Greece in December is a peaceful and culturally rich experience. While the islands slow down and summer crowds fade, cities like Athens and Thessaloniki come alive with festive lights, local markets, and a cozy winter vibe. You’ll enjoy mild Mediterranean weather, but still need to pack for chilly evenings, rain showers, and layered outfits for exploring ancient ruins and mountain villages.
It’s not beach season, but Greece still shines with history, food, and winter charm. So leave the flip-flops behind and bring stylish layers, comfortable shoes, and weather-ready outerwear.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Greece 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 🌦️
- Athens: 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F)
- Thessaloniki: 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F)
- Crete: 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F)
- Chillier in the north; islands are milder but wetter 🌧️
- Expect rain, overcast days, and cool breezes 🌬️
What to Pack for Greece 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
- Rolling suitcase – for cobbled streets 🧳
- Carry-on – pack layers and valuables 🛄
- Daypack – essential for day tours 🎒
- Packing cubes – sort rain vs. indoor wear 📦
- Shoe bags – for muddy shoes or boots 👟
- Waterproof toiletry bag – humid bathrooms 🧴
- Travel wallet – keep documents dry 💼
- Foldable tote – markets & bakeries 🛍️
- Laundry pouch – for city-to-island travel 🧺
- Umbrella – compact & windproof ☔
- Neck pillow – cozy inter-island travel 🛌
- Sleep mask – ferries & trains 😴
👗 Clothes
- Long-sleeve shirts (4–5) – for ruins & cafes 👕
- Lightweight sweaters (2–3) – stylish layers 🧶
- Waterproof jacket or trench coat – city and island-ready 🧥
- Warm coat – for nights and mountain air 🧊
- Thermal tops (1–2) – if visiting the north ❄️
- Jeans or pants (2–3) – comfort and warmth 👖
- Midi dress – with tights for museums or dinners 👗
- Skirt + tights combo – for classic European style 🩳
- Pajamas – warm but light 🛌
- Undergarments – breathable and comfortable 👙
- Wool socks – for cool tile floors 🧦
- Scarf, gloves, beanie – chilly city mornings 🧣🧤🧢
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – cleanse city dust 🧼
- Hydrating toner – indoor heating dries skin 💧
- Moisturizer – protect from coastal wind 🧴
- SPF – overcast still allows UV 🌥️
- Lip balm – wind = dry lips 💋
- Face mist – mid-day refresh 🧊
- Eye cream – festive market late nights 👁️
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – light base 💄
- Concealer – Greek coffee = less sleep 👁️
- Blush – bring back that glow 🌸
- Highlight stick – soft shimmer ✨
- Neutral eyeshadow – for day-to-night looks 🎨
- Bold lipstick – festive dinners 💋
- Waterproof mascara – rain-safe 👁️
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – post-wind styling 💇
- Hair ties – easy updos 🌀
- Shampoo & conditioner – travel-size 🚿
- Leave-in conditioner – sea breeze dryness 💁
- Dry shampoo – between outings 🌬️
- Frizz spray – coastal weather fix ✨
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Water-resistant boots – walking + rain 🥾
- Sneakers – for ancient site exploring 👟
- Dress flats – for city nights 👠
- Scarf – stylish & warm 🧣
- Crossbody bag – compact and safe 👜
- Wool hat or beanie – packable warmth 🧢
- Sunglasses – even in winter 🕶️
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport – EU entry rules apply 🛂
- Schengen visa (if required) 📄
- Travel insurance – cover ferry & rail delays 🧾
- Flight & ferry bookings – printed + digital 📋
- Credit card + some cash 💳
- Map or app – Athens or island navigation 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Pain relievers – long walks = sore feet 🤕
- Blister pads – ruins & marble = friction 🩹
- Antiseptic wipes – ancient stones, modern germs 🧻
- Motion sickness tablets – ferries & buses 🚢
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush/paste 🪥
- Deodorant – Greek cuisine is worth the extra 🧼
- Feminine care – bring what you use 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – especially for ruins 🧴
- Wet wipes – market snack cleanup 🧽
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Portable power bank – for long walking days 🔋
- Camera – island towns are photogenic 📸
- Plug adapter – Type C/E/F for Greece 🌍
- Offline travel apps – ferries, maps, language 📲
🎧 Entertainment
- Books or Kindle – for ferries & quiet cafés 📚
- Podcasts or music – Greek mythology hits different 🎧
- Notebook – record ancient inspiration 📝
🎁 Extras
- Reusable water bottle – plastic-free travel 💧
- Shopping bag – for local olive oil or feta 🛍️
- Umbrella – just in case ☔
- Mini sewing kit – fashion repairs on the go 🧵
🌍 Travel Tips
- Layer well – indoor heating is minimal 🧥
- Download Greek phrase app 📱
- Plan ferries carefully – winter schedules change 🚢
- Eat local – it’s food festival season! 🍽️
🛂 Visa Tips
- Part of Schengen Zone 🛂
- U.S./EU travelers get 90-day visa-free 📆
- Bring hotel/reservation proofs 📋
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Waterproof jacket 🧥
- Scarf & gloves 🧤
- Comfortable shoes 🥾
- Travel insurance 📄
- Offline maps 📲
👍 Good-to-Have
- Kindle 📚
- Umbrella ☔
- Shopping tote 🛍️
- Plug adapter 🌍
- Phrasebook or app 🗣️
