Jet-Setting to Santorini? Here’s What to Pack for Greece in the Summer

There are few places as unique as Santorini, Greece, in the summer. Millions of travelers flock to the Aegean Sea annually to experience its wonderous waters and pristine white architecture. Of course, you’ll want to bring a wardrobe that stands out against the stunning backdrop. Knowing what to pack for Greece can be stressful. However, creating a comprehensive checklist of the essentials will ensure you bring everything you need.

What’s the Weather in Greece?

Before you begin packing for Greece, knowing what weather to expect during your travels is important. While winters are often cold, long and dreary, the summer is hot and ideal for swimming in Santorini’s turquoise waters. 

Santorini has a Mediterranean climate — long summer days last from June to September, with July and August being the hottest months. August also tends to be windier than the rest of the summer. 

The island comes to life this time of year as tourists flock for sunshine, breathtaking sunsets and beach days. On average, summer highs range between 27° and 29° Celsius — 80° to 85° Fahrenheit. However, some days can be even hotter. Evening temperatures typically range from 21° to 23° C — 70° to 74° F.

Helpful Tips for What to Pack for Greece

There are some helpful tips to remember as you figure out what to pack for Greece, such as the following:

• Bring outfits you love — Santorini is one of the most photogenic places and you’ll want to look good in pictures.
• Simplify your life with suitcase organizers and packing cubes.
• Purchase a durable suitcase intended for international travel.
• Pack medications separately in your carry-on bag.
• Make a checklist to ensure you have enough clothes for every day.
• Leave no empty space in your suitcase.
• Distribute the weight evenly in all your suitcases, making transporting them easier.
• Review your airline’s baggage policy.

You’ll also want to research Greece’s customs restrictions. According to travel information hub Frommer’s, travelers may not travel with narcotics as Greece has stringent drug laws. You may not bring explosives and firearms or live plants with soil. Likewise, prescription medications must only be the necessary amounts, while pets may enter the country with the proper health documentation.

The Ultimate Checklist: Packing for Greece

For many, Greece is the trip of a lifetime. Fortunately, packing for Greece doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Follow this ultimate packing checklist for the most idyllic holiday in Santorini.

The Basics

Of course, before you go, you’ll want to remember the essentials of international travel. For instance, all international travelers must bring a passport to enter the country. If you don’t have a passport or it expired, apply for one early. It could take 11 weeks to process a new one for your Greek getaway. Other essentials to remember include:

• Identification and copies of your ID card and passport, just in case you lose them
• Credit and debit cards, cash, visa — if necessary — and travel insurance
• Medications — prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, including a list of everything you take daily
• Travel itinerary, airline tickets and other ticket payment information — it may help to create a designated travel folder or label in your inbox to track confirmation emails
• A notecard with emergency contacts

Forgettings any of the basics could lead to more stress and aggravation than you bargained for. Double and triple-check you have everything you need before heading out the door.

Clothing

Dress like a Greek goddess with light, flowy materials. Opting for white or neutral tones will keep you cool in the excessive heat. Meanwhile, a couple of bold-patterned pieces will add variety. Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, skirts and casual dresses are all suitable when packing for Greece.

Evenings in Santorini are usually cooler than daytime hours, so bringing a light cardigan may be a good idea, too. Likewise, Santorini is rather laid-back, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to feel and look put-together for an evening out. Bring something nice — but not too formal — to wear to dinner.

Because Greece is so hot in the summer, it’s a good idea to pack some extra tops and underwear for when you get sweaty.

Accessories

Bathing suits are an obvious choice for a summer vacation in Santorini. You’ll likely spend much time soaking up the sunshine, swimming and participating in watersports. Also, remember your cover-up.

Remember to bring a purse with a zipper to keep items secure on you at all times. Likewise, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and sandals — you will be doing a lot of walking — and a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. 

Reconsider bringing fine jewelry to Santorini and opt for inexpensive but stylish costume jewelry instead. A 2019 survey found that 20% of travelers experience jewelry theft while 27% lose fine jewelry on the beach.

Toiletries

Sunscreen and after-sun moisturizer are essential toiletries for Greece. The average ultraviolet index is 10 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer. At a minimum, broad-spectrum sunscreen should be SPF 30 and applied liberally. You can also bring a sunscreen stick if you’re traveling light. Otherwise, remember to pack these other essentials for your trip:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo, conditioner and dry shampoo
• Deodorant
• Brush, comb and hair ties or clips
• Razors and shaving cream
• Feminine hygiene products
• Over-the-counter medicines — painkillers, cough drops, diarrhea pills, saline eye drops and motion sickness medicine

Remember to ask your doctor for prescription refills if traveling for a while. Also, you’ll want to bring your medications in the original containers to avoid trouble at the airport. 

Other Travel Essentials

There are several other travel essentials you might bring to make your Greek vacation stress-free, including the following:

• Tide to-go stain sticks
• Small, flat travel mirror
• Mini hair straightener
• Converter plugs — Greece uses plug types C and F, running on a 230 V supply voltage and 50 Hz
• Portable charger
• Laptop, tablet and phone and their chargers, if necessary
• Reusable water bottle
• Microfiber towel
• Wet-dry bag
• Laundry bag
• Camera and memory card, if necessary

Sometimes you realize you need something later on. While you can certainly buy forgotten essentials when you arrive in Greece, following a checklist makes packing at home much more efficient

Travel Greece in Style and Comfort

Santorini is a magical place to visit any time of the year. Packing for Greece can be straightforward when you know what you own and what weather to expect. If anything, it may present an opportunity to buy a few new items for a fun beach vacation.