Greek Islands Packing List: What to Pack for Greece in the Summer
My husband and I spent 10 days vacationing on the Greek islands during the month of July. Greece is definitely a favorite summer vacation spot because the Mediterranean climate brings warm temperatures and the ocean water is perfect for swimming.
Whether you are going to a tourist hot spot such as Santorini, or seeking a calming and relaxing scene on a quiet Greek island, the Cyclades islands is the place to go for an idyllic summer vacation.
Once you’ve booked your tickets and planned out your vacation itinerary, the last step is figuring out what to pack for a trip to the Greek islands. In this practical guide I’ll give you valuable advice that I learned during our trip to Greece. I will give myself kudos on doing a pretty good job when packing my own bags, but there were a couple vital things that I completely forgot about. Read on to see everything you will need (and some things you won’t) during your Greek summer vacation.
Minimalist Packing with Only the Essentials for Your Trip to the Greek Islands
Make Island Travel Easier with Light Luggage
During our trip in Greece we did some island hoping and moved around from one hotel to another. Going from one island to another is a bit cumbersome because you have to take small planes and/or the ferry. You should plan on having to bring your bags to the dock and do a fair amount of walking around with luggage in tow.
We also had two very long layovers in London where we squeezed in some sightseeing. So we had to pack light and bring only the most important and useful items in our luggage. We didn’t want to be lugging around big heavy bags everywhere we went while exploring London.
Bring Carry-On Luggage
I realize that packing all your vacation necessities into a carry-on bag may be quite a challenge, but it could really save you some hassle if you can make it work. Firstly, you’ll never have to worry about your bags getting lost if you don’t check them.
Secondly, you’ll be able to travel much lighter and not feel so weighted down with heavy bags. In the Greek islands there’s many areas where there’s no paved sidewalk. So imagine trying to roll heavy luggage on sandy or dirt roads. There’s also a lot of stairs and very few elevators. Not fun!
Luckily you won’t be going to a cold weather destination where you’d have to pack heavy winter coats or boots. You can definitely get by with a lightweight dress, swimsuit and sandals on most days in the Greek islands.
I am a fan of Samsonite luggage because it’s very lightweight but still sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear from travel. If you invest in a quality piece of luggage, then you’ll have it for many years of adventuring.
What is the Summer Weather Like on the Greek Islands?
In the Aegean island group known as the Cyclades there’s a Mediterranean climate which has hot and dry summers. The weather starts to heat up in June at hits its peak in July and August.
The monthly average temperatures for the summer months are in the mid 80’s which is still very comfortable. On some days the temperatures will be in the 90’s but still dry and without much humidity.
What Should You Wear in Greece During the Summer Months?
Below I outline all the best clothing options to consider when packing for your Greek islands trip. Some items are non-negotiable while others could be optional. Most importantly, whatever you decide to wear must make you feel comfortable and inspire those wanderlust vibes for maximum enjoyment on your vacation.
Bring Clothing Made of Natural Fabrics
In hot climates, both humid and arid, you want to avoid synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Polyester is essentially made of plastic and will quickly make you feel hot and stuffy after just a few hours outside in the summer weather.
The best natural fabrics to wear in hot summer temperatures are cotton, linen and silk. These fabrics have a natural wicking property to keep your body temperature cool. They are also the most comfortable against your skin.
Linen is really having a moment in the fashion world these days, and you can find stylish wardrobe pieces such as linen jumpers, rompers, dresses, tops and pants.
Dresses to Wear on the Greek Islands
Pretty much any type of dress is great for a trip to the Greek islands, as long as it’s made of natural fabrics. I suggest the dress styles that you select be breezy and easy to pair with all kinds of shoes and accessories.
One tip I have regarding dress length is pack one mini dress and one midi dress, and leave the maxi dress at home. You will be doing a lot of walking and maxi dresses tend to drag on the floor and get dirty. There’s a lot of stairs on the Greek islands and you’ll have to be pulling up the hem all the time. Not to mention the fact that longer dresses take up more luggage space. Just something to think about!
For my own Greece trip I looked for dresses that have the blue and white colored patterns to match the aesthetic vibe in Santorini. H&M always has amazing modern summer dresses every year.
Mix-and-Match Tops, Skirts, Capris and Shorts
When you’re building out your vacation wardrobe with top and bottom separates, make sure that they mix-and-match well and you can wear them interchangeably. Think along the lines of basic cotton and linen tops, breezy skirts and capris, chambray shorts and a couple of button down shirts for layering.
Despite the fact that they are made with cotton, I would still avoid clothes with heavy denim and opt for more lightweight fabics.
On the ASOS online store you can browse through hundreds of trendy styles of tops. Even when you are shopping off-season, you’ll find breezy vacation apparel that you’ll be thrilled to pack for your vacation.
Pack Some Athletic and Workout Clothes for Outdoor Adventures
The Greek islands have very diverse terrains and you may want to head inland to see different sides of the island. You can book a hiking tour, go horseback riding or ride ATVs through the backroads. For these types of excursions you’d want to have a pair of workout leggings, a proper bra and closed-toe shoes. Book in advance so you can pack properly and avoid overpacking.
I love the Outdoor Voices colorful workout sets. Their high tech fabrics keep you cool and allow you to move freely. They are perfect for planning a hike along the volcanic rocks in Greece.
Pack a Versatile and Lightweight Jacket
Most of the time during your summertime stay in Greece it will be too warm to wear a jacket. But there may be times at night when you go to a nice restaurant and just want a light and dressy layer over your clothes.
I suggest you bring a lightweight blazer or moto style jacket made out of a natural fabric such as cotton, rayon or linen. This jacket can also double as sun protection for your back and shoulders during times when you’re in direct sunlight (for example when you go wine tasting at one of the many vineyards).
For the men traveling to Greece, some fine dining restaurants require men to be wearing a jacket and women to be wearing dressier sandals. If you’re a foodie who enjoys the finer meals in life, plan to pack a semi-formal ensemble for such establishments.
Utility jackets are like magical garments in your wardrobe because they can be seamlessly worn for all sorts of occasions. They are lightweight to pack in your luggage, and can even be worn during your long haul flight to avoid being cold on the airplane.
Swimsuit, Bikini, Coverup & Goggles
When you’re vacationing on the Greek islands, the main activity to do in the daytime is swimming at the beach. So of course a swimsuit or bikini is an essential to pack.
On the Greek islands the water is so clear that you can see fish swimming around in the shallow waters. We brought goggles so we could see underwater while swimming. You could also pack a snorkel set if you wanted to as well.
An easy to throw on swimsuit coverup is helpful because there are shops and restaurants right next to the beach. You may want to quickly run out to grab a drink or snack, but may not want to parade around in just a swimsuit (or maybe you do!).
Summersalt has very cute and modern swimsuits and coverups for all body types. They are your shopping destination for summer vacation essentials.
Sun Hat is a Must
The summer sun on the Greek islands is very intense and you can easily get a sunburn or heatstroke from being out at the beach all day. Protect the top of your head and face from overexposure to the sun with a wide brimmed sun hat.
Most retailers only sell hat sun beach hats during the height of vacation summer months. But on Free People’s website you can shop straw and wide brim sun hats any time of the year.
Shoes to Pack for the Greek Islands
During the summer months on the Greek islands, most people are wearing sandals around the clock. Make sure the sandals you pack are tried and true and won’t give you blisters because you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
For the more adventurous travelers, there’s plenty of hiking opportunities up in the mountains on the islands. So in this case you would want to pack athletic sneaker shoes and socks.
If you plan on swimming in the Aegean waters, you can opt to wear water shoes. My husband and I just went barefoot but there are some beaches with less than comfortable rocks in the shallow waters and even possibly some sharp coral reefs.
I strongly advise women not to pack shoes with high heels or stilettos for a trip to the Greek islands. The walking paths are often made of dirt, sand or cobblestones. There’s also a lot of steep areas because many of the villages are located on the slopes and foothills of mountains. Find some cute sandals for a dressier evening look and leave it at that.
Leather sandals are very versatile and they can be worn casually in the daytime, or for a dressier night out. They also fit easily into your luggage without taking up too much space.
Lightweight Beach Tote or Backpack
Your vacation days will be spent out and about, going to the beach and exploring the villages. You’ll need a lightweight and roomy tote to easy carry about your belongings. If you want to be hands-free, you can also travel with a lightweight backpack (which can also double as a carry-on bag).
Extra large beach bags make it easy to carry around your towel and beach necessities. Canvas bags are especially easy to clean after a sandy day at the beach.
Personal Items & Toiletries to Pack:
Sunscreen 30 SPF or Higher - I have this first on the list because you really don’t want to ruin your summer vacation with a bad sunburn. Pack it and wear it every day!
Toothbrush + Travel Size Toothpaste
Travel Size Shampoo + Conditioner
Face Wash
Face + Body Lotion
Makeup - Bring makeup that has built-in sunblock.
Hair Brush + Hair Ties
The Mosquitos Are Terrible in the Summer on the GreeK Islands
I mentioned above in the list of toiletries that you should pack mosquito repellant, but I wanted to expand upon it here. It hadn’t even occurred to me to bring bug spray when I was packing our bags and we paid dearly for this mistake. At night we suffered mosquito bites all over our bodies, both outside and inside our hotel rooms. Not only should you pack mosquito repellant but also anti-itch cream for the inevitable bites you will get.
Can I shop for toiletries and personal items in the Greek islands?
If you’re staying at a more populated island such as Santorini, Paros or Mykonos then you can probably find a local drug store or grocery store to shop for personal items such as over-the-counter medication, feminine hygiene products or toiletries.
But if you are going to some of the more remote and quiet islands, I wouldn’t bank of being able to find those kind of amenities available. Also, transportation can be a challenge on these small islands because there’s limited cars or buses. So a store would have to be within walking distance of your hotel.
I would plan on coming prepared with everything you think you might need during your trip with travel sized containers. Better safe than sorry!
Electronics to Pack for a Trip to the Greek Islands
Camera with extra battery and memory cards
Chargers to all your devices including phone, laptop, camera, tablet, etc.
Headphones
Can you stream movies on the Greek islands?
My husband and I quickly discovered during our trip that the wifi at all of our hotels was either very weak or non-existent. We couldn’t get hardly any web pages to load up on our devices and we definitely couldn’t stream anything.
I suggest you pack screen-free entertainment for your downtime such as books, adult coloring books, playing cards or journaling.
Important Documents to Keep Safe:
Passport
Driver’s License
Vaccination card
Pro Travel Tip: Make a photo copy of your passport front page, vaccination card and ID and keep it separate from the original. This could come in handy in case your bags ever get stolen or lost.
At the Onar Villas you can enjoy your breakfast on a private patio with stunning panoramic caldera ocean views.
Imagine relaxing in this luxurious pool with blue dome views. The Oia Spirit Boutique Hotel is rated 10 out of 10 for location!
The windmills are an iconic part of the Greek Islands. At the Charisma Villa Suites they actually have a very large windmill on the hotel property. Great for memorable vacation photos.
