My Actual Greek Islands Packing List + Mistakes to Avoid: What to Pack for Greece
When I visited Greece in June, I was a little stressed about overpacking before the trip. Between the crazy stairs in Oia and taking the ferry between islands, I wanted to make sure I didn’t have too many clothes and a giant suitcase I couldn’t handle.
During our one week on the Greek Islands, I learned quickly what I did and didn’t need, and now I am sharing all those details with you!
In this post, I’ll provide a breakdown of what I recommend packing for a trip to the Greek Islands, with details by category to make your life easier.
I’ve also compiled everything into a downloadable packing list for you!
Quick Packing List
Looking for something to copy and paste quickly? Here’s a high-level list of my Greece packing list you can steal. Or, get a downloadable version below!
Which Greek Islands to Visit (And How it Impacts Packing)
Did you know the Greek Islands are actually made up of over 600 islands?!
If you are planning a trip to the Greek Islands, you are most likely visiting the Cyclades.
This island group is the most popular for tourists to visit and includes famous islands like Santorini and Mykonos, as well as some incredible but lesser-known islands like Milos, Naxos, and Ios.
Each island and island group has its own charm, pace, landscape, and, of course, climate!
We personally visited Santorini and Milos, and it was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Luckily, these two islands had very similar climates, so it was easy to pack for both!
This packing guide is going to focus on the weather and vibes of the Cyclades island chain. If you are visiting other islands further north (or maybe in a time other than summer), you may need different outfits, so plan accordingly!
Greek Islands Weather & When to Visit
Planning a trip to the Greek Islands typically means warm weather, sunshine, and sea-filled days! Of course, the month you visit can impact the type of weather you have.
In general, the Cyclades Greek Islands are warm and sunny from April to October, which is when tourists typically visit!
Most Greek Islands shut down to tourism in the winter months, so I do not recommend visiting between November and March.
Temperatures start to warm up in the islands around mid-April and hit their peak in August. As a result, and thanks to European holiday travel, July and August are typically the busiest months in the Greek Islands.
If you are looking to avoid crowds, I personally recommend visiting in mid-May or late September. For the warmest weather and warmest sea temperatures, choose September!
I mention the sea because it’s an important factor that most people forget. The weather in mid-May will be extremely mild and enjoyable.
However, the sea has not had a chance to warm up yet. When we visited at the beginning of June, I was a little shocked by the temperature of the water! Of course, this didn’t keep me out of the water, especially not on our boat day around Milos! (Photo evidence below).
But if, like me, you plan to do a lot of swimming and want the water as warm as possible, I recommend visiting later in the summer.
You can read more about the typical weather in Santorini here to get a feel for the different averages!
Overall, your packing list won’t change too much whether you’re visiting in May or September. You’re more likely to need a light sweater in the evening earlier in the summer or later in the fall, but that’s about it!
Packing Organization + Mistakes to Avoid
Before we get into specifics on clothes to bring, let’s talk about overpacking (a common issue for me lol).
In general, you’ll want to keep your suitcase as organized and lightweight as possible. My best friend and I both had huge checked bags on our trip to Greece, and it was not fun.
For one, if you are planning to use the ferry system to get between islands, you need to be able to carry your suitcase up ramps, lift it into racks, etc. A 50+ pound suitcase is not ideal in these scenarios.
Quick Note on Ferries: I highly recommend packing Dramamine to avoid getting seasick on the ferries. You can read more about the ferry system in my guide on How to Get to Milos, Greece!
Depending on where you stay in Santorini, your hotel might have very steep stairs to navigate up and down. Luckily, the owner of our hotel in Oia helped us on the way down, but it was not fun coming back up with our suitcases at the end of our trip!
Similar situation on Milos… we rented an ATV for our time there, but still had to take a private transfer from the port to our hotel because we couldn’t fit our huge bags on the ATV… lol!
Depending on where you are staying on Milos, this might not be an issue for you. For example, if you are staying in the port town, you can just walk to your hotel!
Overall, try to pack as light as possible and make sure you can comfortably lift your suitcase!
A great way to stay organized is by using packing cubes in your luggage. They also help with compression and space!
Here are some other items you definitely don’t need for the Greek Islands in the summer, so you can lighten up that suitcase:
- Jeans
- High heels
- Heavy jackets
- Clunky hiking boots
Clothing Essentials for the Greek Islands
Now that you have a feel for the weather in the Greek Islands and I’ve convinced you NOT to overpack, let’s dive into exactly what you need, starting with clothing!
Packing for the Greek Islands is all about keeping things light, breathable, and versatile. Think outfits you can mix and match, throw on over a swimsuit, or dress up for dinner with minimal effort.
Flowy Dresses
Loose, flowy dresses made up 75% of my suitcase for our Greek Islands trip. I recommend a mix of both short and long dresses that you can dress up or down.
Both islands are extremely casual, so don’t stress about bringing fancy dresses with you. Stick to loose fitting, comfortable, and lightweight dresses that don’t wrinkle too much!
I wore dresses while out exploring, to the beach, to dinner, and everything in between! It’s also nice to be in dresses most of the time since there are so many photo spots around the islands, you want to be camera-ready!
If you are a photographer, consider choosing colorful dresses like orange, blue, pink, or green that will really pop against the whites houses and hotels, especially in Santorini.
Wandering around and taking photos was one of our favorite things to do in Oia, the most picturesque part of Santorini.
Here are my favorites!👇🏼
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Lightweight Bottoms and Sets
When visiting the Greek Islands, you’ll spend most of your time outside: walking through town, exploring ruins, shopping, grabbing coffee, or heading to the beach!
Some days, I didn’t want to wear a dress, so I would opt for a lightweight pair of shorts or pants.
Yes, a staple in my summer wardrobe are pants. And you might be thinking.. pants, in summer?!
I swear by these lightweight linen pants since they are extremely flowy and breathable, while still protecting my legs from the sun! They’re perfect to throw on after a long day at the beach or on the boat when you’re over the sun.
Besides these, I love a pair of jean shorts for beach days or biker shorts for more active days (like hiking from Fira to Oia!).
Here are my favorite options from Amazon!👇🏼
Coverups & Sweaters
Depending on what month you are visiting the Greek Islands, you might consider bringing a light sweater or a jean jacket to wear in the evenings.
For example, if you are visiting at the beginning of May or late October, temperatures in the evenings might drop into the low 60s (F). For me, that’s cold enough to want something over my shoulders. I love my jean jacket for nights like this because it goes with every outfit!
However, when we visited in early June, it was warm enough at night that a sweater definitely wasn’t needed.
Another great option is to use your beach cover-up at night as well! I love packing an oversized white beach cover up like this one for tropical vacations.
I wore this during our boat day in Milos to protect myself from the sun, and then took it to dinner in case the restaurants were cold or there was a breeze.
When visiting the Greek Islands, you will be spending a lot of time in the sun, so it’s important to bring a long-sleeve shirt to protect your skin! (I’m not kidding, literally everything we did in Milos was outside!! haha).
Footwear for the Greek Islands
When packing for the Greek Islands, you might be tempted to throw a bunch of cute sandals in your bag and call it a day, but it’s a little more complicated than that!
What footwear you need will depend on your planned activities and which Greek islands you are visiting.
For example, if you plan to do the Fira to Oia hike (which I recommend for any Santorini itinerary), you’ll want to pack solid sneakers or running shoes!
We saw people trying to do this hike in flip flops, and I personally did it in Converse, but I wouldn’t recommend either of those options.
Instead, wear a pair of tennis shoes on the plane and then use these for the hike and any other active adventures you plan to do on your trip. They can also double as walking shoes for long days exploring around the islands.
Aside from sneakers, you’ll definitely want to pack a pair of waterproof sandals for your trip!
I can’t live without my Reef Water Vista sandals!!! I have three pairs of them now, and they are perfect for boat days, beach days, or just walking around town. They’re 100% waterproof and so comfy!
And lastly, you’ll want to pack a dressier pair of sandals for any nice dinners (I love these Steve Madden platform sandals!). Leave the heels at home: you won’t need them, and your feet will thank you.
These are my must-have shoes for most any trip to Europe in summer!👇🏼
Beachwear & Swim Essentials
A trip to the Greek Islands hopefully means lots of time lounging in the sun and swimming in the sea, so there are a few must-have essentials I recommend.
We already touched on bringing waterproof shoes and a beach cover-up. Of course, you’ll also need swimsuits! For a one-week trip, I recommend 3-4 suits, but it really depends on your itinerary!
I usually bring a few one-piece bathing suits for more active days like cliff jumping or snorkeling, which we did a lot of while exploring the beaches of Milos!
I also love bringing a long-sleeve swim top to provide extra protection from the sun without having to constantly reapply sunscreen.
And speaking of sunscreen, I highly recommend bringing your own if you can! We had to buy a bottle of sunscreen on Santorini, and it was very expensive and not the best quality.
My favorite sunscreen brand is Supergoop! It’s reef-safe and doesn’t have a bunch of toxic chemicals like most brand-name sunscreens do. They make both face sunscreen and body sunscreen!
Besides sunscreen, I recommend bringing a tote bag or backpack you can easily carry with you on days spent on the boat or at the beach. If you are planning to do any kayaking, a dry bag can be helpful to have, too.
Also, a quick dry towel is a great thing to have on hand in case your hotel doesn’t provide you with beach towels (which they typically don’t in places like Oia where the beach is far away).
Lastly, don’t forget sunglasses and a floppy hat for more sun protection!
Electronics and Travel Accessories
When it comes to electronics, most of these will be for your hotel, the plane ride, or other transportation throughout Greece, since your days will be spent out exploring!
On long plane rides, I can’t live without my noise-cancelling headphones! I normally read my Kindle or watch movies on my iPad on overnight flights since I really struggle with sleeping on planes.
Don’t forget a reusable water bottle as well to stay hydrated on the plane and throughout your trip.
Once you arrive in Greece, you’ll need a travel adapter if you are traveling from the USA. Greece uses Type C and F plugs like the rest of Europe. I love this Universal travel adapter because it works for Europe, UK, and Australia!
Another must-have electronic in my opinion is a portable charger. Between taking photos, using Google Maps, and checking ferry schedules, my phone battery could not keep up! I always have a portable charger in case we are out all day, and I can’t charge my phone in the room.
Lastly, another great thing to pack is a mini tripod or phone stand so you can take photos without relying on other people!
Travel Documents & Miscellaneous Items
Although arguably the most important items, I saved these for last since they aren’t the most fun to plan for!
Of course, you will need a passport for your trip to the Greek Islands. It’s recommended that your passport expiration date is at least 6 months away.
For Americans (as of 2025), a visa is not required if you are staying in Greece for less than 90 days.
For currency, Greece uses the euro (€). Most places accept credit cards, but it’s always smart to carry some cash, especially for tips, taxis, or smaller shops.
You can find ATMs in bigger towns, but I always withdraw a little cash at the airport just to be safe. Remember to have the ATM charge you in euros, not your home currency, for the best exchange rate.
If you plan to rent a vehicle in the Greek Islands, whether that is a car, an ATV, or a scooter, you will need an International Driving Permit. This is different from your state-issued driver’s license.
The easiest way to obtain an international driving permit is from your local AAA office, or you can do it online through their website. Read more about obtaining an IDP here!
Want more tips like these? Grab my $7 International Trip Planning Playbook and Roadmap: Passport to Confidence!
I cover every step you need to take to plan an international trip, from booking your flights to buying the right travel insurance & everything in between!
Final Thoughts
Deciding what to pack for the Greek Islands doesn’t need to be overwhelming! With a combination of lightweight clothing, bathing suits, and good footwear, you’ll be ready to explore the picturesque towns and beaches of Santorini, Milos, and beyond!
Just make sure to keep your bag as light as possible so you can easily manage it throughout Greek Island ferries, insane stairs, and uneven terrain.
Enjoy your trip to the Greek Islands, and don’t forget to grab your Greek Islands packing list before you go!
Or, read more blog posts about the Greek Islands below! ⬇️🇬🇷
The ULTIMATE One Week Greece Island Hopping Itinerary
A Perfect Santorini Itinerary: 3 Days in Santorini, Greece!
How Many Days In Santorini? 1, 2, And 3-Day Itineraries
Where to Stay in Santorini for First Time Visitors
17 Things To Do In Oia, Santorini’s Most Beautiful Town!
How To Get To Milos, Greece: A Complete Breakdown
A PERFECT Milos Itinerary: 3 Days On Milos, Greece!
Where To Stay In Milos, Greece: Best Hotels, Areas, & More
16 INCREDIBLE Things to Do in Milos, Greece
Top 10 Beaches In Milos, Greece: A Complete Guide
BEST Boat Tours in Milos, Greece (To Kleftiko and Beyond!)
What To Pack For The Greek Islands (Downloadable Guide)!
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