Dress code for Greece - islands, and mainland (2024)

FAQs

How should tourists dress in Greece? ›

When the weather gets colder (at night) you can wear a pair of skinny jeans with the same top and shoes. As for the guys, a pair of jeans (neutral color, not blue) is a great option: you can visit the cities, go in the monasteries without problems and enjoy the night life, as well.

Flip flops – Flip flops are essential for visiting a Greek beach. The sand can be hot, and you won't want to use your nicer sandals since the sand will come back to the hotel with you.

Always keep your palm turned toward you. Making a fist with your thumb between your index and middle fingers is considered obscene. Thumbs up signals approval but thumbs down is a rude gesture. A single nod of the head downward is the expression for yes and a single nod of the head backward means no.

There are more than 450 churches in Santorini! Generally, there is no dress code on the island unless you plan to visit specific restaurants, bars and clubs of high standards. When visiting churches and monasteries, you must be dressed appropriately, which means that beach-style appearances are not allowed.

Newer buildings in Greece, like hotels or apartments, have larger pipes that can accommodate flushing toilet paper, but most older buildings require you to place your toilet paper in the trash.

While it depends on your itinerary for your trip to Greece, bringing one pair of shoes that aren't sneakers or sandals could be smart. These canvas shoes from Toms are on the more casual side of the traditional loafer style, but they still look nice with a pair of chinos for dressier occasions.

While there is no dress code, it is best to opt for comfortable clothing and footwear while visiting Acropolis, as there is a lot of walking to do. Except during the winters, it can get quite warm at the top of Acropolis Hill, and there is no shade from the sun.

Load up on warm-weather attire, but layers are key; nighttime can get cool so you'll want a sweater or jacket and maybe a pair of jeans to keep dining and drinking al fresco through the evening, an essential activity that lasts through late October or even November.

What to pack when going to Athens? ›

The worst gesture you can make in Greece is the 'moutza' which is holding up your hand like a 'stop' sign and showing the full open palm of your hand with your fingers spread out. It's the equivalent of giving two fingers in Ireland or the UK or one finger in the United States.

The thumbs-up signals approval in the United States and on Facebook, but in Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece, it means “up yours. '' So next time you're trying to hitchhike in, say, Tuscany, you should reconsider before sticking out your thumb. Avoid using in: Afghanistan, Iran, parts of Italy, and Greece.

Greeks make lunch their big meal of the day, and eat it between 2 and 3pm. Especially in summer, Greeks often head to a cafe for some ice cream around 8pm. Dinner is often a light meal, seldom eaten earlier than 9pm, but when Greeks do go out to dinner, they usually don't think of eating before 10pm.

It is also severely insulting to hold up your open palm, fingers spread, at someone's face. This is called the 'moútza'. To make this gesture with both hands at the same time is thought to double the amount of offence caused. Exhale: A Greek may expel air through pursed lips after giving or receiving a compliment.

Don't show your bare legs or shoulders in a church, especially not a monastery, and men: please keep that singlet on. A time when clothing won't matter so much is Apokries, or Carnival Time that starts in about February each year. Be sure to visit the country during this period – it's fun!

Shake hands with everyone present--men, women and children--at a business or social meeting. Shake hands again when leaving. Good friends are most likely to embrace and kiss. Greeks are very demonstrative and affectionate.

Women looked up to Aphrodite, Goddess of love, sex, beauty and fertility and depicted her with a round face, large breasts and a pear-shaped body. This then became the beauty ideal for Greek women.

There is no dress code--anywhere. You set your own style no matter where you are in the world! Unless you will be there on business or going to a special even, there is just nothing to worry about. You are a tourist, so dress the way that will be comfortable for long days of walking and sightseeing.