Ultimate Guide to Packing Light for Your Trip to Greece
Nothing brings down a trip to Greece faster than hauling around too much luggage. It can even ruin your trip if flinging that overpacked carry-on throws out your back and sends you seeking a Greek chiropractor upon arrival. However, fear not. Here’s how to lighten your load while ensuring you have everything you’ll really need for your journey, looking stylish in almost any situation.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 60 minutes
Here’s How to Pack Light
- Choose a soft-sided bag suitable for carry-on. Some airlines can be strict about wheeled luggage with pull-out handles during crowded flights; a soft bag will almost always get on board with you. Moreover, newer wheeled duffle bags combine the benefits of both options.
- Decide what you will wear while traveling. Deduct those items from the list below that are suitable for spring-summer-fall travel in Greece.
- 1 long skirt made of scrunchy, naturally wrinkly fabric or one simple long dress.
- 1 pair of light-colored heavyweight pants, preferably not blue due to cultural associations unless you are attending the Matala Hippie Reunion Festival held in June.
- 1 light sweater.
- 1-2 pairs of shorts.
- 1 long-sleeved top and 1 sleeveless top.
- 1-2 bathing suits; consider taking two if you know you will be changing locations frequently, as they may not dry overnight (the same goes for underwear!). Add a ventilated bag you can tie onto the outside of your luggage to help with drying and avoiding mustiness.
- 3-5 pairs of underwear, 1-2 bras, and 3-5 pairs of socks, adjusting based on how often you expect to be able to wash these items.
- 1 oversized T-shirt (useful for sleeping, as a beach cover-up, etc.).
- 2 pairs of shoes – 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes already broken in, and one nice (but still very comfortable) pair for enjoying the nightlife. To save space, tuck socks into the shoes.
- 2 pairs of sandals: one should be a rubber-bottomed, strap-on type suitable for wading along the shore. I prefer the cheapest possible “go-ahead” sandals that are flat, light, and packable.
- 1 windbreaker or other light waterproof jacket; a hooded option is preferable.
- 1 big scarf or square tie-able sarong, suitable as an emergency skirt for visits to monasteries and churches. Consider also bringing a day pack or fanny pack.
- Don’t forget necessary medications in their original bottles, a notebook with a pocket for receipts and booklets, and a camera with extra digital media (which is often cheaper to buy outside of Greece).
- Bring a washcloth. Most hotels and lodgings don’t provide them. The tie-on mesh bag mentioned earlier is also handy for letting items dry in transit.
- Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket as part of your travel outfit.
- If your bulky shoes aren’t comfortable enough for airport treks, this indicates that pair should not go at all.
- Tempted to fill any extra room? Avoid it; leave it for souvenirs on your return trip.
- Pack small-sized toiletries and makeup (lodgings often don’t provide essentials like shampoo) in Ziploc baggies.
- If you’re trying to keep it all carry-on, remember that European regional airlines can have tighter requirements. Consider a travel vest with large pockets.
- Light wheelie bag or wheeled duffle
- A small backpack
- Ziploc baggies
- Optional: a Travel Vest
- Notebook
- Digital camera or a cell phone with good camera capabilities
