Returning to Greece: What We Pack and Why

We’re frantically gearing up for our 2024 adventure to Greece—because honestly, what better excuse to write about packing than an impending trip? With our departure just a few days away, our house resembles a tornado of flip-flops, sunscreen, and questionable items that may or may not have been accumulated by too much online shopping.

I often get bombarded with questions about our trips, especially the legendary escapades to Greece! Everyone wants to know the coolest spots we’ve hit, the best islands for visiting, which airlines we travel from the US,how long we’re gone, and the million-dollar question: what on earth to pack for Greece? So, while I’m on this quest of figuring out my own packing conundrum (does seven pairs of sandals count as overpacking?), I thought I’d whip up this post. Plus, it might just help me trim down my bag, especially if I can’t back it up here! I have been a known overpacked in the past and I am truly trying to stop the addiction. So help a girl out here and shoot me a message if you have your own great ideas!! I’ve tossed in a few affiliate links to my favorite goodies, but fear not, this post is purely for info-sharing—no pressure to buy unless you really want to give my wallet a boost!

Getting Everything There

Not only do we need to have the ultimate packing list for Greece, but we also need to be able to carry all of our stuff! Over the years, Steve and I have tried a magical assortment of bags—cute purses that are barely functional, backpacks that look like they survived a war, totes that could double as small boats, and suitcases large enough to hold the kitchen sink. Keep reading if you want to know what we love, why we’re obsessed, and the brands we’d trust with our prized goods.

For the past six years, we’ve been all about TravelPro. They’re tough, stylish, exceptionally organized, and as efficient as a Greek waiter in a busy taverna. When we embark on our Greek adventure, and it comes to checked luggage, Steve rolls out with one medium-sized checked bag. while I bring not one, not two, but three bags—two small checked bags and one empty medium-sized checked bag. Why the empty bag, you ask? Because I need space for all the souvenirs! Plus all the honey, olive oil, mountain tea, wine and of course Ouzo! I squeeze one of the small bags into the big one for the flight out so I have plenty of room! And guess what? I’ve also got two carry-ons, while Steve stays loyal to his one trusty backpack. It’s a fantastic system for us and I bet all minimalist are rolling their eyes at this point!

Luggage-Carry On Bags

I strut my stuff like a runway model with the fabulous Maxlite Underseat Bag and the indestructible TravelPro Computer Backpack. These bags are practically magical, reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ carpet bag—spacious enough to fit extra outfits plus room for my laptop and pockets overflowing with things I may or may not need. And to be honest, one bag is usually stuffed with yarn and a crochet hook, because nothing screams, “I’m an eccentric old lady” quite like pulling out a crochet hook to make baby blankets at 30,000 feet. What can I say? Long flights require lots of yarn. (Maybe I should write a post on what to do on a 10 hour flight?)

Now, let’s talk about Steve. He loves his Timbuk2 backpack. Why? Well, he likes to keep very organized and this is the bag for organization. I can’t believe all he can fit in the bag, and the many pockets, zippers and stash areas are perfect for him. He has had this bag for several years so it is a good thing it is durable! Steve is definitely the most prepared traveler out there, all while looking like he’s just casually walking down the street.

Luggage-Checked Bags

For checked bags, we absolutely adore the TravelPro Premium Elite . W love how this bag keeps our stuff organized. We also have the Maxlite and a discontinued TravelPro bag from years gone by-I would love for this relic to wear out! Seriously though, these bags are all tough, and makes us look stylish (or at least as stylish as two middle aged folks can look carrying around luggage in an airport.

What We Put in our Luggage

I never pack light; it’s like asking a cat to take a bath—just not happening. I’ve tried; I really have, but my suitcase has a mind of its own. When we venture to Greece, it’s like preparing for an Olympic event in packing! We haul everything from hiking boots to sunglasses, because you never know when you’ll need to conquer a mountain or sit on the beach at sunset. Our itinerary resembles a chaotic game of ‘What’s are we doing today’ with hikes, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, fine dining, e-biking, and the occasional boat ride sprinkled in. Packing for Greece is a bit like eating at a large buffet; you need a bit of everything to truly enjoy the meal!

Snorkels

We always stuff our snorkels into our bags because we never know when a spontaneous underwater exploration may occur! Just last year, we felt like we personally discovered the Sunken City near Elounda Crete. We bought our trusty snorkels from Amazon a few years back, and they’ve been perfect. And flippers? Nah, we don’t care for them and might just end up kicking each other with them!

Underwater Camera

We decided to buy an underwater camera a few years back because, hey, why not? Our first underwater photo session, was on a boat tour in 2021 in Naxos, where we realized that we’re definitely not the next Jacques Cousteau but had a great time nonetheless. I for one think if we just keep messing around with it, we might accidentally capture the next National Geographic cover! Underwater photography is a journey for us which we are enjoying. I absolutely adore this camera since I can airdrop my amazing photos to my iPhone with no problem. Want to join in on the fun? You can find this Olympus Camera on Amazon by clicking here.

Backpacks

What to Wear?

Packing is like prepping for a high-stakes game show—what to wear is always the ultimate conundrum. “What should I pack for Greece?” is the question that is so tough to answer. Now, I’m no fashion guru; my advice? Just wear what makes you happy!

The first time we jetted off to Greece, I was a bundle of nerves, terrified I’d look like a “tourist!”—you know, the classic American stereotype. So, like any over-prepared traveler, I Googled and packed and than googled and packed again.. We thought we were nailing the local vibe until our first night on Milos Island, when I accidentally poured myself a glass of balsamic vinegar, convinced it was wine. Spoiler alert: if you drink vinegar, it doesn’t matter how stylish your outfit is—you will definitely look like a tourist. Want to relive my vinegar hall of shame moment? You can read about My First Greek Wine here.

What I Pack to Wear in Greece

Again, I am not what you’d call a ‘light packer’—more like a ‘let’s haul my entire wardrobe on an 18-day adventure’ kind of traveler! Last time I shared my packing list, I got an earful about how I take too much stuff. Well, guess what? I’m fully aware, but I assure you, everything will see the light of day—at least once! It’s hotter than Hades in Greece right now, and with all the running around,I might change outfits a couple of times a day! I also bring along Tide Sink Packets because nothing says “vacation” like doing laundry in your hotel room.

• Sundresses My love affair with sundresses is a love story full of comfort and choices! I wear these cool, comfy pieces everywhere—yes, even on hiking trails! Although I’ve discovered that Greece has a wind problem. Some days are very windy. So, I’ve learned the hard way that a midi-length dress is much kinder than something that flirts above the knee. Trust me, I’ve got 8 of these beauties packed for my 2.5-week vacation, and a couple double as swim cover-ups. After swimming I get hungry and want to stop at the local taverna.
• Dinner Dress Sometimes we like to go to fine dining but usually we prefer the local tavernas. I do take 1 or 2 dressy dresses for this occasion. This year I think I only packed 1 as we don’t plan on anywhere fancy except perhaps in Athens.
• Skorts and Shorts I stuff my bag with 3-4 sporty skorts, especially if hiking is on the agenda. I mean, skorts are like a superhero outfit: stylish enough for town and practical enough for scaling mountains! Just in case, I throw in 2-3 pairs of shorts. Usually, I bring one pair of jean shorts because they go with everything, except they are hot! They make an appearance for casual dinners or those romantic strolls around town after dark. The other shorts? Oh, they’re either linen or sporty, straight from the websites of NorthFace and Prada!
• Jeans/pants-I usually take 1 dressy pair of pants and 1 pair of jeans. I might only wear one or the other on the plane, but bring an extra just in case there is a cold spell.
• Tops I haul along enough tops to fill a small wadrobe onon my trip! Think of 3-4 tank tops ready to brave the hiking trails, and another 3-4 casual ones perfect for trying to I look stylish while dining out, sight-seeing, or just meandering aimlessly around town. I also throw in a pretty blouse for those “just in case” moment. And let’s not forget my trusty sweatshirt; despite Greece feeling like a sauna, this time of year, the one year I did not bring a sweatshirt there was a cold spell.
• Swimsuits I pack 3. Let’s be real—there’s nothing worse than diving back into a swimsuit that feels wet. Since we’re swimming every day, I need a fresh suit because they don’t always dry overnight. Bikinis? At my age, no way!! While it seems like all the ladies wear their two-piece with confidence, I stick to my trusty tankinis. Plus, I always throw in a long sleeve rash guard for boat days—it’s my secret weapon against sunburn.
• Shoes I take the most minimal shoes possible because let’s face it, there is just too much cobblestone for me to be a high-heeled princess in Greece. I would love to strut around in cute shoes, but I had a memorable entrance in Santorini one year—too memorable, really. You can read all about my ‘brilliant’ decision here: Making an Entrance in Santorini.
  • For my hiking escapades and navigating those charming street hazards, I swear by Altra’s Lone Peak All Weather shoes. They’re basically my secret weapon against face-planting on cobblestones. Plus they are great for hiking.
  • When I’m just chilling or ready for a dinner without the whole “falling over” situation, I rock Merrell Mendi Sandals. Classy yet comfortable.
  • For the beach, the trusty Keen Water Shoes come into play. They’re my go-to for dodging rocks and making sure I don’t lose a toe in the Aegean. Plus, I can hike down a gorge in them, swim, and make it back without any issues. One and done!
  • Roxy Bayshore sneakers are my casual go-tos. I can wear them for walking around, dinner, or even while I hike. They pair perfectly with a dress, because why not?
  • And let’s not forget my ultimate beach slippers, Fitkicks for Women. These little gems are perfect for walking on rocky sea floors. They fit like a glove—lightweight, quick-drying, and they fit in basically any bag. What’s not to love?
• Light Jacket-I take a light, water resistant wind jacket with a hood. This works well if it rains or the evenings are cool. This also works to cover my shoulders when going to a church or monastery as it is the rule for shoulders to be covered when visiting these places.
• Jean Jacket The jean jacket: the ultimate fashion accessory. It goes with everything, from tee shirt to sundress. Perfect for fending off chilly evenings or for looking chic on the cold frigid airplane.
• Sarong I take a Sarong and use it at the beach but also when going to churches and monasteries— women need to cover their legs and I wrap it around my waist and have an instant skirt. I cannot say this is the most fashionable look. It makes me respectable though l if we are biking, hiking, etc and we stop at a monastery.

What Steve Takes-(much shorter list)

• Casual Shorts-Steve takes 4-5 pairs of casual or dressy casual shorts and wears these for dining out, site seeing, wandering through towns etc.
• Sporty Shorts-He also takes a few pairs of athletic shorts for when we are hiking or it is hot and we are climbing up lots of steps. There are many places in Greece where you will find yourself climbing steps or walling up hill.
• Pants-When fine dining or visiting a church or monastery Steve will wear a pair of dress pants, usually linen. Also he wears Fabletics travel pants when flying as the plane gets chilly during the 10 hour overnight flight.
• Shirts-For shirts Steve packs 4-5 linen shirts for dinner, site seeing, or just hanging around the town. Otherwise he will take athletic type t-shirts such as UnderArmor or Prada.
• Swimsuit-Like me Steve brings 3 swimsuits. often he uses them as shorts as well when we have beach days and want to stop to eat.
• Shoes
  • Steve likes his Merrill hiking shoes. They have been through a lot over the last 9 years and still look great. Oh the stories they could tell!
  • He also takes a pair of regular shoes like Sperry’s, for casual and Cole Hahn’s for dress.
  • Keen Watershoes are his favorite for the beach. As I mentioned before, these are great for hiking down a gorge and then swimming. Better than carrying an extra pair for swimming with!
  • If you haven’t seen these before, Fitkicks for Men are awesome for wearing while swimming. They are lightweight and dry fast. As I mention, many beaches are rocky in Greece and so is the sea floor. These definitely keep you from saying “ouch” as you wade around.
  • Light Rain Jacket Steve’s trusty light jacket is like a game of hide-and-seek; it’s always ready for a drizzle or a chilly breeze but seems get forgotten in taxis. It’s almost as if it enjoys sightseeing around town without him! And let’s not forget his sweatshirt, which gets use every time her looses another jacket. So far, no one has found any of his three jackets left in Crete, Naxos and Santorini.

What Else to Pack for Greece?

• European Travel Plug Adaptor If you are coming from the States like we are, you will need an European Adaptor for all of your plug ins. We take 3 so we can charge multiple items. You can find them on Amazon.
• Portable Phone Charger If you love your phone like I love mine, then you definitely need the I-Walk portable phone charger! Seriously, this little charger is our best friend on trips. It’s like having a power bank with a personality – because it is quite stylish. We’ve searched high and low for an adaptable charger in Greece and no luck! So, if you want to avoid a phone meltdown on vacation, grab your very own I-Walk on Amazon. Trust us, this is a great item!
• Hats As I have mentioned, the sun in Greece is hot! That’s why a hat is not just a fashion statement—it’s a sunshade! No one wants a sunburned head. I’ve got a hat collection that rivals a Milner’s shop! As for Steve, he rocks a classic English flat hat that looks quite sophisticated!
• Kindle If you are an avid reader, a Kindle works great. I personally prefer to read a traditional book, but when traveling the Kindle takes up much less room and I can take it anywhere.
• Maps Sure, I use GPS like everyone else, but seriously—sometimes its reliability is much to be desired. I’ve found myself lost in the middle of nowhere more times than I can count (thank you, mystical Greek Islands). Good old-fashioned maps always come to my rescue! In Athens, wandering through narrow alleys, my GPS has a tendency to spin around like it’s possessed, leading us who-knows-where. That’s when I turn to my trusty Streetwise Map and all is right again. PRO TIP: grab yourself a free map at the Athens airport! They’re usually just hanging out by baggage claim, knowing someone will need one.
• First Aid Kit I make my own first aid kit. Basically bandaids, ACE wrap Tylenol, Aleve, NyQuil & DayQuil, Benadryl, antibiotic ointment, and that type of thing. I just put it all in a ziplock sandwich bag.
• Water Bottle We both drink a lot of water when traveling. In Greece, some places bottled water is preferred I believe because of the taste not the quality. I like a fold-up water bottle that you can roll up when not in use. They store easily which is what I like. They are a bit flimsy but I still like mine.
• Electrolytes Because of the heat and activity I add an electrolyte to one of my waters each day. I truly think they keep me balanced. I pack my own as I have not seen the specific ones we use in Greece. We use Liquid IV and also Nuun Sport Hydration.
• Headlamps. We take these with in case we ever get caught in the dark while out and about. They are also awesome for exploring caves, even if we don’t go far in a cave we can still see.

Conclusion

I know this may read like a novel, but I promise there’s some golden wisdom tucked in here about packing for Greece. Sure, there are endless packing tips on the internet, but this is what works for us and why. After 6 trips to Greece we are getting better at packing each time.There are travel accessories galore; I’ve tested packing cubes and the latest high-tech gadgets that promised to change my life, but they just didn’t work for me. As long as we can still carry our luggage and roll through the airport like pros, I probably won’t be changing much!

Edited Note:

If you’re wondering about the extra bag we lugged back, let me tell you, it definitely didn’t return empty! We may have gotten carried away in the land of feta and olives. We brought home enough Greek delicacies, wines, and absolutely essential items that we will survive until next years trip!

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