This packing list for Greece includes what to bring on vacation and what to wear in Greece for Athens and the islands.

Trying to figure out how to dress for exploring ruins, sailing around islands, hiking up mountains, and wandering the stone streets of cute villages in Greece? This Greece packing list will help you prep for each scenario.

Determining exactly what to pack for Greece depends a little on what time of year you plan to visit and the route of your Greece itinerary. Will you be road-tripping on the mainland between Athens and Thessaloniki, sailing to Santorini and Mykonos, or island hopping on your own to some less-touristy spots?

Since most vacations here take place around the dry summer season, we’re going to focus on packing for Greece during that time, with tips on what to wear in Greece in May, June, July, August, September and October.

Before you fill up the suitcase, scroll through this guide for photos and inspiration for how to dress in Greece and save the free Greece packing checklist at the bottom so you don’t leave anything behind.

Be sure to read to the end for packing tips like how much luggage to bring, what the weather might be like, and what types of activities to plan for.

Greece Packing List

I made this Greece packing list to help you prepare for your trip after spending two weeks at the tail end of summer exploring Athens, Santorini, Naxos and Milos. The guide for what to pack for Greece includes everything from outfit inspiration to the best type of luggage and which adaptors you’ll need for electronics. Keep reading for things to bring to Greece.

Swimwear

For island-hopping, beach days and sailing trips, you’ll want a couple of swimwear options on your Greece packing list. Also, pack some light coverups to layer on top for when you go to grab a quick bite or walk through town souvenir shopping.

Sightseeing Outfits

Pack a few casual and comfy outfits for brunching, sightseeing in picturesque villages, and touring historic sights. You might want to stick to shorts for exploring ruins and riding around on four-wheelers, but breezy sundresses and rompers are perfect for souvenir shopping in town. Dress in shades of blue to blend with the island vibes, or bright reds and yellows to pop against whitewashed backdrops.

Activewear

You should include at least one activewear outfit on your Greece packing list if you plan to do any hiking or exercising on vacation. You can tackle many trails in shorts and a tank, but a pair of leggings will help shield your skin from the sun and scratchy rocks if you’re climbing uphill.

Evening Outfits

Fancy clothes aren’t a requirement unless you like to dress up for dinner, but bring a couple of outfits to change into in the evening after long, hot days outdoors. If you’re on a cruise, you’ll want to pack formal wear, but otherwise sundresses, skirts or dress pants, and blouses should do just fine for strolling around after sunset. Evenings might be a little cooler and a lot of the islands have breezy, waterfront dining districts, so longer hemlines and a wrap or cardigan come in handy. On popular islands like Santorini, you’ll spot lots of tourists in flowy dresses to capture the perfect Instagram shot.

Footwear

At a minimum, you’ll want a pair of sandals for beaches and a comfy pair of walking shoes for sightseeing. Include supportive sneakers on your Greece packing list if you plan on doing any hiking and a dressier pair of flats or wedges for evenings if you have the space.

Accessories for Greece

If you’re visiting in summer, don’t forget to include a shady hat and sunglasses on your Greece packing checklist. Accessories help mix up outfits for light packers, and a Greece vacation is the perfect chance to break out the fun gold earrings, bangles, arm cuffs and statement necklaces. Keep your itinerary in mind — if you’re spending lots of time outdoors and at beaches in summer, you’ll probably want to keep the jewelry light or save it for dinner outings.

Gear and Extras

From beach gear to electronics, these are a few of the extra items you won’t want to forget to include on your Greece packing list. Many can be purchased in a pinch after you arrive, but things like sunscreen tend to cost more on the islands.

Important documents | Don’t forget your passport, wallet, cash and credit cards, international driver’s license if renting a car, insurance information, and ticket and hotel confirmations.

Greece Packing Tips

These packing tips for Greece include how to dress for the weather, the types of activities you should pack for, and what luggage is best for those old stone streets.

Greece Weather

The season and weather will greatly determine what should go on your Greece packing list. Summer is the hottest and driest season in Greece, with the southern mainland and islands getting next to no rain between June through September.

Athens is one of the warmest destinations in the middle of summer, with average highs peaking around 90 in July and August. The Greek Islands often top out in the 80s thanks to sea breezes, and evening temps typically drop into the 70s.

The shoulder months of May and October will be some 10 degrees cooler on average. In winter, lows can reach the 40s in Athens but don’t drop much below 50 on most islands. Late fall and winter is also the rainy season.

Up north, Thessaloniki sees highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s in the midst of summer. Winters drop to lows in the 30s and highs that average around 50. Spring and fall have pleasant daytime temps in the 60s. The area also sees more rain than down south throughout the year with the same drier season in summer.

This packing list works well for visits between about May through October, though you might want to add a light sweater and long pants or skirts on the outskirts of that time frame. If you’re doing a mainland trip anytime between October and April, you’ll want to ditch the swimwear and pack more jeans, sweaters, and closed-toe shoes. This packing list for Europe has more ideas.

Destinations and Activities in Greece

Where exactly you plan to go and how you opt to spend your time will certainly dictate what to include on your Greece packing list. Consider whether you’ll be visiting any islands or beaches, tackling mountainous hikes, dressing up for fancy dinners each evening, or touring lots of ruins outdoors in the hot sun.

If you’re mostly sticking to the mainland, you might only need a single bathing suit for hotel pools or an afternoon at the beach, while island trips will require at least a couple of swim options to alternate. Sightseeing calls for comfy walking shoes with shorts and t-shirts, while island-hopping suits more breezy sundresses and sandals.

Type of Luggage to Bring

If you plan on traveling between multiple cities or islands in Greece, consider packing on the lighter side. This makes it easier to haul your bags between destinations, plus it might save you baggage fees if you’re using any smaller regional airlines.

Using a large backpack, duffle bag or small suitcase you can easily lift will also help when navigating the narrow alleys and bumpy, stone streets in many island villages. Most Greece travel happens in summer when the weather is warm, which means smaller, lighter clothing for your Greece packing list. Plus, warm outdoors temps make it easy to wash items out in the sink and dry them overnight on your hotel balcony to wear again.

Greece Packing Checklist

This free Greece packing checklist has everything you need to remember to throw in the suitcase. You can save it to your Pinterest to remember what to bring to Greece on vacation.