can be a lifesaver when it comes to aiding you to make sure everything fits within your suitcase. They are particularly handy f you have a tendency to pack a few extra clothes than you need.
The same is true if you are travelling to Greece as part of a wider European trip and need to accommodate for several destinations in one case. You can put your cold-weather country clothes in one cube, your summer weather clothes in another, etc.
In instances where you need to pack a little extra and your suitcase contents start to become quite bulky, packing cubes become a godsend! These little wonders help you to compress your clothes down so that you can fit more in a smaller space.
A 5L Day Pack for Exploring
A little 5L day pack offers ample space for everything that you need for exploring during the day. Your camera Go-Pro, sunscreen, purse, water bottle, and any necessary cosmetic items should fit easily inside a bag of this size.
At the same time, you still have room for any additional items you may need. If you are concerned about safety, you can also consider purchasing an anti-theft backpack like those offered by Pacsafe.
You can purchase stylish, comfortable, and durable anti-theft backpacks that come with a long warranty period that extends over several years. Pacsafe bags have a mesh locking system and are slash-proof, meaning that someone could not tear them open with a knife.
A Filtered Water Bottle
Consider purchasing a reusable water bottle for the duration of your trip. Tap water is drinkable in Greece and the filters on the reusable bottles add an extra level of purification. This saves spending money on bottles of mineral water and is better for the environment.
Sunscreens for Face and Body
The Mediterranean sun is no joke, especially during the summer months. Temperatures in Greece often soar above 35 degrees Celsius.
Sometimes, stepping outside feels almost like stepping into an oven because you can feel the impact of the intense sun on your skin. Yikes!
Sunscreen doesn’t block you getting any colour, but it does offer protection from the intense sun. Opt for both a separate body and face sunscreen. Body sunscreens are often too oily for the face.
Aftersun Lotion
Aftersun lotion is not just for soothing sunburns, but also for moisturising skin that is dry after being out in the sun all day. It helps to prolong the tan that you’ve gotten during your Greece vacation. Try and opt for an aftersun that has soothing aloe vera inside.
A Wide-Brimmed Hat for Sun Protection
The Greek sun is ferocious and your scalp is ultra-sensitive. Ensure that you have sufficient protection by taking a stylish wide-brimmed hat on vacation with you.
Travel Medikit
A comprehensive travel medical kit should be part of your Greece packing list as it helps you to be prepared for any eventuality. It’s worth noting that pharmacies can be found on virtually every street in Greece and the people working in them usually have a good grasp of English.
If you forget anything from your travel medical kit, rest assured that you will easily be able to find everything that you need, just like you would at home. The main kind of painkiller in Greece is Depon (pure paracetamol) and Panadol (paracetamol with caffeine).
You can also find Ibuprofen/Nurofen. Consider including the below items in your Greece packing list.
- Plasters/band-aids
- Painkillers
- Imodium/rehydration sachets
- Mosquito repellent
- Anthisan cream for mosquito bites
- Antiseptic cream (e.g. Germoline) for cuts and scrapes
- Feminine hygiene products (sanitary pads/tampons) – note that tampons are not widely available in Greece and most places stock only pads.
Travel Toiletries Bag
What goes into your travel toiletries bag comes down to personal preference. Some suggestions are detailed below. You can pick and choose what suits you.
It’s worth keeping in mind that a lot of hotels and Airbnbs in Greece do not provide shampoo and conditioners. Sometimes, the ones that they provide are of terrible quality and may not be suitable for your personal needs. A small travel-sized bottle of each should be enough for a week in Greece.
- Baby wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Packet of tissues
- Skincare products as needed – cleanser, toner, moisturiser, etc
- Makeup items as needed
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss
Additional Shoes to Pack
Walking sandals are great for daytime exploration but you may want some other stylish footwear options to take with you to Greece. You should also consider packing some flipflops or slippers to wear around your hotel.
Consider including the below in your Greece packing list:
- 1 x Pair of flip flops for meandering around your hotel
- 1 x Pair of nice sandals/gladiator sandals
If you want to also pack a pair of more evening-appropriate shoes then, by all means, go ahead.You may want to avoid stiletto heels as Greek cities have a lot of cobbled streets and uneven pavements.
Clothing Items to Pack
Whether you are travelling to Greek cities such as Thessaloniki or Athens, or you are going island hopping in the Saronic, the following clothing suggestions should be suitable for your Greece packing list during the Spring, Summer, and early Autumn months.
- 2-3 pairs of casual shorts (perhaps one pair that is more formal and can be worn during the evenings)
- 2-3 casual tees or tops for exploring during the day
- 3 summer dresses or jumpsuits
- 1-2 formal outfits for evenings out
- 2 swimming suits/bikinis – Take at least two so that you always have an alternative while one of them is drying out!
- A beach cover-up or sarong
- A lightweight microfiber beach towel (microfiber towels are great for their fast-drying properties!)
- A stylish mini handbag for evenings or formal lunches (because let’s admit that there are times where the 5L daypack just doesn’t look right!)
- A light cardigan for evenings and air conditioning (don’t underestimate the chill of the air-con!)
- Underwear (Some element of personal preference here in terms of what you bring and how much). Consider packing a pair of knickers for every day that you are travelling as well as a few extras. For bras, pack 2-3 for one week of travel.
- Pajamas/nightwear
- Sunglasses for protection from the sun
Electronics for Your Greece Packing List
Suggestions for electronics and photography equipment to incorporate into your Greece packing list are provided below.
- DSLR camera (or a good phone camera will suffice)
- Sim cards for your camera so that you never run out of memory
- Phone & phone charger (be sure to pick up a local SIM at a Cosmote store while in Greece)
- European travel adaptor (Greece uses the two-pronged circular sockets like most of Europe)
- Power bank (very handy for ensuring that your phone has juice when you’re out all day)
Paperwork for Travelling to Greece
As with travelling anywhere, there are a few pieces of paperwork that you need to have with you when visiting Greece. Some of these documents can also be stored electronically so as to reduce your paper use.
- Passport
- Schengen visa paperwork (where applicable)
- Photocopy of your passport (very useful to have with you)
- International Driver’s License (if renting a car in Greece)
- Print out of travel insurance policy number
- Boarding passes for flights
- Passenger locator form
- Proof of negative test or vaccine
Parting Words
Have any additional questions about this Greece packing list or planning an adventure to Greece in general? I’m based in Athens and would be happy to assist you more if I can.
Safe travels. Geia sou!
