Packing for a Greek Holiday
What to Take to a Greek Island
An Essential Guide Based on Years of Travel
You can have your suitcase packed, your documents ready and your phone in your pocket, only to discover on the very first day that you have forgotten the one thing you suddenly really need. It happens to us too. We had contact lenses, but forgot our sunglasses. We had chargers, but not enough sockets to charge two phones in the evening. We forgot a hat to protect us from the Greek sun, while trips into the mountains taught us that proper shoes and long trousers are not an exaggeration, but a necessity. That is why I have put together not just another packing list, but a practical guide to the essentials you may need on a Greek island β based on what I have learnt during many trips around Greece.
𧳠Prefer Ticking Things Off? Download the Ready-Made Packing List
I have also prepared a printable Packing List for a Greek Holiday. Everything is grouped by category β from documents and clothes to your first-aid kit, electronics, hand luggage and the final things to check before leaving home.
Next to each item, you will find two boxes: βReadyβ and βPackedβ. This means you can start getting everything together a few days before your trip and then, just before you leave, check that it has actually made it into your suitcase.
π₯ DOWNLOAD THE FREE PACKING LIST [PDF]
𧳠Before You Close Your Suitcase
Sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a power bank⦠These things seem so obvious that they are often the easiest to forget. Before you close your suitcase, think not only about clothes, but also about the situations you may encounter during a real week on a Greek island.
βοΈ The Greek Sun β Itβs Not Just About Sunscreen
Do not rely on the temperature alone. Even with a pleasant breeze or a temperature of 25Β°C, UV radiation can still be high. High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses with UV protection and a cap or hat should be within easy reach every day.
π€οΈ You Donβt Have to Visit Greece in July
If you do not cope well with strong sunshine, consider May, September or early October. For the past few years, I have often chosen these months myself because my skin reacts very badly to the sun. Even outside the peak summer season, however, sun protection is still essential.
π¨βπ©βπ§ Especially When Travelling with a Child
A cap or hat, sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen, water and regular breaks in the shade are essential. During the hours when the sun is strongest, it is better to plan a museum visit, lunch or some time to rest rather than spend hours sightseeing somewhere with no shade.
π± Check the UV Index Before You Go Out β Not Just the Weather
The temperature tells you how hot you are likely to feel. The UV index tells you how strong the sunβs ultraviolet radiation is. Checking it in the morning takes only a moment and can help you plan your day more sensibly.
π Shoes β Take a Pair You Already Know
For a full day of sightseeing, above all take tried-and-tested shoes that you have already worn comfortably for several hours. New sandals may look great, but the first blister can quickly spoil the pleasure of exploring. If you are planning to walk trails, visit ruins or explore less accessible places, closed shoes with good soles will come in useful.
π§ Travelling with a Child β a Spare Pair Really Can Be Useful
Shoes can rub, get soaked or become damaged. When travelling with a child, it is therefore worth carrying a lightweight spare pair, especially on a full-day trip. It is also a good idea to test new shoes on a longer walk before your holiday.
π₯Ύ Stylish or Comfortable?
For sightseeing β comfortable. Save the nice sandals for an evening at a taverna. And remember that even tried-and-tested shoes can let you down. On one of my trips, my trekking sandals came apart. A needle and some strong thread saved both the sandals and the rest of the sightseeing β which is why a small repair kit has travelled with us ever since.
π₯Ύ If You Plan to Venture Beyond the Promenade
Once you leave the resorts behind, smooth pavements can disappear very quickly. Ruins, viewpoints and lesser-known places may mean loose stones, sharp rocks and thorny bushes. Take closed shoes with good soles, lightweight long trousers, water, your phone and some basic first-aid supplies. On Samos, I discovered that long trousers really are not an exaggeration β I came back from one such trip with my legs badly scratched by plants.
π Look, but Donβt Put Your Hands In
Snakes, scorpions and other animals may be hiding in gaps between rocks. There is no reason to stop exploring ruins, but do not put your hands into places you cannot see and avoid lifting stones unnecessarily.
πΏ Long Trousers Arenβt Just for Cooler Days
Lightweight, breathable long trousers protect you from thorny vegetation, scratches and insects, as well as providing some protection from the sun. If you enjoy finding out what lies around the next corner, they are definitely worth making room for in your suitcase.
π The Beach β It Wonβt Always Be Sand Beneath Your Feet
On the Greek islands, you will often come across beaches covered with gravel, pebbles or larger stones, as well as rocky entrances into the sea. Water shoes protect your feet from hot and sharp stones and make it easier to get into the water when the seabed is slippery. They are particularly useful for children.
π€Ώ Take a Look Beneath the Water
A snorkelling mask is well worth taking to rocky coastlines. If it is for a child, it is best to try it on before you leave β a poorly fitting mask can quickly take all the fun out of exploring the underwater world.
π What Should You Do with Your Phone, Documents and Money While Swimming?
If everyone wants to go into the sea, there is always the same problem: who stays behind with the phones, money and room key? Do not take more valuables to the beach than you need. You can leave your passport, larger amounts of cash or your camera in the hotel safe if you have one available.
A waterproof pouch for your phone, key and a small amount of money can be useful at the beach, allowing you to keep these essentials with you. There are also swimming buoys with a dry compartment for small belongings. Always check, however, whether the particular product is actually designed to be submerged β βwaterproofβ does not always mean that you can swim with it.
ποΈ What Else Is Worth Putting in Your Beach Bag?
Water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a quick-drying towel and a bag for wet swimwear and shoes. If you are heading to a small, undeveloped cove, do not assume that you will find a bar, shop or shade there. Sometimes it is also worth buying a small beach umbrella once you arrive.
π¦ Mosquitoes, Flies and an Open Window
It is worth packing insect repellent even if mosquitoes are not something you normally associate with Greece. It is particularly useful in the evening. If you like sleeping with the window open, you may also want to take a small indoor insect repellent, such as a plug-in device.
πͺ Check the Window First
When you arrive in your room, check whether the windows and balcony doors have insect screens. If they do not, airing the room in the evening with the lights on can quickly turn into a mosquito and fly hunt. This is particularly worth remembering in May, September or October, when air conditioning is not always necessary.
π§ If You Are Travelling with a Child
Choose a mosquito repellent suitable for your childβs age and use it according to the manufacturerβs instructions. It is also worth keeping an age-appropriate product in your first-aid kit to soothe itching after insect bites.
Insect repellent takes up very little space. A mosquito buzzing around your ear at two in the morning β far too much.
π A First-Aid Kit β One of the Most Important Things in Your Suitcase
Ideally, you will not need to use it once during your entire holiday. For years, we have travelled with a small, lightweight box containing basic medicines and first-aid supplies. It takes up very little space and has already proved useful many times.
π Take Medicines You Know
A holiday is not the time to experiment with unfamiliar medicines. I have a severe allergic reaction to many common painkillers, so I always carry a tried-and-tested medicine that I know I can take. Remember to pack a sufficient supply of any regular medication as well.
π©Ή Bandages, Plasters and Disinfectant
A few plasters, sterile gauze pads, a bandage, disinfectant and blister plasters will be enough to deal with many minor injuries. We have even used our kit to help other people β something to clean a small wound has proved particularly useful.
𧳠What Else Is Worth Preparing For?
Pain, an allergic reaction, an insect bite, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach problems or travel sickness β before you leave, think about what you normally use at home in these situations and prepare a small holiday kit accordingly.
π§ A First-Aid Kit Is Even More Important When Travelling with a Child
Choose medicines appropriate for your childβs age and weight. It is also worth carrying supplies for minor cuts and grazes. After stroking the cats and dogs you will see everywhere on the Greek islands, it is best to wash your childβs hands. When soap and water are not available, it is useful to have some hand sanitiser with you.
A first-aid kit is one of those things worth carrying on ten holidays without ever needing it, so that on the eleventh it is there exactly when you do.
π©Ί Healthcare and travel insurance β check your cover before you go
Before travelling to Greece, check what healthcare cover you already have and what additional travel insurance you may need. The rules depend on the country where you are insured.
πͺπΊ Do you have an EHIC?
If you are eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), take it with you. In Greece, it gives you access to medically necessary healthcare within the public healthcare system under the same conditions as people insured in Greece.
Remember that each family member, including children, needs their own card.
π¬π§ Travelling from the UK?
If you live in the UK, check whether you have a valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or EHIC. It can give you access to necessary state healthcare during your stay in Greece, but it does not replace travel insurance.
π What may not be covered?
An EHIC or GHIC does not cover everything. Private healthcare, medical repatriation to your home country and some rescue-related costs may not be included.
This is why relying on the card alone may not be enough.
π‘οΈ Is travel insurance worth having?
In my opinion, yes. Treat travel insurance as additional protection rather than a replacement for an EHIC or GHIC if you are entitled to one.
Check the policy carefully, especially medical expenses, assistance, medical transport or repatriation and rescue costs. Don't choose a policy based on price alone.
If you are not eligible for an EHIC or GHIC, make sure your travel insurance provides appropriate medical cover for Greece.
π₯Ύ Planning to hike? Read the policy more carefully
Are you planning to hike in the mountains, explore gorges or follow less-frequented trails? Check whether your planned activities are covered and whether the policy includes search and rescue costs.
Policies differ, and an activity covered by one insurer may be excluded or require additional cover with another.
π± Check your country's travel advice
Before you leave, check the official travel advice issued by your own government. Some countries also offer travel registration or alert services for citizens travelling abroad.
Wildfires, earthquakes and other unexpected events are difficult to predict. Knowing where to find official information and how your country's consular services can contact or assist you in an emergency is worth a few minutes before your trip.
𧴠Toiletries β What Is Really Worth Taking?
You do not need to pack your entire bathroom for a holiday. Think about what you actually use every day and what you would rather not be without. Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, face cream and your usual skincare products will be enough for most people. And, of course, high-SPF sunscreen β in Greece, that is essential.
π How About Taking a Holiday from Make-Up Too?
Hot weather, swimming in the sea and frequently reapplying sunscreen do not go particularly well with heavy make-up. You may find that mascara, lip gloss or one lightweight face product is all you need. Your holiday make-up bag really can be quite small.
πͺ Little Things That Are More Annoying to Look for Once Youβre There
A razor, tweezers, a nail file, hair ties and hair clips take up very little space, but not having them can be surprisingly irritating. Put them in your toiletry bag while you are packing.
π¦Ά Your Feet Are Going on Holiday Too
Sandals, hot sand and full days of sightseeing can quickly take their toll on your feet. A small tube of foot cream can be useful, and if you are prone to chafing or blisters, pack an anti-chafing stick or suitable plasters as well.
π Nails β Think About Them Before You Leave
It is best to have your manicure and pedicure done before your holiday. Then all you need to pack is a nail file and, if you paint your nails, perhaps a bottle of nail polish for small touch-ups.
𧳠Small Containers Instead of Half the Bathroom
For a week or two, you do not need a half-litre bottle of shampoo or a large container of conditioner. Pour your toiletries into small bottles or take travel-size versions instead. You will save space and a little of that precious baggage allowance.
π Glasses and Contact Lenses β You Can Remember Your Lenses and Forget Your Glasses
If you normally wear contact lenses, take your prescription glasses as well. If your eyes become irritated, you lose a lens or they simply feel tired, your glasses may prove essential. It is also worth packing a spare pair of contact lenses and enough lens solution for your trip.
πΆοΈ Sunglasses Are More Than Just an Accessory
In Greece, strong sunshine will be with you almost every day. Choose sunglasses with UV protection, and if you need vision correction but do not wear contact lenses, consider getting prescription sunglasses before your trip.
π§ When Contact Lenses Start to Feel Uncomfortable
Sunshine, wind, air conditioning, dust and dry air can make your eyes feel sore or irritated. Do not force yourself to keep wearing your lenses β take them out and put on your glasses instead. Moisturising eye drops suitable for use with contact lenses may also be useful.
π Contact Lenses and the Sea β Take Care
Do not swim with your eyes open while wearing contact lenses. Contact between lenses and water increases the risk of eye irritation and infection. If you cannot see well without vision correction, prescription swimming goggles or a snorkelling mask with corrective lenses may be a good solution.
π Phones, Cameras and the Evening Battle for a Socket
Phone, watch, camera, power bank⦠by the evening, you may discover that you have more devices to charge than available sockets. Take all the chargers and cables you need, and if you use several devices, pack a small charger with multiple USB ports.
π A Power Bank β Especially When Sightseeing
Navigation, taking photos, using the internet and looking up information can drain your battery surprisingly quickly. Take a fully charged power bank on a full-day trip β especially if your phone also serves as your camera, map and ticket.
π· Camera, Video Camera and the Memory Card You Forgot
If you are taking a camera or video camera, check the memory card, battery and charger before you leave. It is worth carrying a spare memory card and an extra battery β they take up very little space and can save a day filled with beautiful views.
π Charge Everything Before You Leave Home
The day before your trip, charge your phone, camera, power bank, watch and any other devices. That way, you will not begin your holiday by looking for a socket at the airport.
π Check the Sockets Before You Travel
The Greek islands use the same types of electrical sockets as Poland, so you will not need a travel adapter. If you are travelling to Cyprus, however, take one with you β Type G sockets are used there, just as in the United Kingdom.
πΆ Internet β Be Careful Which Network Your Phone Connects To
In Greece, you can use EU roaming, so your phone generally works under the same rules as it does in Poland. Be careful, however, on islands close to Turkey β such as Kos, Rhodes, Samos or Chios. Your phone may automatically connect to a Turkish mobile network, and data roaming can then become expensive. The safest option is to turn off automatic network selection.
πΊοΈ Offline Maps and Coordinates Saved Without Internet Access
Download offline maps of the places you plan to explore before you leave. If you are heading beyond the main towns and resorts, also save the coordinates of car parks, trailheads or places you want to visit. They can be invaluable when your signal disappears at exactly the moment you need it most.
π If You Are Hiring a Car
If you are hiring a car during your holiday, a few small things brought from home can make exploring the island much easier. We have our own little kit that travels with us from one island to the next.
π± A Phone Holder β Standard Equipment for Us
We almost always take our own phone holder. It keeps the navigation clearly visible, and not every hire car has a convenient place where you can safely put your phone.
π Charging in the Car β Count Your Phones
If one phone is being used for navigation while another is used for taking photos and looking up information, a single charging socket may not be enough. Take a suitable car charger and cables that fit your devices.
πΊοΈ Offline Maps β Before You Lose Your Signal
Download your maps while you are still at the hotel. Mobile coverage can disappear in the mountains and in less frequently visited parts of the island β precisely where navigation can be most useful.
π§ Always Keep Water in the Car
One bottle of water per person is the minimum. If we are heading into the mountains, to a remote beach or on a longer drive, we take more. Do not assume that you will definitely find a shop along the way.
π Our Car Kit
A phone holder, car charger, cables, power bank, downloaded maps and a supply of water β just a few things, but they mean we can set off with confidence even when we leave the resorts and main roads behind.
𧡠A Small Repair Kit
A needle, a few different colours of thread, safety pins and a couple of spare buttons weigh almost nothing. But a missing button, broken strap or split seam can happen at exactly the moment when you least feel like looking for a haberdashery shop.
π§Ό Stain-Removing Soap
A small bar of stain-removing soap has travelled with us on holiday for years. A stain from wine, sauce, ice cream or fruit does not have to wait until you get home β you can deal with it straight away. It takes up very little space and has saved our clothes more than once.
βοΈ How Much Does Your Suitcase Really Weigh?
Being just one or two kilograms over the baggage allowance can mean an extra charge at the airport. And after a holiday, your suitcase often weighs more than it did when you left β souvenirs, toiletries and local products all add to the total.
𧳠The Small Luggage Scale That Has Travelled with Us for Years
My husband has been taking a small luggage scale with us for years. Before leaving the hotel, we weigh our suitcases and, if necessary, move things from one bag to another. It is definitely less stressful than frantically repacking at the check-in desk.
πΊ Souvenirs Have Weight Too
Ceramics, a bottle of olive oil or a stone souvenir may not look like much, but a few purchases like these can quickly add several extra kilograms. If you like bringing things home from your travels, leave a little spare space β and some room within your baggage allowance β when you pack for your trip.
π Documents β Donβt Keep Everything Only on Your Phone
ID card or passport, boarding pass, hotel booking, insurance details, car hire documents β today, we can keep most of these on our phones. But your phone can run out of battery, break or get lost. It is worth keeping your most important documents and booking numbers somewhere else as well β even if it is simply on a piece of paper or a printed confirmation.
π³ Cash or Card?
You can pay by card in many places in Greece, but it is always worth carrying some cash. It can come in useful in a small taverna, bakery or kiosk, at a local car park, or simply somewhere where the card terminal happens not to be working. It is also a good idea not to keep all your cards and cash in one place.
π§ Water β the Problem Starts at the Airport
Rules on liquids are no longer the same at every airport.
A good solution is to take an empty reusable water bottle β after security, you can fill it if the airport has a drinking-water station. When flying home from Greece, however, do not assume that you will be able to take a large bottle through security. At Greek airports, the 100 ml limit generally still applies, so you will usually need to buy water after passing through security.
π₯ͺ Food β Think About It Before You Leave
If you are staying in an apartment or a room with a kitchenette, think about whether you are actually going to cook. There is no point taking half your kitchen with you, but a few small items can be useful β especially if you are planning to make breakfast, prepare sandwiches for day trips or take food with you on the road.
π΄ A Few Small Things That Make Preparing Food Easier
A small knife, a sandwich box, resealable bags or a few rubber bands take up very little space. They are useful for preparing food for the beach or a day trip, storing an opened packet of cheese or keeping food securely packed in the fridge.
π Do Your First Shop with the Last Day in Mind
When you do your first food shop, think about how much you will actually eat. Larger packs are often cheaper, but that does not help much if you have to throw away half the contents of the fridge on your last day. Be particularly careful with products you will not be able to take home with you.
βοΈ Food for the Journey β Especially on the Way Home
The journey home can take much longer than the flight itself: checking out of the hotel, the transfer, check-in, waiting for the plane and then travelling home from the airport. Prepare something to eat in advance rather than relying entirely on airport shops and restaurants. Just remember that liquid and semi-liquid foods are subject to restrictions on liquids when you pass through airport security.
π Hotel Check-Out at 11 a.m., Flight at 10 p.m. β What Now?
Checking out in the morning but not flying until the evening? Check in advance whether your hotel offers late check-out, luggage storage or somewhere to take a shower before you leave. That way, your last day does not have to mean spending several hours sitting beside your suitcases.
ποΈ Sometimes I Simply Pay for an Extra Night
If my flight is very late, I sometimes pay for an additional night at the hotel. I can then enjoy my last day as normal, return to my room, take a shower, get changed and prepare for the journey without rushing. It is not always the cheapest option, but sometimes comfort wins.
π¨βπ©βπ§ With Children, That Extra Comfort Can Be Worth Even More
When travelling with children, having a room for a few extra hours can make an even bigger difference. There is somewhere to rest, change your child, use the bathroom or simply escape the hottest part of the day.
ποΈ The Beach on Your Last Day? Think About the Shower First
One last swim in the sea sounds tempting β until you realise that you may then have several hours of travelling ahead of you with salt and sand on your skin. Before planning a trip to the beach, check whether you will have somewhere to shower and change afterwards.
βοΈ Hand Luggage β Pack It for an Unplanned Overnight Stay Too
Do not put everything you might need over the next 24 hours in your checked baggage. Delayed flights, cancelled connections or luggage that does not arrive with you can happen. Keep your medication, documents, charger, basic toiletries, underwear and a change of T-shirt in your hand luggage. A small emergency kit like this can save an unexpected overnight stay.
β The Last 5 Minutes Before You Close Your Suitcase
Documents, money, cards, phone, chargers, medication, glasses, house keys β check them all one more time. Weigh your luggage and make sure the most important things are in your hand luggage, not your checked baggage. Only then should you zip up your suitcase.