What to wear to Greece in September

Are you wondering what to wear to Greece in September? September is a great month to visit Greece as the weather is still good and the crowds aren’t as high as in August and July. But what should you put on your Greek packing list? In this guide we tell you everything that should be on your Greece packing list for September for the weather, for the different regions of Greece from the mainland to the islands and for activities and specific tourist attractions.

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Weather in Greece in September

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 September it is important to point out that the regional differences are great across Greece especially between the islands, the mountains and the rest of mainland Greece.

For this reason we also recommend checking out some of our specific regional packing lists too:

• What to wear in Athens in September
• What to wear in Crete in September
• What to wear on the Greek Islands
• What to wear In Mykonos in September
• What to wear in Santorini in September

How Hot is Greece in September?

The average temperatures across Greece in the month of September tend to hover between 13ºC/55ºF-29ºC/84ºF with the average temperature being around 21ºC/70ºF.

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 September.

If I were to generalise about the weather in Greece in September 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.

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:

• What to wear to Greece in August
• What to wear to Greece in October

Does it Rain in Greece in September? 

To be honest rain is not really something that you should be worried about if you are visiting Greece in September. You have almost a 90% chance of having a perfect sunny day if you are visiting in September and there is only around 6mm of rainfall across the whole of the month.

Considerations for you Greece September Packing List

Before we get onto the exact items to include in your Greece September 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.

That is because one of the key experiences of traveling through Greece is island hopping. But nothing can spoil the island hopping experience than having to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries.

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 for September.

Natural Fabrics

Natural fabrics are your best friend in Greece. 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.

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. 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. 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.

Colors

While there is no dress codes that forbids certain colors, we recommend trying to avoid black if you are traveling to Greece in September.

Black absorbs the sunlight and will make you feel hotter.

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 September 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.

How do local people dress in Greece in September?

The Greeks known the key to how to dress in September is picking outfits that can cope with the heat. For this reason you will see many locals sticking to fabrics such as linen and cotton.

And style wise 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.

What to Wear to Greece in September for Women

As summer has set in in Greece in September you 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

Skirts and dresses are very comfortable in Greece and any length is appropriate outside of the Greek Orthodox churches.

Personally I like wearing maxi dresses in Greece in September but you can wear whatever you want length wise. Just be sure to pick items made of natural fabrics and are looser than tight fitting. Click here to shop maxi dresses.

Trousers

While September is too hot for jeans in Greece a pair of smart casual trousers such as Chinos, cotton pants or linen trousers are a great addition to your Greek packing list. 

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 and protect legs from mosquitos.

Shorts

Shorts are perfectly acceptable in most places in Greece and I find them very comfortable when touring archaeological sites and on beaches.

I tend to avoid denim shorts in the hot weather and opt for either quick dry shorts or cotton shorts for both cities and beaches.

T Shirts and Tank Tops

T Shirts are a great base layer for Greece in September for both the mainland and islands. In fact I never go to Greece without t shirts no matter the season.

In summer you can stick to short sleeves and tank tops and style wise I recommend plain or patterned t shirts over graphic or slogan t shirts as this fits in more with local styles. Click here to shop t shirts.

Blouses

Blouses are perfect in Greece in September 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. Click here to shop blouses.

Cardigan 

Although the weather in Greece in September 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 and for as the weather cools towards the end of the month.

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.

Click here to shop pashminas.

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 September 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. Click here for sunhat.

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 September for Men

For men visiting Greece in September, 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 as opposed to wearing jeans.

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.

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.

Swimwear

Pick the style you feel most comfortable in.

Best Shoes for Greece in September 

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 September are:

Sneakers

Sneakers are great for touring archaeological sites in Greece. Just be sure to pick a lightweight pair that can deal with Greek 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.

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.

Click here to shop sneakers for Greece.

Sandals

Of course no summer 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 September (Non Clothing)

So now you know what to wear for Greece in September, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Greece in September other than clothes.

Our essentials to pack for Greece in September are:

• 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 n Summer.
• 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 in Summer. 
• Reusable Water Bottle – given the heat in September 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
•  Power pack / Battery Pack
• Travel Adapaters  for electronics – Greece uses standard European outputs and plugs.

FAQs About what to wear in Greece in September

Do you need a jacket in Greece in September?

Jackets are not something I ever put on a Greece September packing list.

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 September 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!