Packing List for Greece: Athens & The Cyclades

What does a packing list for 10 days in Greece look like for a couple that travels carry-on only?

After only one flight with a checked bag (we didn’t pay for) back in 2011, we have decided it was time to learn how to pack to not carry stuff we really wouldn’t need anyway. Need I to mention how many clothes were left unused from the said checked bag? Six years later, we master the art of packing light and hope this packing list for Greece will help you, too.

Greece at the end of spring and early summer means the temperatures are going to go up so you may want to wear light colors rather than dark ones. I favor earthy colors or dark green for shorts so that I don’t feel bad getting them dirty.

The below list is written with these two ideas in mind: we plan to do some laundry and we use a backpack as carry-on luggage.

The list is a complete breakdown of what we travel with. Yes, we do have a strategy (I carry the toiletries and hubby the camera), but other than that, there is nothing special about the lists.

Essentials for Her

Clothing and shoes

  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 3 t-shirts
  • (optional) 1-2 tank tops
  • a long-sleeve t-shirt
  • a summer dress
  • a pair of sandals
  • 7 pairs of underwear
  • 7 pairs of socks
  • 2 bras / sports bras
  • 1 swimsuit
  • clothes to stay in at the accommodation (t-shirt + 1 pair of shorts)
  • (optional) a pair of flip-flops
  • a sarong
  • 2 bandanas


>>Check out these cute dresses for your trip to Greece

Toiletries

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste (one for both)
  • Floss
  • Deodorant (unisex)
  • Hair brush
  • Chapstick
  • Motion sickness pills
  • Birth control pills (+ prescription)
  • Imodium
  • Ibuprofen
  • Wet wipes
  • Hair binder
  • Tampons

Tech & Other Gear

  • Mobile phone
  • Fitness tracker
  • Action camera (this one)
  • Power bank (this one)
  • Headphones
  • Chargers
  • Water bottle




Essentials for Him

Clothing and shoes

  • 2 pairs of shorts (one of them doubles as swimsuit)
  • 3 t-shirts
  • a long-sleeve t-shirt
  • 7 pairs of underwear
  • 7 pairs of socks
  • clothes to stay in at the accommodation (t-shirt + shorts)
  • (optional) a pair of flip-flops

Tech & Other Gear

  • Mobile phone
  • Smartwatch
  • Camera and lenses + filters
  • Headphones
  • Mini-tripod
  • Power bank
  • Chargers
  • Water bottle


Some useful info

The trick is to always travel with the bulkiest clothes. So we fly wearing jeans (or another pair of trousers), as well as our lightweight waterproof jackets and walking shoes.

Shampoo and conditioner are always found at the accommodation, so no need to pack that. And we typically buy sunscreen once we arrive. You are not allowed to carry a razor in the hand luggage, so that’s also bought at arrival.
On the other hand, I always pack extra zip-lock bags.

Flying low cost means it’s not always possible to bring a “personal item” but there are tricks around it. WizzAir allows you if you pay for priority boarding and, on Ryanair, it is included. So, the “personal item” is also my day pack. This personal item also carries the passport, wallet (cash, debit card, driver’s license), as well as the printed boarding, passes, itinerary, schedules for public transportation, confirmations (make sure to bring your confirmation for the ferry ticket purchase to pick them up at the port!), contact numbers for accommodations, etc.

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15 thoughts on “Packing List for Greece: Athens & The Cyclades

    • I have never had any problems with WizzAir and have been flying with them since 2012 (at least once a year). First time on Ryanair in less than a week and their reputation sucks…ugh

  1. Hi Cristina. Your packing list is ideal for a long weekend or a week in Greece. During the hot season light clothes are perfect. Also majority of the time it’s spend either on the beach or exploring the ins and outs.

    P.S – Love the fact that the women’s list is double than the men 🙂

    Telma @ Blank Canvas Voyage

    • Actually, this is for 10 days in Greece (7 socks are enough for almost a week and then we can do laundry). For a long weekend, I pack less than half the list.
      I carry the toiletries and pills but prefer him to carry the camera :))

  2. This is so timely, my 18-year old daughter is just off to Greece on a graduation trip with her boyfriend. Will share with them. Thanks for the list!

  3. Oh wow i don’t think i would ever be able to be so organized with my packing. I never over do it either but i always have extra stuff around that i am totally confident i will need but end up not. I am already thinking about what to put in my wizzair small bag for my trip to Cyprus in 2 weeks. I will try to follow your advice 🙂

    • Take half the clothes and twice the money! At first, I also laughed at this but coming home with clothes I never wore on the trips, I took that as a sign to pack less!
      Enjoy Cyprus!

  4. Such great info. I so need this for my visit coming up. This will make things so much easier. Thank you as always!!

  5. A very helpful list (more like a reminder to me). I was there in September 2016 and had a great time in Athens and the islands. What I forgot was a Sarong which I then bought paying a fortune at Mykonos (I probably went to the wrong shop)!.. Well, thats okay – Now, this post kind of tells me how important it is to pack as per the location :)…

    • I got my sarong in Italy in 2016 (for 5 euros from a resort town). Yeah, you are right, where you buy something from has such an impact on the price.
      A bottle of sunscreen from a shop in the capital is also cheaper than getting it from the shack close to the beach

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