Family Summer Packing List for Greece: What to Pack for a Greek Vacation with Kids

[Marta Correale]

Family packing list for Greece in summer: what to pack for Greece in summer with kids plus essential tips for clever packing when visiting Athens and going island hopping in Greece. Our family trip to Greece has been one of our most successful vacations to date. We spent a wonderful summer in Greece, driving, swimming, exploring and while we knew the country would be stunning and welcoming, it truly surpassed our expectations: all the good things we expected from Greece came true, plus some! A success that meant we now love returning to Greece and have many tips to share! Today, I share my tips for packing and my family packing list for Greece in summer, based on what we actually used and what we have learnt along the way. Because Greece has some surprises even for the savvy packer! People arrive expecting intense, suffocating heat — and yes, it is genuinely hot — but what they don’t expect is the wind. The famous Aegean breeze is one of Greece’s great gifts, and it makes even the hottest days significantly more bearable than the thermometer suggests. It also means you need to pack slightly differently than you might assume. The other thing Greece will teach you quickly is that ‘smooth terrain’ is a generous description of most of it. Whether you’re in Athens, wandering a Cycladic village, exploring Olympia or hopping between islands, the ground beneath your feet is likely to be uneven, rocky, or steeply stepped. Shoes matter here more than almost anywhere else in Europe. I’ve put together this packing list with both of these things front of mind: practical, light, and genuinely suited to how Greece actually feels to travel through with a family. A Note on the Heat — and the Wind Greece in summer is hot. July and August regularly hit 35°C+ on the islands and in Athens. But the Meltemi wind — the seasonal northerly that sweeps across the Aegean — makes a remarkable difference. On the islands especially, you’ll often find that a breezy terrace feels perfectly comfortable even at the height of summer. This does mean two things for packing: A Note on Island Hopping If you’re planning to island hop, one of the great joys of Greece: pack light. Really light. You will be carrying your bags on and off ferries, up and down stairs, along cobbled paths to your accommodation. There are rarely porters, lifts are not guaranteed, and the charm of a whitewashed village fades quickly when you’re dragging a 25kg suitcase up a stepped alley in 35°C heat. For island hopping, I’d strongly recommend a carry-on size bag per adult and a small backpack per child. You can do laundry — most island accommodation either has a machine or there’s a laundry service nearby — so you genuinely don’t need as much as you think. Documents & Travel Essentials Tip: Keep a physical copy of your ferry booking as well as a digital one. Ticket scanning on Greek ferries is not always high-tech and having a printout avoids stress. Clothing for Greece in Summer Adults Greece is wonderfully relaxed about clothing. Nobody is watching what you wear or judging your style and what matters is that you’re comfortable and cool. Church and monastery dress code: Greece has a lot of beautiful churches and monasteries worth visiting. Shoulders and knees need to be covered. Many sites provide wraps at the entrance, but having your own sarong or light trousers means you’re never caught out. Kids Shoes for Greece — Pay Attention to This Section I want to spend a moment on shoes because Greece is genuinely different from other European destinations in this respect, and getting it wrong will make everyone miserable. Greek terrain is rocky, uneven, and often steeply stepped: even in towns and cities, not just on hiking trails. Athens has ancient pathways worn smooth by centuries of feet (beautiful and slippery). The Cycladic islands have stepped alleys, cobbled lanes, and paths that are essentially boulder scrambles in places. Flip flops are not adequate. Thin-soled sandals are not adequate. What you need: On flip flops: They’re fine for the beach and the pool. They are not fine for walking around Greek towns and villages, and the locals know this. If you see a Greek person wearing flip flops in a village, they are probably going to the beach, just line in Italy. Take the hint because if locals do not wear something, there is a good reason! Accessories & Day Bag Sun & Heat Essentials Greece in peak summer is not a gentle sun. It is intense, reflective off the white buildings and the water, and relentless between about 11am and 5pm. The most important tip for Greece in July and August: Stop between noon and 5pm. Go back to your accommodation, have a long lunch, let the kids rest, stay in the shade with a book or an art conditioned museum. Every local family does this and there is a reason. The sightseeing you do in the early morning and the evening will be infinitely more enjoyable — and the late evenings in Greece are magical, with kids out late, tavernas full of families, and the air finally cool. Lean into the rhythm rather than fighting it. Toiletries & Health Greece has excellent pharmacies: Greek pharmacists are knowledgeable and very helpful, and you can find most things you need on arrival. That said: On seasickness: The Meltemi wind that makes Greece so pleasantly cool can also make certain ferry crossings genuinely rough, particularly in July and August. If you are island hopping and anyone in your family gets seasick, bring medication and consider booking alternative options for longer stretches, for instance a flight from Athens to get to a jump off point allowing for shorter sailing times. Tech & Travel Gear Packing for Babies & Toddlers What NOT to Pack for Greece Final Tips Book ferries early. In peak season, popular routes between islands sell out so if you are hoping to visit Santorini or Mykonos, booking ahead is best Embrace the evening. Some of the best family moments in Greece happen after 8pm — dinner on a terrace, kids playing in the village square, a walk along the harbour. Pack light enough that you feel relaxed and free, and you’ll have the holiday you came for. You might also enjoy: Family Packing List for Greece — pin this!

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