Essential Greece Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Greece - Sofia Adventures (2024)

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We just can’t stay away from Greece.

Between Stephanie and me, we’ve been to Greece in basically every season and region – from Thessaloniki and Meteora in a snowy winter wonderland to fall in Athens to scorching summers in Corfu to pleasant springs in Crete and Rhodes.

But creating a Greece packing list eluded us for a while simply for that very reason: we need to cover every extreme possible. The region you choose also has a huge impact on what to pack for Greece. Stephanie was in Crete in December last year, and I was in Thessaloniki in January.

She had cool but sunny days that required a jacket… I arrived in a snowstorm that didn’t melt for days on end. What we wore in Greece in winter was very, very different, despite only being weeks apart!

So, this packing list for Greece is a little long, but bear with us because we cover every possible weather scenario and region so that you can plan an incredible trip (which starts with picking the perfect bag).

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>> Read next: Planning a Trip to Greece: Your Travel Checklist <<

What to Pack Everything In

While most people think about what to wear in Greece as the most important part of their packing list, the actual most important decisions come way before that.

You’ll set yourself up for success if you have the right bags – and this means everything from your main suitcase down to the small organizational bags that keep everything nice and tidy.

Here’s everything we use to keep our stuff organized on the road, which we’ve mastered from years spent backpacking around the Balkans. We’ve included recommendations for what to bring to Greece with you for all different kinds of trips – summer or winter, beach or city, active or relaxing.

Your Main Bag: Backpack of Rolling Suitcase?

This is the first major Greece packing decision you’ll make before your trip starts.

Personally, Stephanie and I both prefer traveling around Greece with a backpack. I can’t imagine lugging my suitcase up the neverending stairs of Santorini (and please don’t make a donkey do that for you), crossing a street avoiding motorbikes with it in Athens, dragging it through the Old Town of Rhodes, or pushing it up Ano Poli in Thessaloniki. Nope, nope, nope all around.

I’ve never traveled Greece with a rolling suitcase, but judging from my experience with a rolling suitcase on other Balkan trips, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are doing a bus/sailing tour or cruise, or if you have a rental car.

If wearing a backpack is not feasible for you due to mobility limitations or comfort – or you simply are planning to pack a lot of stuff! – it is perfectly possible to travel with a rolling suitcase around Greece, it just may require a bit more effort. For longer distances between bus/train stations and ferry terminals and hotels, you may want to spend the extra for a taxi, especially in the summer heat!

>> Read Next: The 10 Best Sandy Beaches in Greece for a Perfect Greek Beach Trip <<

Our Top Recommendations for Backpacks

I love the Tortuga Backpack for traveling the Balkans, and it’s my go-to bag for virtually any trip I take in the region that’s longer than a week. I carry a Tortuga 45L Backpack because it’s compact, carry-on friendly, and doesn’t scream “backpacker” as loudly as other bags. It’s chic and streamlined but very useful!

It has 3 main compartments: one with a laptop sleeve that can also accommodate other flat objects like important papers and books, one giant rectangular compartment ideal for packing cubes filled with your clothes, and one smaller compartment with organizers for passports, pens, odds & ends, etc. – plus one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quickaccessto.

It also has a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside if needed. Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute the weight perfectly across your body if you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs, prices, and details forthe women’s backpack andthe men’s.

Our Top Recommendations for Rolling Suitcases

If you are going to bring a roller bag, I suggest getting a soft shell that can squish. Stephanie’s roller suitcase is the awesome Osprey Sojourn.

Steph lived out of just this bag and a backpack for eight months and brought it to Greece and lived to tell the tale. She likes that it can squish into the back of buses and fit on train luggage racks easily.

It expands to hold a ton of stuff if you plan to shop a lot while in Greece (where you can find some awesomeGreek souvenirs!). You cancheck prices and reviews here.

Your Daybag: Backpack or Purse?

Your day bag should be able to hold all the things you need for the day: water, sunscreen, wallet, any medicine or make-up you may need, a layer in case the weather changes, camera, etc.

It depends on what you prefer, but for comfort, a backpack is usually the better day bag because it distributes weight more evenly across your shoulders. However, if you’re used to carrying a purse, that may be what you prefer.

We recommend investing in a day bag with some security features, but not because Greece is dangerous. Your risk of being pickpocketed here is about the same, if not lower, than in major Western European cities – though do be careful in crowded places in Athens! However, we do so just because traveling to touristic places inherently has its risks, and we prefer to protect ourselves upfront with security features, rather than deal with consequences down the line.

Our Top Recommendations for Backpacks

We both carry theCitySafe backpack by PacSafenot only on our travels but in our day-to-day lives. It’s cute, it’s functional, it’s comfortable, and it’s secure as hell.

We’re talking about interlocking zippers (which you can then put through a second clasp for two layers of security), slash-proof wire mesh construction, and RFID blockers to keep your data safe.

It’s neutral enough to be unisex, it’s roomy enough to fit a small laptop, large camera, and tons of odds & ends, and it fits under the plane seat in front of you. Plus, it transitions pretty well from day to night (as long as you aren’t heading to a club in Mykonos, that is!).

What else could you want? This isn’t sponsored, we’re just straight obsessed (Steph bought hers after seeing mine in action and hearing me rave about it, and she’s also been converted).Get yours today and join our PacSafe fan club.

>> Read next: 17 Spectacular Day Trips from Athens, Greece <<

Our Top Recommendations for Purses

Due to our everlasting obsession with our travel backpack, neither Stephanie nor I carry purses much for our travels anymore.

However, Steph always brings herlarge Longchamp bagwith her for when she wants to use a purse instead of a backpack. For two years, it was her main day bag on all her trips, and it still has a place in her heart.

What she loves about her Longchamp is that it’s durable, stylish, and can fit most of what she needs for a day of sightseeing, yet it also looks normal at a performance or a nice restaurant.

Since it rolls up to almost nothing, she can still bring it with her even on trips where she uses her backpack, so it’s the best of both worlds!Check prices and reviews here.

If you want a smaller purse than the Longchamp, check out some of the other purses from PacSafe. Due to our satisfaction with our CitySafe backpack, we’d recommend other PacSafe products like their secure purses – they have shoulder bagsandcrossbody bags.

Moneybelt Recommendations

We don’t carry money belts, since we carry secure bags, but we know some travelers feel a lot safer with a money belt. If that’s you, thisis the money belt we recommend.

How to Keep it Organized

Just because you have the right suitcase and day bag doesn’t mean your bags will be packed right. You need to think about how you’ll organize your belongings so that everything is accessible and compact.

Packing Cubes

I don’t know how I traveled before packing cubes, and I never want to go back!Packing cubesare extremely helpful for organizing your luggage and keeping it that way so that when you want to extract one shirt from your bag, you don’t end up exploding your whole bag open.

I have used several different brands of packing cubes, and I prefer durable ones. I use the big one for dresses, skirts, and jeans, the medium one for t-shirts, and the small one for underwear, bras, socks, etc.

>> Read Next: Where to Stay in Rethymnon: Best Hotels & Hostels in Rethymnon <<

Cosmetic Bags

A set of cosmetic bags are so useful! In addition to using it for your make-up, you can also use them to stash odds & ends like earplugs, an eye-mask, pens & pencils – things that usually get lost at the bottom of your bag.

I like to have one for makeup, one for hair accessories, one for toiletries, and one for cables and electronic accessories.

If you don’t have a bunch of cosmetic bags lying around from old make-up purchases, you can pick some up off Amazon. I thinktheseare particularly adorable.

Pack-It Flat

This is one of my favorite packing finds! ThePack-it-Flat toiletry bagis the ultimate way to keep all your toiletries packed.

What I love about is that it packs, well, flat like a book, rather than most toiletry bags which make big bulky squares that take up way too much space and are annoying to deal with. This is a definite upgrade from my cosmetic bag system, which took up too much space and was completely disorganized

Travel Wallet

A good travel wallet meets a few criteria: RFID blocking, plenty of room for coins, room for bills and receipts, plenty of card slots, and can fit a passport.

I use aPacSafe travel wallet that does all of that and looks cute doing so (I chose the denim).

Laundry Bag

Whether you’ll need to do laundry on the road or you’ll wait to do it at home, it’s essential to have a bag to keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes.

While that can easily be just a grocery bag, I love thiscute travel-themed Kikkerland laundry bagwhich is easy to hand over to someone on laundry day.

Canvas Tote

We recommend bringing a tote with you wherever you go to reduce plastic waste! 50% of the waste found in Greece’s oceans and seas comes from three sources alone: plastic bottles, plastic bags, and aluminum cans.

It’s incredibly easy to cut out plastic bags entirely (and save on plastic bag fees) by packing a simple canvas tote that you keep in your backpack or purse in case you need it. Water bottles are also easy to avoid (we’ll explain how in another section).

A canvas bag is also great for doing small errands or when you don’t want to pack your whole day bag, and is essential for any trip that includes a day at the beach, lake, or pool — which is almost any summer day in Greece, frankly!

I use one I bought at Flying Tiger in Milan, but you can find a ton ofcute tote bagson Amazon.

>> Read next: 21 Most Instagrammable Places in Mykonos <<

Ziploc Bags

You’ll thank us for this when all your stuff stays dry your entire trip. I always pack my liquids in a Ziploc bag (plus you need one if you’re traveling with liquids in your carry-on).

Pack all your liquids in Ziploc backs so that if something breaks or opens, the liquid stays inside the bag. Stuff a few extras in your luggage for any liquid purchases or if you need to keep a wet towel separate from the rest of your luggage.

I like to have a mix ofsmallandlargebags so I’m covered in most situations.

Coin Purse

If you don’t live in Europe, you might be surprised just how quickly coins stack up in your bag when traveling around Europe. Euro coins can add up and get lost at the bottom of your wallet!

In the States, I never bothered with a coin purse (mostly because anything that’s not a quarter is meaningless to me), but living in Europe I find that it’s essential. I have one with a flower pattern like these.

5 Greece Packing Essentials You Don’t Want to Forget

If you only read one section of this post, make it this one!

Guidebook

While travel blogs are great, we also definitely see the benefit of having a good paper guidebook in hand to refer to in your on-the-ground travel. We own and recommend the Lonely Planet Greece book as a starter, but you may also want to pick up a few island-specific ones if you want to dive deep and get off the beaten path.

Travel Insurance

It’s always a good idea to be covered when you travel abroad in case of theft, illness, or accidents. Steph and I have been paying customers ofWorld Nomadsfor three years and counting and are happy to recommend them to fellow travelers for the clarity of what they cover, the efficiency of processing claims, and the ease of renewing while still on the road if your trip ends up being longer than expected.

Cute Swimwear

I mean, the main reason you’re likely going to Greece is to soak up the sun, swim in the Mediterranean, island-hop, relax on the beaches, etc. – so be sure to pack at least two cute swimwear options, if not more, so that you never have to put a wet swimsuit back on (and so your photos will be different enough)!

I love thisone-piece optionandthis bikini, but pick whatever you love best and will both feel comfortable and make you feel confident in photos when you look back on your trip.

Comfortable walking shoes

Greece is full of hiking opportunities, endless stairs up beautiful villages, long sightseeing days, and hilly vistas with beautiful views. It’s easy to do 10,000+ steps in a day (if you’re not relaxing on the beach all day, that is).

Pay close attention to our shoe recommendations below, but don’t order new shoes right before your trip! Give yourself a few weeks to break them in. The earlier you can get any new shoes you need, the more time you’ll have to get them comfy. You don’t want a blister on the road!

Medicine

I’ve written a whole section on what should be in your mini medicine kit, but this especially goes for any prescription medications you may need from back home. It’s not always possible to get the same medication in Greece, so be sure to stock up on what you need! And don’t forget seasickness/motion sickness pills if you’re sensitive to movement – they’re a lifesaver for buses and ferries.

Quick Overview of Weather in Greece

While many people see Greece as a summer destination, it’s lovely all year round – it just offers different activities.

As I mentioned earlier, where you are in Greece matters a great deal. I’ll break each season into the two extremes, Thessaloniki (northernmost and most extreme) and Crete (southernmost and most temperate), and you can plan in between. Athens will be more like Thessaloniki; Santorini will be more like Crete.

Spring in Greece is one of my favorite times to go. Average temperatures in Thessaloniki (mainland) range from 10°C/49°F in March to 18°C/64°F by May.

Meanwhile, Southern Greece and Crete warm up a lot faster. The March average for Crete starts around 13°C/55°F and warms up to 19°C/66°F by May, with daytime averages as high as 23°C/73°F. We were able to swim in Crete near the end of April! The water was quite cold, but it was so hot it was refreshing.

Summer in Greece is a scorcher! In Thessaloniki, June, July, and August are all rough months. Daily average highs are 31°C/88°F at peak summer! As I write this at the end of July, highs in Thessaloniki will be 32-37°C/90-99°F all week! The nights can cool quite a bit; average lows throughout the summer are around 19°C/66°F, so you’ll want some layers.

Crete is hot as well but the climate overall is sightly milder due to the sea surrounding it. June through August, you’ll find average highs of 27-28°C/81-82°F (you’ll want to enjoy those beaches!) and lows of 22°C/72°F.

Fall in Greece is the best time to visit (shh, don’t tell!). September is borderline perfect. Thessaloniki’s overall average drops to 21°C/70°F and its daily highs go down to 27°C/81°F. October drops again, daily highs down to 21°C/70°F and lows down to 11°C/52°F! Meanwhile, November transitions into winter by the end of the month; you will see average highs of 14°C/57°F and average lows of 7°C/45°F.

In Crete, the change between fall months is less dramatic. September is lovely, with average highs of 26°C/79°F and average lows of 19°C/66°F. The sea is still quite warm as well. October takes a small dip, with average highs of 23°C/73°F and average lows of 17°C/63°F. November takes yet another small step down; November highs average 19°C/66°F and average lows only go so far as 14°C/57°F.

>> Read Next: 25 Snowy Photos of Meteora in Winter to Inspire Your Visit <<

Finally, winter in Greece can be a mixed bag! Crete stays relatively warm as it’s close to Egypt. The average highs are generally around 15-16°C/59-61°F and the average lows are around 9-11°C/48-52°F from December through February.

Meanwhile, Thessaloniki and Northern Greece is another story entirely. Average highs are around 9-10°C/48-50°F while average lows are 2-3°C/36-37°F. Snowfall is possible and streets can (and do) ice over. The area around the monasteries of Meteora is particularly prone to snow!

What to Wear in Greece For Women

What you should wear in Greece depends a ton on what activities you do, just as much as the season.

If you’re just island-hopping, you’ll be fine in some swimsuits, cover-ups, summer dresses, sun hats, and sandals. If you’re hopping from city to city with some beach time too, you’ll want to throw in some comfortable walking shoes, stylish yet comfortable dresses, etc. If you’ll be active like kayaking or hiking, some sporty clothes will be an important addition.

We like to mix it up with dresses, skirts, casual tops with jeans, and lots of outfits with leggings. We tend to avoid shorts except if we’re on islands or super-beachy destinations, as most locals don’t wear shorts and you’re bound to stick out as a tourist if you do (but then again, you’ll be one of 30+ million tourists, and sometimes it’s truly too hot to care!)

We’ve created two separate packing lists: one for spring through fall, one for winter. You may want to adjust the packing list slightly depending on the season: for example, you may decide to leave the heavier jacket at home in the heat of summer, and swap a summery maxi dress for extra leggings in spring or fall. However, there’s enough overlap that we’ve combined it all into one spring/summer/fall list.

And of course, winter in the North and mainland is quite different than winter on one of the Greek islands, especially those as far south as Crete, so use your judgment and the above-mentioned temperature outlines (as well as the upcoming weather forecast) to decide.

What to Pack for Spring, Summer, & Fall in Greece

Clothes

2-3 tank tops: Great for layering, and you may want to add a few more in the summer. We likethese.

2-3 V-neck shirts: In case you want a little more coverage, or if you’re traveling in spring/fall, these are also great multi-purpose separates. We recommendthese. I also love to have a simplestriped Tlike this one.

2 long sleeve shirts (fall/spring only): You won’t need these in the summer, but in fall, they’re wonderful to have. We recommendthese.

1 chambray shirt:Perfect to wear as a shirt in spring/fall or to wear unbuttoned as a light jacket on a summer night –this shirtis so versatile that it’s become my packing must-have.

1 mid-weight jacket: There can be some surprising weather sometimes even in the summer in Greece, so I still recommend one medium-weight jacket like thisdenim jacketor afaux leather jacketin case your chambray isn’t warm enough.

2 pairs of shorts (summer only): You likely won’t need these in the fall or spring. For summer, I recommend 1 loose pair oflinen shorts and 1 pair ofdenim shorts.

Lightweight scarf: Great for too much A/C, surprisingly chilly nights, surprise church visits, or dressing up an outfit you’ve worn too many times. We likethis onefor all the color choices.

Black cardigan:Great for cool nights in summer and dressing up fall and spring outfits; we suggestthis one.

2-3 pairs of black leggings:I love leggings so much – for sleeping, for lazy days, to avoid chub rub, to make a summer dress fall appropriate, to wear on active days when doing things like kayaking or hiking. We recommend bringing a few pairs if you can(we suggest these).

1-2 pairs of skinny jeans:1 in summer, 2 in fall or spring. We likethese, but jeans are so personal, so bring your favorites.

2-3 skirts:We love skirts for travel! In summer, I lovemidi skirtsandmaxi skirts, whereas in spring and fall, I prefermini skirtsthat I can wear with leggings and boots. If you’re an avid Instagrammer, we lovethis ultra-photogenic maxi skirt.

2-3 summer dresses:I try to buy dresses that are great for summer but can transition well to fall and spring with the right accessories. We thinkthis oneandthis oneare super cute!

Maxi dress (summer only): I love maxi dresses for summer, but they don’t transition as well as shorter dresses for fall. Here’s asimple black onewe like, and we also love thiscolorful maxi dressfor livening up your Instagram photos.

Shoes & Sandals

Travel sandals:Depending on what you’ll do in Greece. If you’re just going to be walking around the cities, I loveBirkenstocksand live in them about half of the year. If you’re going to the beach, pool/spa, or staying in a hostel, also add on a pair of simplerubber flip flopsthat you can get wet.

Comfortable but cute sneakers:Gone are the days where I can comfortably wear flats for a day of heavy sightseeing! I strongly recommend a stylish pair of sneakers likethese black Nike running shoesfor your busiest city days and active days.

Ankle boots: I recommend a water-resistant pair of ankle boots for rainy days, cold weather, or going out at night if you want a more dressed-up option. TheseTeva ankle bootsare adorable yet comfortable.

Underwear

No-show socks:Nothing worse than socks that clash with your shoes! We likethese no-show socks.

8+ pairs of underwear:Bring one pair for every day of travel you want to go without doing laundry, plus one extra. If you need new travel undies, we recommend these comfyquick-dry ones.

2-3 bras:Depending on your needs and activity levels. I usually bring 1 bra and one bralette, but if you’re active you may want a sports bra or if you like to wear backless or strapless tops/dresses you may want adhesive or strapless bras. If you want a quick-dry travel bra, we recommendthis one.

Sleepwear: I love having dedicated sleepwear – thissilky pajama setis so comfortable!

Jewelry & Accessories

Headbands: Great for keeping hair out of your face or hiding greasy or salty hair if you need to (and in Greece in the summer, you’ll probably experience both!)! We thinktheseare ultra-cute.

Jewelry: Pick cheap statement jewelry and leave heirlooms or expensive jewelry at home. Theft is relatively uncommon in Greece, but it’s better to make yourself inconspicuous.

A giant sun hat: Perfect for keeping the. sun out of your face (and admittedly also for Instagram photos)

What to Pack for Winter in Greece

This packing list assumes the most extreme temperatures in mainland Greece and the mountains. If you’ll only visit relatively warmer places like Crete, you can skip a few of the cold-weather options, like wool/fleece layers and the parka.

Clothes

2 long sleeve shirts:Great for layering with skirts and leggings or jeans. We recommendthese.

2 pairs of skinny jeans:We likethese, but bring your favorites that are already broken in if you have them. A little looser is better so you can fit an extra pair of leggings underneath if it’s super cold.

2 sweater dresses:I love cute sweater dresseslike this onefor cold winter days.

2-3 skirts: I prefer above-the-knee skirts that I can easily pair with leggings in winter.

3+ pairs of warm leggings: I wearfleece-lined leggingsnearly all winter long because I’m sensitive to wool. However, merino wool is ultra-warm (and non-microbial and odor-resistant) so I recommend a pair ofmerino wool leggingsif your skin can handle wool.

1 ultra-warm parka:With low temperatures just above freezing, and occasional dips below freezing possible, don’t forget a warm enough jacket. If you’ll travel in winter frequently, I recommend a winter jacket like thisNorth Face parka. It’s a little pricy, but it comes with a lifetime guarantee and they will repair or replace it for free if you ever have any issues with your coat. I’ve owned mine for nearly a decade.

Ultra-light down jacket:For less cold days or for layering it underneath your parka for the truly cold days. This rolls up and packs easily in your day bag so it’s good to bring along – I have one similar to this.

Shoes & Sandals

Ankle boots:For cold weather shoes that are still good for going out at night, we suggest theseTeva ankle boots.

Waterproof leather boots: For snowy days and super cold weather when you still want to be comfortable, I love theseknee-high Blondo bootsand have owned them for over a decade.

Snow boots (optional):If you want a dedicated snow boot – we suggestthese.

Underwear

6+ pairs of wool socks: Wool socks will keep your feet so much warmer than your standard cotton socks! We suggest theseaffordable yet cozy socks.

8+ pairs of underwear:Bring one pair for every day of travel you want to go without doing laundry, plus one extra. If you want underwear specifically made for travel, we recommend these comfyquick-dry ones.

2-3 bras:Depending on your needs and activity levels. I usually bring 1 bra and one bralette, but if you’re active you may want a sports bra too. If you want a quick-dry travel bra, we recommendthis one.

Jewelry & Accessories

Winter scarf: Greece gets cold in the winter, so you’ll want a warm winter scarflike this one.

Touchscreen gloves:You’ll want to cover your fingers and still be able to use your favorite touchscreen devices, so we recommendgloves like thesewhich are compatible with your smartphone.

Fleece-lined knit hat: You lose a lot of heat from the top of your head and ears, so afleece-lined knit hatthat you wear tight, like a beanie, is a fantastic choice. Pick a colorful one for cute photos!

Jewelry: Go with inexpensive statement jewelry and leave heirlooms or expensive jewelry at home.

What to Wear in Greece for Men

Greek men tend to dress smartly in the cities, especially compared to Americans and Canadians. Avoid khaki shorts and white sneakers that scream “tourist,” which can also be a safety hazard in cities where pickpockets target people who look like oblivious westerners.

Instead of dressing like you just left boy scout camp, think sophisticated European style. If you’ll be spending most of your time on the beach and island hopping, you can relax the dress code quite a bit!

What to Pack for Spring, Summer, & Fall in Greece

Keeping in mind which season you’ll be visiting in (and our overview of the weather in Greece above), here’s what we suggest. Adjust the items and layers slightly to better match the season.

Clothes

4-5 everyday shirts:Whether your go-to everyday shirt is at-shirt, apolo shirt, or something with a bit more style, bring enough that you can go with only doing laundry twice a week. Make a few of these long sleeve shirts in early spring and autumn, but during summer long sleeves aren’t necessary.

1-2 collared shirt:Bring a nice collared shirt, like thisOxford shirt, for a date night, if you decide to go to a performance, or even just to enjoy a bit of a fancier night on the town.

If you’re traveling single, this will also come in handy for going out, though you might want to make it something that can go from sightseeing to the club.

3-4 undershirts:If you wearundershirts, bring them. Expect to be doing laundry 1-2 times per week during your trip, so bring enough to cover half a week (plus you’ll be wearing one as well).

1-2 pairs of shorts:Summer in Greece can be brutally hot, and in this situation, you will be happy to have some shorts. Just avoid shorts that look overly touristy. We think something like thesejean shortswould work. Again, avoiding khaki shorts with giant cargo pockets is for safety (but it’s also about fitting in).

The cut and style of the shorts you choose will make a difference in how Europeans perceive you, but remember that men in Europe rarely wear shorts. Therefore, all shorts are statement shorts (and the statement that you’re making, typically, is rob me).

2 pairs of jeans:The sophisticated-yet-still-fun older brother of the jean short, this is what most tourists in Europe end up wearing to fit in yet still be comfortable – even in summer. While European men wear slacks or dress pants more than jeans, a crisp pair of jeans is almost always acceptable. While we always appreciate good dad jeans, for a trip to Europe, think more of a relaxed fit like these Levi’s.

1 pair of wrinkle-free dress pants:While you can wear ironed jeans out on a nice evening, you’ll probably feel more comfortable wearing a nicer pair of slacks. Get one with a wrinkle-free fabriclike theseso you don’t have to worry if your accommodations don’t have an iron handy.

1 medium-weight jacket that can handle rain:There can be some surprising weather sometimes even in the summer in Greece, so bring a jacket that can handle rain and a bit of wind. We like thisColumbia rain jacket.

1-2 pairs of swim trunks:This is dependant on your itinerary, but I think it’s always a good idea to bring something to swim in – even if you think you won’t need it. Whether you spend time on the beaches of the coast and islands or just want to enjoy the pool at your hotel, it’s nice to be able to relax a bit.

Note that many older men will opt for the Speedo. This is one area where we do not recommend a North American tourist to try to fit in!

You can choose to show a bit of your personality in your swimwear, by going either super traditional likethese trunksor something with a bit more flair, like thesepineapple swim trunks.

>> Read Next: 21 Beautiful Mykonos Beaches for Your Perfect Summer Trip <<

Shoes & Sandals

Travel Sandals:If you’ll be in Greece during the summer, sandals are a great idea, especially if you’ll be spending time walking around the cities. Consider a sports sandal like theseleather athletic sandalsor a pair of Birkenstocks.

If you’re headed to the beach or even just a communal shower in a hostel or gym, you also need to pack a pair ofrubber flip-flops.

Comfortable Sneakers or Walking Shoes:If you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing (and most likely, you will be) bring a pair of functional shoes that can support your feet at the end of a long day. We suggest getting a pair ofChuck Taylor’s(avoid white pairs) or something like theseSketchers.

Boots:If you’ll be doing a lot of hiking in Greece, bring a pair of sturdy hiking boots like theseKeen Waterproof Hiking Boots.If you’ll be walking around doing mostly normal sightseeing, opt for something like theseTimberlandsinstead.

Dress Shoes:You don’t need something super fancy, but if you are planning to have a nice night on the town with your partner then you should bring a pair of shoes that will go with a slightly nicer outfit. For example, theseOxford sneakers will transition better from day to night than a typical sneaker will.

Underwear & Socks

7-8 Pairs of Underwear:While we expect you’ll be doing laundry once or twice a week, it’s nice to be able to go an entire week with clean underwear if you need to. If you want to invest in a few new pairs, get something like thesequick-dry boxer briefsso that when you do hang your laundry to dry, they dry quickly.

7-8 Pairs of Socks:Only you know if you like your socks with a bit of flair or if you’re a socks-blend-in kind of guy. If you want no-show socks, get something like thesequick-drying ones. No one wants to put on socks that didn’t get completely dry before an entire day of sightseeing.

1-2 tee shirts and shorts for sleeping: Whatever you sleep in, bring one or two. If you sleep naked, don’t book a room in a hostel dorm, please. (Yes, this has happened.) Thispajama setwill keep you from getting in trouble in any shared sleeping situation.

Jewelry & Accessories

Wrist Watch:If you’re a watch guy, bring it. Unless it’s a super expensive watch or a family heirloom. In that case, leave it at home and use your cell phone to tell time.

Any personal jewelry:If you wear jewelry, bring it, especially if it’s an important item like your wedding ring. However, anything that’s a family heirloom or insanely valuable, leave at home.

1-2 Hats:If you don’t feel dressed without a baseball cap or hat, bring one or two options.

What to Pack for Winter in Greece

Use the packing list for the spring, summer, and fall section above as a guide, but with the following additions and substitutions.

Clothes

A Winter Coat:Upgrade the rain jacket to a real winter coat. Remember that when you’re traveling somewhere new, you will spend significantly more of your day outside than if you are working or living somewhere. We suggest something like thisNorth Face Parkawhich will last for decades.

1-2 Wool Baselayers:The key to dressing for winter in Greece is layers. You want to be able to get warmer when needed, and then be able to remove the layers if the weather changes or you go into a building that’s way overheated. Adding awool base layerunder your shirt is a great way to get some extra warmth in that will breathe

Long Underwear:You can make your jeans sightseeing-in-winter ready by pairing them with somelong underwear.

1-2 Sweaters:Another great way to add in an extra layer is to wear a light sweater over your shirt, giving you a bit more warmth with an option to still put your coat on if you need even more. We like thesev-neck pullover sweaters.

Shoes & Sandals

Waterproof Leather Boots:Upgrade your boots to the waterproof variety, like theseTimberlands. Trust us, nothing is worth than walking eight miles sightseeing on cobblestone streets in waterlogged shoes.

Waterproof Sneakers:If you still want to spend your days in sneakers, get a waterproof pair like theseColumbia Waterproof hiking boots.

Snow Boots (optional): While not necessary for most of Greece, if you’ll be visiting mountain resorts or even Thessaloniki in Meteora in January or February, you may want some snow boots. We likethese from Sorel.

Underwear

7-8 pairs of wool socks:Upgrade your regular socks to warm,wool socksto keep your toes toasty warm even when it’s freezing out.

Flannel Pajamas:Upgrade your t-shirt and shorts toflannel pajamas. This is especially important if you’ll be staying in hostels or hotels in historic buildings.

Jewelry & Accessories

Winter Scarf:Add athick cable knit scarforcashmere scarfto keep the wind out.

Waterproof Touch-Screen Gloves:You probably know that you’re going to want gloves, but there are a few finer points to consider. You’ll want waterproof gloves in case it’s snowing, and touchscreen capabilities so that you can continue to take photos and navigate with your cell phone. Check out this affordable pair fromFinger Ten.

Fleece-Lined Knit Hat:Don’t waste your time bringing any winter beanie. Get one that’s lined with fleece to keep as much of your warmth as possible. We like this one fromLETHMIK.

Toiletries

While you can pick up a lot of this once you’re here, we don’t like spending a ton of time on errands once we are in Greece. Instead, we like to spend our time exploring!

Keep in mind if you’ll be staying in smaller towns or villages, you may not have quick access to a store after hours. However, Greeks do love a good Sephora (maybe it’s the Greek name?) and we’ve been able to find them in Heraklion, Rhodes, and Athens quite easily.

Toiletries for Women

We’ve outlined everything we typically bring. However, we usually bring travel-size versions so this doesn’t take up much room in our backpacks. It would be traumatic and heavy to carry around full-size bottles of liquids in a backpack.

Hair Care & Bathing

Shampoo & conditioner:I love shampoo bars personally since I try to pack carry-on only and reduce my plastic consumption. I like the ones from LUSH as well asthese from Amazon.

Dry shampoo: We all have those days when showering is hard – dry shampoo will perk up any oily locks.

Brush or comb: Whatever you use – I like thissmall travel-sized one.

Hair ties:If you have long hair, you’ll likely want somehair ties.

Hairdryer & straightener: Optional, but if you do your hair at home, you’ll probably want this when you travel as well. If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll want dual voltage.

GoToobs: For your favorite shampoo/conditioner or body wash/lotion from home, I love these squeezy siliconGoToobs.

Body wash and lotion:Either full-size or in carry-on-sized containers like above.

Skin Care

Moisturizer:Travel will beat your skin up. If you use moisturizer at home, bring it. If you’ve never usedmoisturizerbefore, you really should start. You’ll be happy to give your face a boost before heading outside all day.

Facewash:For washing all the dirt, dust, smog, sweat, and other travel-related impurities off your face at the end of the day. Make sure you bring a travel-sized version, like this travelClean & Clear.

Tweezers:For emergency chin hair situations and the like – you know what I mean. I always carrytweezers like these.

Sunscreen:You can buy sunscreen here, but it’s likely cheaper at home or boughtonlinein advance. I love thissolid Neutrogena sunscreen. Who doesn’t love a good solid for liquid swap? Great to keep in your bag without worrying about sunscreen explosions

Razor & refills: It’s not always easy to find your brand on the road. I use Venus and I can’t always find it every place I shop, so I’d suggest bringing it from home. Here are therazor+refill cartridges.

Anti-chafe balm:If you have thick thighs and are traveling in summer,this stuffworks miracles!Vaselinealso works great.

Make-up

Foundation:I love thisBenefit Oxygen foundationbecause it doesn’t make me break out and it’s very lightweight coverage with a bit of SPF.

Mascara: I loveUrban Decay, but YMMV.

Blush:I prefer creme/gel to powder to avoid breakage and subsequent messes– I suggest this awesomeTarte cheek stain.

Red matte lip stain:Red lipstick is our ultimate travel hack. I use thematte lip stain from Sephoraand it works a dream and lasts for ages.

Concealer:I swear byMake-up For Ever concealer– it’s the best I’ve ever used, and I used to struggle with serious acne.

Dental care

Toothbrush: I have asmall folding toothbrushand I love it for travel, as I always break or lose the clip-on caps.

Toothpaste:Whatever you use at home will do! Steph’s mother, who’s a dental hygienist, keeps her stocked with travel-sized tubes ofSensodyne.

Floss:Because your mother will know if you don’t usefloss. (Or at least Steph’s will).

Eyecare

Sunglasses: Either prescription or regular, depending on needs

Reading glasses:If needed.

Glasses: If needed. If you have a backup pair, it’s nice to have two in case one pair breaks. (Or be able to switch between a pair of glasses and contacts).

Hard Glasses Case:If you bring glasses or sunglasses, have a hard-shell caselike this oneto keep them safe when you’re not wearing them. Travel can beat up your glasses if you don’t store them properly. Remember that if you have very large or wide glasses, you might need a larger case.

Contacts & saline solution:If needed. Note that saline solution is considered a medical supply and you are allowed to bring more than 100 ml in a carry-on. Make sure thatyour contact case has screw topslike this oneand is not the kind that just snaps shut. Otherwise, you might find yourself with lost contacts.

Note that if you typically wear contacts, it’s a good idea to bring a backup pair of glasses in case you hurt your eyes. This happened to me on a trip to NYC once, and I had to wear my prescription sunglasses all weekend since I couldn’t get my contacts in my eyes (and forgot my glasses).

If you’re flying transatlantic, keep your glasses in your carry-on. Long flights tend to dry out your eyes, and you’ll be happy to have the option to switch to glasses if the need arises.

Personal Care

Whatever you need for your period: I prefer aDiva Cupas it’s reusable, eco-friendly, comfortable, and can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time. Others may prefer tampons or pads. Bring whatever you need to feel comfortable, as you may not find your exact brand in Greece.

Condoms and/or other birth control methods:If you may have a little… romance in Greece, bring your birth control methods, whether that’s condoms, birth control pills, or something else.

Toiletries for Men

While we know that men and women travel with many of the same toiletries, there are typically (though not always) a few differences.

Hair Care & Bathing

Shampoo & Conditioner:While some guys don’t mind using whatever shampoo comes with the hotel, we know that many of you guys are way more particular than that. If you have a very specific shampoo preference, bring it with you.

If you want to minimize your plastic use, pick up a shampoo bar like the ones at LUSH orthese from Amazon.

Also, it’s possible that your accommodations won’t provide shampoo and conditioner. Check ahead. Worst case scenario, you can pick some up in Greece.

Brush or Comb:I like traveling with atravel hairbrush, but if you prefer combs then I wouldn’t worry about getting a smaller version since it will lay flat in your bag.

Hair Accessories:If you have a particular hairstyle that needs accessories, bring a few.

Hair Products:If there’s a hair product that you use every day, bring it. Keep in mind airline carry-on restrictions for liquids.

GoToobs: For your favorite shampoo/conditioner or body wash/lotion from home pick up someGoToobs.

Body wash and lotion:Either full-size or in carry-on-sized containers like above.

Skin Care

Moisturizer:Travel will beat your skin up. If you use a moisturizer at home, bring it. If you’ve never useda moisturizerbefore, you really should start. You’ll be happy to give your face a boost before heading outside all day.

Facewash:For washing all the dirt, dust, smog, sweat, and other travel-related impurities off your face at the end of the day. Make sure you bring a travel-sized version, like this travelClean & Clear.

Tweezers:For emergency splinters, etc. I always carrytweezers like these.

Sunscreen:You can buy sunscreen in Greece, but I suggest you buy the good stuff from recognizable brands or better yet, buy itonlinein advance. I love thissolid Neutrogena sunscreen. Who doesn’t love a good solid for liquid swap? Great to keep in your bag without worrying about sunscreen explosions

Razor & refills:We know that the type of razor you use is very particular. If you use an electronic razor and live in North America, keep in mind that the voltage in Europe will fry your razor.

We suggest bringing a good handheld razor instead, like theGillette Fusion5 and a few extra razor blades.

If you prefer to get a shave with a straight razor at a barbershop, you will be able to find barbers in all major Greek cities. However, we can’t vouch for language barriers, since these kinds of shops rarely get tourists.

Anti-chafe balm:If you tend to chafe when you get sweaty,this stuffworks miracles!Vaseline also works great. Keep in mind that you will be walking in the heat for long periods in summer, so if you’ve ever chafed, it’s better to be safe than ruin your vacation.

Make-up

We know some men wear make-up every day and look fabulous doing it. We don’t have product recommendations for men’s make-up looks but bring what you love from home. Just keep in mind liquid limitations on airplanes and try to minimize your makeup kit to the smallest workable version.

Dental care

Toothbrush: Thissmall folding toothbrushwill keep your teeth clean and your bag light.

Toothpaste:Whatever you use at home will do! Steph’s mother, who’s a dental hygienist, keeps her stocked with travel-sized tubes ofSensodyne.

Floss:Because your mother will know if you don’t usefloss. (Or at least Steph’s will).

Eyecare

Sunglasses: Either prescription or regular, depending on needs

Reading glasses:If needed.

Glasses: If needed. If you have a backup pair, it’s nice to have two in case one pair breaks. (Or be able to switch between a pair of glasses and contacts).

Hard Glasses Case:If you bring glasses or sunglasses, have a hard-shell caselike this oneto keep them safe when you’re not wearing them. Travel can beat up your glasses if you don’t store them properly. Remember that if you have very large or wide glasses, you might need a larger case.

Contacts & saline solution:If needed. Note that saline solution is considered a medical supply and you are allowed to bring more than 100 ml in a carry-on. Make sure thatyour contact case has screw topslike this oneand is not the kind that just snaps shut. Otherwise, you might find yourself with lost contacts.

Note that if you typically wear contacts, it’s a good idea to bring a backup pair of glasses in case you hurt your eyes. If you’re flying transatlantic, keep your glasses in your carry-on. Long flights tend to dry out your eyes, and you’ll be happy to have the option to switch to glasses if the need arises.

Personal Care

It’s important to plan ahead for your personal needs before you leave for your trip. This means packing condoms or the preferred birth control methods of you and your partner. If you don’t have a partner traveling with you, but hope to meet one once you’re here, bring condoms from home. The brands here can be different than what you’re used to.

You also want to think about any sex-related prescription drugs you use at home. If you use Viagra at home, bring it with you (but also bring proof that you have a prescription).

Miscellaneous Items to Pack for Greece

Reusable water bottle with filter:While you can drink the tap water in most of Greece (Athens, Thessaloniki, etc.), most islands may not have drinkable tap water — including the popular touristic islands like Santorini and Mykonos. Crete is an exception and much of the water is drinkable there. Always ask a local before you try it.

As long as the tap water is not brackish/salty (which has happened to me in Corfu), you can purify any water using a filter water bottle like theGRAYL. If you’re sticking to big cities on the mainland, a regular reusable bottle will do just fine.This oneis cool because it’s collapsible! Whatever you choose, you will be keeping Greece’s oceans clean for decades to come.

Mini bathroom kit: For poorly stocked bathrooms at bus stops, you’ll be happy you have this! I carry a smallhand sanitizerand thesewet wipes.

Travel umbrella: Rain is not always predictable in Greece – have asmall travel umbrellastashed away for unexpected showers.

Hiking boots (optional):If you plan to come to Greece to hike, you’ll definitely want your hiking boots! I recommend theseAhnu hiking boots for women and theseKeen bootsfor men.

Trekking poles (optional):Not needed, but if you like them, you’ll want to bring them. I recommend thesetravel-friendly poles.

What to Put in Your Medicine Kit

Pepto-Bismol: This is my favorite medicine for when I have stomach trouble as it’s not as harsh on your stomach as Imodium, but they don’t sell it in most of Europe (I’ve learned this over and over again the hard way).Bring some from home– I always stock up.

Imodium:In case of any stomach emergencies (read: diarrhea before a long bus or flight), Imodium is a good option. You can buy it in Greece, but if you have diarrhea, you probably don’t want to be communicating that to a confused-looking pharmacist.Bring some from home.

Painkillers:Aleveworks better for me, but YMMV. I also bring someExcedrin Migraineas I’m prone to migraines.

Pedialyte hydration packs:Perfect after drunken shenanigans, long hikes, or just plain dehydration because you suck at adulting. Made for kids, but it works just as well for hungover adults. I buythese ones.

Bandaids:For blisters, small cuts, breaking in shoes, etc.,bandaidsare always handy to have.

Tiger balm: I discovered this is Southeast Asia and left obsessed. It’s great for aftercare for bug bites, nursing headaches, rubbing on aching muscles, and anything. You likely won’t find it in Greece, sobuy it online.

Mosquito repellent:You can bring oneswith DEETorwithout DEET, or I love having some of thesemosquito repellent wipesthat I can keep in my bag in case I suddenly start to get swarmed and don’t have my regular repellent with me.

Motion sickness pills:Great for bus rides especially on mountain roads – I buy thesenon-drowsy ones. You can also try thesenatural motion sickness bands which use acupressure to reduce nausea – they work pretty well.

Technology & Accessories

Camera, lenses, and chargers:Iuse aSony A6000with a kit lens and the 18-105mm f4 lens, which is a good starter camera that is lightweight but not quite professional caliber. Steph uses aNikon D810which is better but more expensive and bulkier. If you want a smaller camera for video or adventurous travel, aGoProwould be perfect.

Smartphones:Then again, more and more often, we find ourselves taking photos with our smartphones and leaving our bulky cameras in our bags. I use aniPhone Xand Steph uses aSamsung Galaxy.

Kindle:We love having ourKindles with us when we travel, especially in places like Greece where the selection of English-language books is often small. You don’t want to wind up out of good books to read on a quiet island! Keep yours safe in a cover. I use one likethis one.

Laptop and charger: We both use Macs as our travel and work laptops, but if you just want a cheap laptop for travel, aChromebookis a good choice.

Extras for Hostels

Sleep mask:Any will do, but for the year or so that I spent living out of hostels, I loved mycontoured sleep mask!

Hearos earplugs:I tested many earplugs when I traveled around the world staying in hostels –Hearosare the clear winners.

Mini combo locks: Most hostels will have lockers for you to use, but most do not come with their locks. I prefermini combo locksto locks with a key as it’s harder to forget your combination than to lose your key.

Travel towel:Great for hostels where you may have to rent a towel, but we also just recommendthis towelin general as it’s awesome.

Important Documentation

Make sure you remember to bring these important documents with you when you come to Greece!

Your Passportis the most important piece of documentation that you need (they probably won’t let you on the plane without it)! However, just having your passport tucked into your travel wallet isn’t good enough. You need to make copies before you leave.

Scan your passport and email it to yourself. Then print out three hard copies. Hide one in your luggage, one in your day bag, and give one to your emergency contact at home. (You can also email it to this person).

If you make sure you always have access to a copy of your passport, even in cases where everything is stolen or you don’t have access to the internet, you’ll be able to get an emergency one made if your passport is lost or stolen (or damaged).

A Passport Holderto protect your precious passport. Did you know that you can be denied boarding on your flight if your passport has visible damage? I’ve seen it happen, and it doesn’t matter how much you scream at the poor airline employee, they aren’t going to change their mind.

If you’ve taken our advice and will be using a travel wallet during your trip, then keep your passport safe in the passport pocket during your trip.

If you will be doing a lot of water activities like island hopping, catamaran cruises, and beach days, then you might want to pick up awaterproof passport holder to make sure your passport doesn’t get ruined during your trip.

Your Travel Insurance Policy Informationin case you need to make a claim during your trip. I like to use the same system as I do with my passport – three hard copies and a soft copy. Make sure your emergency contact has a copy of your insurance policy information as well. In certain (unpleasant) situations, they will need to file the claim on your behalf.

>>Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here<<

Driver’s Licensefor renting a car or driving in Greece. While you’ll still need to bring your passport with you to pick up your rental car, a driver’s license is required if you want to be allowed to drive the thing. This also works as an ID when you don’t want to take your passport somewhere.

Credit Card & ATM Card Informationin case your cards are lost or stolen. I use the same soft and hard copy system for my cards as I do for my passport and travel insurance information, with one major exception. I don’t send or leave a copy with anyone.

For your copies, make scans of both the front and back so you have every number you need (including the phone number to call from overseas).

Student ID or Senior IDso that you can utilize any available discounts. Some museums and heritage sites have discounts for students and seniors (and it never hurts to ask if one is available).

Tour Confirmationsfor any pre-booked activities in case you can’t get internet access for check-in. Where required, you should have printouts of your confirmation, but other companies will allow you to use an electronic ticket or even their app.

This is one reason we book our activities through GetYourGuide-because you can easily organize all your booked tours in their app.

Accommodation Confirmationfor every place you’re staying. While you can reasonably expect to be able to check-in without producing a copy of your confirmation, bring it anyway in case of an emergency like they’ve lost your reservation or you can’t remember the name of your hotel to give to your taxi driver.That way, you also don’t have to hand over your smartphone to your taxi driver, which can lead to uncomfortable situations at times, especially if you’re a solo woman traveler.

Another reason to make sure you have your hotel information is to make sure that the charges align with what you’ve booked. I’ve been in a situation where I was charged more and had additional fees that were not in my original contract.

That’s one reason I prefer to useBooking.comto book my rooms. They have pretty flexible cancellation policies and I have a number to call for customer service in case there’s a problem.

Transportation Informationfor your flights, buses, trains, and car rentals. I use the app TripIt (see the App section) to organize these things, but you’ll also want to save the emails and print out any tickets or boarding passes before you leave.

You’ll also want to have the instructions for using ground transportation to your first accommodations, especially if you won’t have data or will be arriving after dark.

Books about Greece

Here are our favorite books about Greece that you can read before your trip or bring with you while you’re here, plus our recommendation for a great guidebook and travel journal.

Lonely Planet Greece so that you can make plans and adjustments on the fly.

A Travel Journalso that you can write down your own experiences and musings from your time in Greece. This is also a great place to jot down phone numbers and other important pieces of info so that you have this information available offline somewhere.

Apps to Download Before Your Trip

Here are the apps you want to download on your phone before you leave home.

Beatfor taxis in Athens. In other places, you’ll want to ask locals about a reputable company and call ahead to register a ride to avoid any taxi scams.

Google Translateso that you can easily get out of any jams caused by language barriers. You can even use the photo setting to translate menus and signs (provided you have wifi access or a data plan).

Google Mapsfor navigating while on the road, especially for walking in cities and driving on roads. You can even download the maps for the cities you’ll be visiting before your trip so that they are available to you offline.

Moovitfor using public transportation since the times are routes are more reliable in the Balkans than Google Maps.

Skypeso that you have a way to make phone calls on the road. This will come in handy if you need to call your bank if something happens to your credit cards.

Facebook Messengerfor staying connected with family back home for free. Alternatively, you can useWhatsapporViber. Some tour companies (especially small ones) will use Whatsapp or Viber to communicate logistics as well.

Instagrambecause you know you want to post the gorgeous Instagram pics you’ll take in Greece. We also love using Instagram for trip inspiration when in new places.

Adobe Lightroom Mobilefor editing your travel photos on the road. While Adobe for Desktop is a paid service, the mobile version for your phone is free.

iTunes, Podcast Addict, or other Podcatchers if you like listening to podcasts on your trip.

Dropbox Mobile for backing up cell phone photos as you travel. This is important in case your cell phone gets lost, broken, or stolen. I like to back mine up at night over wifi (don’t back up over cell data unless you have unlimited data). If you use an iPhone, double-check that iCloud is backing up your photos, otherwise get Dropbox or another third-party app.

Your Airline Appif you’re flying in or out of Greece so that you can utilize mobile check-in and avoid having to print your boarding cards.

Tour Company Appsfor any pre-booked activities. We book our tours onGetYourGuideand then use their app to keep the confirmations and itineraries organized.

TripIt for organizing flights, hotel accommodations, and tickets. I don’t understand how anyone gets around without it!

Where to Stay in Greece

If you’re visiting Greece any time soon, you’ll probably spend some time in Athens before moving to discover other amazing places in the country. In that case, it’s a good idea to check thisaccommodation guide to Athensto find the best places to stay in Greece’s capital. Checkthis articleas well, if you’d like to book a room with unforgettable Acropolis views.

Remember that booking early is always the best way to get better prices and nicer rooms! We recommend checking outBooking.comas early as possible since this is a popular time to visit. These are some of the places we suggest you check.

Budget:If you’re looking for a budget hotel in lively Monastiraki, book a stay atFivos Hotel. Located right by Monastiraki Station, the hotel has free wifi and ensuite bathrooms.Check out prices and availability at Fivos Hotel here.

Mid-range:If you want more traditional accommodation, stay at theKimons Athens Hotelin Plaka. The rooms are cozy and there’s a roof terrace that guests can enjoy.Check out guest reviews, prices, and availability at Kimons Athens Hotel here.

Luxury:To enjoy a bit of luxury in Monastiraki, check into the four-starEmporikon Athens Hotelon Agia Irini Square. The rooms are sophisticated and swanky, with a traditional take on comfort.Check out guest reviews, prices, and availability at Emporikon Athens Hotel here.

Greece Travel Resources

Headed to Greece? We have some great travel resources to help you with your trip. First read our guide toplanning a trip to Greece, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more.

If you’ll be spending time in Athens, check out ourAthens Instagram Guide, thebest Athens day trips, the best Athens hotels with Acropolis views, and our completeAthens neighborhood & hotel guide.We also haveAthens safety tipsso your trip can be hassle-free. We are currently working on our mega-post of things to do in Athens as well as our itineraries, so stay tuned!

If you are still trying to figure out your Greece itinerary, check out our guides onwhere to go in Greece, the best places forisland hopping in Greece, and when is thebest time to visit.

We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark ourGreeceandBalkantravel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.

Finally, Make Sure You Come to Athens with Travel Insurance

I’msure you’re aware that it’s a good idea to havetravel insurancefor traveling in Greece, the Balkans, or anywhere in the world!

Stephanie and I have both been paying customers ofWorld Nomadsfor the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.

While Greece is safe, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe.

Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.

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