Are you wondering what to wear in Greece in January? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Greece in January list to help you deal with the Winter weather, dress codes and more. So whether you are traveling to Athens or the islands keep reading to find out how to dress for Greece so you don’t look like a tourist.
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Weather in Greece in January
Winter is in full swing in Greece in January. But how cold does Greece get in Winter?
How Cold is Greece in January?
Generally speaking the daytime temperatures on mainland Greece in January hover between 13°C/55.4F and 7°C/44.6F which is quite a range. And it can definitely feel chilly. However on the higher ground and mountains it can feel significantly cooler. For a skiing capsule wardrobe check out this post.
Overall Athens does tend to be warmer than the islands especially in the afternoons and evenings because some of the islands i.e. Santorini and Mykonos can get windy which brings the temperature down.
It is worth noting that the weather between months changes dramatically in Greece. For this reason we recommend checking out our other monthly guide if your trip spans a couple of months:
Overall if I were to generalise about how the weather in Greece in January affects your packing lists, it would be to say that lots of light layers are the key to a successful packing list as well as a thick coat.
Weather in Different Areas of Greece in January
While in this guide I will give you an overview of the Greek weather in January it is important to point out that there inevitably some regional differences across Greece. But don’t worry we have some regional packing lists that will provide more localised guidance:
- What to wear in Athens in January
- What to wear at the Acropolis
- What to wear in Crete in January
- What to wear on the Greek Islands in Winter
- What to pack for a Greek Island Cruise
- What to wear In Mykonos in January
- What to wear in Santorini in January
Does it Rain in Greece in January?
January is one of the rainiest months in Greece. Generally speaking you get just over 40mm of rain in January which tends to fall over across 9 days.
Therefore it is not super rainy in January but it is worth having a waterproof top layer and a compact travel umbrella with you.
Does it Snow in Greece in January?
Whether or not you experience snow in Greece in January largely depends on where you are heading. Ski season has started in Greece so you would expect the higher ground to experience snow. In fact January is the snowiest month in the mountains of Greece.
However in the lower grounds and islands, snowfall isn’t something you are likely to see.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do local people dress in Greece in January?
The Greeks know that the key to how to dress in January and Winter in general is having plenty of light layers.
At this time of year you will see lots of practical thick coats, as well as Winter accessories and comfy Winter boots.
What to Wear to Greece in January
So now you know what to expect of the weather in Greece in January we will turn our attention to what to wear. The guide is split out into men, women’s and shoes section to make for easier navigation.
But whoever you are and wherever you are traveling in Greece we recommend trying to pack a capsule wardobe. This way you will have less luggage to cart around and won’t run the risk of overpacking. For more information on how to pack a travel capsule wardrobes check out our packing techniques:
- ULTIMATE Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe
- Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
- Sudoku (3×3) packing method
- 54321 packing method.
What to wear in Greece in January for Women
Overall the items we recommend including in your Greece Capsule wardrobe include:
Jacket / Coat
In Winter you will definitely need a coat / jacket. I like to have something like a puffer jacket. Though obviously if you are going into the mountains to higher ground a thicker coat will be required.
Click here to shop coats for Greece.
Wool Hat or Beanie, scarves and glove
Although you are unlikely to need thermals in Greece at this time of year we still recommend packing hat, scarf and gloves. When looking for gloves we recommend packing the type that are touch screen compatible.
Click here to shop winter accessories for Greece.
Jeans
Jeans are perfect for Greece in January for both the islands, countryside or in the cities.
Also you will see all types of jeans in Greece so you don’t need to worry about the type of jeans you pack. Just be comfortable.
On top of jeans we recommend also packing some smarter trousers like chinos, cords or wool trousers. We love a black pant for anywhere in Greece in Winter (we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel).
Layers
Layers are key for your January wardrobe for Greece. We recommend lots of light layers over chunky knits and sweaters. That is because they are much easier to pack.
Generally speaking for a week in Greece I would pack 3 top layers like a hoodie, cardigan amd sweater.
Merino wool is one of my favorite fabrics as this is a relatively thin material to pack, however is insulating and repels smell packing it perfect for capsule wardrobes.
T Shirts
T shirts are a great base layer for Greece in Winter. We recommend packing more long than short sleeve tees though.
Blouses
Blouses are perfect for Greece in January as they work brilliantly for cooler nights paired with a statement cardigan.
Winter Dress or Skirt
Short skirts and dresses are not appropriate in churches in Greece and not really in keeping with local style. For this reason we recommend packing midi and maxi length items for Winter.
I love a Winter dress for going out for dinner in Greece but due to the temperatures I recommend sticking to sweater dresses / jumper dresses paired with thick tights.
Click here to shop Winter dresses
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 and is also useful for churches in Greece.
PJs
I would pack thicker weight flannel PJs for January.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. I like to pack merino wool socks for Winter travel. They are thinner than hiking socks but are insulating so are good for cold weather.
What to Pack for Greece in January for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Greece in January, we will turn our attention to men’s packing essentials. We recommend adding the following items to your men’s packing list for Greece in Winter:
Jeans / Chinos
For men visiting Greece in January I recommend having a couple of pairs of smarter jeans and chinos or dockers. But corduroy or wool are also a good pick
T Shirts and Shirts
T Shirts are perfect for Greece during the day and in most places at night even in January.
A shirt is also useful for if you plan on visiting some nicer restaurants in Greece.
Click here to shop t shirts for Greece.
Coat
A coat is a good idea for Greece in January as a top layer as the weather turns chillier. A puffer is good for most places in Greece.
Layers
As it can be cool in Greece during January we recommend having a couple of light weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Greece in January we recommend 3 top layers such as a smart jumper, a casual hoodie, sweater as well as a jacket.
Underwear
PJs
Best Shoes for Greece in January
So not to overpack we recommend packing 2 types of shoes. The 2 we would pack for Greece in Winter are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for touring archaeological sites in Greece even in Winter. My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are are Hoka and AllBirds as these are great for walking in.
However you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything fashion wise. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes. If you are worried about discoloration on a rainy day some Ecco leather sneakers are a great alternative.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes and obviously if you visit a Greek ski resort the requirements will be slightly different.
Click here to shop sneakers for Greece.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in Greece in January we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. These are also better for going to restaurants too and for in the cities.
We suggest packing ankle boots as these are easier to pack than knee high boots. But for advice on packing both check out our guide on how to pack boots for travel.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
What to Pack for Greece in January (Non Clothing)
So now you know what to wear for Greece in January, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Greece in January other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for Greece in January are:
- Universal Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type if you are planning to visit cities and tourist attractions which tend to attract pickpockets wherever you are in the world.
- Compact Umbrella – As I mentioned it is pretty rainy in Greece in Winter so an umbrella will be required.
- Lipbalm – I never travel to a cold weather destination without lip balm to protect my lips from drying out in the cold.
- Reusable Water Bottle – this is better for the environment and will save you money.
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power pack / Battery Pack
- Medication and Documentation
- Toiletries – for our essential travel toiletries checklist click here.
FAQs About what to wear in Greece in January
Do you need a jacket in Greece in January?
Yes a jacket should always be on your Greece January packing list. Something like a puffer jacket is most appropriate in my opinion.
Do I need swimwear in Greece in January?
Although Greece has beautiful beaches it is far too cold to swim in the sea in January. So you can leave the swimwear at home unless you have access to a heated swimming pool or hot tub.
Can you wear jeans in Greece in January?
Jeans are a great pick for January. We always add them to our Greece Winter packing list.
Are you visiting Greece in January 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!