This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
The Greek islands are by far my favorite European summer destinations. I love the clear blue waters, the tasty traditional food, the friendly people, and the fantastic weather. It’s also much cheaper to visit than other popular destinations like Paris, London, and the French Riviera.
We love Greece so much that we try to visit at least once a year – sometimes even multiple trips a year. What can we say? We’re big fans.
Packing for these trips can be tricky. I wanna pack as many cute outfits as possible while also packing all of my necessities and leaving room in my suitcase to bring back souvenirs or even more cute outfits (I mean… have you ever been in a Greek boutique?! They have the cutest stuff!).
In addition to all of that, I also like to say that I’m a light packer. I can fit two weeks of clothes into a carry-on, or (on rare occasions) my husband and I will share a checked bag. So I think I got this packing thing down pat. So here’s everything I think you’ll need to enjoy the ultimate Greek island vacation!
Also Read: The Best Greek Islands to Visit
Products Mentioned in this Article
Best Time to Visit Greece
The best time to visit Greece is mid-May to mid-June and September. The weather is fantastic at these times of the year, and there are fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation prices. Avoid the high season, which is July and August.
Types of Activities in Greece
No matter which part of Greece you visit, you’ll most likely enjoy many outdoor activities. These can include hiking, touring old towns and adorable fishing villages, and spending time on or near the water.
You’ll need beach gear, a good pair of walking shoes, and sun protection. These are just the basics – let’s get into the complete packing list for adventures in Greece!
Also Read: Best Beaches in Milos, Greece
Luggage & Packing Essentials
Suitcase
As mentioned earlier, I almost exclusively travel to Greece with a carry-on. That is unless my husband and I are sharing for some reason, in which case we just share one checked bag. My go-to carry-on suitcase is the Away Carry-On. I love the mesh pockets, compression straps, and its signature built-in portable charger. This suitcase is super sturdy and glides easily over Greece’s cobblestone streets.
We have a ton of checked bags — nine, to be exact. The best and sturdiest by far has been our trusty Travelpro Softside Expandable Checked Luggage. It’s great if you want to fit lots of clothes or other soft things. If you’re going with the soft side (fabric) version, opt for a dark color like black to minimize scuffs and dirt marks.
Personal Item or Travel backpack
A roomy personal item is an absolute must for me wherever I travel, no matter how long the trip is. I prefer to use a backpack, and within the backpack, I keep whichever purse I’m using to travel with. This usually contains my travel documents and wallet. My personal item also holds all my travel essentials, like my Kindle and noise-canceling headphones.
My Taygeer Travel Backpack has been a total game-changer when it comes to traveling. It features a U-zip main compartment, which allows you to pack it like a suitcase, as well as mesh pockets, waterproof pockets, a laptop compartment, and compression features. I also love that it has a trolley strap, so I can easily slip it over the handle of my suitcase.
Also Read: Taygeer Travel Backpack Review: A Lightweight and Practical Choice for Frequent Travelers
Clear toiletries bag
I have to admit — I feel a bit late to the game here. I’ve always had my carry-on liquids in raggedy Ziploc bags that I used over and over until I couldn’t — until recently! These clear bags are more functional, more aesthetically pleasing, and more environmentally friendly than using Ziploc bags for your toiletries.
These PACKISM bags come in a pack of three, so you can share them with others or have some as backups. They clean up super easily, and I’ve never had a problem getting through security with them.
Clothing Essentials
Lightweight clothing
The intense heat is real in Greece. In addition to staying hydrated and wearing hats, you’ll want to pack light and breathable clothing. This includes linen shorts, cotton tops, and moisture-wicking fabrics. Avoid heavy materials like suede and tweed, which will leave you sweating buckets.
Travel fashion is different for everyone, so I won’t get into the specifics. For me, I love the look and feel of linen sets like this one. Not only are they cute and timeless, but I also love that you can mix and match each piece and that they are light and breathable.
Linen shirt
A linen button-down shirt is absolutely essential for me when visiting Greece. It’s super versatile and can be used for many different purposes. I have two—one white and one striped—and that’s really all you need. They can be used as beach cover-ups, sun protection, on a chilly night, and when you need something quick to put on when going to a restaurant or shop.
I got mine from H&M and Primark, but you can find several on Amazon at an affordable price point. This one by Amazon Essentials is lightweight, high-quality, and comes in several classic colors and styles.
Swimwear
Swimwear is another absolute must to add to your suitcase when packing for Greece. I usually like to bring at least one one-piece swimsuit and two sets of bikinis. It usually ends up being a lot more and takes up a majority of my carry-on.
I’m a bit of a bikini connoisseur, so I have bikinis from many brands and many price points. If you’re looking on Amazon, one of my go-to brands is Roxy. The quality is amazing (I literally have some suits that are pushing ten years old), and I love all of their styles!
Also Read: The Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece
Hat
While I’m a huge fan of my Billabong Womens classic straw hat for long days in the sun, it’s just not practical when you’re traveling across the world. Instead, I prefer a bucket hat. Bucket hats are easily packable in your suitcase and beach bag, plus you can usually find a pattern that suits your style perfectly.
Maaji has these wonderful oversized bucket hats that’ll keep your most delicate skin protected from the sun. If you’re looking for a more simple silhouette, Roxy has several adorable (and reversible!) options.
Sunglasses
The sun is no joke in Greece. In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, you also need to protect your eyes. This is something you shouldn’t skimp out on. I once bought a pack of cheap sunglasses from Shein, and they did absolutely nothing for my eyes; it was like I wasn’t wearing sunglasses at all!
These O’Neill Malika 2.0 sunglasses feature a hydrophobic coating, polarized lenses (a must), enhanced UV protection, and are scratch- and impact-resistant. While they look really cute, they are also durable and high-quality for a fair price.
Also Read: Cinque Terre, Italy – A Complete 3-Day Itinerary
Water shoes
The Greek islands have an incredible and diverse mix of beaches. From rocky coastlines to sheer sea cliffs and golden sandy beaches, no matter what your preference is, you’ll certainly be able to find many stunning beaches on any island you visit.
Rocky beaches are pretty common, so I highly recommend bringing a pair of water shoes to save your feet. You’ll thank me later! They also come in handy on super hot days on sandy beaches, especially at black sand beaches like Kamari Beach in Santorini. These basic ones from Speedo are awesome for traveling because they’re lightweight and won’t take up too much space while still protecting your feet from sharp or slippery surfaces.
Walking shoes
I always make sure to pack a pair of good walking shoes whenever I go to Greece. Not only will you be doing a ton of walking everyday, but that walking can often be over slippery cobblestones and uneven surfaces. You’ll need something that will protect your ankles and keep you safely on your path.
The adidas Womens Cloudfoam sneakers have been a fave of mine for many years. They are super comfortable for all-day wear and are super stylish, too.
Nice pair of sandals
Along with a good pair of walking shoes, you’ll want to pack at least one pair of nice sandals for dinners or other special events. I know a lot of people love to bring a lot of sandals, but I try to bring one or two pairs.
Steve Madden has an amazing variety of sandals that are perfect for vacations. I absolutely love the Hadyn style and the fact that they come in so many dazzling colors.
Also Read: The Island’s Best Resort: Our Domes Miramare Corfu Review, With Photos
Personal Care Items
Face sunscreen
My La Roche-Posay face sunscreen is the #1 thing I’d be really sad about if I ever forgot to pack it for any vacation. Yes, it is pricey if you buy it in The States (a lot cheaper if you can get it in France), but it is worth it. I love how it instantly sinks into my skin and doesn’t leave any sticky feeling or white cast. It also doesn’t have a traditional sunscreen scent.
If I forget to reapply sunscreen in Greece, I am absolutely burnt the next day. It is an essential for me.
Body sunscreen
I am far less picky when it comes to body sunscreen. As long as it works, I’m happy with it. It can be spray, cream, a stick, or anything. Therefore, I have no specific recommendation for this one.
If you are traveling with only a carry-on, you can definitely buy body sunscreen when you get to Greece. They sell them in pharmacies and regular grocery stores. It’s tough to find a travel-size version, though, so unfortunately, you may waste whatever you have left over at the end of your trip.
OUAI hair oil
This is quite possibly my #1 hair essential. I’ve been using this OUAI Hair Oil for over five years, and I’ve never gotten over it. It smells amazing and leaves my hair nice and soft even when I’m in the water all day.
Both the full-size and travel-size versions of this hair oil can be taken in your carry-on. The full-size may seem small, but since you only need one small pump, it lasts a very long time. Only use it on the very ends of your hair to add shine and smooth split ends.
Dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is essential for touch-ups between washes. Greece gets so hot that even if you wash your hair daily, you may still need a mid-day touch-up to prevent getting oily and sweaty hair.
When it comes to beauty products, I always like to try new things, but this Living proof dry shampoo has been a constant favorite of mine. It completely absorbs sweat and oil without feeling chalky.
Also Read: The Best European Summer Destinations to Visit
Beach Gear
Hydro Flask
I can go on and on and on about why Hydro Flasks are amazing. I’ve had one for over ten years and can’t say enough good things about them. I drink a ton of water daily, so I love to have my Hydro Flask on hand at all times.
My two favorite versions of the Hydro Flask are the travel tumbler and the wide mouth with a closeable straw lid. I have both in the 40-ounce size, but you can choose your size based on preference and how much water you prefer to drink.
Tote bag
I love having a tote bag with me whenever I travel. It carries all of my daily essentials, especially when I’m out at the pool or beach all day. I always like to bring face sunscreen, body sunscreen, a portable charger, my Kindle, some snacks, and a towel.
I’m a big fan of the ALOHA Collection packable totes. They’re super lightweight, durable, and can fit everything you need to have the perfect pool or beach day. These bags come in many different designs to fit any style.
Packable towel
A packable towel isn’t always necessary, especially if you are staying in a hotel that provides beach towels. But if you aren’t, I highly suggest bringing your own. It comes in handy on beach days and boat tours and can also be used as a blanket to sit on.
Towels don’t have to be bulky anymore! This Dock & Bay Beach Towel is absolutely amazing and perfect for travel. It packs down small, dries quickly, and comes in so many cute colors and styles.
Also Read: New River Gorge National Park: Exploring America’s Newest National Park
Electronics
Portable charger
The Anker brand is my go-to for portable chargers. I love that they now have magnetic and wireless chargers. They’re super convenient when you’re on the go and charge your phone quickly.
If you’re not a fan of the wireless and magnetic chargers, Anker also has a wired portable charger that you can plug your phone into. I’ve used this version for years, and it still charges our phones super fast. Just make sure to charge it overnight if you have used it for a while because it does take some time to fully recharge.
Digital camera
If you’re anything like me, then one of your favorite things about traveling is taking photos of beautiful destinations. These days, you don’t need a fancy camera to accomplish this! Most of us have cameras in our pockets at all times.
But if you are looking for a new camera, I absolutely adore my Nikon Z fc. This is a mirrorless camera, which means it’s a little more pricey but a lot more lightweight than your typical digital camera. I also love how it looks like an old-style film camera. After using my Nikon D3100 for over a decade, this was quite a nice upgrade.
Also Read: Underrated European Destinations to Visit
Selfie light
If I’m not using my “fancy” camera and I’m just taking photos of myself, I love this selfie light. It has three different light hue settings and several brightness settings. It’s great if you want to snap a pic at night or in the evening.
GoPro
My GoPro has probably been to as many countries as I have at this point. I take it with me everywhere! It’s a great little camera that can shoot amazing quality photos and videos, but it’s still super user-friendly and easy to use.
We mostly use the GoPro when we’re out on the water – or in the water. I love that I don’t have to worry about it getting wet, and I can take it to places I can’t take my regular camera or phone. The GoPro HERO12 Black is the latest version of this action camera, which features an extended battery life, a larger sensor, and ultra-high video resolution.
Also Read: Where to Stay in Cinque Terre – Which Village is Best for You?
Charging cords + Plug adapter
Remember to bring all the charging cords with you! If you’re not from the EU, you will need a plug adaptor to use with your electronics. This one from TESSAN features several plugs, so you’ll only need one or two of these!
The TESSAN power plug adapter includes four AC outlets, two USB ports, and one USB-C port. It will definitely make your life easier, so you don’t have to spend time searching through stores or your hotel for an adapter.
Also Read: Lost World Caverns – A Hidden Gem in West Virginia
Loved this guide? Don’t forget to pin it for later!
FAQ
What is a list of things that are good to bring to Greece?
Top essentials to bring to Greece include swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, a tote bag, and a plug adapter.
