Greece
Greece is an absolutely stunning land of with its iconic stark white stone set against sapphire blue water. ⚪️+🔵=✨ With over 6,000 islands, of which 227 are inhabited and each has its own distinctive personality, architecture and flora! It is a magical place to go island hopping and find which is your favorite. Get ready for dazzling dichotomies of the Cycladic islands: blue ocean and white stone, fractured islands and a solid mainland, refined cities and dusty countrysides, old charm and modern sophistication. The quintessential white churches topped with blue domes overlooking the sandy beaches is the stuff of dreamy travel posters!
The best luggage for Greece:
Make sure you choose the right luggage for your trip to Greece! Roller bags are not generally the best choice because:
Hillside villages with cobbled streets: Just look at some pictures of Greece and you’ll see that the villages built into hillsides with narrow cobbled streets, stone roadways, and footpaths don’t look roller-bag friendly!
Instead, opt for a duffel bag (or a newer wheeled duffel gives you the best of both worlds) or a backpack in addition to your personal item on the plane. This will also encourage packing light which is good! Learn to pack minimally to make traveling a breeze!
For more tips on how to travel light and only with a carry on, click here.
Double Expansion Travel Satchel
Encompass Convertible Weekend Duffel
Base Camp Medium Duffel Bag
Traveler Visetos Duffel Bag
Travel backpacks:
A travel backpack is really useful to have as part of your luggage while traveling in Greece. As you’re hiking island high points to see vineyards, terraced hillsides, and olive groves, wandering the back streets of Athens, or exploring ancient ruins you need a backpack to hold your stuff. It’s important that your backpack is properly designed to make the weight you’re carrying comfortable and functional. We don’t prefer the backpacks that look traditionally touristy, though. We think a cuter one keeps your outfit looking good and you enjoying using it. So get one that is both functional and stylish! And since pick-pocketing is always a concern during travel, make sure your backpack is one that cannot be unzipped/opened without you knowing!
The Rowledge
A gorgeous larger sized pack with many compartments and a sleeve to slip over suitcase handles.
Ellie Leather Studded Backpack
Mini Macaroon Colorblock Water Resistant Backpack
The cutest!
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
The beauty of Fjallraven backpacks is they pack down flat when not in use!
Greece packing tip: Leave room for SOUVENIRS
Visiting Greece is the time to buy souvenirs to bring home with you, even if you’re not typically a “souvenir” person! Why? Because Greece is amazing. Leave room in your bag for Greece to fill. Or bring a collapsible duffel in your suitcase to fill up with all your goodies for the trip home! Whether you buy extra virgin olive oil, olive oil soap, honey from Crete, worry beads called komboloi, jewelry with the blue eye, hand-painted ceramic art, handmade leather sandals, clothes, etc., trust us you’ll want to be able to bring it all home. If you don’t plan ahead for that you probably will end up leaving behind some of your own items to make room!
What to pack for Greece:
Packing for Greece is really easy and fun! Pretty much grab some gorgeous dresses and sandals and you’re good to go. Also, think about the following tips:
Avoid anything too stuffy/formal – Greece really is very casual.
If you take a boat trip you may find there's a cool breeze out on the water. The sun will be extra strong and you may not have much cover. A sarong or t-shirt will give protection from both – and don't forget your hat.
A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
Comfortable, flat shoes are important for Greece because of the cobbled streets, and narrow-heeled shoes are not even allowed some places due to risk of damage to the monuments!
If you go on a trip that involves a visit to a Monastery, if you are not covered up correctly they will issue you with something that may not be to your taste; so just make sure that you have a wrap or pashmina with you to cover your shoulders and legs.
It gets blistering hot in the summer months of June, July, August and September so pack plenty of sunscreen, a sunhat and sunglasses.
Most rain falls in November, December, January and February, when Athens can be colder and windier than you might expect. A light sweater, raincoat, closed-toe shoes and a small travel umbrella will help keep you dry.
what to wear
White dresses:
White dresses (or white with a touch of blue) are so perfect in Greece! Mesh with your white and blue surroundings by going matchy-matchy! White looks pure and fresh, and it helps you feel cool in the summer sun. You can’t go wrong with a white dress!
Blue dresses:
We also LOVE blue dresses for Greece. Be so a part of Greece by wearing one of these. You’ll feel like you match the ocean and you’ll feel so relaxed in this color.
Other colored dresses:
Other than white and blue dresses, try a dress in pastel pink, orange, red, or yellow. All these colors have beach vacation vibes and complement the scenery well too!
Cute separates:
Cute vacation-style separates can feel just as amazing as a beautiful dress! Try lightweight shorts, skirts, and pants, and pair these with a pretty blouse or crop top. Again think whites, blues, pinks, yellows, oranges, and reds.
Runway inspo:
Get some outfit inspo from Grecian looks on the runway! Think of these when picking out dresses, cover-ups, jewelry, hair accessories, sandals.
Bathing suits:
Of course you’re going to need bathing suits in Greece! Greek has legendary beaches, water and sun. And that summer sun is strong, so don’t forget a pretty sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Pretty hairstyles:
Think easy, pretty hairstyles for Greece! Beachy, Grecian braids and twists are the way to go. Or try hair scarves for beautiful hair decoration in no time flat.
what to do
1. Visit the Acropolis
Likely on the top of your list when visiting Athens, this magnificent ruin site rises up from the city center on a rocky limestone plateau. Explore the ruins while seeing an expansive view of the city. Take time to study the Parthenon, the highlight of the Acropolis, which is arguably the finest achievement of Classical Greek architecture.
2. See historic Crete
With its great cities and mountains, Crete feels less like an island and more like a substantial land in its own right. Yet, like the other Greek islands, Crete has beautiful beaches, remote hinterlands and welcoming locals. It has a long history and was once home to the ancient Minoan civilization (which predates Greek civilization). The Minoan capital of Knossos has impressive ruins. Come to Crete for quaint towns, great hiking, and delicious food and wine!
3. Walk up Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain and the home of ancient gods. In Greek mythology, it is from here the gods would control the lives of mortal men. Any climb to Mount Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro. Unless you’re an experienced mountaineer, a walk up to the summits will be strenuous and mystical. You’ll see why Greeks thought it was this mountain from which the gods ruled!
4. Meteora
Monasteries famously grace the top of rocky mountains in Meteora! The landscape and six remaining structures are absolutely stunning to see and venturing up the rocks is like a spiritual experience.
5. Relax on the beaches
The Greek islands are some of the most superb in the world! Admire the white sand and blue-roofed architecture while you relax and soak up the sun. Santorini is famous for couples, while Ios is the place for parties. Lesser traveled islands include Kos, Rhodes, or those in the far east of the Aegean. Most of the islands do get booked up in the summer!
6. Explore the past
Ruins representing the beginning of western civilization can be found in Greece at every turn. See ruins from times thousands of years ago by starting your journey in Athens — the Acropolis and surrounding Agora and museums are not to be missed. For more history, continue on to the ruins of Sparta, Delphi, and Crete!
7. Remember the Spartans
The ruins of Sparta are sometimes overlooked by tourists, but we suggest checking out this ancient Athens rival. There is plenty to do here, excursions to go on, and great places to eat while you learn about the long history where fierce warriors lived!
8. Attend the Hellenic Festival
Summer in Athens means the Hellenic Festival featuring reenactments of Greek tragedy, plus more performance theater and concerts! If you’re in Greece during this time, stop by to see the pride of the Greek people.
9. Bask in the sun of Corfu
Greece’s west coast has Corfu, an elegant, sunny town with great beaches! Partying backpackers are drawn here, but there’s also pretty Venetian architecture, fine museums, and, uniquely, a cricket pitch.
10. Walk the Delphi Ruins
The ancient site of Delphi is a historic place with spiritual significance. It was here in this glorious natural setting that the almighty Oracle would speak through Apollo determining the fate of the Greek people. Visiting the Temple of Apollo is a once-in-a-lifetime mystical experience.
11. Tour the Melissani Caves
Go for a tour on the sapphire waters by boat into the Melissani Caves. You’re sure to feel the magic of gorgeous water and unforgettable walls surrounding you!
12. See Santorini
It is one of the many Greek islands, but it you were to choose one and only one to see, this would have to be it! (There’s a reason so many beautiful IG photos have been taken here.) Overlook Santorini’s iconicly Greek white-and-blue buildings stepping down the cliffs and its volcano! There’s also the most amazing fresh, dry white wines and accompanying seafood, camping on the beach, scuba diving, and tours of wineries and ruins.
13. Hike the Samaria
For one of the most unforgettable hikes around, look no further than the Samaria Gorge in Crete! It’s an advanced hike but if you are an outdoor enthusiast you’ll definitely love the sweat session to be had all while taking in the towering rock faces that enclose this lush, leafy gorge.
14. Get wild on the island of Ios
The party island of Ios wins the award for craziest nightlife in all of Greece! It is a summer hot spot for spending nights drinking and days hungover at the beach, all while enjoying cheap food. For a quieter time, the eastern part of the island is beautiful — go to enjoy the ruggedness of the island and the grave of Homer!
