Greece Holiday Packing List 2026: What to Bring - Category by Category
Beach, sea, heat, plus excursions, restaurants and a long drive - a Greek holiday calls for smart packing. Complete list by category: documents, clothing, beach, pharmacy, electronics and kids. Check what you really need and what is cheaper to buy there.
Packing for a Greek holiday is not complicated - but if you forget something, you will either pay double at the nearest shop in Greece, or spend the whole holiday without that one key item (SPF 50+ sunscreen for the kids, an adapter, plasters…). This list is divided by category - go through it two days before departure and tick each item. No last-minute improvisation at the border.
1. Documents and money
- ✅ Biometric passport for each person (must be valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Greece - an ID card is not valid for Schengen)
- ✅ Separate document for each child - children cannot be listed in a parent's passport
- ✅ Notarised consent if a child travels without one parent
- ✅ Travel insurance (Serbian RFZO card does not cover you in Greece - bring your policy with the emergency number)
- ✅ Debit/credit card (Visa/Mastercard) - Greece accepts cards almost everywhere, but some small places are cash only
- ✅ Cash euros - recommended €50–100 per person in small denominations
- ✅ Accommodation booking (screenshot or printout)
💡 Full guide to documents: Serbian passport or ID card for Greece 2026.
2. Clothing
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Swimwear (2–3 pieces) | Multiple so one dries while you wear another |
| Light shorts and trousers | Linen or synthetic - cotton is heavier and dries slowly |
| T-shirts (3–4 pieces) | One longer/light one for church/monastery visits |
| Dress / shirt for evenings | Beach restaurants are casual, but evening out calls for something nicer |
| Light long-sleeve cover-up | Sun protection on the beach and for church entry |
| Light hoodie / thin jacket | For air-conditioned spaces and cool evenings |
| Sandals / flip-flops | Essential for hot sand and pebbles - don't go barefoot on rocky beaches |
| Comfortable walking shoes | For excursions, Thessaloniki, Athens - flip-flops on cobblestones are painful |
| Wide-brim hat | A peaked cap leaves ears and the back of the neck exposed |
3. Beach and sea
- ✅ Beach towel (large, quick-dry microfibre) - buy quality before you go
- ✅ Beach bag (light, with a waterproof pocket for your phone)
- ✅ Sunscreen SPF 30–50+ - bring from home; it is much more expensive in Greece, especially kids' SPF 50+. See: Sun protection on holiday 2026
- ✅ After-sun / aloe vera gel - for evenings after a full day in the sun
- ✅ UV-protection sunglasses
- ✅ Rubber sandals or neoprene socks for rocky and pebble beaches
- ✅ Snorkelling mask - Greece's sea is crystal-clear and full of fish; entirely worth it
- ✅ Waterproof phone pouch - for underwater shots or splash protection
4. Pharmacy and health
- ✅ Mosquito repellent - active at night, especially near water
- ✅ Anti-itch gel/spray after insect bites
- ✅ Ibuprofen / paracetamol - for fever, headache, sunburn
- ✅ Stomach medication (activated charcoal, probiotics) - change of food and water can upset digestion
- ✅ Plasters and antiseptic - for rocky beaches, sea urchins and children's scrapes
- ✅ Fine-tip tweezers - for sea urchin spines
- ✅ Eye drops - salty sea water can irritate eyes
- ✅ Prescription medication (for the full stay plus reserve) - in original packaging with prescription; check liquid rules if flying
💡 Greek pharmacies (φαρμακείο) are reliable and every town has a duty pharmacy - but they are pricier than in Serbia. Bring a basic supply from home.
5. Electronics
- ✅ Phone charger + power bank - long beach days drain batteries
- ✅ Adapter - Greece uses EU type C/F plugs - no adapter needed for Serbian devices
- ✅ eSIM or local SIM card - roaming can be expensive if you drive; an eSIM is far cheaper. Details: Internet in Greece 2026 - eSIM, roaming and SIM
- ✅ Earphones (kids' too - cartoons in the car save everyone's sanity)
- ✅ Car charger if driving
- ✅ GoPro / action camera (optional) - the sea around Halkidiki and Thassos is so clear it is absolutely worth it
6. For children
- ✅ SPF 50+ sunscreen for kids (buy a large bottle - much pricier in Greece)
- ✅ UV swimwear / rashguard (shoulder and back coverage; essential for small children)
- ✅ Wide-brim hat for children
- ✅ Children's UV sunglasses
- ✅ Inflatable armband floats - available on the beach but pricier
- ✅ Sand toys (bucket, spade, moulds)
- ✅ Extra changes of clothes (kids go through more than adults)
- ✅ Children's fever medication (in the form the child will take)
- ✅ Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
7. For driving
- ✅ Green card (vehicle insurance) - required at the border
- ✅ Vehicle registration and driving licence
- ✅ Spare tyre, triangle and reflective vest
- ✅ Offline maps for North Macedonia and Greece (Google Maps offline)
- ✅ Cash for toll roads in Serbia and North Macedonia; in Greece card payment at E-pass lanes
- ✅ Coolbox / insulated bag for food and drinks on the road
Full driving guide: Driving to Greece - 3 best routes and Toll roads to Greece.
What to buy in Greece vs bring from home
| Item | Buy at home or there? |
|---|---|
| SPF 50+ sunscreen (especially for kids) | 🏠 At home - much cheaper |
| Mosquito repellent | 🏠 At home - cheaper |
| Drinking water | 🇬🇷 There - €0.30–0.50 for 1.5 l in a supermarket |
| Fruit, vegetables, snacks | 🇬🇷 There - fresh and cheap at local markets |
| Inflatable floats and water toys | 🇬🇷 There - sold everywhere, reasonable prices |
| Olive oil, honey, spices (to take home) | 🇬🇷 There - authentic and much cheaper |
| Sandals / flip-flops | 🇬🇷 There - on every corner, cheap |
Quick final checklist - print and tick
- ☐ Biometric passport (everyone, validity checked)
- ☐ Children's documents + consent (if needed)
- ☐ Travel insurance
- ☐ Card + euros (small bills)
- ☐ Accommodation booking
- ☐ Green card (if driving)
- ☐ Sunscreen for everyone (SPF 50+ for kids!)
- ☐ After-sun, repellent, basic pharmacy
- ☐ Charger, power bank, eSIM/SIM card
- ☐ Swimwear (2–3 pieces), hat, sunglasses
- ☐ Beach towel, bag, snorkelling mask
- ☐ Beach sandals + shoes for going out
- ☐ Prescription meds + children's medicine
FAQ
Do I need a plug adapter for Greece?
No. Greece uses EU type C/F sockets - the same as in Serbia. Serbian chargers and appliances work directly without an adapter.
Should I buy sunscreen at home or in Greece?
At home - sunscreen, especially children's SPF 50+, is significantly more expensive in Greece. Pack enough for the whole holiday.
How many swimsuits should I pack?
At least 2 (ideally 3) - while one dries, you wear another. A swimsuit that doesn't dry overnight quickly becomes unpleasant.
Can I bring olive oil and honey back from Greece in the car?
Yes - no restrictions on olive oil, honey, dried fruit, coffee or spices as personal luggage. Limits only apply to alcohol and cigarettes.
Conclusion
A well-packed bag means a relaxed holiday. The most important things are your documents and travel insurance - everything else can be bought in Greece, but some items (sunscreen, repellent, children's medicines) are much cheaper if you bring them from home. Go through the list two days before departure - not at the last minute.
Next: Documents for Greece 2026, Sun protection, Internet in Greece - eSIM and roaming and Travel costs in Greece 2026.
