10 must-have items when you travel to Greece can make all the difference for a smooth and enjoyable trip.
As someone who lives in Athens, I always tell friends to bring a long scarf for monastery visits like Meteora and plenty of sunscreen for bright islands like Skopelos.
And seriously—pack sturdy, grippy shoes because those ancient marble paths can be super slippery!
With these items, you’ll be ready for every beautiful experience Greece has to offer!
Must-have Items when You Travel to Greece
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Quick Links for Greece
| Best Hotel in Athens Center: Gatsby Athens. |
| Nothing beats renting a car — total freedom to explore Greece. |
| Top-rated Guided Tour for Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum. |
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, making it harder for those petty thieves.
However, a good crossbody bag for the Metro is super useful.
2. Microfibre Beach Towel
A quick-dry beach towel that takes up a 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 in 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:
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 do as well.
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.
Flip flops for all-day comfortable shoes
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 with 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
How can I eat like an Athenian in the morning?
Make sure to try a koulouri from a street vendor. It is a traditional, crusty bread ring covered in toasted sesame seeds.
Pair it with a Greek coffee, and you have the unofficial breakfast of the city.
Is it easy to get around Athens from Plaka?
Absolutely. If you stay in Plaka, you are in the heart of the city; the Acropolis, the ancient ruins, and the hidden alleys of Anafiotika are all within walking distance.
For exploring further out, the Athens Metro is excellent.
For example, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) is only one stop away from the Acropolis at the Fix Station.
Which museums are “must-sees” besides the Acropolis Museum?
While the Acropolis Museum is world-class, I highly recommend the National Archaeological Museum. It is the largest in Greece and houses an incredible collection of ancient artifacts from across the country.
If you enjoy art, the Goulandris Museum is just 5 minutes from the Panathenaic Stadium, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art is a short metro ride away.
Where can I find an authentic Greek food market?
Visit the famous Varvakios Market on Athinas Street (a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki Square). It features both indoor and outdoor sections where vendors sell fresh meat, fish, fruit, and spices from across Greece. It’s a sensory experience that truly captures the local spirit.
What are the best spots for history and views near the Acropolis?
Across from the northern Acropolis exit stands Areopagus (Mars Hill), where the Apostle Paul famously preached and where you can now enjoy a stunning view of the Ancient Agora.
For the best vantage points in the city, head to the nearby Pnyka, the historic birthplace of Democracy, and Philopappou Hill, which features the 2nd-century Philopappos Monument and offers a direct, eye-level view of the Parthenon.
Do I need a specific type of bag for the markets and the metro?
A secure crossbody bag or a backpack with “lockable” zippers is highly recommended. Areas like Varvakios Market and the Metro can get very crowded, so keeping your hands free and your valuables secure is a smart move.
What kind of shoes are best for Athens?
The streets of Plaka and the paths around the Acropolis are made of slick marble and uneven stone. Pack walking shoes with excellent grip (high-traction soles). Even when it’s dry, that ancient marble can be surprisingly slippery!
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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. X93 will take you to Athens center.
- 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 €45 to Athens, €55 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.
Essential Travel Info for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
Thank you
You are welcome 🙂