Before the big holiday, you often ask yourself: »Have I really thought of everything?« So that you don’t have the feeling that you have forgotten something important at home, we have listed all useful things from over 15 years of travel experience in our Packing List Greece.
This checklist has grown over the years with every trip to Greece and reflects the current state of 2026.
Tom & Ella
In summer, you’ll quickly realize that you don’t need a lot of clothes in the Mediterranean and especially on the Greek islands. Many hotels offer a laundry service or you can simply wash quickly by hand and the clothes will dry again in a few hours. So pack a little less and leave room for souvenirs.
With rising baggage prices at airlines, it’s worth taking a closer look at ways to save on luggage. We have deliberately designed our checklist to be extensive, as every holidaymaker has different needs. Just cross out what you don’t need.
- #1 Luggage and bags
- #2 Storage and order
- #3 Useful travel accessories for Greece
- #4 Technology and camera on the road
- #5 Packing List for the Beach
- #6 Packing List for Clothes and Shoes
- #7 Packing List Cosmetics and Hygiene
- #8 First-aid kit for Greece
- #9 Important documents on vacation
- #10 Extra packing list for families with children
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Greece packing list
*Transparency: If you book via one of the colored links to Amazon, we receive a small commission. Of course, the price does not change for you. Perfect if you want to buy the item anyway and support us for free at the same time.
#1 Luggage and bags
➲ To the large suitcase Travelite*
A large suitcase in which everything really fits. Robust and of good quality. Ideal if you are only vacationing in one place in Greece. After countless flights, we have had better experiences with fabric cases than with hard-shell cases in terms of durability.
➲ To the hand luggage suitcase Travelite*
If you don’t take a lot of clothes with you on your travels, this compact carry-on suitcase is just right. Above all, this saves time and money, as there is no need to check in luggage. The suitcase complies with IATA’s strict hand luggage dimensions (55 x 40 x 20 cm).
➲ To the Deuter 60L trekking backpack*
Are you planning Island hopping in Greece? Forget the suitcase, because you’ll be pulling it over paved and uneven paths. It won’t be long before the first wheel breaks. Much more practical for island hopping is a trekking backpack. Quickly put on, you master the way through the small alleys and the baggage check-in on the ferry. Our faithful companion has been a Deuter Aircontact backpack for years. Super stable, comfortable and durable, it has traveled with us all over the world.
A functional backpack for a day trip should be lightweight and still have plenty of space to carry small items.
- Handbag or belt bag
#2 Storage and order
➲ To the Amazon Packing Cubes*
We don’t want to miss the packing cubes anymore. Finally, the clothes no longer fly around loose in the backpack or suitcase. Everyone packs their things in the appropriate bags and you have them quickly at hand without having to search for them forever. This means that the suitcase can be packed and unpacked in no time at all. Super convenient, whether traveling or at home to store seasonal clothes.
➲ To the laundry bag for dirty laundry*
➲ To the transparent toiletry bag for liquids*
According to EU legislation, liquids up to 100 ml may be carried in hand luggage. All containers must be placed in a fully transparent, sealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre. Only one bag is allowed per passenger, which must be shown at the security checkpoint.
💡 Hand luggage update 2026: At some major airports with modern CT scanners (e.g. Frankfurt T3, Munich T2, Rome Fiumicino, Madrid-Barajas, Milan Linate), the 100ml rule has been partially dropped, here up to 2 litres are allowed. BUT: Most holiday airports such as Heraklion in Crete, Hamburg or Berlin still stick to the classic 100ml rule. When in doubt, pack conservatively, because the stricter rule often applies on the return flight.
👶 Exception for families: Baby food, infant milk and drinking water for babies are unlimited in hand luggage, even above the 100ml limit. Liquid medications too, ideally with a prescription or package leaflet. Just briefly point this out at the security check.
- Freezer bags or used plastic bags: Ideal for small items, shoes and liquid containers. If something leaks, the whole suitcase is not messed up.
#3 Useful travel accessories for Greece
➲ To the Greece travel guide for your island or region*
The perfect read on the plane and on the beach. So you can discover one or the other insider tip and learn a few chunks of the language on site. No desire or time to plan excursions on holiday? Then we’ll do it for you, check out our own travel guides here: Greece Shop
High-quality luggage tag with full address field. From the outside, only the name is visible. Available in different colors. This avoids case mix-ups and an address is stored if the suitcase is lost.
➲ To the toiletry bag to hang up*
Great for hanging in the bathroom, where all hygiene products can be placed. The bag is very compact and easy to store in your luggage.
Ideal if the hotel’s music system is booming late into the night or the room neighbor is too loud. Indispensable and should not be missing from any packing list.
Now available in most hotels and holiday apartments. If not, this compact model is ideal for vacations.
Especially on long flights and for children, neck pillows are a blessing.
At many airports you can refill your bottle with drinking water free of charge after the security check.
- Sunglasses and case
#4 Technology and camera on the road
➲ To the smartphone for holiday photos*
For unforgettable holiday photos and videos, all you need today is a smartphone with a good camera. Modern devices offer high-resolution sensors, strong AI support, and impressive zoom capabilities. Particularly recommended are the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Google Pixel 10 Pro.
Whether with the children on the beach or with the quad bike across the island. The rugged camera does it all, is waterproof, and delivers high-quality photos and videos. Also suitable for underwater photography.
➲ To the Amazon Kindle waterproof e-reader*
If you don’t want to carry around so many books, you can use an e-reader to download enough reading material for your holiday. Amazon’s free Kindle app for smartphones does it too.
➲ To the power bank (mobile USB charger)*
Perfect for on the go when the mobile phone battery runs out again. The power bank charges your smartphone reliably and even completely several times.
You can connect this small, powerful speaker to your phone via Bluetooth at any time and listen to your favorite songs in good sound quality wherever you are.
➲ To the MP3 player and headphones*
For music and podcasts on the beach and on the go. The lightweight and compact MP3 players are a good alternative to smartphones and also save the battery.
- Memory cards, batteries and chargers
- USB-C charging cable (standard since 2024 for all smartphones in the EU)
💡 Travel adapter for Greece: You don’t need a travel adapter for Greece, as the same sockets are used here as in Germany and most EU countries (type F, 230 V, 50 Hz). Travelers from the United Kingdom (type G), the USA and Canada (type A/B) and Australia (type I) need a suitable adapter.
#5 Packing List for the Beach
➲ To the travel and beach towel*
Since beach towels are provided free of charge in most hotels, a small travel towel is usually sufficient for on the go. These are much lighter, very compact and dry quickly.
➲ To the beach bag for your holiday*
If a foldable backpack or the eco bag from the drugstore is not chic enough for you, there are of course even nicer ones for the beach day.
➲ To the waterproof mobile phone case*
And suddenly the smartphone disappeared into the sea or sank into the pool. To prevent this from happening to you, there are these practical waterproof mobile phone cases for iPhone, Samsung and Co.
➲ To the bathing shoes for children and adults*
In addition to fine sandy beaches, Greece also has many pebble and stone beaches. Neoprene bathing shoes are recommended here so as not to end up with bloody toes like we did. Sea urchins are also an issue at some rocky beaches, so it’s better to pack them.
For underwater fans, the Greek islands have a lot to offer. There are countless snorkeling masks on Amazon for this adventure.
➲ To books and reading for Greece*
What could be better than reading a good book or an exciting novel in peace and quiet on the beach lounger while the sea rustles quietly in the background?
- Notebook and pen
#6 Packing List for Clothes and Shoes
- Shorts
- Long cloth trousers or jeans (for the flight and chilly evenings)
- T-shirts and tops
- Cardigan or hoodie (for the flight and chilly evenings)
- Rain jacket (in the mountainous region on the Greek mainland)
- Casual dresses
- Sportswear
- Evening wear (chic dress, shirt, linen trousers, belt)
- Bikini or swimsuit*
- Swimming trunks*
- Hat or cap as sun protection
- Bra and nightwear
- Underwear
- Socks (against cold feet on the plane)
It is impossible to imagine a beach holiday without this large shawl, which is perfect as a beach dress or skirt in seconds. Practical for the beach restaurant or a trip when too much bare skin is not desired (e.g. in the monastery).
➲ To the Buff Multifunctional Scarf*
Perfect as protection under the helmet when riding a scooter or quad, as a scarf and face mask on the plane.
➲ To flip-flops and thong sandals*
Flip-flops are ideal for the beach, the pool or short distances on holiday because they can be put on and taken off quickly. They are lightweight, space-saving and perfect for warm temperatures. However, they offer little support, so it is better to pack sturdy shoes for longer walks or hikes.
➲ To trekking shoes and sneakers*
Ideal for sports activities, hikes and on scooters and quads. We recommend sturdy shoes if you want to explore the islands on hikes.
- Sandals or Birkenstock*
💡 Dress code tip for Greece: Many hotels and resorts, especially in the upscale star range, attach importance to the fact that the gentlemen wear long trousers in the evening in the in-house restaurant. Men don’t have to squeeze into tight jeans, airy linen trousers will do the trick too. For monastery visits, women need long skirts or shawls and men need long trousers.
#7 Packing List Cosmetics and Hygiene
Cosmetics are an important part of the holiday packing list that can save you a lot of luggage. You can buy most cosmetics, such as shampoo and shower gel, in Greece, unless you want a specific brand. We always take a bar of solid soap with us to shower for the first few days and then buy the rest on site.
We only recommend that you take enough sunscreen to Greece. This is many times more expensive in Greece and many other Mediterranean countries and in some shops it usually stays in the sun for a whole season or longer. So definitely put sunscreen on your Greece packing list.
🐠 Mediterranean protection tip: According to estimates, around four kilograms of UV filters end up in the water every day at the beaches of the Mediterranean alone. Even though Greece (unlike Hawaii or Mexico) does not yet impose any bans, the underwater world is happy about mineral sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate. When buying, look for the indication “reef-friendly” or “reef safe”.
- Solid shower soap* (saves space, weight and is environmentally friendly)
- Solid shampoo*
- Face cream and cleansing
- Deodorant (preferably without aluminum, or coconut oil)
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Sunscreen without microplastics*
- Lip care with sun protection factor
- Contact lenses and/or glasses (contact lens fluid is also available locally)
- Razor for men and women
- Disinfectant gel or wipes in travel size
- Hairspray in travel size
- Dry shampoo in travel size
- Hairbrush (Tangle Teezer)*: Ella’s favorite for detangling hair after bathing
- Manicure Set Travel Case*
- Handkerchiefs and cotton swabs
- Virgin coconut oil*: Great as after-sun care or natural deodorant
- Hair ties and clips
- Make-up and remover (if needed)
- Contraceptives (condoms, etc.)
- Tampons, pads or Menstrual cup*
#8 First-aid kit for Greece
We have continued to optimize our vacation checklist over the years and especially in the area of first-aid kits, we have noticed that many medications are available locally in pharmacies. Some of these are the same products as in Germany, often cheaper too. Here is a selection for your Greece packing list:
| Allergy | Antihistamine (Cetirizine or Loratadine) |
| Eyes | Bepanthen Eye Drops |
| Cystitis | Femannose D-Mannose Sachets (for emergencies) |
| Diarrhoea | Lopedium acute |
| Diarrhoea | Elotrans (electrolytes) |
| Fever | Domotherm Rapid Clinical Thermometer |
| Insects | Anti-Mosquito Spray* |
| Insects | Fenistil Gel (also for sunburn) |
| Gastrointestinal | Iberogast |
| Pain | Paracetamol or Ibuprofen 400mg |
| Nausea | Emesan or Vomex (also for travel sickness) |
| Wounds | Bandages (gauze bandages and staples) |
| Wounds | Octenisept Wound Disinfection |
| Wounds | Hansaplast Plaster Mix |
| Wounds | Compeed Blister Plasters* |
| Wounds | Bepanthen Wound and Healing Ointment |
| After Sun | Aloe vera gel or cooling cream |
💊 First-aid kit tip: If you regularly take prescription medication, you should have a medical certificate issued in English before your trip, ideally with the international active ingredient name. This will make any inquiries at the airport and visits to the pharmacy in Greece easier.
#9 Important documents on vacation
Since Greece is a member of the EU and the Schengen area, simple regulations apply to German citizens when entering the country. If you arrive by plane, the usual boarding including security check will take place at the home airport. When entering by car, only random checks are usually carried out at the border.
→ You can find more information about entry here: Getting to Greece
As in most EU countries, you can enter Greece as an EU citizen with your normal ID card and stay there for up to six months without having to register. However, it is advisable to carry a European passport with you, e.g. for day trips to non-EU countries such as Turkey or Albania. Travelers from non-EU countries (e.g. United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia) need a valid passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the planned end of travel and is not older than ten years.
🛂 EES since April 2026: The new Entry/Exit System of the EU has been fully in force since 10 April 2026. The good news for EU citizens: The system only affects third-country nationals (i.e. travelers from outside the Schengen area). With a German ID card or passport, you can go directly to passport control as usual. However, longer queues may form at some airports due to the system, so plan a little more time.
Note for travelers from the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia and other non-Schengen countries: When you first enter the Schengen area, fingerprints and a facial image will be recorded once. This data is valid for three years, after which the check is much faster. The EES is free of charge, no pre-registration is required.
For children: They also need their own travel document. The classic children’s passport has not been issued since 1 January 2024, so since then children either need an ID card (sufficient for travel within the EU, valid for six years) or an electronic passport (for travel outside the EU, also valid for six years). Children’s passports already issued are still valid until the printed expiry date, but can no longer be extended. Plan at least four weeks of processing time when applying at the registration office.
- ID card (or passport for excursions to Turkey, Albania)
- ID card or passport for children (children’s passport has not existed since 2024)
- Copy of ID card or passport (digital in cloud storage and in paper form)
- Credit cards and debit cards
- Wallet with cash (about 100 to 200 EUR for the first days)
- Driving licence (EU driving licence is sufficient)
- Flight and train tickets (digital is usually sufficient)
- Booking confirmations for hotel and rental car
- Emergency telephone numbers
- Blocking numbers for bank cards
- International health insurance and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, back of the health card)
- Front door key
- Surfing, sailing and diving licence
- Hotel address and telephone number
- Vaccination card
- Student ID (for discounts at sights)
- Green insurance card (if you arrive by car, check validity!)
#10 Extra packing list for families with children
Anyone who travels to Greece with children or babies has their own packing madness ahead of them. From our own experience we know: rather two favorite cuddly toys too few than too many books too many. On the beach, children usually only need three things anyway: water, sand and shade.
- Sun hat with neck protection and a light T-shirt to put on
- Children’s sunscreen SPF 50+* (mineral, for sensitive skin)
- Swimming armbands or life jacket
- Beach toys (bucket and shovel can also be bought cheaply on site)
- Waterproof diapers (swim diapers)
- Favorite cuddly toy or blanket (for the first unfamiliar nights)
- Headphones* for audio plays on long car journeys and ferry crossings
- Snacks for the journey (pretzels, rice cakes, dried fruit)
- Change of clothes in hand luggage (at least one complete set)
- Fever suppositories and remedies for travel sickness for children
- Children’s plasters with funny motifs (help with small ouches more than the boring ones)
- Mosquito repellent for children (with lemon eucalyptus, from 6 months)
- Buggy or baby carrier* (our favorite with baby, often more practical in the island villages)
- Travel cot* or inflatable travel bed (if not available at the hotel)
☀️ Our personal experience on sun protection: With our daughter, we have consciously avoided the full-body UV suits that are so popular today right from the start. Instead, she is allowed to play in the sun at moderate times, so that a natural vitamin D level can build up, which is so important for bone development, immune system and well-being. After that, off into the shade or the T-shirt comes over, plus a proper layer of mineral sunscreen. For us, this is the healthy middle ground between complete shielding and unprotected baking. How you handle this with your child is of course up to you.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Greece packing list
What am I not allowed to take in my hand luggage to Greece?
Prohibited in hand luggage are: sharp objects (knives, scissors with blades over 6 cm, razor blades), aerosol cans with compressed gas, lighters with petrol, pepper spray, firearms and all imitations thereof. Liquids may usually only be carried in 100ml containers in a 1-liter bag. Power banks belong in hand luggage, not in the suitcase.
Do I need a passport for Greece?
As an EU citizen, the ID card is sufficient for Greece. A passport is only useful if you plan day trips to non-EU countries such as Turkey or Albania. For children: They need their own document, either an ID card or an electronic passport. The former children’s passport was abolished on 1 January 2024, but children’s passports already issued are still valid until the printed expiry date. Travelers from the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia and other non-EU countries need a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the end of the trip and is not older than ten years.
How much cash should I take to Greece?
About 100 to 200 euros for the first few days is enough. In Greece, you can now pay by card almost everywhere, even in small taverns. In more remote islands and in tiny village shops, cash is sometimes still necessary. You can find ATMs in every larger town, but fees often apply, so it is better to withdraw larger amounts at once.
What is mandatory in the first-aid kit for Greece?
Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, after-sun lotion or aloe vera gel, remedies for diarrhea (Lopedium and electrolytes), painkillers, wound disinfection and plasters are essential. Mosquito repellent is especially needed in the evening, especially on water-rich islands and on the mainland.
What clothing do I need for Greece in summer?
Light summer clothing is the basis: T-shirts, tops, shorts, light dresses, swimwear and beachwear. For chilly evenings and air-conditioned restaurants, a thin cardigan is recommended. Anyone planning a monastery visit also needs knee-length trousers or skirts and something to cover their shoulders. Sturdy shoes for hiking or exploring archaeological sites are definitely a must.
What do I have to pack for island hopping in Greece?
When island hopping, less is more. Instead of a wheeled suitcase, take a trekking backpack, which is easier to move on stairs, gravel and ferries. Packing cubes help to keep things organized. A daypack, travel documents in a waterproof case and a power bank for long ferry crossings are also important.
Do I need an ETIAS for Greece in 2026?
As an EU citizen, no. You continue to travel to Greece with your ID card or passport, without any additional authorisation. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation system that only affects visa-exempt third-country nationals, i.e. travelers from the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia and similar countries. For them, ETIAS is expected to start at the end of 2026 and cost about 7 euros per person, valid for three years. You apply for it online before the trip, which usually takes a few minutes. You can find current information on the official EU page travel-europe.europa.eu.
What do most holidaymakers forget when packing?
From our experience, these are: house keys, chargers, adapters (not necessary in Greece, but for stopovers), travel pills against nausea on ferries, bathing shoes against sea urchins and stones, as well as a copy of the travel documents in the cloud. Many also forget cash in smaller bills, especially island taverns can not always change.
What else should you know for your holiday planning and where are the faux pas lurking on holiday in Greece? We’ll tell you in our 90 facts about Greece with lexicon from A-Z: Greece Profile
→ You want even more travel tips for Greece? Then read on here and get an overview of the most popular Greek islands:
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