Are you wondering what to pack for Greece in August? August and July are the hottest months across the whole Greece. Therefore when putting together your Greek packing list you should be packing for the heat. In this guide we tell you everything that should be on your Greece Summer packing list including what to wear in Greece in August for the weather, for the different regions of Greece from the mainland to the islands and for activities and tourist attraction that may influence your Greece outfit selections.
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Weather in Greece in August
As with any Greek packing list guide the biggest consideration always has to be the weather. While in this guide I will give you an overview of the Greek weather in August it is important to point out that the regional differences are great across Greece especially between the island and mainland Greece.
However having said this you can expect wherever you travel in Greece in August to be both warm and pleasant.
How Hot is Greece in August?
The average temperatures across Greece in the month of August tend to hover around the 30ºC / 86°F mark. However it is worth mentioning that it is not unheard of to reach 40°C/104°F.
It is also worth remembering that Athens, may be warmer than the islands especially in the afternoons and evenings. That is because some of the islands such as Santorini and Mykonos in particular can get windy which brings the temperature down.
For instance, Mykonos, the island of windmills, gets strong winds in August known locally as the Meltemi which can lower the temperature substantially in the afternoons.
However no where in Greece can be called cold in August.
If I were to generalise about the weather in Greece in August I would say that you can expect warm weather that requires light base layers made of natural fabrics and one light layer for evening transitions and when the wind is strong on the islands.
Does it Rain in Greece in August?
To be honest rain is not really something that you should be worried about if you are visiting Greece in August. Over the whole of Greece there tends to only be 1mm of rain across the whole of the month.
So if you decide to visit Greece in August, chances are you will be getting plenty of sunny weather with almost 0% chance of rain so you won’t need any waterproof wear on your packing list.
To get a more accurate weather overview, be sure to check out our monthly city and island what to wear guides:
- What to wear in Athens in August
- What to wear in Crete in August
- What to wear on the Greek Islands
- What to wear In Mykonos in August
- What to wear in Santorini in August
And if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
- What to wear in Greece in July
- What to wear in Greece in September
Considerations for you Greece August Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include in your Greece June outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Pack Light
No matter the destination you are going to we always recommend packing light and aiming to travel with a capsule wardrobe. However this is especially important if you are traveling to Greece.
That is because one of the key experiences of traveling through Greece is island hopping. But nothing can spoil the island hopping experience than having to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries. Therefore you want light and easy to carry luggage that isn’t overloaded.
For more information on how to pack light for Greece in Summer we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method which will help you create the perfect Greece Capsule Wardrobe.
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend in Greece in the summer months. Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics and are Greek styles to go for.
Linen in particular is very in fashion among locals and tourists alike in Greece due to it being super breathable.
However we all know about the challenges of traveling with linen i.e. the wrinkles. Therefore be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen clothes before traveling as this will help you reduce the wrinkles in your clothes on arrival.
Mosquitos
Everyone knows that mosquitos love to hang out by still water in summer. Therefore we recommend packing some insect repellant if you plan on dining al fresco near water while travel through Greece. Although these mosquitos aren’t dangerous they are an irritant.
The islands with more altitude will have less of a mosquito because they don’t tend to like altitude. However you can get mosquitos anywhere in Greece.
Beaches
There are many beautiful beaches throughout Greece if you plan to visit one of these you will need some beachwear with you i.e. swimwear and beach cover. You may also need some water shoes depending in the types of beaches you will be visiting.
Nothing that Drags on the Floor
Although maxi dresses are my personal favorite cut of dress, I recommend checking that none of your clothes drag on the floor.
Many of the Greek tourist attractions such as the Acropolis or the ruins at Delphi in August get very busy in the summer months, therefore you don’t want to have anything that drags on the floor and can be trodden on in the crowds.
How do local people dress in Greece in August?
The locals in Greece, whether you are on an island or on the mainland, know that the key to how to dress in August is picking outfits that can cope with the heat. Linen is particularly popular in Greece.
This generally speaking translates to lots of loose and flowing skirts and dresses that are made of natural fabric. In fact, you will find that many of the shops, especially on the islands will stock this sort of fashion.
What to Wear to Greece in August for Women
As summer has set in in Greece in August you want to make sure you have lots of lightweight natural fabrics in your capsule wardrobe for Greece. The items we recommend including in your Greece Capsule wardrobe include:
Maxi Skirt / Maxi Dresses
Skirts and dresses are very comfortable in Greece. The good thing about Greece especially on the islands is that you can wear dresses and skirts of all lengths.
The only place you have to worry about dress codes is in the churches, so you will need to make sure your knees and shoulders are covered on the days you visit churches.
Personally I like wearing maxi dresses in Greece in Summer but you can wear whatever you want length wise. Just be sure to pick items made of natural fabrics and are looser than tight fitting.
Trousers
I would also add to your packing list a pair of smart casual trousers such as Chinos, cotton pants or linen trousers for the evenings. These are good for going out for dinner in Greece where you may be dining alfresco but are also good if you get a windy evening on the islands and protect legs from mosquitos.
Shorts
Shorts are perfectly acceptable in most places in Greece and I find them very comfortable when touring archaeological sites and on beaches.
T Shirts and Tank Tops
T Shirts are a great base layer for Greece in August for both the mainland and islands. In fact I never go to Greece without t shirts no matter the season. However in summer I tend to pack short sleeve t shirts and tank tops exclusively.
Style wise I also tend to pick plain or patterned t shirts over graphic or slogan t shirts as this fits in more with local styles.
Blouse
Blouses are perfect in Greece in summer especially if you select a natural fabric one with a looser fit. It is also a great day to night transition piece especially if they have longer sleeves as this will add some protection from mosquitos.
Cardigan
Although the weather in Greece in August is warm and pleasant, I would still pack one lightweight cardigan just in case especially on the islands that are known for having stronger winds in the summer months.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling in Europe, a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory to transition an outfit from day to night.
PJs
A lightweight pair is all that is needed especially if your hotel doesn’t have air conditioning.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. And although it is summer we still recommend packing sneaker socks as these will help reduce sweat and odour in your shoes.
Sunglasses
Greece in summer is hot and bright so sunglasses are definitely an essential in the cities just as much as on the beaches. Just be sure to have a pair that has good UVA protection.
Sunhat
The sun in Greece is strong so be sure to pack a stylish sunhat with you for added sun protection. We recommended bringing a wide brimmed straw hat particularly on the islands as this will give you the greatest amount of sun protection.
I would select a slightly less wide sunhat for the city, but would personally avoid baseball caps in Athens and the islands.
Swimwear
An essential especially if you are heading to a beautiful Greek island but also worth packing if you are visiting cities and plan to visit a beach or am staying in a hotel with a pool.
For a week’s Greek vacation I would recommend packing two pieces of swimwear – one for wearing and one for drying.
And in terms of types of swimwear I would stick with a one piece or a bikini over a thong bikini to be more in line with local style. However on the more touristy islands and ones that are more well known for their nightlife such as Rhodes you will find skimpier bikinis.
Beach Cover
A beach cover is an essential for Greece for in restaurants, on boats and on the boardwalk.
If you are visiting an island where you will be spending a lot of time on beaches or boat excursions then I recommend bringing two beach overs.
What to Pack for Greece in August for Men
For men visiting Greece in August, I actually recommend actually keeping things similar to the ladies packing list. But for me any Greek Summer Packing list for guys should include
Linen Trousers
Having a couple of Pairs of smarter chinos or lightweight linen trousers are a summer essential for men in Greece. These are perfect for day to night transition and are great for churches you want to visit.
But leave the jeans at home. Greece in the summer months are just too hot to be wearing jeans of any style.
Shorts
Shorts are great for men especially on the islands and for touring archaeological sites such as the Acropolis, the Palace of Knossos or even the Olympic Stadium and Acropolis in Athens.
However if you want to fit in more with locals choose shorts that are smarter and lightweight shorts over cargo shorts which can make you look like a tourist in Greece.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. In summer you will only need short sleeve t shirts, unless you are worried about mosquitos.
Again I would recommend avoiding anything with a graphic or slogan or in overly loud colors if you want to fit in with the locals.
And for nights in Greece then I would also pack some button down shirts for nicer restaurants. Long and short sleeves are both acceptable. But if you don’t like shirts then polo shirts are also a good addition to your packing list.
Best Shoes for Greece in August
Greece is diverse in terms of tourist attractions. From archaeological sites which will help uneven terrain, beaches and cities. Therefore you are likely to need 1-2 different types of shoes on your packing list depending on where you are going.
We recommend bringing the following shoes to Greece in Summer:
Sneakers
Although Greece is hot in August, sneakers shouldn’t be left at home. They are the best type of shoes for walking around the city, can go on beaches, can deal with cobbles and archaeology sites and more.
However you just need to pick a lightweight pair that can deal with Greece summer heat. At the minute my go to hot weather shoe is an All Birds Tree Runner however select the pair you are most comfortable in.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes.
Also we always recommend wearing sneaker socks with sneakers in Greece in the summer to help reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Sandals
Of course no summer Greece capsule wardrobe is complete without sandals. Sandals are breathable and are good in the heat. However due to the terrains you encounter in Greece I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel.
But if you are desperate for a shoes with height for evenings out then wedges are better than anything with a thin heel which are always on my what not to wear in Greece list.
Flip Flops (Optional)
Flip flops are not good for walking, especially on steep terrain such as that you get in Santorini or around archaeological sites. However they are small and easy to pack. Therefore if there is space in your case you may want to pack a pair of flip flops for round your hotel pool you can do so.
Water Shoes (optional)
Water shoes are optional depending on where you are going in Greece. Be sure to check whether you are visiting rocky or sandy beaches and if you are heading to a rocky one a watershed is a must.
What to Pack for Greece in August (Non Clothing)
So now you know what to wear for Greece in the summer, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Greece in August other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for Greece in August are:
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Beach Bag – useful if you are visiting an island or plan on doing excursions by boat.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type if you are planning to visit cities and tourist attractions which tend to attract pickpockets.
- Towel – for those planning on spending time on the beach or on boat excursions. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
- Sun Screen – an essential in all areas of Greece n Summer.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun – no one wants to get burnt however it is better to have this with you just in case.
- Lipbalm with SPF – as I mentioned the sun is strong so on top of sunscreen we recommend packing lip balm with sun protection. Our favorite brand at the minute is sun bum.
- Insect Repellant – repellant for mosquitos which are a problem in some parts of Greece in Summer.
- Reusable Water Bottle – given the heat in August in Greece it is important to stay hydrated. We recommend taking a reusable water bottle to help you reduce your plastic waste while traveling. If you are worried about space try packing a collapsible one or have it in built to your backpack.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
- Travel Adaptor for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
FAQs About what to wear in Greece in August
Do you need a jacket in Greece in August?
Jackets are not something I ever out on a Greece August packing list.
However we do recommend having a top layer such as a sweater, cardigan or lightweight fleece on the islands, especially the ones known for getting strong winds in summer.
Are you visiting Greece in August and have questions about what to pack still? Then drop us your question in the comments below and we will do our best to answer!