Published: August 9, 2025
Dreaming of whitewashed villages, dazzling sunsets, and cliffside beaches? Santorini is one of the most breathtaking islands in Greece—but between the steep stairs, strong winds, rocky beaches, and sulfur-stained hot springs, it’s not your average beach vacation. Packing smart will make a huge difference.
Here’s what you really need to pack for Santorini, based on my own experience (and a few lessons learned the hard way!)
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Comfortable Sneakers for Walking
If you’re planning to explore towns like Fira, Oia, or Pyrgos—or do the epic Fira to Oia hike—you’ll need sturdy walking shoes. Santorini is built on cliffs, which means stairs, cobblestones, and steep paths everywhere. Between that and the must-do hike, it’s essential to pack a pair of broken-in sneakers.
I have a cute pair of sneakers that look great with a sundress and were perfect for exploring the towns. (Check them out here!) However, they weren’t the best choice for the hike from Fira to Oia — about halfway through, I seriously wished I had brought my real, sturdy sneakers instead.
Flat Sandals with Good Grip
You’ll also want a pair of comfortable flat sandals that can handle stairs, heat, and uneven paths. Opt for sandals with ankle straps or a grippy sole so you’re not slipping your way through town.
If you’re planning to wear a cute dress for dinner, skip the heels and opt for stylish flat sandals instead. They’re much more comfortable for walking on Santorini’s cobblestone streets — and you’ll still look chic and put-together for your evening out!
Swimsuit You Don’t Mind Staining (Black is Best!)
If you plan to swim near the volcanic hot springs, be warned: the sulfur in the water can stain light-colored swimsuits. Pack a black bathing suit specifically for this excursion and save your lighter suits for the other beaches. For more info on this excursion and others, check out my post The Top Things To Do in Santorini.
Water Shoes
Santorini beaches are rocky and can be tough on bare feet. A pair of water shoes will protect your feet and make getting in and out of the sea much easier. Looking for more info on Santorini’s beaches?Be sure to check out my post on how to beach-hop by water taxi.
Lightweight Travel Towel
Many hotels don’t allow you to take their towels to the beach. Bring a lightweight microfiber beach towel that dries quickly, folds up small, and won’t add bulk to your beach bag. I love these Bay Laurel towels--I also use it as a blanket on the airplane.
Hat with a Strap (It’s Windy!)
Santorini is notoriously windy, especially along the caldera and during boat rides. A sun hat is a must—but make sure it has a chin strap or a way to secure it. Otherwise, it might end up flying off into the Aegean Sea! Looking for a sun hat with a chin strap? I have this one and wore it all through Santorini!
Voltage Converter + Outlet Adaptor
Greece uses 220V and Type C and Type F outlets, whereas the United States uses 120V and Type A and B outlets so if you’re traveling from North America or elsewhere, you’ll need either a voltage converter or dual voltage electronics like hair tools. Don’t try to plug your hair dryer into an outlet without a voltage converter if the hair dryer is not dual voltage. If you do, they will get fried and you won’t have any way to do your hair the rest of your trip!
Many chargers for phones, tablets, and cameras are dual voltage—check the label to be sure. If you don’t want to buy a voltage converter, you can buy a dual voltage hair dryer or a dual voltage flat iron. Most electronics like computers and phones are dual voltage already and would likely just need an outlet adapter.
Important things to note:
- A voltage converter is different than an outlet adapter. Most voltage converters are also outlet adapters but most outlet adapters are not also voltage converters.
- Read the reviews for the voltage converters. Some people say their hair tools still fried with the voltage converter. If you are worried about it, you can buy dual voltage hair tools.
- Some dual voltage hair tools require you to use a screwdriver to turn a knob, so be sure to do that before you travel if that applies to you.
Check out these options below:
Snorkel Mask or Goggles
The water around Santorini is crystal clear, and there are rocky coves to explore. Bring a snorkel mask or simple swim goggles so you can enjoy the underwater views.
Athletic Clothes for the Fira to Oia Hike
The Fira to Oia hike is a must-do, and it takes about 3–4 hours. Bring breathable athletic wear, like moisture-wicking tops and shorts, and—again—good walking shoes. I wore this black athletic dress with built in bike shorts and thought it looked cute in pictures, too.
Sweater or Light Jacket for Evenings
Even in summer, the nights can get breezy—especially if you’re out on a sunset cruise or a sunset wine tour. Pack a light sweater or jacket for evenings. We were in Santorini in August and it was very hot outside. We did a sunset cruise, and I didn’t think to bring a sweater and I was cold once the sun set.
GoPro or Waterproof Phone Pouch
Whether you’re snorkeling, hopping beaches by boat on the water taxi, or on a kayak or boat tour, you’ll want to capture it all. A GoPro or waterproof phone pouch will keep your phone safe and let you shoot worry-free in or near the water. If a GoPro is out of your budget, this top-selling knock-off has incredible reviews.
Dry Bag
Bring a small dry bag to protect your valuables on beach days, boat tours, or kayak adventures. It’ll keep your towel, phone, sunscreen, and extra clothes dry and sand-free.
Phone Lanyard
Want to take photos without constantly worrying about dropping your phone over a cliff or into the sea? A phone lanyard is perfect for hands-free exploring, especially in windy areas or on boats. This phone lanyard is one of my top travel essentials and the thing I use the most!
AirTags
I never travel without AirTags in my luggage, passport, and wallet. An AirTag is a small tracking device that connects to your phone and lets you see its exact location. If you’re arriving or departing Santorini by ferry, it’s especially important to have one in your suitcase—luggage gets dropped into a big pile with everyone else’s, and there’s no organized system for claiming it. I once lost my bag for six weeks, and ever since, I never travel without AirTags. Check out the AirTag holders I use below:
AirTag Keychain (for my luggage)
Sunscreen (And Lip Balm with SPF)
The Santorini sun is strong—even when it’s breezy. Bring a reef-safe, high-SPF sunscreen and reapply often. Don’t forget SPF lip balm—sunburned lips are no fun. If you plan to do a boat tour, be sure to bring sunscreen lotion–spray sunscreen is prohibited on the boats.
Coins for Public Bathrooms
Some public restrooms in Santorini—especially at beaches or ferry ports—require a small fee to use. Carry a few €0.50 or €1 coins with you just in case. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference!
Packing Cubes
I’m a chronic overpacker, but in Santorini, overpacking can be a real headache. Many hotels require climbing multiple flights of stairs, and you definitely don’t want to be hauling oversized suitcases up and down. I use a combination of compression packing cubes and vacuum travel bags to save space. The vacuum bags even come with a small, lightweight pump so you can re-compress them for the trip home.
Luggage Scale
I always travel with a luggage scale (back to me being an overpacker), but it’s especially important if you’ll be flying within Greece. Coming from the U.S., I was surprised to learn that carry-on bags have strict weight limits. My husband and I ended up paying extra because ours were overweight — even though they fit the size requirements. This luggage scale I have is compact and fits in the pocket of my suitcase.
Portable & Extra Phone Charger
If you’ll be using your phone as your camera, a portable charger is a must. I love this one—it’s MagSafe and has built-in cords. The MagSafe feature is perfect for me because I wear my phone on a lanyard, so the charger can snap on while I’m wearing it. Also, if you’re renting a car, pack an extra phone charger to leave in the car.extra phone charger if you are renting a car to leave in the car.
Santorini Dresses
Santorini is known for its “see and be seen” vibe. Evening strolls and dinners are like fashion shows. Check out my Greek Island Outfit Inspiration on my Amazon storefront for some fabulous dresses for your Santorini vacation.
Final Thoughts
Packing for Santorini is part style, part strategy. It’s a destination where you’ll walk more than you think, spend lots of time outdoors, and encounter everything from black sand beaches to windswept cliffs and ancient ruins. With the right gear, you’ll be ready for anything the island throws your way—and free to focus on soaking up all the beauty around you.
Be sure to check out my other Santorini posts at the bottom of this page. There is a lot of helpful information to help you plan your trip including my 5 Day Santorini Itinerary, the best things to do, how to avoid crowds, the best sunset restaurants and so much more!
Greek island hopping? Be sure to check out What to Pack For Milos, Greece. Looking for more inspiration? Explore all my Milos travel guides.
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@postcardsfromcarrie 🇬🇷 Everything you need to know about the famous hike from Fira to Oia in Santorini, Greece 🇬🇷 The whole hike is 6 miles long and will take about 4 hours. 🇬🇷 If you stay in Imerovigli, you can break the hike up into two shorter hikes on different days. 🇬🇷 The views of the Caldera and Aegean Sea are really breathtaking along the trail. Have you done the hike from Fira to Oia? What did you think? I’m happy to answer any questions or give more recommendations. Drop a comment below! ⬇️ Follow me for more! #santorini #santorinigreece #santoriniisland #hike #greecetiktok #greecetravel #greece🇬🇷 #explore #traveltiktok #travel #traveltips ♬ original sound - Postcards From Carrie | Travel
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