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Greece packing help

Leaving this week for Greece. We will be there through the first week of October on the islands. Should we pack long pants/sweaters for evening, or should we be okay with shorts and dresses? Packing in carry ons so trying to minimize what we are bringing.

Posted by
27112 posts

My last trip to Greece was in September (many years ago), and I found that it got quite breezy and cool near the water after the sun went down. If you're going to be taking ferries very early or very late in the day, I think you'll be happier with long pants and some sort of wrap. Whether you'll need those things mid-day in early October, I am not sure.

You can go to wunderground.com and look up the historical monthly temperature graphs for October 2016, October 2015, October 2014, etc. They will show you what the actual temperature was like hour by hour over the course of the month.

Posted by
3320 posts

No shorts. Take/wear a light cardigan & a windbreaker... for the ferries especially.

Posted by
2126 posts

Not sure where exactly you're going, but I just looked up the forecast for Naxos ... highs in the low 70s this week, up to 77 on October 4. So I would take shorts and/or maybe capris, for daytime. But for evenings you'll probably want long pants and a light sweater or fleece.

I've been on Greek islands in early October in warm sunny weather, but other years it's been windy and cool. I always travel with a rain shell just in case.

Posted by
1388 posts

We’re in Andros at the moment and have been in long trousers for a week in the evenings. We’ve just started to take a long sleeve shirt or top to put on when eating out in the evening, especially on the seafront.

Andros is the most northern of the Cyclades but even further south I think you’ll need a top. It’s fairly breezy across the islands at this time of year.

Great time of year to be here though. Have fun!

Alan

Posted by
1157 posts

A lot depends on what part of Greece you are going to. Northern mainland/islands may be a lot cooler with more rain than the southern part and/or southern islands.

We go to Greece every October, early-mid-late, and for the most part the weather has been very nice. Sunny, mild temperatures, a little rain here or there (especially thunderstorms at night) but never wash-outs.

If you look at the weather averages for Greece (depending on what part) you'll find October to be good time for travel, less tourists, lower prices and still nice weather. We even took a dip in the Aegean mid-October!

Not saying you won't get "bad" weather, rain or cool days/nights but for the most part it was weather that we can deal with, especially for us New Englanders who know what October can bring!

Just be prepared for all kinds of weather, short sleeve shirts, light jacket, rain jacket, hat but leave the parkas back home!

Posted by
6502 posts

I was grateful for my windbreaker and long pants and fleece vest as I walked along the north shore of Crete during an October storm a few years back. Not typical weather for our trip, but a predictable variation.

Posted by
11507 posts

Just got back from Naxos and Mykonos yesterday !!!!

It was hot for us in the day ( locals say we hit an unusally warm stretch ) .. up to 32 degrees first two days then its been about 25-28 last few days.. then last day it dipped to 24.

We never needed a cover for evenings except last night.. which I understand is more seasonal weather.

So , for october I would still pack shorts and a swimsuit , AND one pair of long pants and a light jacket or sweater.