Are you wondering what to wear in Santorini? Santorini is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands and top of a lot of people’s bucket lists. In this guide will tell you exactly what to wear in Santorini on the beach, in the towns such as Oia and out for dinner to help you not look like a tourist.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Santorini along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly what and where Santorini is, and how the seasons will affect your Santorini Packing List.
Where is Santorini?
Santorini is an island off the South coast of Mainland Greece. Locally it is called Thera, but most tourists now it as Santorini.
It is a relatively small island, being smaller than 100 km2 and is located in the Southern Aegean Sea as is part of the Cyclades islands of which Naxos, Paros and Mykonos are also a part of.
Fun fact, Cyclades or encircling islands as the translation is, are called such as the islands form a rough circle around the sacred land of Delos which is said to be the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.
Although all of the islands in the Cyclades have similar fashion sensibilities and dress codes, it is worth check out each our our island and city specific guides as there are some regional differences:
- What to wear in Mykonos
- What to wear in Paros
- Whats to wear in Naxos
- What to wear in Corfu
- What to wear in Crete
- What to wear in the Greek Islands
- What to wear to the Acropolis
- What to wear to Greece in June
- What to pack for Greece in July
So now you know where Santorini is, what are the dress codes you should be aware of?
Santorini Dress Code
As with many places in Greece, Santorini doesn’t really have a dress code per se. As it is famed for its beautiful coastal location it should come as no surprise that lightweight resort wear can be seen in the town and on the beach.
However it is important to realise although coastal, you will find people in Santorini very fashionably dressed.
It is also worth noting that Santorini is a big tourist destination. As such peak season will run from April to October and if you visit Santorini in Winter you will find there to be far fewer tourists. But this comes with the downside of the weather not being as beach friendly.
How do local people dress in Santorini?
The locals in Santorini know that the key to dressing in particular for summer, is picking outfits that can cope with the heat.
You will find loose and flowing dresses and skirts are very much in fashion throughout Greece. Many of the shops in the main Santorini town of Oia will be selling plenty of summer dresses in loose styles. So if you want to fit in with the locals this sort of style is a great choice.
And you can never go wrong with linen whether you are a man or woman in Santorini.
Considerations for your Santorini Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include to make your Santorini 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 Oia and Santorini generally.
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 Santorini.
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.
What to Wear in Santorini in Summer (June, July and August)
Chances are if you are looking to visit Santorini and wondering what to wear is that you will be visiting during the Summer Months. Summer in Santorini is characterised as June, July and August although peak tourist season runs longer than this.
During the Summer in Santorini you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain. In terms of temperatures, in the summer you can expect to see average highs of 82F/28C and lows of 73F/23C. And the chances of rain in Santorini in Summer is pretty much 0%.
As such we would recommend putting the below on your summer Santorini packing list:
Maxi Dresses
As I mentioned above there is lots of beach wear and resort wear seen in and around Santorini in Summer.
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite things to wear when touring Greece in Summer however they are a particularly great pick for the region.
Loose and flowing dresses are better for Santorini in Summer than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Maxi Skirts
Maxi Skirts are also great for pairing with T shirts and Tank tops in Santorini.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring Santorini and can be paired with skirts or shorts. Tank tops are also acceptable in Santorini in most places just don’t expect to go into churches in a tank top without covering your shoulders first.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Greece without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco, or cold as you watch one of the world’s most famous sunsets which Santorini is renowned for and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Greece.
Shorts
Shorts are great for Santorini both on the beach and in towns such as Oia. They are also great for walking on the hills in Santorini and doing some activities that Santorini is famed for.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Santorini in Summer chances are you will be spending time on the beach, on a boat, or around a hotel pool. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on the beach in Santorini you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other if you are going to Santorini for a week.
Beach Cover
Most people in Santorini when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Greek summer packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fir more in with the locals.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs as not everywhere in Santorini will have Air conditioning. You may want to check out whether or not your accommodation has air conditioning before booking.
Note: If you want to know what to were in Santorini for men I recommend packing a mixture of chinos and linen trousers and some smarter shorts alongside plain t shirts and polos and short sleeve shirts for summer.
For more information on what to wear in Greece in summer check out our related guides:
What to Wear to the Santorini in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time you are visiting Santorini in Spring will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
April really kicks off the peak tourist season in Santorini and you may find March too cold to be spending too much time on the beach.
In March average high temperatures are 16C and lows of 11C while it slowly warms to highs of 22C and lows of 16C in May.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer, though you may need less in terms of swimwear as the weather may be too cold with a few added layers such as a sweater, cardigan or hoodie.
Your Spring Santorini packing list should include the same as the summer but also include:
Cardigan
Santorini evenings in Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater / Hoodie
This is great for exploring in March and Early April in Santorini. However if you feel the cold it is a good idea to keep this on your list for any Spring month.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting Santorini in March especially for when you are on the cliff tops watching the sunset etc.
Jacket
Also for March you probably will only need one item of swimwear.
What to Wear to the Santorini in Fall (September, October and November)
What to wear to Santorini in Fall and Autumn is very similar to what to wear in Santorini in Summer.
In particular, if you are visiting Santorini in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in August as the temperatures are very similar. In fact Fall in Santorini is much warmer than Spring, and you will find the sea temperature much more comfortable for swimming in.
November is really the only cool month in Autumn.
Also you will want cardigans and sweaters on your packing list, and in November you may even need a jacket.
What to Wear to Santorini in Winter (December, January and February)
Santorini can be cold in Winter and as Winter isn’t peak season in Santorini, you will find that many of the local businesses such as shops and restaurants will be closed or have limited opening hours.
And it will probably be too cold to swim and use the beach in Winter so you can really limit the swimwear you need to bring with you.
Generally speaking the temperatures range from 10C-14C in Winter and is the rainiest season in the area. The wind is also at its strongest in Winter.
Therefore we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below to Santorini in Winter instead.
Jacket/Coat, waterproof
You will definitely want a warm jacket for the Santorini in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof one as you can get rainy and something that is good in the wind.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Santorini in Winter. Long sleeve t shirts and blouses are therefore a much better choice.
We recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners if you are visiting in the Winter months of December, January and February.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Santorini in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are too lightweight for Winter visitors to the region.
Instead we recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans instead.
Pashmina
I never go to Greece without one. But it is a handy extra layer for Winter visitors.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter.
Best Shoes for Santorini
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for Santorini whatever time of year you visit.
They can cope with the warmer weather (if you pick a light weight and breathable par) while also being good for your feet on uneven surfaces and climbing up the hills near Oia.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes.
However we do recommend wearing sneaker socks with them to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Sandals
Sandals are a definite must for Santorini. However due to the terrains you encounter in Santorini 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 the steep terrains such that you get in Santorini. 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 Santorini and how much time you plan to spend on the beach.
The beaches in Santorini are rocky and pebbly, as they are made from Volcanic rock. Therefore I advise taking water shoes to firstly protect your feet against hot volcanic sand and secondly to protect them from sharp edges.
What Else to add to your Santorini Packing List
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- Insect Repellant
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Sunglasses
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Beach bag
FAQs About What to wear in Santorini
So now you know what to wear in Santorini season by season we will answer some of your more specific questions.
What to wear in Santorini at night?
Santorini is still relatively casual in the evenings. Therefore we recommend sticking with a maxi dress for going out at night in Santorini.
If you can dress it up with an accessory such as a pashmina or some costume jewellery, it will make it a great day to night transition piece.
What is the best color to wear in Santorini?
Santorini is one of the most instagrammable places in the world. And is renowned for for it beautiful white buildings with blue roofs.
If you want to pop on pictures in Santorini you should add some bright colors to your Santorini packing list such as bright red, pink, yellow or green. Or adding some bright blue against the white walls is another great choice.
Do I need a jacket in Santorini?
If you are visiting Santorini in Summer then a jacket likely won’t be necessary however if you are visiting in Winter or Early Spring a jacket is a good addition to your packing list.
Are there mosquitos in Santorini?
Santorini does how have a huge mosquito problem as mosquitos don’t tend to stay at altitudes however it is always worth bringing insect repellant with you.
Do you have a question about what to wear in Santorini that we haven’t answered? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.