Athens in December is a quieter, cooler version of its summer self — with ancient ruins still stunning, markets lively, and festive lights glowing in Plaka. The weather is mild compared to Northern Europe, but it’s not quite beach season either. Think layers, not thermals.
You’ll want to dress for shifting temps — sunny midday walks and cool evenings. While it’s Greece, winter still brings occasional rain, breezy days, and the need for cozy layers at night. Thankfully, packing light is easy with the right essentials.
📝 Note: This article is all about what to pack for Athens in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
Expect cool but comfortable temperatures with the occasional rainy day. No snow — just crisp Athenian air and fewer crowds.
- 🌡️ Average high: 15°C / 59°F – pleasant for walking around
- 🌙 Average low: 9°C / 48°F – chilly mornings and evenings
- 🌧️ Rainfall is likely on a few days, often light
- 💨 Breezy near the sea or on hilltops like Lycabettus
What to Pack for Athens in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 compact, easy on Athens’ uneven streets
- Checked bag – 🛄 if you’re packing gifts or shopping
- Duffle bag – 🎽 handy for weekend side trips
- Daypack – 🎒 essential for museum hopping and hill walks
- Packing cubes – 📦 organize light layers efficiently
- Shoe bags – 👞 keep footwear separate after hikes
- Toiletry bag – 🧼 leak-proof and compact
- Document organizer – 📁 travel documents in one place
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ perfect for flea markets and bakeries
- Laundry kit – 🧺 helpful for longer stays
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ for carry-on compliance
- Luggage lock – 🔒 peace of mind for travel days
- Money belt – 💰 especially if you’re going to busy markets
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 great for budget accommodations
- Neck pillow – 😴 useful for long flights or bus rides
- Sleep mask – 🛌 block light in shared rooms
👗 Clothes
- Long-sleeve tops (3–5) – 👕 breathable and easy to layer
- Light sweaters (2–3) – 🧶 perfect for chilly mornings
- Midweight jacket – 🧥 ideal for mild Athenian winter
- Rain jacket or shell – 🌧️ just in case of showers
- Cardigan or fleece – 🧵 good for indoors or evenings
- Jeans or casual trousers (2–3) – 👖 comfy and weather-ready
- Skirt or casual dress – 👗 with tights for layering
- Lightweight scarf – 🧣 stylish & practical wind protection
- Pajamas – 🛏️ cozy for cooler nights
- Swimsuit – 🩱 optional for hotel spa or indoor pool
- Cover-up – 🧖♀️ for spa days
- Underwear (7+) – 👙 breathable & quick-dry
- Bras (3–4) – 🧺 daily wear and active options
- Socks (5–7) – 🧦 include one or two warmer pairs
- Tights or leggings – 🧤 to layer under skirts or pants
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧴 remove city pollution
- Hydrating toner – 💧 refresh after windy days
- Light moisturizer – 🧴 for mild but dry air
- SPF – ☀️ yes, even in winter!
- Makeup remover – 🧽 travel-friendly version
- Exfoliator – 🛁 once a week to refresh
- Eye cream – 👁️ reduce puffiness or dryness
- Facial mist – 💦 for post-flight recovery
- Sheet masks – 😷 revive skin after sightseeing
- Lip balm – 💋 protect against wind
- Spot treatment – 🎯 just in case
💄 Makeup
- Light foundation or BB cream – 💄 breathable coverage
- Concealer – 👁️ for under eyes or touch-ups
- Blush – 🌺 freshen up after walking
- Highlighter – ✨ natural glow enhancer
- Bronzer – 🌞 optional sun-kissed warmth
- Neutral palette – 🎨 simple tones for any look
- Eyeliner – ✒️ stay classic or go bold
- Mascara – 👁️ smudge-resistant preferred
- Brow gel – 🧴 keep brows in shape
- Lipstick/gloss – 💄 bring a bold and a nude
- Setting spray – ❄️ helps makeup last on walking tours
- Brushes – 🖌️ compact travel set
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – 💇♀️ small and packable
- Hair ties & clips – 🧷 windy days = updos
- Shampoo/conditioner – 🧴 travel-size bottles
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ extend your style
- Heat protectant – 🔥 for styling
- Hair serum or oil – 💧 tame frizz
- Mini dryer – 💨 some hotels provide, but not all
- Straightener/curler – 💁♀️ compact version
- Accessories – 🎀 minimal, Greek-chic style
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Comfortable walking shoes – 👟 #1 essential in Athens
- Ankle boots – 🥾 ideal for cobblestones and chilly days
- Flats or loafers – 👠 for dinners or museums
- Umbrella – ☔ light and wind-resistant
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ sunny even in December
- Light gloves – 🧤 not always needed, but handy
- Beanie or hat – 🧢 optional for early mornings
- Minimal jewelry – 💍 for café-to-dinner transitions
- Watch – ⌚ helpful without pulling out your phone
- Crossbody or day bag – 👜 anti-theft preferred
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – 🛂 required for travel
- Visa (if needed) – 📄 check Greece’s requirements
- ID card or driver’s license – 🪪 local ID for convenience
- Travel insurance – 🏥 print and digital
- Flight/train tickets – 🎟️ confirm and organize
- Accommodation details – 🏨 addresses, check-in info
- Cash + cards – 💶 Greece still loves cash
- Emergency contacts – 📱 printed and stored in phone
- Offline maps/apps – 🗺️ explore without signal
- Notebook/pen – 🖊️ for ideas, plans, or journaling
- Wallet – 👛 secure and minimal
- Valuables – 💎 pack light, store safely
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 for cobblestone-induced blisters
- Pain relievers – 💊 for aches or headaches
- Allergy meds – 🤧 for dust or seasonal triggers
- Cold meds – 🤒 in case of temperature shifts
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧽 keep wounds clean
- Gauze + tape – 🩼 just in case
- Tweezers – ✂️ multi-use tool
- Mini scissors – ✂️ airport-approved
- Q-tips – 💠 for detail cleaning
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – 💊 clearly labeled
- Hand sanitizer – ✋ always on hand
- Toothbrush/paste – 🪥 in a travel case
- Floss – 🧵 small and packable
- Deodorant – 🧼 solid preferred
- Razor – 🪒 with guard
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 enough for the trip
- Wipes – 🧻 for travel or museums
- Mirror – 🪞 compact and handy
- Perfume – 🌸 rollerball size
- Eye drops – 👁️ for dry or windy air
- Contacts + solution – 👓 don’t forget backups
- Tissues – 🧻 keep in your bag
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – 📱 with EU SIM or roaming
- Chargers – 🔌 for all devices
- Power bank – 🔋 keep your phone charged
- Plug adapter (Type C) – 🔌 for Greek outlets
- Headphones – 🎧 for walking tours or transit
- Offline apps – 🗺️ Google Maps, Metro, etc.
- Camera – 📷 Athens is photogenic, even in winter
- E-reader – 📚 for downtime
- Waterproof phone case – 📱 for rainy days
- Backup storage/cloud – 💾 for photos
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 Greek mythology or history adds fun
- Podcasts/music – 🎶 for transit or walks
- Movies/shows – 📺 offline for travel days
- Journal – 📓 capture your experience
- Games/cards – 🃏 compact fun
- Travel guidebook – 🗞️ for museums & ruins
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – 🍫 nuts or bars for museum days
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 stay hydrated on the go
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ for local treats or gifts
- Travel detergent – 🧴 for hand-wash laundry
- Sewing kit – 🪡 emergency button fixes
- Whistle – 📣 solo safety tool
- Lint roller – 👔 for dark winter outfits
- Footrest – 🦶 for flights or buses
- Shoe deodorizer – 👃 long walking days call for it
- Melatonin – 🌙 beat jet lag quickly
🌍 Travel Tips
- Wear layers – 🧥 December can shift from cool to mild
- Use local transport – 🚇 Metro is fast and reliable
- Cash is king – 💶 especially in small bakeries or kiosks
- Confirm bookings – 🧾 and store them offline
- Keep essentials in carry-on – 👜 just in case
- Notify your bank – 🏦 avoid card freezes
- Photograph your luggage – 📸 for claims if lost
🛂 Visa Tips
- Check Greece’s visa policy – 🌍 for your nationality
- Apply early if needed – 📄 allow 2–4 weeks
- Bring passport photos – 📷 backup for emergencies
- Print all bookings – 🖨️ for immigration and hotels
- Know customs rules – 🧾 for food, alcohol, etc.
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport + ID – 🛂 required at check-ins
- Travel insurance – 🏥 better safe than sorry
- Phone + adapter – 📱 never lose power
- Cash + cards – 💳 always have both
- Health kit – 🚑 basic meds included
- Offline apps/maps – 🗺️ explore efficiently
- Light jacket – 🧥 for layered comfort
- Day bag – 🎒 essential for every outing
- Reusable bottle – 🚰 eco-friendly hydration
- Confirmed bookings – 🧾 always double-check
👍 Good-to-Have
- Blanket scarf – 🧣 fashion + warmth
- Sleep mask + earplugs – 😴 for long travel days
- Travel steamer – 👔 wrinkle-free looks
- SIM/eSIM – 📡 local data is cheaper
- Travel blanket – 🛏️ comfort for transit
- Luggage tags – 🏷️ always ID your gear
- Foldable bag – 🛍️ for extra purchases
