What To Wear in Greece in the Summer (+ FREE Packing List!)

Greece is a bucket-list summer destination for many, but knowing what to wear could make or break your trip!

As a southern-European girl who has survived many scorching-hot Mediterranean summers, I’ve written this packing list to help you prepare and pack for your next Greece summer holiday in the best way possible.

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What to know before packing for a Greece summer holiday

The main thing to know before packing for a Greece summer holiday is that it can get both hot and windy.

While everyone dreams of Greece’s sunny summers with little to no clouds in the sky, the days can get intensely hot with very high UV levels.

At the same time, the Meltemi (or Etesian) winds blow between mid-May and mid-September, particularly affecting the Cyclades (mainly Mykonos, Andros, and Tinos), the Dodecanese, and the Sporades islands. These wind bursts give some relief from the heat, but they can also be quite strong and persistent.

For day-to-day sightseeing, you’ll need to be comfortably prepared for walking across Greece’s winding towns just as much as for spending time at the beach or swimming.

By the end of this guide, you will have everything you need. You can also click here to jump to the itemised Greece summer packing list.

What is not allowed to bring to Greece?

Greece has a similar prohibited items list to the rest of the EU, including unauthorised weapons, explosives, illegal narcotics, counterfeit goods, and protected wildlife products.

Additionally, it is prohibited to bring in meat, milk and dairy products into the EU, with the exception of powdered baby milk and special foods for humans and pets for medical reasons.

Important: If you take medications containing codeine or tramadol, opioids/strong painkillers, or anxiety and ADHD medications like Diazepam/Valium, Xanax, Adderall or Ritalin, make sure to bring your doctor’s note or prescription, keep your medication in its original, sealed pharmacy packaging, and limit your supply to a maximum of 30 days.

What to Pack for a Greece Summer Holiday

1. Luggage and Bags

Even if you pack light, it’s always a good idea to leave some room in your luggage for any spontaneous purchases and souvenirs (Greek wine and olive oil are very good souvenir ideas, but they must go in the aircraft hold as liquids). Also, packing cubes are a great way to keep your items organised.

Aside from luggage, I recommend packing a light backpack or RFID crossbody bag to carry around with you while sightseeing. It’s also a good idea to bring a dry bag or beach bag for beach days or boat trips.

Tip: For a nice compact backpack to bring under the seat on airplanes, I recommend this extendable backpack that fits a lot in!

2. Travel Documents & Electronics

Before landing in Greece, you’ll need all the usual travel documents such as your personal ID document or passport (valid for 6 months beyond your trip’s end date), and any visa documents or ETIAS pre-travel electronic authorisation.

Make sure to check if you need to pack an international plug adapter – Greece uses standard European plugs (Type C or Type F).

Also, I never leave for a trip without my power bank, as I don’t like running the risk of having my phone die when I’m out and about! An extra-long phone charging cable may also come in handy to charge your phone at night, in case the plug is not right next to the bed.

Tip: If you bring hairstyling tools to Greece (such as straightening/curling irons), check whether the wattage of your devices is compatible with Greek outlets, as they may not work (or worse, break) otherwise! Greece operates on 230 volts.

The easiest way to stay connected in Greece is to get an eSIM ahead of your trip! Holafly sell both unlimited Greece eSIMs and European regional eSIMs – you can save 5% off your eSIM using my discount code “JESSICAVIANA“.

3. Light Breathable Layers & Modest Coverups

Greece gets very hot in the summer, so it’s important to stay cool by wearing light and breathable layers. Cotton and linen are the best fabrics to choose, as they also have UV-protecting properties.

You can wear any colours you like, but you’ll notice many people wearing white and/or blue in Greece – these colours not only match the Greek flag but also the whitewashed villages against the sea and the sky. Your holiday photos will come out especially gorgeous if you pack some clothes in white or blue!

To protect yourself from the sun, pack light midi/maxi dresses and skirts, loose shorts and trousers, linen shirts to cover your shoulders and arms, and a mix of light t-shirts and tops.

Tip: Remember that to enter churches in Greece, you must cover your knees and shoulders.

I like to carry a light shirt or scarf around in my backpack to use as needed. Wearing long skirts, dresses, and trousers not only protects you from the sun but also keeps you ready to go when visiting churches (of which there are many in Greece!).

4. Comfortable Shoes

Sightseeing in Greece can be a great workout routine… From climbing up steep, winding paths to going down slippery cobblestone steps, you will likely walk a lot, and Greece is not exactly the destination to pack all your stiletto heels for.

Prioritise comfortable walking shoes, deck shoes, sneakers or sandals with decent grip for sightseeing. If you don’t have much room to pack, going for neutral colours will make it easier to match your shoes across outfits.

If you plan on going for a fancy dinner or party, I recommend going for block heels, which provide better support and stability on cobblestone streets.

5. Headwear & Windproof Accessories

Again, the sun in Greece can sometimes feel like laser beams, so it’s important to protect your head by wearing a cap, sunhat, or headscarf during the day.

The wind can make things trickier, so it’s smart to pack at least one hat with chin straps (or buy chin straps that you can attach to your hat to prevent it from flying off your head!). Having a hat clip to attach your hat to your bag when not wearing it is also good to avoid losing it.

On particularly windy days, I just choose to tie my hair up with hair ties or wear a headband to avoid worrying about having hair on my face all day (which I hate!).

6. Warm Evening Layers

Despite the scorching heat during the day, temperatures often drop on particularly windy days and in the evenings. Make sure to pack a couple warmer layers like a light cardigan or jacket.

7. Beachwear

Greece is an amazing summer destination for its beaches and crystal-clear waters. So, don’t forget to pack at least one swimsuit/bikini or swim shorts/trunks, a pair of flip flops or sliders with good grip, and a beach towel!

Aside from beach sandals, I also really recommend bringing a pair of water shoes – many beaches in Greece have pebbles and rocks, which can be painful on bare feet!

Finally, it’s frowned upon to walk around on the streets or in restaurants/shops in swimwear in Greece, so it’s always a good idea to pack a sarong or beach coverup to wear when stepping away from the beach.

Tip: I also usually like to bring my own snorkelling kit to use at the beach or on boat trips whenever I fancy!

8. Sleepwear & Underwear

Of course, don’t forget to pack enough underwear and socks for your trip!

Depending on how you prefer to sleep (I won’t judge!), throw in some cotton pyjamas or light nightdresses, tops, t-shirts, and/or shorts for sleeping in.

9. Toiletries & Essentials

Sun protection is very important, especially when visiting Greece at the height of summer. Make sure to pack high-SPF sunscreen (or buy it in Greece), at least one pair of UV-blocking sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the day.

It’s also a good idea to get some insect-repellent (you can buy it in Greece once you arrive). During the summer, mosquitos become a little annoying, so it’s useful to have some bug spray on hand.

Of course, don’t forget to pack your usual skincare, perfumes, haircare products and accessories. Most hotels offer complimentary shampoo and conditioner, but I find they’re usually those 5-in-1 kind of products (if you know what I mean). If you use special care products, I really recommend bringing your own.

Itemised Packing List for a Greece Summer Holiday

Now that we’ve gone over the details, I’ll leave here an itemised packing list with everything you’ll need during your Greece summer holiday.

This list is tailored for an average 1-week trip, so feel free to adjust based on the duration of your own trip.

FAQ: What to Wear in Greece in the Summer

Last thoughts

I hope this packing list is helpful to deciding what to wear ahead of your Greece holiday this summer. By following the above packing list, you’ll hopefully be able to find the right items and materials, and have an easy time packing.

Feel free to write any questions you may have in the comments – I’ll do my best to help!