May 26th, 2008, 02:32 PM
#1
Typical Dress Code in Greece? And Are Flip Flops Sufficient for Walking Around?
Hi All - I am visiting Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Western Crete in June of this year. Can anyone tell me what the typical dress code is for restaurants, general sight seeing etc. in these areas? My sense is the dress code will be pretty casual, particularly on the islands, but wanted to ask those who have been...
Also, silly question on the flip-flops, I know...But, I LIVE in flip flops and walk in them everywhere in Manhattan. But not sure what the walking "conditions" are in the areas in which I will be visiting in Greece and if they will be sufficient for walking around comfortably while sight-seeing. i.e, if there are a lot of cobblestones on the islands, or rocky cliffs in Santorini which may be off the beaten path and might be difficult to traverse in flip flops 
Who knows...
Anyway, thanks for indulging me in my silly question! - Laura
May 26th, 2008, 02:36 PM
#2
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Funny story. I was on a bus in Germany. Two guys were speaking in English about picking up women, making out with women, etc. I was kind of surprised they were being so open about it.
When we were close to the stop, one of them asked me a question (he was from Greece). I responded in perfect English (American accent) and he said he thought I was European. I asked why and he said, "Because you aren't wearing flip flops."
Just a thought.
May 26th, 2008, 02:40 PM
#3
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I'm sure you can get by with flip flops. The islands are casual and people wear sandals. Be prepared for cobbles and dirt and sand and rocky paths.
That said, permit me this brief minute to sound like your mom and tell you that sooner or later you'll be posting here (or somewhere) asking for a cure for plantar fascitis. And man, it's painful! Invest in some sandals with good arch support.
May 26th, 2008, 02:43 PM
#4
With the exception of Mykonos we visited all the destinations u mention and we dressed very casually. It was hot, so lightweight comfortable clothes were best. At some of the churhces and other religious sites they gave the woman clothes to drape over them before entering the site.
Re flip flop -- there are defintniely cobblestones and rocky areas. I wore flip flops sometimes, but generally wore more substantial walking sandals for more stability.
Have a great trip
May 26th, 2008, 02:48 PM
#5
Yes, dress is casual, but definitely take something sturdier than flip-flops! Especially if you plan to visit any ruins (the Acropolis in Athens, perhaps?), or hike the Samaria Gorge. I took boots, but I needed the ankle support for the gorge, decent sneakers or proper walking sandals should be fine.
May 26th, 2008, 02:53 PM
#6
take one pair of flip flops to wear around the pools or at your hotel. But take real sandals for everything/everywhere else. And I don't mean slides/wedges, but sandals w/ good support, good, secure straps that buckle or velcro around the ankle/instep. The ruins, rocky beaches, cobble stoned streets, slippery boat decks + flip flops = a recipe for disaster.
Walking shoes would be even better - but getting a flip flop girl into "real" shoes might be a stretch
May 26th, 2008, 03:52 PM
#7
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Hi
I visited Athens pre Olympics. The pavement was a disgrace! You had to constantly watch where you were walking. One of the oddities is that every second shop seemed to sell hardware . Good walking sandals is recommended as a minimum.
May 26th, 2008, 04:09 PM
#8
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Hi Imavolio, the city I live in (Northern CA) is so casual that most of the women wear flipflops 8 months or more out of the year. All of mine are the Clarke brand so they have more support than the typical flipflops.
I wore flipflops around Charleston as it was warm and my friend and I wore casual pant outfits. Between the bad sidewalks, cracks, cobblestones etc., I think I almost fell every hour, lol. Thankfully neither one of us did. But it was a lesson learned. Wearing flipflops when walking in known areas is one thing but I would never again NOT bring a good pair of walking sandals or shoes as janisj described when on a trip and sightseeing. But as janisj mentioned I too always tuck a pair in my luggage as I use them as slippers, going to a cafe for morning coffee that sort of thing.
May 26th, 2008, 04:25 PM
#9
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Flip flops, at the beach, are fine as long as you have beautiful feet.
Otherwise, no.
And then there is this.
May 26th, 2008, 04:47 PM
#10
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Your feet will thank you for not wearing flip flops for sightseeing in Athens and the islands. Believe me, I live in flip flops, too, but I learned the hard way after nearly missing a step on my way back from the Acropolis.
I still wear flip flops for the beach and pool of course, but now always pack a pair of sturdy, unfashionable walking sandals ( the kind my 20-year-old daughter laughs at-Naots!) when we go to Greece.
We're going back to Athens on Friday. Regarding dress code, people do dress casually but nicely in Athens ( very few shorts, except on tourists), especially when going out for dinner.
On the islands, you'll find everything from shorts to bathing suits to capris during the day, but most people tend to dress up a bit for dinner, unless they're going somewhere really casual.
Thanks for the feedback everyone!! I was afraid of the answer I might get on the flip flops I know I will regret it one day, but I definitely tend to lean toward fashion over comfort. I guess I will need to rethink this for Greece!!
If anyone has any good links to good, comfy walking sandals/shoes that look cute too, say the word!!
Thanks again everyone! Much appreciated...
May 26th, 2008, 05:10 PM
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The walking on cobblestone and ruins present some challenges. I bought two pairs of comfy walking shoes from Teva.com, I would suggest that these shoes will be more comfortable. I would only do flip flops for the beach etc. Dress is casual, and you will have a great time-your need to take of
May 26th, 2008, 05:16 PM
#14
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If you're just doing a beach they're fine. If you're doing any city, cobblestone areas or ruins - where walking may be rough/uneven - I would definitely also have something sturdier that will stay on your feet when climbing.
May 26th, 2008, 05:41 PM
#15
Imavolio: Now is the time to become an adult 
Get some REAL shoes - not crocs, not flip flops -- shoes. (crocs fill the same niche as the flip flops - beach/hotel -- not for walking long distances sightseeing),
May 26th, 2008, 06:04 PM
#16
flip flops are OK. take a couple pair even. for short distance, near your hotel, going out to dinner in the evenings.
but for daytimes, where you'll be walking way more than you likely do each day at home, get something sturdier. Lots of the comfort brands are making an effort at better style. I recently bought a couple pair of Rieker and Naot's that are reasonably fashionable. Mephisto has a whole line this summer that's more stylish.
It's not about "casual" or "dress code" it's that flip flops are simply too flimsy for rough walking conditions for hours at a time.
May 26th, 2008, 06:10 PM
#17
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Even in Tevas, the end of my toes ended up very "beat up" and sore because of the uneven stones. Glad I had bandaids. Take the flip flops for evening, not walking. You will need a pedicure the moment you return no matter what you wear. Greece is hard on tootsies.
May 26th, 2008, 06:41 PM
#18
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Imavolio-don't listen to those posters who don't know what they're talking about, like JanisJ- re flip-flops-they are always fashionable, and always comfortable. I have traveled all over Italy in just flip-flops-and I have worn my flip-flops into the opera houses in Vienna and Budapest, and in ritzy hotels in London-I have black sequin flip-flops for dress, and others with cushy footbeds for pure comfort. So the answer is, of course you can wear flip-flops, but just get those that have at least one or two inches of foam footbed-that will really cushion your feet-and you'll be just fine.
May 26th, 2008, 07:03 PM
#19
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Good grief, I can just hear the comments from my Italian friends in Italy seeing a grown woman wear flipflops to an opera or upscale places, black sequins or not. And yes of course, flipflops are just perfect on rocky cliffs off the beaten path..NOT. Too funny!
