10 Must-Have Items When You Travel to Greece

1. Anti-theft bag

I know you don’t want to hear me say anything negative, but you have probably heard from fellow travelers that there can be a theft issue inside the Athens metro.

I travel often and keep my bag in front of me, so I make it harder for those petty thieves.

However, a good theft-resistant Travelon small crossbody bag for Metro is super useful. Another useful option is a Fanny Bag, which you can wear under your clothes and keep track of your passport and important docs while traveling.

2. Microfibre Beach Towel

A quick-dry beach towel that takes up small space in your luggage and is large enough to cover you up is a must-have item when you travel to Greece.

I love the 100% organic cotton beach towels with a discreet design or one of the finest Smyrna Original Turkish Beach Towels I have ever seen, super absorbent.

3. Big Scarf

A big scarf is …romantic and with the summer winds in Greece, it can be an essential part of your clothes. Another good reason to bring a big scarf is that you can use it if you are visiting monasteries like Meteora.

The monasteries require women to wear skirts or dresses below the knee. You can wear a skirt but if you are not fond of them you can tie your long scarf over your pants (The monasteries do have some you can borrow).

4. Buying Sunscreen in Greece

I suggest you bring your sunscreen from home. Sunscreen is a bit expensive in Greece or at least this is what I hear from other travelers.

If you wonder where to buy sunscreen in Athens, you can get much better prices (than islands or pharmacies) in large stores like Hondos Center (one in Ermou St near Plaka and Syntagma and one in Omonia Square).

For me, the best Greek sunscreens are (30 and 50 SPF):

• Apivita Sunscreen (and their after-sun lotion is exceptional)
• Frezytherm Sunscreen Velvet and
• Korres Sunscreen

Amazon also has a great deal on a pack of 2 Neutrogena Non-Greasy Sunscreen Lotions with Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (you need a lot of SPF in Greece).

5. Proper Shoes for Every Occasion

Leave your high heels at home and bring along comfortable shoes. This is why:

1. 80% of the Greek land is mountains, meaning a lot of uphills and downhills and rough terrain. So you need good walking shoes with great gripping like the Keen Sandals. Good sneakers will make do as well.
2. Not all Greek beaches are sandy. Some are rocky and in some cases, you need to avoid urchins (I stepped on one years ago and I still remember it!). You need to protect your feet with water shoes with mesh, like this one on Amazon.

1. Flip flops for all-day comfortable shoes
2. If you are going hiking, bring your good hiking shoes/boots with you.

6. Underwear

Must-have items when you Travel to Greece: Take comfortable underwear that keeps you fresh all day like the Fruit of the Loom, Hanes, or Vanity Fair. However, a couple of more lacey panties are also useful 😀

You may also enjoy: 30 Best Places to Go to Greece

7. Technology and Greece

We always take a wall adapter that has several USB ports, no need for converters. Another essential item you need to pack is a battery pack for cell phones (especially if you are out exploring all day).

Tip: Carry a portable charger for your phone, there are very few street spots for charging your phone.

8. Washing Line

I always take a washing line with me, you can hook it up anywhere and it’s really useful for washing small items as you’re traveling and means you can take fewer clothes. I also take travel wash in a tube.

9. Items for the Plane

Eye Mask and Ear Plugs: No plane flight would be complete without these. The Pretty Care Eye mask is what we recommend. It is padded and blocks out all light.

Travel Socks: I started using compression socks while flying because they prevent Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which can become a serious issue. Compression socks help prevent blood clots and are highly recommended.

10. Hotel Washing Items & Steam Iron

• Universal Sink Stopper and Travel Plug: This plug is universally compatible with sinks and effectively prevents water from draining out. It’s wise not to rely on your hotel to provide a stopper; instead, be prepared with a backup and utilize your own.
• Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets, 50-Count: Traveling with laundry soap is bulky and messy. Travel easier with Travelon’s Laundry Soap Sheets. Non-liquid and not subject to the 3-1-1 carry-on rule, these sheets dissolve in water.
• Water Baby Wipes: Ideal for Sensitive Skin as they are Plastic-Free, 99.9% Water Based Wipes, Unscented and hypoallergenic
• Last but not least: a Handheld Steamer for Clothes the vast majority of the hotels DO NOT have an iron!

More Essential Items for Greece

• Toilet seat liners (for public toilets)
• STANLEY IceFlow Stainless Steel Water Bottle
• Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband
• Neck Pillow Head Support
• Electrolyte tablets
• Mini sewing kit
• Mozzie repellent spray

Related Article: What to Pack for a 10-day Summer Trip to Greece

FAQ for first-time visitors to Athens

• Try the koulouri, a small round piece of bread usually with sesame and a Greek coffee and you become instantly a Greek local!
• If you are staying for more than a day in Athens buy the 30 euro combination ticket, valid for all the archaeological sites for 5 days
• If you are not squeamish about blood or fish smell visit the famous Varvakios Market, on Athinas Street, a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki Square an indoor and outdoor food market. The vendors sell fresh meat, fish, fruit, spices, and products from around the country

• Besides the stunning Acropolis Museum, I highly recommend the National Archaeological Museum, the biggest Museum in Greece with ancient artifacts from all over the country
• Other significant Museums are the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (1 metro station far from Acropolis, at Fix Station) and Goulandris Museum, 5 minutes away from Panathenaic Stadium 
• Across from the northern Acropolis exit, stands the Areopagus or Mars Hill where Apostle Paul preached
• From your hotel in Plaka, everything is within walking distance. Alternatively, use the Metro to go around
• Check out the post for the best budget apartments in Plaka

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How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport

• Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
• Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
• Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €40 to Athens, €55-60 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
• Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
• You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece
• Are you looking for domestic flights in Greece? Check out the official Aegean Airlines Website.

Essential Travel Info for Greece