Here’s what to pack for the Greek islands for the most photogenic trip!
From dazzling turquoise water and white-sand beaches to iconic whitewashed towns bursting with cyan and fuchsia details, the Greek Islands are a photographic dream come true. Using my packing guide below, you can ensure you’ll blend in with the picture-perfect surroundings when you visit the beautiful Greek Islands for yourself!
Planning a Trip to the Greek Islands
Best Time of the Year to Visit
Early summer (mid-April to mid-June) or Autumn is the best time to visit Greece if you want to avoid the crowds of tourists and the soaring temperatures. I visited during peak season in the middle of July, and although the temperatures weren’t unbearable, popular islands such as Mykonos were unbearably busy.
Where Exactly to Go
There are so many amazing Greek Islands to visit it is hard to know where to begin! The iconic Cyclades Islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Ios and Paros tend to be the most popular choice amongst tourists. On my trip, I visited Mykonos for a few nights, then went on a week-long MedSailors Greek Sailing Trip around the Saronic Islands. In the end, I enjoyed exploring the lesser-know Islands a lot more as they were less crowded and had more of an authentic, local feel!
What to Pack for the Greek Islands: A Week Example
Wardrobe Staples
Maxi Dresses
These are normally the first I pack for a summer holiday. They’re comfortable, suitable for both daytime and night time, AND they look fantastic in photos! If you want to make a statement, go for red maxi dress to contrast the white and blue color scheme.
Mini Dress
In the heat of the Greek summer, a mini dress is essential for keeping cool during the day! One of my go-to’s for my Greek holiday was an off the shoulder chambray dress (similar here).
Romper
A romper is one of the best things you can wear if you are planning an adventurous day out or doing something like riding a quad bike. I am particularly obsessed with this pretty little number.
Kaftan
Great for throwing over a swimsuit when heading to the beach or the pool- I normally wear a white Kaftan so it matches with everything!
Bikini
Possible the most important thing you can bring to Greece is a good bikini! Check out sustainable label Baiia for high-quality, reversible bikinis made out of recycled plastic.
One-Piece Swimsuit
I love one-piece swimsuits as they are practical when you are doing things like watersports and comfortable for lounging in (especially when you’ve eaten too much Greek food). Gone are the days of the unflattering one-piece- nowadays there are almost too many beautiful styles to choose from!
Accessories to Bring
Pair of Sunglasses
Another absolute essential. If you are in the market for a pair of shades, Vision Direct offers designer sunglasses at very good prices. DIFF eyewear also has a great range of sunglasses with UV protection built-in.
Sun Hat
If you follow me on Instagram, you would be well aware of my hat obsession. I personally love Lack of color hats. They are both ideal for keeping sun smart and for getting those insta-worthy shots!
Backpack
Perfect for carrying your stuff in for the day. My go-to backpack is this one from ethical brand Everlane- I love the simplicity of the design, and the quality of the bag is remarkable.
Sandals
A good pair of shoes are essential for long days of exploring- and since you are in Greece, brown leather sandals are very fitting!
Towel
I adore Turkish cotton towels– they are light to pack, super quick drying AND aesthetically pleasing… Win, win, win!
Floaty
Because, why wouldn’t you bring a ridiculous inflatable object to float on in the Meditteranean? #doitforthegram
Tech:
GoPro Hero 5
I use this camera for capturing all my action and underwater shots and couldn’t recommend it more!
Dome for GoPro
To capture amazing split underwater/ above water shots like this one, you need to get yourself a dome! I personally use the Knekt Dome, which is one of the more expensive ones on the market, but is worth it for the quality.
Joby GorillaPod
If you are traveling solo, this bendable little tripod is perfect for getting selfie-shots. This is one of the handiest camera accessories I’ve invested in!
Canon M5 Mirrorless Camera
If you want to step-up your iphoneography or you don’t want to lug your heavy DSLR on holidays, this camera might be worth taking note of. I recently invested in one and have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the photos in relation to the size of the camera. For best results, I would recommend pairing the camera with this lens.
Camps Bay Camera Backpack
This backpack (pictured above) is designed specifically to fit loads of gear without looking like the average daggy camera backpack. It really is the perfect adventure companion!
Now it’s time to stop stressing about packing and start dreaming about those turquoise waters you are going to be floating in and the Greek Salad you are going to be feasting on!
What would you pack for the Greek Islands?
Fore more travel around Greece, check these posts next:
- What it’s like to Sail the Saronic Islands in Greece
- Top 10 UNIQUE things to do in Santorini
- Vegetarian Greek Stuffed Peppers – Yemista
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