NorahGreece is one of the most spectacular summer destinations. Beautiful beaches, warm weather, delightful food, and kind people make this a destination I keep wanting to return to, year after year. In this post, I will be going over exactly what to pack for your Greece trip in order to make it the best trip ever and have amazing outfits!
When Should You Visit Greece?
Summer is definitely the high season in Greece, and I went in late June. I can recommend this time period-it was not quite the peak season, but we still enjoyed lovely days and beautiful beach weather. I imagine most areas would be more crowded in July and August. If you do not mind colder temperatures, the shoulder seasons of May and September might be great for you. There will be less crowds and cheaper accommodations.
Where Should You Go in Greece?
Greece is such a spectacular country because there are seemingly infinite areas to explore. Mainland Greece has Athens, plus the beautiful countryside and dozens of small towns to explore. The islands are spectacular and each one is different. Whatever you want in a Greece vacation, you can find. If you need additional guidance, I have a whole Greece guide that details the exact two week trip I took.
Ok, on to the clothes!
Should I bring a suitcase or a backpack?
I will give it to you straight-a suitcase in Greece will be a nightmare. First, there are so many different islands to visit and areas to explore, the odds of you staying in one hotel are very slim. Bouncing around from place to place means that you will be frequently packing and repacking your bags.
The second big reason you should not bring a suitcase to Greece is similar to the first-the cobblestone streets that are so quintessentially European are a disaster with a suitcase. Think broken wheels, broken backs (kidding) and overall just a really difficult time.
I have a backpack from Osprey that holds a remarkable amount of clothes, is easy to travel with, fits down to a carry on size on planes, and has been by my side for over two years with barely a scratch to its name. I love my backpack, and highly recommend something similar for exploring Europe.
What type of clothes should I bring?
Greece in the summer is very warm, and I have found that the islands are pretty casual. I would recommend bringing lightweight clothes that do not wrinkle, as well as pieces that you can mix and match.
For my two week trip to Greece, I brought three dresses that were all different styles and could be dressed up or down. Because I was mostly staying on touristy islands, I felt completely comfortable wearing shorter dresses. Greece outfit planning can be so fun, so definitely bring some dresses that make you feel like a goddess.
I also brought several pairs of athletic pieces. There are plenty of hikes/athletic opportunities on the islands and in Athens, and having good solid hiking gear can be great. This is also helpful if you are planning to exercise on your trip.
One critical piece of clothing I recommend is overalls-these were just perfect for this trip. They are easy to dress up or down, you can wear them a bunch of different ways (a swimsuit coverup, on their own, or under a sweatshirt) and pretty lightweight to have in your bag. They met the perfect balance of casual/still cute that I Wanted for my trip.
For swimsuits, I brought two. This is a personal preference, as swimsuits take up very little storage in a backpack. I just never found an issue with alternating suits on different days. I will say, on my Greece trip I was in swimsuits nearly every single day. Make sure you are confident and comfortable in the clothes you pack. Swimsuits can easily be dressed up or down to add to your Greece outfit arsenal!
I was able to get away with packing so many clothes because I packed very few shoes. I only packed three pairs-Chacos, Air Force Ones, and Rainbow flip flops. These all held up so well, and were perfect for everything I needed.
I debated bringing a pair of heels or fancier shoes, but I had no issues getting into nightclubs/bars with the sneakers, and they worked with the outfits I was wearing.
Here is a list of other random things I brought for the trip:
- Some sort of sun protection. This can be a hat, a lightweight long sleeve, or sunscreen. Either way, the sun in Greece is hot, and you want to make sure you are taking good care of yourself and your skin. A cute hat will also add to your adorable Greece outfits!
- A lock. This can be particularly helpful if you are staying at a hostel, as hostels frequently provide lockers, but never locks. Having a lock can save you some money. Plus, you never know when it will come in handy!
- Electrolytes. I will keep recommending electrolytes on this blog because they truly make you feel so much better, and they are a lightweight option in your bag. They take up no room, are super hydrating, and can help with long travel days.
Enjoy this video I made of my trip to Santorini as well!
Have a great time on your Greece trip!
