WHAT TO PACK FOR GREECE IN 2024 - FOR WOMEN (2024)

Packing for a trip is exciting but often also overwhelming, particularly when visiting a new destination. Many people over-pack and then end up regretting the luggage they have to drag around especially when island hopping in Greece. There are also items that may be useful to have in Greece that aren’t necessarily what you would pack for somewhere else. This packing list takes all the guesswork and anxiety out of it and ensures you know exactly what to pack for Greece for women.

Happy packing!

Further Reading: What to pack for Greece – for Men

PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE?

Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time it can be hard to process all the information out there. Be sure to check out our complete Planning Guide as well as our FREE 13-page downloadable itinerary.

If you are feeling really overwhelmed you might like a Trip Consultation perhaps!?

And come join our private Facebook Group where you can ask questions and get advice from real travellers!

Luggage

Your choice of luggage when packing for Greece is very important.

It is a really good idea to try and pack as light as possible as you will likely be tackling ferry gangplanks, many steps and cobblestone streets and alleys.

If you hire a car I always recommend a small compact car due to the narrow streets that are very common and the overhanging bushes and bougainvillea that can badly scratch paintwork. Plus parking can often be challenging and small cars have more options.

Try and only take one small or medium suitcase and one carry on bag for each person in your group. Sharing a large suitcase won’t work, particularly with the boot size of small cars. Many people I know have found this out the hard way!

You want a suitcase that is lightweight, strong, has sturdy wheels, and is waterproof if possible. I always recommend a hard cover case and the reason for that is illustrated in this photo from a Blue Star Ferry. You may think you’ve placed your bag carefully on the top of this pile but chances are it will be right at the bottom upon arrival!

Backpacks

A backpack is a great idea for budget travelers and people who are expecting to be away a long time and tackling various forms of transport, especially hikes and cycling.

Having your worldly possessions strapped firmly to your back ensures their safety as well as freeing up your hands for other activities such as navigation and photography.

The Bange Smart Backpack is a popular choice with travellers and has a number of great features:

• waterproof
• slim and expandable
• water resistant
• anti-theft with lock
• USB Charging Port
• multiple pockets and compartments
• comes in 4 colours

If you would rather use a suitcase it still pays to pack a small, lightweight backpack that can come in handy for sightseeing, hikes, and visits to the beach.

Something like this backpack is lightweight, inexpensive, and practical and folds into its own small bag.

Totes and Handbags

Many people like to fly with a tote or satchel that can hold personal effects for a long flight including reading material, devices, chargers, toiletries, and even a change of clothes.

It’s good to try and find something that’s easy to carry, has a decent number of compartments ( but not too many!), and can be zipped or even locked if necessary.

I really like tote has features such as:

• A zip closure
• it folds flat and weighs next to nothing
• it comes in 33 colours and styles
• it’s made of waterproof nylon so it’s great for the beach and boats
• the back has a strong tab to attach to a suitcase handle
• it has a show compartment – perfect for reef shoes or flipflops

For people who prefer a crossbody style bag, Travelon are the market leaders here. This stylish bag has a wide adjustable strap, it’s lightweight and water resistant and is slash-proof too. It also comes with RFID blocking card and a removable LED light. Navy is a great colour in Greece too.

These bags free up your hands and are especially good when taking lots of photos or using the phone.

There are two sizes available:

Suitcases

I spent a lot of time looking at suitcases a few years ago after my trusty soft-cover Samsonite not only got saturated in the rain at an airport in Sri Lanka but the zips were also opened on a flight back from Singapore.

I have also seen many soft sided bags in Greece get very wet on ferries and especially water taxis, and they are often squashed under large piles on the storage racks. For this reason I now travel with a hard-sided case, and love it!

I compared dozens of brands and was sold on this Japanese brand called Lojel and their Cubo range. These are the stand out features:

• It has double-coil zips
• the highest quality Japanese Hinomoto wheels
• it’s made from Makrolon – the lightest yet strongest polycarbonate material possible for a suitcase
• a front opening pocket that allows easy access to devices at security etc
• it does NOT have a clam-shell design like most hard-cover suitcases
• a TSA Lock system
• it comes in great colours, NOT just black like everyone else’s bag
• the small meets carry-on weight and size for all airlines yet can expand from 38 litres to 43 if required
• a 10-year warranty

I have dragged this bag around Greece several times now as well as Mexico, Cuba, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. It looks almost new and I absolutely love it!

Another great suitcase is the LEVEL8 Grace ABS+PC Hardshell spinner case. This has many of the features of the Lojel but at a lower price point.

A lot of ladies also love Kenneth Cole’s Reaction case which comes in 14 great fashion colours and is durable but lightweight.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes really have revolutionised the way we travel. By dividing your belongings up into small compartments things are easier to find, pack, and store.

These Bagail packing cubes have mesh panels for ventilation and a nice laundry/toiletries bag which comes in handy for wet swimwear as well. They are very affordable, customers leave excellent reviews and they come in 15 colours and prints!

Most people visit Greece during the warm tourist season that runs between May and October. Invariably they will visit the islands which will mean time at or near beaches and lots of sun.

As such, many of these recommendations are lightweight clothing, made from breathable, natural fibres and are practical and easy to pack, some of the most important considerations when it comes to knowing what to pack for Greece for women.

That does not mean that fashion has to go out the window. In fact, many parts of Greece are quite glamorous and the Greeks, like many Europeans, are quite stylish. There are many wonderful shops that will catch your eye and I’ve often found many cute and affordable finds on my visits, so leave some room for shopping too!

Further reading: Things to buy in Greece

Dresses – day

Pack 3 or 4 dresses in natural fibers that require little or no ironing in a couple of colors, and perhaps a striped or patterned one too. If it’s summer you will want something cool and lightweight and something with pockets is always a bonus!

You want to avoid anything fussy that requires much ironing, although rumpled linen is high fashion in the Mediterranean in Summer.

The shopping in Greece is fantastic and I guarantee you will not leave without a few great finds but you will want to know you have enough to last at least the first few days without any pressure.

Dresses – night

The ancient Greeks invented the Toga so of course, a Kaftan is the perfect choice for nights out on the Greek Islands especially if you are visiting one of the super cool bars or beach clubs on say Mykonos or Paros, or have booked a romantic sunset dinner on Santorini.

A Grecian style dress can be worn in a multitude of ways and can be belted or tucked in to become a short dress too. They are flattering for all shapes and ages and can gently be rolled in your luggage for minimal ironing. The one below comes in 26 colour but you can’t go past white on the Greek Islands!

For more casual nights a good beach coverup can often get you through from day to night.

There are some amazing fashion designers and labels in Greece and many are now shipping worldwide. They excel at resort wear and especially kaftan style dresses.

Find out all about them and other great Greek brands here:

The best Greek Online Shopping sites & products

Shorts & pants

Even if you don’t generally wear shorts it’s a good idea to pack at least one pair for when you are exploring ancient ruins and archaeological sites, which often have many stairs and may involve a bit of climbing.

In July and August many ladies prefer to live in shorts and may want to pack several pairs.

If you are visiting the mountains it’s also a good idea to take a long pair of pants or jeans as nights can get cool up there even in summer. I generally travel in a soft drawstring pair that get used a fair bit and are great for long plane flights.

Pockets, of course, are always a good idea.

Tops

It always pays to invest in a couple of good quality t-shirts or yoga tops. I usually travel with one that’s navy or black, a white one and perhaps a striped one too.

I often use one to sleep in so this saves packing pyjamas as well, unless you really want to.

You may also like to pack a nice cotton blouse or shirt, something to dress up a pair of shorts or jeans, especially at night.

Jackets or wraps

If you are visiting Greece between June and September chances are you will not need a jacket.

However, in Spring and Autumn, the nights can be cool and will need at least once. On top of that, you may also need one in Summer for the airplanes and or your home town arrival and departure.

A soft denim jacket is a classic choice that looks great with everything. They don’t need ironing and you can roll up the sleeves or simply tie around your waist if the day heats up.

Otherwise, a good quality wrap or pashmina is an excellent investment and can double as a blanket as well. My favourite is Italian cashmere and cost a lot of money but it has travelled the world with me countless times as has been a wrap, a scarf, a blanket and even swaddled babies.

Swimwear

Ladies rejoice!

European women have fantastically positive body images and they all happily wear bikinis no matter what their age, size, or shape. I usually take two so one is drying off while the other is being used.

Of course, you can still wear your full-piece suit if you would prefer but chances are you may be the only one on the beach. Plus, you’ll end up with a weird tan.

A great compromise is to pack a nice cover-up or sarong that you can slip on and off for extra sun protection and/or a little modesty. You will find many for sale in the beach towns and villages but if you want to hit the sand running it may pay to take one with you.

Underwear

I have found the best combination for underwear is 3 bras – one pale, one dark, and one strapless and 6-7 pairs of underpants. That means sending out the washing or finding laundry approximately once a week, although you can always wash smalls out in your hotel room as well.

Also many ladies like to pack a pair of Spanx or foundation wear. It may be a bit hot to wear them at times, but they do stop the wobbles!

Footwear

You can keep this very simple and can get away with just 4 pairs of shoes if you want.

1. Thongs/flipflops
2. Sneakers
3. Dressy wedges or sandals – for going out and able to deal with cobblestones
4. Beach shoes – vital for rocky and pebble beaches and can also be used for watersports, yoga and snorkeling

Further reading: Walking Shoes for Greece

Accessories

Keep this simple too ( ps. Greece has amazing jewelry shops!)

• Jewelry – minimal. Some bling in the evenings is always nice especially earrings.
• Hat – this travel hat is perfect!
• Sunglasses x 2 ( one black, one neutral)
• bags – 1 evening clutch may suffice if you can use your crossbody bag/tote a lot during the day.
• beach wrap/sarong (see swimwear)

It would be nice to think you could visit Greece without taking a single device or electronic with you and spend your time oblivious to news back home or the distractions of Social Media.

The reality is, however, especially for those of us who run their own businesses, that many people need to remain accessible and in touch and it’s necessary to travel with various devices and contraptions.

These are some of the best electronics and accessories for a visit to Greece:

Adapter

A multi-country adapter will mean you can use it in Greece but also at home and almost every country you visit!

They are compact and easy to carry and you can often manage with just one if you also pack a power board, although it’s best to take a few if you can as they can come in handy on airplanes, in airports and other transit centers, not just hotel rooms.

This Adapter can be used in over 200 countries, comes with 3 USB ports, including one Type C, and can charge 5 devices at once.

Charger

It goes without saying that you should pack the charger that comes with your phone.

Even better pack a portable charging station that can take care of multiple devices at once. This one is compatible with multiple devices so you should get many years out of it too.

Speaker

I bought one of these speakers before our last trip and have used it pretty much everyday. It’s small and easy to pack but has amazing sound, and a pretty decent price point for Bose too.

Honestly it’s the best speaker we’ve ever owned.

Powerpack

Having a power bank has become mandatory for me. I take so many photos and videos and listen to a lot of music so even the best phone battery doesn’t seem to last the day.

This amazing gadget is small, very portable, and does a lot of heavy lifting!

Camera

If you still want to take a camera then a GoPro HERO12 is really worth considering.

Given that Greece and the Greek Islands are all about the beach, the water, and exploring, having a camera that is waterproof and can take video as well as still shots is a must.

The GoPro Hero12 kit includes: GoPro HERO 12 Black Camera, with a 50 piece accessory kit.

Everything you could need!

Underwater pouch

If you want to use your phone for photos at the beach or waterfalls/caves etc…its a good idea to pack one of these cheap but practical pouches with lanyards.

Don’t fumble around with zip-lock bags or risk dropping your phone all together this takes all the risk and worry out of it.

Laptop or Tablet

If like me, you have to stay connected and even keep working whilst on vacation in Greece then chances are you are going to need to pack your laptop.

This HP 14″ ultralight laptop ticks a lot of boxes with a 14-inch FHD screen, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, a backlit keyboard, and more.

It only weighs 4 pounds, has great speakers andcomes with 1 year of Office 365 too.

DIGITAL ACCESSORIES

If you are a digital content creator, influencer or someone who just likes their videos and photos to look the best they can you may be keen to take along a few accessories for your content.

A portable selfie ring light and cell phone holder is easy to pack and can make a big difference to indoor shots.

A lightweight mini tripod is also a great idea especially if travelling solo or in remote places, and this one doubles as a selfie stick too!

If you love to Vlog then you will want a whole kit of mini-lightweight gadgets including a great little microphone.

Headphones

This is another product where it pays to invest in quality.

There are zillions of cheap headphones out there and if you are prone to losing them often then perhaps they are best for you, but most have short lifespans and do no block out sound – very annoying for fellow passengers.

A decent set of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds will also give you a much better listening/viewing experience on planes and can help drown out noisy neighbours and other noises you may experience on your trip to Greece.

I’m an Airpods convert. Amazing sound quality and so small and portable! Fantastic is you wear glasses too as they don’t sit over your ear like traditional earphones.

Medication

It is very important to take any regular medications with you and the correct quantity for the duration of your stay. Greek doctors are excellent but like many countries now codeine is not available without a script and some medications may be different from what you are used to so it’s best to avoid needing one.

Also if you are transiting through the middle east and some other parts of the world you may be asked for written evidence of the need for some drugs so be sure to check the travel advisories first.

Makeup

If you are visiting Greece in Summer you will likely be outdoors a lot and probably swimming. It will be hot and your makeup needs will be minimal. The Greek ‘glow’ will see you shine!

A great way to save space and hassle is to travel with one of these palettes that include a wide range of excellent eye-shadow colours as well as blusher and bronzer.

You will only need mascara, lipstick/balm and perhaps eyebrow products and foundation to complete your kit!

Some self-tanning mousse is also a great idea before or during your trip to get the ‘Greek Glow’ quickly and safely. This one by Coco & Eve is the best I’ve tried and is virtually foolproof!

Skincare

Be sure to pack some beautiful Greek Korres products. Their Greek Yogurt Foaming cleanser and white pine serum-in-moisturizer are so nourishing and their Calming & Cooling Gel is perfect after a big day in the sun.

There are lots of great skincare products to buy when you get to Greece too, found in all pharmacies and department stores. Look out for Korres, Apivita and Freezyderm.

Hair products

All hotels in Greece provide toiletries such as shampoo and soap. Generally, they are fine although I always travel with my own conditioner, usually, one for blondes as all that swimming can wash out your colour.

This cute little kit comes with mini shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner which can be a great idea after a day at the beach.

Deodorant

It goes without saying that you will need deodorant in Greece. It gets very hot in Summer and a good antiperspirant is essential.

We travel with a roll-on as we can pack it in our carry on and it’s small but it really is a personal choice.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

You cant skimp on dental hygiene either but you don’t need to cart a large tube of toothpaste around. Often they don’t like the compression on planes either.

Grab a small travel size toothpaste for the journey and pick up more in Greece if required.

Sunscreen

You will definitely need sunscreen, especially in Summer.

Even with a hat on there is a lot of reflection from all the white/pale buildings and sunburn can be quite a surprise for many people.

First aid kit

It’s quite probable whilst travelling around Greece that you will explore some places that are fairly remote and may not be close to emergency or medical services.

This doesn’t mean you need to take an entire survival kit with you but it can pay for one person in your group to pack a small first aid kit that contains essentials like band-aids, bandages, saline solution, safety pins, and disinfectant.

Don’t forget to remove the scissors if packing in your carry on!

Insect repellent

Whilst insects in Greece are somewhat less of a problem than some countries ( SE Asia for example and all the mosquito born diseases), mosquitoes, ants and other insects, especially wasps, can be annoying.

Pack a small insect repellent or pick one up in Greece especially if you are staying on board a boat where ventilation is limited.

Many holiday homes provide sprays but do be mindful of bees in the area. The big fat lazy bees of Greece make the most marvellous honey and keep all the other flora beautifully pollinated for our food chain.

ALSO DONT FORGET

Passport✔

Visa✔

( not required by everyone – check HERE)

Tickets/bookings/other printouts✔

Travel Insurance✔

Book this as soon as you make your FIRST booking if you don’t already have an annual policy. See our Complete Planning Guide for more information.

Money✔

Take a small amount of Euros & get the rest there ( and try and use your card as much as possible)

Portable safe ✔

These can be used in your room but also attach to a sunbed or boat when you want to swim

Apps ✔

Be sure to download these great apps for travelling in Greece!

Pillow ✔

I often travel with a full size pillow. This does get some odd looks but those tiny things on planes don’t cut it and many places in Greece like to use thin flat pillows on the beds. You need an inflatable travel pillow as a minimum.

Books ✔

Be sure to stock up on a few books set in Greece for a truly immersive experience! I read most books on the Kindle app but usually take one good paperback too for the beach or by the pool.

Towel ✔

Many hotels in Greece do not supply beach towels. You will find them for sale everywhere but the quality is often poor. Pack a small quick-dry towel for use at the beach as well as at waterfalls, on boat trips and for exercise too.

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