A Santorini packing list centres on light, breathable clothes, comfortable flat shoes for the cobbled, sloped lanes, swimwear, a light layer for breezy evenings and good sun protection. This guide covers what clothes to pack, the right footwear, swimwear and beach gear, and the essentials to bring.
Packing well makes the most of the wider Santorini travel guide. The climate and terrain shape what to bring. The sections below cover packing.
What clothes should you pack for Santorini?
You should pack light, breathable clothes in cotton and linen for the warm climate: flowy dresses, shorts, blouses and linen shirts for the day, and one or two dressier outfits for evening meals and sunset bars. Add a light jacket or cardigan for cooler, breezy nights, especially in spring and autumn.
Santorini’s warm Mediterranean climate, particularly from late spring through to early autumn, calls for light, airy clothing. Pack breathable fabrics like cotton and linen to stay cool, with flowy dresses, loose shorts, blouses, linen shirts and lightweight trousers for daytime sightseeing and the beach. For the evenings, the island’s restaurants and sunset bars have a chic but relaxed vibe, so bring one or two smarter outfits, a nice dress, skirt or linen trousers, for dinners and drinks. Crucially, nights can turn cool and breezy, particularly in spring and autumn, so a light jacket, cardigan or hoodie is essential for evenings, especially when dining outdoors, set within the wider Santorini weather. Footwear matters more than you think.
What shoes should you bring?
You should bring comfortable flat shoes, as Santorini’s streets are cobbled, sloped and stepped, especially in Oia and Fira. Pack supportive flat sandals, sturdy walking shoes or trainers, and skip heels and flimsy footwear. Good shoes also matter for the Fira-to-Oia hike and the volcanic, pebbly beaches.
Footwear is the most important practical choice for Santorini. The island’s villages are built on cliffs, with cobblestoned, uneven and steeply sloping lanes and endless steps, particularly in Oia and Fira, so comfortable, supportive shoes are a must. Pack flat sandals with good grip, sturdy walking shoes, espadrilles with solid soles or trainers, and leave heels and unstable footwear at home, as they are impractical and unsafe on the terrain. If you plan to walk the spectacular 10-kilometre Fira-to-Oia caldera path, proper walking shoes are essential, and water shoes are handy for the rocky, pebbly volcanic beaches and entries, set out alongside the guides to the Fira to Oia hike and the beaches. Beach and swim gear is essential.
What swimwear and beach gear do you need?
You need at least two swimsuits, as you will spend lots of time between the beach, hotel pools and perhaps a private hot tub, plus a cover-up, since restaurants and hotels expect more than swimwear indoors. Add a quick-drying towel, a packable beach bag, water shoes and sun protection.
Swimwear is at the heart of a Santorini trip. Bring at least two swimsuits, ideally more, as the island’s beautiful beaches, the many hotel pools with stunning caldera views and perhaps your own plunge pool or hot tub mean you will spend much of the time in your swimwear, and rotating two lets one dry. A cover-up is a must, as most restaurants, bars and hotels will not admit you in swimwear alone, and it doubles as light sun protection. Pack a quick-drying towel and a packable beach bag for beach days, water shoes for the rocky volcanic shores, and plenty of sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses against the strong Aegean sun, set out alongside the guide to Perissa beach. Don’t forget the essentials.
What essentials should you not forget?
You should not forget high-factor sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, a refillable water bottle, a portable charger for long days of sightseeing and photos, and, if travelling from outside Europe, a European plug adapter. Bring any medication, and cash, as small tavernas and the buses prefer it.
A few essentials round out the perfect Santorini packing list. Sun protection is top of the list: high-factor sun cream, a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses are vital under the intense, reflective sun, and a refillable water bottle keeps you hydrated on hot days exploring. With long days of walking, sightseeing and photographing the caldera, a portable power bank keeps your phone and camera alive, and travellers from outside Europe should pack a European two-pin plug adapter. Bring any personal medication, a small daypack, and some cash in euros, since smaller tavernas, the KTEL buses and taxis often prefer or require it over cards. With these in your bag, you are set for the island, set out alongside the guides to the bus and Santorini on a budget. The questions below cover the points travellers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you pack for Santorini?
Pack light, breathable cotton and linen clothes, comfortable flat shoes for the cobbled, sloped lanes, at least two swimsuits with a cover-up, a light jacket for breezy evenings, and sun protection including a hat and sunglasses. Add a portable charger, a water bottle and a plug adapter.
What shoes are best for Santorini?
Comfortable flats are the best choice, as the streets are cobbled, sloped and stepped, especially in Oia and Fira. Pack supportive flat sandals, sturdy walking shoes or trainers, and skip heels and flimsy footwear. Water shoes help on the rocky volcanic beaches.
What should you wear in Santorini in the evening?
In the evening, wear smart-casual outfits, as restaurants and sunset bars have a chic but relaxed vibe: a nice dress, skirt or linen trousers work well. Bring a light jacket or cardigan, as nights can turn cool and breezy, especially in spring and autumn and when dining outdoors.