Are you wondering what to pack for Greece in July? July, along with August are the hottest months in Greece and as such you should be packing for the heat whether you are visiting the Greek Islands or the city. In this guide we tell you everything that should be on your Greece Summer packing list including what to wear in Greece in July 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 July
As with any Greek packing list guide the biggest consideration has to be the weather. While in this guide I will give you an overview of the Greek weather in July it is important to point out that the regional differences are great across Greece. However having said this you can expect wherever you travel in Greece in July to be both warm and pleasant.
How Hot is Greece in July?
In July you can expect the average temperature daily temperature across the country to be in the mid 20s and late 70s F.
In Athens the average temperature in July tends to hover around 81°F /27°C. However it is not unheard of for Athens average temperatures to be reach 91.5°F/33°C and the city has been known to shoot above 100°F/37°C.
Although the islands are great beach vacation destinations, it is worth noting that they can be sometimes cooler than Athens in summer. For instance, Mykonos, the island of windmills, gets strong winds in July known locally as the Meltemi which can lower the temperature substantially in the afternoons.
However no where in Greece can be called cold in July.
If I were to generalise the weather in Greece in July 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 July?
To be honest rain is not really something that you should be worried about if you are visiting Greece in July. In fact Greece generally only gets 1mm of rain across the whole of the month. So if you decide to visit Greece in July, chances are you will be getting plenty of sunny weather with almost 0% chance of rain.
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 July
- What to wear in Crete in July
- What to wear on the Greek Islands
- What to wear In Mykonos in July
- What to wear in Santorini in July
And if you trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
How do local people dress in Greece in July?
The locals in Greece, whether you are on an island or on the mainland, know that the key to how to dress in July is picking outfits that can cope with the heat. 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.
And whether you are a man, woman or child traveling to Greece in Summer, you really can’t go wrong with linen and cotton fabrics.
Considerations for you Greece July 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:
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend in Greece in the summer months whether you are traveling to the islands, archaeological sites or the cities.
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. Just 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.
Pack Light
If you plan on island hopping in Greece, which is an absolute must do in my opinion, I urge you to pack light. Nothing can spoil the island hopping experience than having to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries.
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.
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 July 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.
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.
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.
What to Wear to Greece in July for Women
As summer has set in in Greece in June July 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
These are my normal go to’s for Greece in Summer. The temperatures have shot up and Maxi skirts and dresses that are loose and flowing will help keep you cool especially if you pick ones that are made of natural fabrics. Just check they don’t drag on the ground.
It is worth too that although maxi is my personal favorite length of dress to wear in Greece there aren’t many dress codes that say you have to wear this length.
Really the only place in Greece with a dress code are in Greek churches. The dress code for churches in Greece says shoulders and knees should be kept covered. Therefore make sure you adhere to this if you plan on visiting churches.
Trousers
I would also add to your packing list a pair of smart casual trousers such as Chinos 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.
Shop linen trousers for Greece here.
NOte: if you are packing linen trousers be sure to check out our guide on how to pack linen to prevent wrinkles.
Shorts
Shorts are perfectly acceptable in most places in Greece and I find them very comfortable when touring archaeological sites and on beaches.
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.
T Shirts and Tank Tops
T Shirts are a great base layer for Greece in July for both the mainland and islands. In fact I never go to Greece without t shirts no matter the season.
Personally I tend to stick with plain t shirts when I am traveling in Greece and pair them with shorts for active days or a nice skirt for cities.
Tank tops are also great for Greece, especially on the islands, just be sure you have adequate sun protection and you aren’t planning on visiting a church wearing one, as you will need to have something to cover your shoulders with you also.
Cardigan
Although the weather in Greece in July 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. Shop summer cardigans here.
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
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.
Shop sun hats for Greece here.
Swimwear
An essential especially if you are heading to a beautiful Greek island or to one of the city beaches.
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 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 covers.
What to Pack for Greece in July for Men
For men visiting Greece in July, 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.
Shop men’s summer travel trousers here.
Shorts
Shorts are great for men especially on the islands. However you will see them in the city too, especially at tourist attractions such as the Olympic Stadium and Acropolis in Athens.
I would recommend bringing smarter and lightweight shorts over cargo shorts which can make you look like a tourist in Greece.
Shop men’s shorts for Greece here.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. For men short sleeve tees are probably going to be the most useful for you.
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.
You should also pack at least one button down shirt with you for Greece in July for going out to dinner however short sleeve shirts are perfectly acceptable.
However if shirts aren’t your thing then be sure to pack a smart polo on top of the above.
Best Shoes for Greece in July
Greece is a country that has so much on offer. For great city culinary experiences, ancient archaeology and of course amazing beaches and waters. This can make packing shoes for Greece a bit tricky.
However if you are visiting in July we recommend bringing:
Sneakers
There is no escaping the fact that Greece in July is very hot but sneakers are still a great shoe choice so long as you select a pair that can cope with the 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.
Sneakers really are the perfect choice if you plan on going to archaeological sites like the Acropolis or plan to walk steep and uneven surfaces such as the hills around Oia in Santorini.
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 not summer Greece capsule wardrobe is complete without sandals. However due to the terrains you encounter in Greece I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel.
Espadrilles or wedges are a great evening shoe choice particularly for nicer restaurants.
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 if there is space in your case you may want to pack a pair of flip flops for round your hotel pool.
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.
SHop good value water shoes here.
What to Pack for Greece in July (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 July other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for Greece in July are:
- Towel – for those planning on spending time on the beach or on boat excursions. We recommend a quick dry one where possible.
- Insect Repellant – repellant for mosquitos which are a problem in some parts of Greece in Summer.
- 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.
- Travel lip balms. – 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.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment including Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Travel Adaptor for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Crossbody bag – anti theft type.
- Reusable Water Bottle – given the heat in July 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.
- Beach Bag – useful if you are visiting an island or plan on doing excursions by boat.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
FAQs About what to wear in Greece in July
Do you need a jacket in Greece in July?
Jackets are not an essential in Greece in July as it is generally hot. 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 July 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!