Heading to the Greek islands this summer? Here’s how to pack for the sun, according to one editor.Heading to the Greek islands this summer? Here’s how to pack for the sun, according to one editor.
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The simple answer to the question of how to pack for the Greek islands is this: lightly. You don’t need a million outfits or fancy shoes, and you definitely do not need a massive suitcase to be hauling up and down narrow roads that are usually hilly and always uneven. This is not to say I follow my own advice—in the summers, I’m usually in Greece for longer stints visiting friends and family, so I bring my largest checked bag and commit to looking like a fool on the cobblestones, but you can be better than me.
What to Pack for the Greek Islands:
No matter which of the islands you choose, the base for your on-the-go wardrobe can be relatively simple. The days are hot and dry; the evenings can get chilly; the wind, especially the Meltemi that whip through the Cyclades, will not be ignored. Prep accordingly with lightweight pieces—swimsuits, breezy linen tops and dresses—and a couple cozy knits or long-sleeve shirts to layer over top when the temperatures dip.
The Packing List
I am a woman of many pareos. These gauzy treasures are the heroes of my island closet: You can wear them as a swimsuit cover-up, yes, but also as a shawl for dressier dinners and tied up as a scarf top for a night out dancing.
The rest of my travel capsule wardrobe is generally minimal: a handful of dresses, a heap of swimwear, a floaty nightgown for that post-beach, pre-dinner time and miscellaneous Airbnb hauntings, and a few pairs of flat sandals. (Heeled sandals have their place, and it is not the Greek islands!) I’ve had my Birkenstock Gizehs for years; I wear them to hike to the beach and to ferry-hop between islands, and they’re so comfortable.
The Small Stuff
Don’t forget the entertainment essentials and sun prep. Any Greek pharmacy will have plenty of after-sun care (called, subtly, “calm cream”) but if you’d rather plan ahead, pick up this tube from Korres. Personally, I’m most excited to bring my new camera; a birthday gift from my brother, allegedly easy to use and perfect for someone who collects photo albums.
