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Have a trip booked to Greece this October? Whether you’re going to Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, or somewhere else, this is a girl’s guide on what to wear in Greece in October. Below, you’ll find my top tips on what to wear for each region, what you should pack (including what I packed for my October Greece trip!) and what you can expect the weather to be like.

What to Wear in Greece in October | A handy travel guide from The Wanderful Me

Psst, this post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

To me, there’s nothing better than visiting Greece in October! And this is coming from someone who has visited different parts of Greece throughout different times of the year, including March, May, July, and August!

I’ve found that while Greece in October isn’t crazy hot, it’s often still warm enough to sun bathe, swim, and comfortably walk around cities, towns, and historical sites. It’s honestly the perfect temperatures for people who love to soak up the sun but hate being constantly sweaty and overheated!

That said, because this is a transitional month with regards to seasons, figuring out what to wear in Greece in October and what to pack takes a bit more thought and consideration.

At this time of the year, you can expect a mix of sunny days and occasional rain and warm days that transition into chillier evenings. One day you may be soaking up the sun in Santorini and the next, you may have goosebumps from the chill and wind in Athens.

With these varying temperatures, as well as regional differences, packing right is key.

Determining your packing list is the first step to a comfortable trip. However, don’t forget to also check out my travel guide on 25 things you need to know BEFORE you go to Greece!

What to Wear in Greece in October

In my guide below on what to wear in Greece in October, I’m diving into everything I would pack for daytime and evening outfits, beachwear and swimwear (because yes, it’s still warm enough to swim!), rain protection, and more.

You’ll also find regional dressing tips, cultural considerations, year-round essentials, and Greece in October must-haves. Let’s dive in!

Weather Overview: What to Expect in October

Greece in October is a mix of warm days, cooler evenings, and the occasional rain shower—especially as you move into late October.

  • Athens + Mainland: Expect pleasant temperatures ranging from 15–25°C (59–77°F). You’ll still get plenty of sunshine, but evenings can feel crisp.
  • Greek Islands: Slightly warmer with temps hovering around 18–26°C (64–79°F). The sea is still swimmable, especially in the first half of the month.
  • Northern Greece + Mountainous Areas: A bit cooler, ranging from 10–20°C (50–68°F). If you’re visiting Meteora or Thessaloniki, you’ll want a jacket.
  • Rain + Wind: October is the start of Greece’s wet season, but don’t worry—it’s more of an occasional drizzle than an all-day downpour. The islands, especially, can be breezy, so a light windproof layer is a good idea.

Psst, if you’re like many visiting Greece, your trip probably starts in Athens! Check out my city guides on 13 great things to do in Athens and the best Greek ruins you need to add to your itinerary!

Essential Clothing for Greece in October

Below, you’ll find helpful sections on daytime outfits, evening and nighttime attire, what to wear at the beach, and how to be adequately prepared for rain and wind. (It’s common for many Greek islands, especially those in the Cyclades region, to be very windy!)

Daytime Outfits: Stylish and Comfortable

October is the perfect time to break out breathable fabrics with light layers. Think cotton tops, flowy blouses, and linen shirts paired with jeans or midi skirts.

I loved wearing my loose linen pants with a light crop top and flowy linen button-up shirt. My white linen button-up was particularly a stable clothing item when determining what to wear in Greece in October.

I frequently wore it on chillier evenings, often paired with the previously-mentioned linen pants, ribbed knee-length dress, or full-length strappy jumpsuit.

Some other essential packing tips for Greece in October:

  • A lightweight jacket or cardigan is a must for mornings and evenings. Or, if you’re someone like me and you get chilly quite easily, a light sweater would be ideal as well. (This is especially true if you’re visiting Greece in late October, as temperatures drop quite significantly moving through the month.)
  • Relaxed jeans, trousers, or midi skirts will be your best friend during the evenings. Though you may feel comfortable wearing shorts in the day time, believe me: these won’t be ideal once the sun goes down!
  • Stick with comfortable walking shoes—Greece’s streets are no joke (hello, cobblestones and hills). Sneakers or sturdy flats will save your feet. I particularly loved wearing my white classic Vans. They were comfortable and paired well with most outfits.
  • Skip the heavy winter gear! It’s not cold enough for bulky coats, but a light layer is essential.

Evening Attire: Casual-Chic for Greek Nights

Evenings are pretty chill in Greece, with most Greeks going to dinner around 8-9 PM wearing a casual but put-together outfit.

When going out to dinner in Greece, I primarily wear a casual dress, nice jumpsuit, or loose linen pants and a nice crop top â€” all paired with a white button-up linen shirt. This looks great but is still very comfortable and relaxed.

Here are some other clothing recommendations for October evenings in Greece:

  • A long-sleeve top, chic blouse, or wrap dress works perfectly.
  • Ankle boots, dressy flats, or stylish sneakers are great for cooler nights. (I wore either my white Classic Vans or Birkenstocks… though birks are often a key sign of being a foreigner. Lol.)
  • A light sweater, denim jacket, or blazer adds warmth without bulk.

Visiting Greece on a budget? Take a peek at my guide on 3 cheap Greek islands to visit that won’t break the bank!

Beachwear and Swimwear: Still Worth Packing for Greece in October!

Depending on what water temperatures you can tolerate, you might still be able to swim in Greece, especially if you’re visiting the southern islands!

When I last visited Greece in October, I spent nearly every day in the water. It definitely wasn’t super warm but warm enough for me to swim.

I am from Minnesota though, which drops down into the -40s in the winter, so I’m used to the cold!

That said, I’d still recommend packing at least one swimsuit for your trip to Greece. Additionally, I’d also recommend packing:

  • A light cover-up or sarong is great for beachside tavernas.
  • Flip-flops or easy slip-on sandals for sandy strolls. As mentioned above, I brought my Birkenstocks.

Rain and Wind Protection: Be Prepared

Though October in Greece doesn’t bring torrential downpours, it’s smart to bring a light rain jacket or packable umbrella, as you may experience some rain.

Also, if you’re island-hopping, expect some wind — especially if you’re planning to visit the Cyclades region (e.g., Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, etc.) This chain of islands are known for being incredibly windy.

In short, make sure you pack:

  • A light waterproof jacket or windbreaker (a lifesaver on breezy ferry rides).
  • Closed-toe shoes (like sneakers or ankle boots) to keep your feet dry on rainy days. Again, I loved wearing my Classic Vans to protect my feet.

Regional Dressing Tips for October in Greece

Did you know that over 80% of Greece is mountainous? I didn’t when I first visited! That just goes to show how diverse Greece’s landscape is, as most people are only familiar with its vibrant islands (many of which are also mountainous!).

Considering the many different regions of Greece, it’s important to pack your bag according to where you’re visiting and what the weather, as well as regional customs, may be like. Here are my recommendations.

  • Athens + Mainland Greece: Athens has that European city feel where people dress stylishly but comfortably. Think smart-casual—jeans, comfy sneakers, and a trendy jacket will fit right in. When visiting the Acropolis, avoid skirts or short dresses—you’re climbing ruins and it’s breezy up there!
  • Greek Islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, etc.): Expect warm days and cooler evenings—a light sweater or scarf is a must. And ditch the heels! Opt for flat sandals or sneakers (cobblestone streets are a no-go for stilettos). Pack a swimsuit if you’re visiting in early October—you might still get a beach day.
  • Northern Greece (Thessaloniki, Meteora, Epirus): Expect cooler and cozier weather that is perfect for a trendy coat, jeans, a sweater, and stylish boots. Meteora’s monasteries require modest clothing (covered shoulders/knees). A scarf or lightweight shawl is handy for quick cover-ups. And make sure to layer up! The evenings in northern Greece are cold this time of year.
  • Mountainous Areas + Peloponnese: Layers are key! If you’re heading to Zagori or Delphi, expect cooler temps—bring a light puffer jacket. Hiking? Sturdy shoes are a must.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you plan to go into any cathedrals or churches while in Greece (there are many in Athens), then you should bring long pants (or a long dress/jumpsuit) and a packable shawl or cardigan. You will be expected to cover up in these religious spaces, especially if you’re a woman.

My Personal Packing List for Greece in October

I backpacked around Greece for two weeks in October 2023 — it was amazing. My friend and I visited Corfu, Athens, Paros, Naxos, Syros, and Mykonos. This is exactly what I packed and wore on my October trip to Greece when taking into account the different regions and destinations.

Small note: there are affiliate links to some of my favorite brands in this packing list for Greece in October. These brands include Boody, tentree, Toad&Co, Organic Basics, and MATE The Label.

No joke—these are often the only clothing brands I’ll support because of their exceptional sustainability standards. I truly own pieces from these brands and love what they do.

Tops

Bottoms

  • 2 jumpsuits (1 striped secondhand full-length jumpsuit + 1 pair of Toad&Co’s shorteralls)
  • 1 ribbed knee-length dress (like this one from tentree)
  • 1 pair of linen/cotton shorts (these organic cotton shorts from prAna would look so good in Greece)
  • 1 pair of jean shorts (I got my secondhand!)
  • 1 tennis skirt/skort (like this one from tentree)
  • 2 pairs of loose, breathable pants (one tan, one green-gray — I love these TENCEL modal pants and 100% organic cotton pants from prAna!)
  • 1 pair of jeans (they were nice for chilly evenings but definitely not necessary if you have other pants)

Swimwear + Beachwear

  • 1 one-piece swimsuit
  • 1 bikini swimsuit

Miscellaneous

  • 2 pajama sets (pair of shorts + shirt — I love this pajama set from Boody)
  • 1 Turkish towel (which doubled as a sort of wrap â€” plus, they’re super fast-drying! I got mine from Etsy)
  • 2 pairs of sunglasses (I truly love my sustainable sunglasses from Pela)
  • 1 tote bag (really handy to stick everything in)
  • 1 packable rain + wind jacket (I have the Columbia Arcadia jacket — it’s great)

Shoes

  • 1 pair of classic white Vans (I found these to be super comfortable to walk around in — click here to shop)
  • 1 pair of Birkenstocks (perfect for the beach and can be easily slipped on and off — I have a pair of the vegan Birkenstocks, though not sure if these exist anymore)

Upon looking at what I packed for Greece in October, it may seem as though I brought a lot! However, this all fit in my Osprey Fairview 40L backpack! Along with my laptop and a few bits and bobs.

That said, I do use compression packing cubes to shrink my stuff down into small packs. These are SUPER handy!

With this handy dandy packing list, I hope you’ve found some answers to the commonly-asked question, “what do I wear in Greece in October?!”

Remember to just keep it simple with neutral colors, pieces that can be worn again and again with different things, and items that can be layered to ensure you stay warm during the colder evenings and nights!

If you have any questions about packing for Greece in October, ask away in the comment section below! I’m here to help you prepare so you can have the best Greece trip ever.

Sophie xx

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