Greece Packing List: Essential Items for Your Greek Adventure

Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. With stunning beaches, breathtaking hikes, historical monuments, and great food — it’s easy to see why. The country has something for everyone.

 
This also means that packing your bags can be a bit of a headache since you might need to prepare for a fancy night out, a day on the beach, and a long hike, all on the same trip. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled the ultimate Greece packing list, complete with packing tips that will help you get ready for a trip of a lifetime.

What to pack for a 10-day trip to Greece

To start off, let’s take a look at what the contents of your bags should look like for a hypothetical 10-day Greece vacation. Make sure to follow along for a more detailed look at the essentials to pack when visiting Greece.

• 5-7 T-shirts;
• 2-3 pairs of shorts;
• 1-3 sundresses;
• Flip flops/sandals;
• 1 pair of comfortable hiking boots;
• 1-2 bathing suits/swim trunks;
• 1-2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes;
• 1-2 linen pants;
• 1-2 pairs of jeans;
• 2-3 linen shirts;
• A sun hat;
• Gloves (winter);
• Scarf (winter);
• Warm hat (winter);
• 1-2 outfits for going out;
• Layering to protect from the sun;
• A rain jacket (fall, winter, spring);
• 5-7 pairs of socks;
• 5-7 pairs of underwear;
• Plenty of sunscreen;
• Plenty of water;
• Sunglasses;
• A beach towel;
• Light layering;
• Water shoes;
• Beach bag;
• A cell phone;
• A cell phone charger;
• A portable power bank;
• A universal travel adapter;
• An eSIM for internet connection;
• Valid passport;
• Travel and health insurance;
• Driver’s license;
• Flight tickets;
• Visa (if applicable).

Use this as a baseline to create your own packing list, complete with the things you can’t imagine traveling without. Of course, what you pack also depends on when you’re visiting, what you plan on doing, and whether you need to fit it all in a carry-on bag or if you’ll have check-in luggage as well.

What clothes should I pack for Greece?

When you think of Greece, you probably imagine a deep blue sea, a cocktail on the beach, and eternal sunshine. And while it’s one of the warmest European destinations, it still has distinct seasons that require you to dress accordingly. Here’s what you should pack for each of them.

Summer clothing for Greece

Summers in Greece are hot, dry, and sunny — so pack light, but be ready to protect yourself from the sun. Mainland Greece tends to be the hottest, which is why many tourists seek refuge from the heat in one of many Greek islands, where you can at least expect a gentle breeze from the sea.

Here’s an example of the clothes you might want to pack:

• Several T-shirts;
• Shorts;
• A sundress;
• Flip flops/sandals;
• Hiking boots;
• A bathing suit/swim trunks;
• Comfortable walking shoes;
• Linen pants;
• A linen shirt;
• A sun hat;
• An outfit for going out;
• Layering to protect from the sun;
• Socks;
• Underwear.

There’s really no need to pack too many clothes, as even the evenings and mornings tend to be pleasantly warm. Outside of shorts and T-shirts, linen clothing is a popular option, as the fabric has some cooling qualities and helps with tolerating the summer heat. 

Winter clothing for Greece

While Greek winters are nowhere near as cold as they are in most of mainland Europe. With daily highs averaging around 13-15°C (55-59°F) and the chances of rain being higher than in the summer, you’ll want to pack some warmer clothes for the winter months in Greece.

• Comfortable jeans/pants;
• Light sweaters;
• A jacket;
• A rain jacket;
• Comfortable boots;
• Long-sleeved maxi dress;
• Gloves;
• Scarf;
• Warm hat;
• Both warm and regular socks;
• Underwear.

The winter clothes depend somewhat on where you’ll be spending your time, as the northernmost regions get much colder than those in the South. Either way, the weather if often great for exploring the beautiful towns and cities of Greece, so make sure to pack comfortable footwear and a light rain jacket to avoid getting soaked in case it rains.

Spring and fall clothing for Greece

If you want to explore the beautiful country of Greece and everything it has to offer, spring and fall may be the best times to do so. The weather isn’t as scorching hot as it is in the summer or as chilly as winter.

Fall may be a better time for a beach holiday since the sea is still warm after the summer. But when it comes to clothing, what you should pack is very similar for both of these seasons.

• Several T-shirts;
• Shorts;
• Jeans/pants;
• Light sweater;
• Light rain jacket;
• Bathing suit/swimming trunks;
• Comfortable shoes;
• Hiking boots;
• Flip flops/sandals;
• An outfit for going out;
• Socks;
• Underwear.

Whether you’re looking to roam the cobblestone streets amongst the ancient ruins, tackle some breathtaking hikes, or enjoy spending some time at the beach in pleasant weather, fall and spring are great times to visit Greece.

Beach essentials

There’s hardly a better place to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea than Greece. Warm water, sandy beaches, sunshine, and stunning landscapes draw millions of beach-loving tourists to the country every year. 

To make sure you can truly enjoy your time at the beach, you have to pack your bags with several things in mind. Most of all — you have to have a way to protect yourself from the sun. While it is tempting to soak it in all day long, you don’t want to spend the next few days in your hotel room with a severe sunburn.

Here are some things you’ll probably want to have with you on a beach in Greece:

• Plenty of sunscreen;
• Plenty of water;
• Sunglasses;
• A sun hat;
• A beach towel;
• Light layering;
• Water shoes;
• Beach bag.

Most beaches give you the option of renting out a sun bed with a beach umbrella, which is a great option to hide from the sun whenever you need to. Other than that, apply sunscreen generously, drink plenty of water, and have some light, long-sleeved clothing ready when you feel like you need a break from the sun.

Tech and electronics

Having your phone, as well as a way to keep it charged and connected to the internet, can be crucial for a good holiday experience. It’s the most convenient way to check the map, look for places to eat, get a ride, or use a translator to communicate with the locals.

So while you don’t need to stuff your bag with electronics when you pack for Greece, there are some things you should consider taking:

• A cell phone;
• A cell phone charger;
• A portable power bank;
• A universal travel adapter;
• An eSIM for internet connection.

Keep in mind that the power sockets in Greece are different from those in the USA or the UK, so make sure to pack a travel adapter that will allow you to use your electronic devices when visiting Greece. 

How to stay connected in Greece

Maintaining an internet connection at all times is crucial since most apps on your phone need it to function properly. You can’t rely on public WiFi hotspots since they’re not always available, especially if you go outside of the big cities.

Thankfully, there are several ways to maintain an internet connection wherever you go. Paying for data roaming charges, using pocket WiFi, or buying a local SIM card are all viable options. However, getting a Greek eSIM stands out as the best option.

It’s cheaper and more convenient than other alternatives, and you can buy, set up, and activate it from anywhere in the world. This allows you to have a steady connection from the very moment you land in Greece.

If you plan on traveling throughout Europe during the same trip, you can simply get an eSIM plan for Europe and have coverage anywhere on the continent, all with a single eSIM.

Travel documents

Preparing your documents is easily the least exciting part of this Greece packing list, but it’s also the most important, as you may not be able to enter the country without proper documentation.

• Valid passport;
• Travel and health insurance;
• Driver’s license;
• Flight tickets;
• Visa (if applicable).

First and foremost, you need to have a passport that’s valid for at least six months from your date of arrival if you’re flying into Greece. Make sure to double-check the expiration date on your passport well in advance so you can make a new one in case this one is close to expiring.

Travel and health insurance aren’t required to enter the country, but they can definitely save you a lot of headaches in case anything goes wrong. As for the driver’s license, it’s a must if you want to rent a car in the country, and also serves as a form of ID in case you lose your passport.

Of course, you need to make sure you have your flight tickets with you before going to the airport. It’s a good idea to print them out so you have them in both digital and physical forms.

A visa isn’t required for visitors from the USA, Canada, the UK, or most of Europe. But if you’re traveling from Asia or Africa, it’s a good idea to ensure you don’t need a visa before the trip. If you do, contact the Greek embassy in your country and arrange the visa so that you can enter the country when it’s time to travel.

Travel tips for Greece

Whenever packing for a trip to Europe, remember to create a checklist of things to pack. You can use it to double-check and ensure that you have all the essentials with you so you can simply enjoy your holiday.

As for Greece, the best tip seems to be this — do as much of what you want to do as possible. The country has so much to offer, from historic sites and old towns to breathtaking beaches and hikes and unforgettable cultural experiences. Soak it all in and have yourself the holiday of a lifetime.

Make sure you stay connected by getting a Greece eSIM card. Simply put, it’s the best way to have a steady internet connection wherever you go, so you can check the maps, use the translator, or call a ride, even on a Greek island-hopping tour, in the middle of the sea.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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