Greece Packing List: A woman in Mykonos Island sitting and looking at Little Venice
Looking at Little Venice on Mykonos island

This post is about a Greece packing list for a 10-day summer trip to the country. I have included some packing basics, tips for the weather, dressing habits in Greece, what clothes to pack, and toiletry/medicine/electronics/ hiking/ documents lists.

You will also find a shortlist of the best areas to visit in Greece.

Best Things to Do on Ios Island, chora sunset
Ios Island in the Cyclades Sunset

Finally, I have added a few items that you shouldn’t bother adding to your Greece packing list.

If you think I have forgotten an essential item, please leave a comment at the end of the article so that I can add it for other travelers. Thanks!

*Some of the links below are affiliate links.  That means I may make a commission if you click and buy. The commission comes at no additional cost to you.

Athens Quick Reference

  • Where to stay in Athens with stunning Acropolis view: Niche Hotel or The Foundry Suites
  • Book your ferry tickets with no-hidden-fees at FerryScanner or FerryHopper
  • Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable new cars at affordable prices
  • Greece Packing List Basics

    There are specific items in your Greece packing list – or any country packing list – that you mustn’t forget behind:

    • Your ID, passport, wallet/purse, cards, cash, visa (if needed), travel insurance
    • A copy of your ID & passport in case of any loss
    • Any medication you take at home or that you may need during the trip (allergies). Keep copies of prescriptions and the names of medicines. Take photos of the drugs’ packages and also write down their names on a notepad 
    • Travel itinerary and receipt of ticket payment on air flights/tours /ferries saved on your mobile/cell drive or print it

    What Luggage is Best for Overseas Trips?

    Greece Packing List: small dog and large suitcases

    If you already have a nice suitcase or whatever you use for your travels, skip this part. If not, read on!

    I love large suitcases with hard side carry-on where I can stack literally everything in without stressing out that something may break during traveling.

    Greece Packing List.Evgenia hiking
    Me in my usual blue backpack!

    I also love hiking so I often use a backpack for my hiking adventures and trips. Visiting a Greek island like Andros or Kea and not hiking even on a short trail seems like a lost opportunity to explore all the hidden but very exciting areas of the island.

    If you don’t hike, take a smaller backpack or large purse, handy for exploring during the day.

    Greece Travel Packing List: What to Wear in Greece?

    Greece Packing List: Delphi Oracle Temple
    Delphi Greece

    What should you wear in Greece?

    • You can pretty much wear whatever you want in Greece. Greeks are very cool about what you wear, we have seen it all! (exceptions are all Greek Churches and Monasteries (Meteora is a good example), you need to wear modest clothes, no shorts or mini skirts or deep cleavages t-shirts. The Casinos also would not allow flip-flops and shorts)
    • Choose loose lightweight clothes, Greek summers are hot, 30 – 38 C, but can go up to 45 C if there is a heatwave. Islands are also quite humid and the Cyclades can get very windy
    Me hiking on Kea Island, Cyclades
    • Prefer layers and comfortable shoes (cute flats), no heels are allowed inside any of the archaeological sites anyway. Acropolis for instance has marble steps that can be slippery. Most of the roads on islands or the mainland that you will be walking are cobblestone paths and you might as well get a sprained ankle if you try to walk on them with high heels
    • Do you have more questions about what to avoid in Greece and where you can drink tap water? Read my related post First Time Traveling to Greece
    • If you’re wondering when is the best time to travel to Greece and what to pack for your summer vacation in Greece, this post will be of great help to you!

    You may also enjoy: What to Do in Skopelos Greece-Mamma Mia’s Location

    Essential Items for Greece Packing List

    Travel Antitheft Wallet

    I usually carry a Blocking Stash Wallet across my body, under other garments, when I visit new places, or when I have to carry a large amount of cash in the Athens metro. Keeps me stress-free that I have done the best I can, to avoid pickpocketing.

    What to Pack for Greece: Clothes

    Best Things to Do on Ios Island, yachting Ios
    Touring Greek Island by yacht

    What to Pack for Greece: Toiletry List

    • Hair products like hair gel
    • Hairbrush, good old-fashioned comb, hair ties
    • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
    • Cotton, ear cotton buds
    • Face Cosmetics: moisturizer, cleanser
    • Make-up, lipstick, lip balm
    Evgenia showing a church in Agisitri
    Me on Agistri Island in the Argosaronic
    • Deodorant (a lot, Greek summers are scorching)
    • Your own washcloth if you use one, hotels very rarely supply them
    • Body cream – Archipelago Morning Mint
    • Tweezers and Nail Clippers
    • Bring your own feminine products. Alternatively, you can buy sanitary pads or OB tampons from local stores
    • Coola After Sun Lotion with Aloe Vera Agave and Lavender Oil for the strong Greek sun
    • Travel Mirror
    • Hairdryer: Leave it at home, all hotels have one. And your hair will dry in 5 minutes in Greek heat.

    You may also enjoy: 30 Best Places to Visit in Greece

    How to Pack for Greece: the Medicine List

    Greece Packing List, pharmacy on Greek island
    Pharmacy in Amorgos Island – Natascha Neef

    In Greece, you can buy simple painkillers or allergy ointments and generally speaking, all the “light” medicine from pharmacies but not antibiotics or more serious medicine like sedatives. For those, you will need to go to a public hospital or a private practice and they can subscribe then for you. More for your list:

    • All the necessary medication you take back home
    • Mosquito Repellent (you can buy it from the Greek local store unless you prefer your own brand)
    • Bandaids (you can find them in both pharmacies and supermarkets)
    • Ammonia for insects sting
    • Allergy medication
    • Pills for jet lag/ seasickness or Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband. You can see it here on the Amazon store

    Greece Packing Electronics List

    This checklist for packing electronics will definitely help you not to leave behind any useful devices:

    • Your mobile & lipstick-sized charger
    • Waterproof Phone Pouch: Keep that Greek sea away from your iPhone/mobile
    • World Travel Adaptor Ceptics: Greece has a usual European plug configuration so you better have an international adaptor that will have you covered for every country, not just Greece.
    • Portable Power Bank: All-in-one, portable power bank that keeps all of your electronics charged no matter where you are and how long your trip is.
    • Laptop. You are not supposed to take it with you, you are going on vacation to Greece 😀
    • Headphones with relaxing music while you take the ferry to Mykonos
    • Travel Camera
    • Memory Cards: Pack at least 2 spare memory cards

    Hiking Gear Checklist

    8 Days in The Peloponnese Monemvasia sunset
    Monemvasia in the Peloponnese

    Greece is full of hiking opportunities being 80% covered by mountains.

    What to Pack for Greece Hiking:

    • Comfortable walking shoes – preferably you have broken them before you wear them in Greece. Mind you, the Greek Mountains are rough and steep
    • Hiking socks
    • Travel backpack, to keep your back dry such as Osprey Hikelite 18 Hiking Backpack
    • Round Brimmed Hat (but not bulky, something easily folded like this one)
    Best Things to Do on Sikinos Island, old building
    Sikinos Island
    • Salty Snacks to keep your minerals stable in the Greek heat (along with 2-3 lt of water)
    • Walking sticks. The Cyclades Islands are always windy and if you hike on the ridge of a mountain you will need support from the gusts
    • Buy/Use Paper Maps. You can buy them anywhere in Greece, and probably much cheaper than buying them on Amazon.
    • Upload the trails on your app.
    • Take with you a hands-free Garmin Navigator

    Travel Documents Checklist

    Athens Hotel with Acropolis view

    Keeping your essential travel documents in order and organized can really take the stress out of travel. Use a simple folder to put them all together and be handy. Don’t buy anything with many pockets and zippers because you will be spending a lot of time tracing the documents.

    • Personal ID, Passport – make sure to have an electronic and paper copy in case yours gets lost.
    • Internation drivers Permit: if you come from the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Gibraltar you do not need it. You can rent a car in Greece with your national driving permits as long as you are over 18 years old (Article 94 of Greek Law No. 4850/2021 – November 5, 2021).
    • Visa: Check here to see if you need a visa for Greece
    • Credit /Debit Cards & Cash (carry cash with you, some smaller islands may have only 1 or 2 ATMs). We do not usually take American Express.
    • Boarding Pass – Keep it handy on your mobile or print it. 
    • Emergency contact information.

    The small travel extras make a big difference!

    Greece for mobility-impaired people Corfu
    Corfu island
    • Reusable Collapsible Water Bottle: In the global battle against plastic and sea pollution, you can help by using an insulated high-quality reusable bottle that keeps water cold or warm for hours like this one
    • Eye Mask and Ear Plugs: I find eye masks invaluable for shielding me from any light inside the plane. In lack of them, you can use a garment to cover your eyes.
    • Compression socks: Great value-for-money socks, if your feet hurt easily.
    A man standing and looking at Meteora Monasteries
    Meteora Rocks
    • Noise Cancelling Headphones: If you want to get any sleep on a plane these are essential. 
    • Books that you have been intending to read for a long time but you never have the time. However, don’t take more than 2, they are bulky, heavy and Greece has English books everywhere that you can buy if you need one. Or invest in Kindle.

    What Not to Bring to Greece

    • Travel Pillow like Supersoft Neck Pillow Head is great support but it may be bulky, so take it only if you have a lot of space in your luggage
    • Expensive Jewelry – you don’t want to worry about them all the time, leave them in your safe at home
    • Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, hairdryer. Buy some at the local supermarket but you may don’t need to as almost all hotels provide them for free
    • I am also not very fond of airtight bags, or vacuum packs that squeeze your clothes and you save space. The thing is that they don’t last too long and your clothes will be so wrinkly especially the viscose ones.

    If you need a customized itinerary for a private tour in Greece please send your inquiry here. Thanks!

    Best Places to Go in Greece

    Whitewashed port and houses in Naousa Paros
    Paros Island
    Me at Nemea, Temple of Zeus, Peloponnese

    Plan your Trip to Greece

    Are you interested in a day or multi-day tour or a transfer anywhere in Greece? We can plan your trip and organize everything:

    • Book your private vehicle with an English-speaking driver
    • Arrange your accommodation, hotel, or apartment
    • Organize local thematic tours (food, wine-tasting, hiking, sailing)

    Extras that you can purchase while booking:

    • Admission fees
    • Issue your ferry tickets
    • Professional Licensed guide (for the sites)
    • Lunch or dinner for each passenger

    Does this sound like what you are looking for? Please send us your request here.

    Where to Stay in Athens

    Looking for the Best Hotels near old Athens Plaka and Acropolis Parthenon?

    Or you would like to stay at a beachfront hotel?

    Perhaps you are more in budget hotels interested?

    Whichever your preferences I have collected the best options for your staying in Athens below:

    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 to rent 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
    • Check out here a full post on Lavrio Port in Athens

    Some of my Favorite Travel Resources for Greece

    More Destinations in Greece

    Mykonos island Windmills

    Mykonos Island

    A Fishing boat in Salamina island sunset

    Salamina Island

    Oia Santorini island blue domed churches and caldera views

    Santorini Island

    Kythera Island

    Amorgos island chora 2

    Amorgos Island

    Port in Spetses with ships and buildings

    Spetses Island

    Aegina

    Aegina island is just 15 minutes far from Agistri island. Aegina is a beautiful island, full of amazing things to do and see:

    Follow Evgenia Mataragka:

    Hi! I am an Athens-based Greek obsessed with exploring Greece and bringing you the best travel experience ever!

    4 Responses

    1. Fred

      For very early spring (March – April), especially if hiking, I always take some warm clothes such as a thick wool sweater, waterproof jacket with a hood and a wool hat because there will always be a couple of storms with cold wind and rain.

    2. Evgenia Mataragka

      Thank you for the very useful tip, Fred! You are absolutely right, March & April in Greece are still cool months and the weather can be unpredictable, volatile and at times cold. Good tip!

    3. Shirley Màrtin

      Plan on living in Greece near the beach need 2 bedroom something very comfortable simple and furnished on a budget

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