Are you wondering what to wear in Greece in March? March is technically the first month of Spring in Greece but its’ changeable weather can make it challenging to pack for. In this guide we tell you what to pack for the Spring 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 March
March is the beginning of Spring in Greece but what can you expect from the weather?
How Cold is Greece in March?
Tourist season has not officially started in March and it is probably down to the weather. Generally speaking the average temperatures in Greece in March are highs of 13 C / 55F and lows of 3 C / 37F.
Crete tends to be the hottest of the Greek Islands in March, but most people will not find it sunbathing and Beach weather yet!
Note: 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:
Weather in Different Areas of Greece in February
It is worth noting that this guide is an overview of what to pack across Greece in February. But if you want some more regional guidance check out these posts:
- What to wear in Athens
- What to wear at the Acropolis
- What to pack for a Greek Island Cruise
- What to wear In Mykonos in February
- What to wear in Santorini in February
Does it Rain in Greece in March?
Although the sun may not shine consistently in March, you don’t have to be too concerned about rain. In fact across the whole of the month the average rainfall is only 22mm so waterproof wear isn’t your packing list priority.
Does it Snow in Greece in March?
Northern Greece is the coldest region but snow is uncommon on the low ground. However if you are in the mountains you may still some snow.
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 March?
March is definitely a transition month in Greece and locals will slowly be transitioning from their Winter capsule wardrobe into their spring ones.
What to Wear to Greece in March
So now you know what to expect of the weather in Greece in March 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.
However before we get into the details of what to pack for Greece in March we want to stress the importance of packing a capsule wardrobe. This is a good idea for everywhere in Europe but especially Greece as most people will be touring the country.
For help on learning to how to pack a capsule wardrobe no matter the destination check out these posts:
- Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe for Travel
- Sudoku (3×3) packing method
- 4 x 4 packing method
- 54321 packing method.
What to wear in Greece in March for Women
Overall the items we recommend including in your Greece Capsule wardrobe include:
Jacket / Coat
The temperatures are still pretty cool in Greece in March so a jacket is a must. Now you probably won’t want your thickest coat in March but something like a puffer jacket is a great idea.
Click here to shop coats for Greece.
Jeans
For me jeans are perfect pants for Greece in March no matter where you are traveling to. Greece in summer can feel too hot for denim but for March they are perfect.
However I would suggest that jeans are not the only type of trouser you should take for this time of year. We also recommend packing some smarter trousers like a black pant. At the minute we are loving the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel).
Layers
Layers are absolutely essential for March in Greece. We recommend packing lots of light layers instead of chunky knits. These are easier to layer as part of a capsule wardrobe and take up less room in your suitcase.
T Shirts
T shirts are a great base layer for Greece whatever time you visit. We recommend packing a mix of long and short sleeve tees for March.
Blouses
Blouses are a great pick for Greece in March especially for dinners when paired with cardigans or sweaters.
Dress or Skirt
It can still be a bit chilly in March so I don’t tend to wear dresses in the day for sightseeing. However a nice sweater dress or even a wrap dress is a great pick for evenings.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling in Europe, a pashmina is always on my packing list. It is handy as an extra layer in cold weather but also can make outfits more modest in religious settings.
PJs, 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 March for Men
So now you know what to pack for women in Greece in March, we will turn our attention to men’s packing essentials. We recommend packing the following:
Jeans / Chinos
Jeans are a great pick for March. We also recommend packing a smart pair of trousers for eating out in Greece.
T Shirts and Shirts
T Shirts are great for Greece in March. As the weather is so changeable we recommend a mix of long and short sleeves as well as a button down shirt for nicer restaurants.
One button down shirt is also worth putting on your packing list for some more upscale restaurants.
Click here to shop t shirts for Greece.
Coat
A coat like a puffer jacket is perfect for March.
Layers
If you are spending a week in Greece in Winter I would recommend packing 3 types of layers as well as a coat as per our sudoku packing method.
We recommend packing a hoodie for daytimes exploring archaeological sites like the Acropolis and for museums, a sweater for evenings and a fleece or cardigan too.
Underwear
PJs
Best Shoes for Greece in March
We always recommend not overpacking on the shoe front. The shoes we recommend in March are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for touring archaeological sites in Greece no matter the season. They have a good sole and provide good arch and ankle support for uneven surfaces. Some of my favoured brands are Hoka and allbirds. 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.
Click here to shop sneakers for Greece.
Boots / Sandal
Depending on when you are visiting will affect what second shoe you should pack. In early March a boot is a great pick, however for late March it may be getting warm enough to pack a sandal instead.
What to Pack for Greece in March (Non Clothing)
So now you know what to wear for Greece in March, we will turn our attention to what other essentials to pack for Greece in March other than clothes.
We consider all of the below to be essentials for Greece at this time of year:
- Universal Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs so if younger from the US or UK you will need an adaptor for your electronics.
- Backpack – essential for storing items on your day trips.
- Crossbody Bag – as with any tourist attraction around the world, pickpockets are a risk. We recommend packing an anti theft type bag with lots of zips to help act as a deterrent.
- 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 March
Do you need a jacket in Greece in March?
A jacket is still a good idea for Greece in March as it can be chilly especially on higher ground and at night.
Do I need swimwear in Greece in March?
If you are staying in a hotel with a heated pool you may want swimwear however a lot of people will find it too cold for swimming or sunbathing in Greece in March.
Are you visiting Greece in March 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!