What to pack for Greece
Greece has hot, dry, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. Island summers are cooled by strong winds, while Athens can be very hot in July and August. Mountain areas are much colder in winter.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with Greece in mind
- Strong sun protection: SPF, a hat and sunglasses
- Sandals plus shoes with grip for ancient sites and rocky paths
- A light layer for windy island evenings and ferries
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for monasteries and churches
Dress code: Monasteries and many churches expect covered shoulders and knees.
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- Beach vacation packing list · 51 items
- Cruise packing list · 54 items
- Carry-on only packing list · 45 items
What to eat in Greece
These are dishes most visitors to Greece will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Moussaka
Baked layers of aubergine, spiced minced meat and béchamel.
DairyGlutenEgg
Souvlaki
Grilled meat skewers; pork is the most common.
Contains pork
Gyros
Meat from a vertical spit in pita, often pork or chicken, with tzatziki.
Contains porkGlutenDairy
Horiatiki
Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, onion, olives and feta.
Vegetarian-friendlyDairy
Spanakopita
Spinach and feta pie in filo pastry.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairyEgg
Fava
Yellow split-pea purée with olive oil and onion.
Vegetarian-friendly
Loukoumades
Fried dough balls with honey, often topped with nuts.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenNuts & peanuts
Avoiding pork? In this list, Souvlaki and Gyros usually contain pork.
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 08:00–10:30 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 13:30–15:30 |
| Dinner | 21:00–23:00 |
| Tipping | Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is customary. |
| Tap water | Varies — many people drink bottled |
| Halal food | Limited |
| Vegetarian food | Moderate |
- Tap water is fine in Athens and most cities; on many islands locals drink bottled water.
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Goody's — Greek burger chain.
- Everest — Sandwiches, pies and coffee.
- Gregory's — Coffee and snacks.
- Coffee Island — Coffee shop chain.
- Mikel Coffee — Coffee shop chain.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Greece. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
UK passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Greece?
Varies — many people drink bottled. It depends on the area and the building, so many visitors stick to bottled or filtered water. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in Greece?
Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is customary.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Greece?
Halal food: limited. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Horiatiki, Spanakopita, Fava and Loukoumades. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.