Are you wondering what to wear in Greece in October? We cover everything you need to add to your what to pack for Greece in October list to help you deal with the Fall weather, create outfits appropriate for dress codes and more. So whether you are traveling to the mainlands 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 October
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 October it is important to point out that there inevitably some regional differences across Greece especially between the islands, the mountains and the rest of mainland Greece in this shoulder season.
Therefore if you would like some more specific weather information check out our regional packing lists too:
- What to wear in Athens in September
- What to wear in Crete in October
- What to wear on the Greek Islands
- What to pack for a Greek Island Cruise
- What to wear In Mykonos in October
- What to wear in Santorini in October
How Hot is Greece in October?
Although Fall has definitely started in Greece in October you can still expect pretty mild and pleasant weather. In fact I would say that October in Greece is the last month of the tourist season. This is because from November onwards the temperatures drop off dramatically in Greece whereas the weather is still quite pleasant in October.
The average temperatures across Greece in the month of October tend to hover between 15ºC/59ºF to 25ºC/77ºF degrees Celsius.
It is also worth pointing out however that places such as Athens may be warmer than the islands especially in the afternoons and evenings. That is because some of the islands i.e. Santorini and Mykonos can get windy which brings the temperature down.
However no where in Greece can be called cold in October .
If I were to generalise about how the weather in Greece in October affects your packing lists, it would be to say that lots of light layers are the key!
But do remember that the weather between months in Greece changes dramatically so if your vacation spans two months it is worth checking out our other monthly guides:
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.
Does it Rain in Greece in October?
Although you chances of a perfect sunny day decrease in October, as clouds make more of an appearance, rain is still not all that common. In fact in Greece in October the average rainfall is only 13mm.
Considerations for you Greece October Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include in your Greece October outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Packing Light
No matter the destination you are going to we always recommend packing light and aiming to travel with a capsule wardrobe. But this is especially important for Greece.
The reason for this is because one of the key experiences of traveling through Greece is island hopping. October is probably the last month that most people will consider island hopping as it isn’t as commonly done in Winter. And if you want to island hop you will not want to have to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries.
For help in avoiding overpacking and creating a Greece Fall Capsule Wardrobe check out our 54321 and Sudoku packing techniques.
Natural Fabrics
Although the temperatures are dropping we still recommend packing natural fabrics for Greece in October. Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics and are my go to styles for traveling around Greece. Linen and cotton are particularly popular amongst locals and tourists.
Note: if you decide to travel with linen 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 warm places and Greece is no exception. Therefore we recommend packing some insect repellant if you plan on dining al fresco near water while travel through Greece.
Please note: mosquitos in Greece are more an irritant than a danger.
Beaches
The sea temperature in Greece in October is still pretty pleasant so you may be able to swim in the sea, particularly if you are traveling in Early rather than Late October.
If you plan on visiting one of these beautiful beaches 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.
Comfy Shoes
Many of the main tourist attractions in Greece i.e. the Acropolis and archaeological sites have uneven cobbled walkways. You will need very comfy shoes that can handle this terrain.
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 get very busys, 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 October?
The Greeks know that the key to how to dress in October is light layers. For this reason you will see many locals sticking to fabrics such as linen and cotton as well as light jackets and top layers for early mornings and evenings in particular. .
What to Wear to Greece in October for Women
As Fall has started in Greece in October you need to prepare for cooler temperature. The best way to do this is to have lots of light layers in your capsule wardrobe for Greece. The items we recommend including in your Greece Capsule wardrobe include:
Maxi Skirt / Maxi Dresses
Although the temperatures are cooling dresses and skirts are still my go to for Greece in October, especially on the islands.
Any length is appropriate outside of the Greek Orthodox churches so you can dress in a style that you feel most comfortable in however it is worth noting that the countryside tends to be more conservative than the cities and coastal areas.
Personally I like wearing maxi dresses in Greece in October but you can wear whatever you want length wise.
Click here to shop maxi dresses.
Trousers
While I find Early October too hot for jeans, you may want to add a pair to your packing list if you are traveling later in the month.
Otherwise I tend to stick with smart casual trousers such as Chinos, cotton pants or linen trousers.
I like to wear trousers with a smart blouse for 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.
Shorts
Shorts are perfectly acceptable in most places in Greece and I find them very comfortable when touring archaeological sites and on beaches. However it may start getting a little cool for them if you are traveling in Late October.
Personally I would pack more trousers than shorts for cities in October as the weather starts to cool.
T Shirts
Although summer has ended t shirts should still be on your packing list for Greece. The only change though is that we now recommend having a mix of short and long sleeve t shirts.
Blouses
A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights and is a great item to wear to dinner in Greece. They are also suitable for churches.
I also tend to wear blouses as my go to top for eating outside in Greece in October.
Layers
Although the weather in Greece in October is mild and pleasant, I would still pack some lightweight layers cardigans and sweaters just in case. The islands especially are known for having stronger winds and for as the weather cools towards the end of the month.
Usually for October I will have a cardigan, a hoodie and a lightweight jacket like a denim jacket with me for a week in Greece in October.
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
A lightweight pair is all that is needed especially if your hotel or Airbnb 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 is hot and bright in October 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.
If you are worried about traveling with wide brimmed sun hats be sure to check out our post on how to pack sunhats for travel.
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.
Click here to shop swimwear for Greece.
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. Click here to shop beach covers.
What to Pack for Greece in October for Men
For men visiting Greece in October, I actually recommend actually keeping things similar to the ladies packing list. This includes packing:
Linen Trousers / Chinos
Linen trousers and chinos are a better pick weight wise for men. If you are traveling in Late October you could also consider adding jeans to this list.
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.
Personally I would add more trousers than shorts for your packing list in October especially if you are traveling later in the month.
T Shirts and Shirts
T Shirts are perfect for Greece during the day and in most places at night.
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.
A shirt is also useful for if you plan on visiting some nicer restaurants in Greece.
Click here to shop t shirts for Greece.
Layers
As it can be cool in Greece during October we recommend having a couple of weight layers with you. Usually for 1 week in Greece in October we recommend a smart jumper, a casual hoodie and a jacket.
Swimwear
Pick the style you feel most comfortable in.
Best Shoes for Greece in October
Greece is diverse in terms of tourist attractions which results in tourists to Greece needing at least 2 types of shoes on their packing list.
Shoes we recommend packing for Greece in October are:
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for touring archaeological sites in Greece. Just be sure to pick a lightweight pair that can deal with Greek weather.
My favorite brands of sneakers for walking 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.
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 to help reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Click here to shop sneakers for Greece.
Sandals
Of course no 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.
A brand we love is Teva but go with the sandals that you feel provide you with adequate arch support.
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. Espadrilles are another excellent shoe for Greece.
Click here to shop sandals for Greece.
Flip Flops (Optional)
While I do not recommend flip flops for walking in Greece they are useful for those planning to visit beaches or pools on their vacation.
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.
Click here to shop water shoes.
What to Pack for Greece in October (Non Clothing)
So now you know what to wear for Greece in October, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Greece in October other than clothes.
Our essentials to pack for Greece in October are:
- Travel Adapaters for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.
- 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.
- Quick Dry 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.
- 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.
- Reusable Water Bottle – given the heat 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
- Chub Rub – if you are worried about sweating and chaffing chub rub can be a life saver on hot days.
- Power pack / Battery Pack
FAQs About what to wear in Greece in October
Do you need a jacket in Greece in October?
Light layers are key to any Greece packing list for October. Therefore it is a good idea to have a lightweight jacket with you especially for evenings.
Can you wear jeans in Greence in October?
There are no reason why you can’t wear jeans in October in Greece. In fact I find them a really great choice especially for the cities in Late October.
Are you visiting Greece in October 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!