✅ Essentials Checklist
- Passport (UK citizens can use passport or national ID for EU travel — check current rules post-Brexit)
- GHIC card for state medical cover in Greece
- Travel insurance
- Sunscreen SPF50+ — Greek summer sun is intense
- Swimwear × 2–3
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes for archaeological sites (uneven ancient stone — not the place for sandals)
- Light breathable clothing
- Modest cover-up for churches and monasteries (shoulders and knees covered)
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash in Euros — smaller islands and local tavernas often cash only
👕 Clothing Checklist
- Swimwear × 2–3
- Light summer dresses, shirts or shorts
- Cover-up or sarong for walking between beach and town
- One smarter outfit for evening taverna dining
- Comfortable sandals
- Walking shoes for ruins and cobbled streets
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
⭐ Nice to Have
- Waterproof sandals (island boat trips, slippery harbour stairs)
- Underwater camera for snorkelling
- Anti-blister plasters (ancient sites involve a lot of walking on hard stone)
- Foldable tote for market shopping
- Small rucksack for island hiking
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Greek island should I visit?
Santorini for the iconic blue-dome views and caldera sunsets — but it's crowded and expensive. Mykonos for nightlife and beaches. Crete for a full mix of beaches, mountains, food and archaeology (it's big enough for a week alone). Corfu for lush greenery and British-friendly infrastructure. Rhodes for medieval history plus beaches. Naxos and Paros for less-touristy Cycladic charm.
Is Greece expensive?
Increasingly so — particularly Mykonos and Santorini which now rival Paris for restaurant prices. Crete, Rhodes and the Ionian Islands are significantly more affordable. Island-hopping inflates costs. Greece's taverna culture means eating well for a reasonable price is still possible if you eat where locals eat rather than in tourist-facing restaurants.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Greece?
No — UK citizens can visit Greece (and the broader Schengen area) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. From 2025, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will require UK and other non-EU visitors to pre-register online before entering the Schengen area — it's an online process similar to ESTA, not a visa.