So you’re going to Santorini? Man, good luck packing. I was sweating bullets before my trip last summer. White walls, blue domes, all those damn stairs. You gotta look the part but also not die from heat stroke or trip over your own sandals, you know?
Started With a Complete Mess
First thing I did? Stare at my suitcase like it was gonna pack itself. Then panic. Went straight down the YouTube rabbit hole. “Santorini Outfits”, “Greece Packing Tips”. Watched a million videos. Got bombarded with ads for flowy dresses I couldn’t afford. Finally figured out it wasn’t just about looking insta-perfect, but actually surviving the place.
Actually Figured Out the Must-Haves
Okay, so after wasting a whole Saturday watching influencers pose, I actually made a list of stuff people kept saying they used every single day. Not the frilly nonsense, but the real gear. Then I went shopping, kinda like a mission:
- Maxi Dress Territory: Hit like four stores trying to find something long, airy, and cheap enough I wouldn’t cry if I spilled tzatziki on it. Found this lightweight white one on sale. Score. Bought two.
- The Sandal Situation: Killer hills over there, folks. Killer. My regular flip-flops? Forget it. Needed something with actual grip and straps. Found these simple tan Greek-style leather sandals. Ugly? Maybe. But my ankles thanked me later.
- Hat Hunt: That sun is no joke. Tried on like ten straw hats. Looked ridiculous in most. Settled on a medium-brimmed one that wouldn’t blow away instantly. Got crushed in my suitcase anyway.
- Cover-Up Chaos: All those churches need covered shoulders! Packed my trusty oversized white linen shirt. Got wrinkled instantly. Didn’t care.
- Bag Drama: You need hands free for climbing all those damn stairs and holding your frappe. Needed a crossbody. Small. Found a little woven one at a random market.
- Sunglasses Solution: Packed three cheap pairs. Lost one on the beach. Broke another. Survived.
- Swimsuit Struggles: Had a decent black one-piece already. Threw in a slightly more colourful bikini top. Because vacation.
Putting It All To The Test
Got to Santorini. First day, Oia exploration. Wore the maxi dress, the grippy sandals, the hat, the crossbody bag. Got sweaty? Yeah. Looked kinda basic tourist crap? Probably. But felt comfortable enough to walk for hours. Pulled the linen shirt over my shoulders whenever needed – life saver. Hat stayed mostly on head. Sandals didn’t murder my feet. Bag held keys and water.
Beach day? Swimsuit under the maxi dress was easy. Cover-up shirt doubled as a little sun shield on the lounger. Crossbody bag kept wallet safe. Cheap sunglasses somehow survived the salt water splashes.
Evenings were just swapping the sweaty maxi for the other maxi, putting the linen shirt on properly over it. Boom. Done. Still looked presentable enough for dinner without trying too hard.
What Actually Worked
Truth bomb: I didn’t need half the fancy stuff I thought I did. These seven things basically did 90% of the heavy lifting:
- Comfy Maxi Dress (x2): Hero of the trip. Lived in them.
- Grippy Greek Sandals: Saved my feet from annihilation.
- Practical Straw Hat: Essential shield. Worth looking a bit silly.
- Big Linen Shirt: Cover-up, light jacket, modesty cloak – MVP for versatility.
- Tiny Crossbody Bag: Hands-free freedom = priceless on those stairs.
- Cheap Sunglasses (x2): Because you will lose or break a pair.
- Reliable Swimsuit: Under the dress = instant beach ready.
Everything else? Mostly extra weight. Focused on mixing these pieces. Kept it super simple. No stress. More time for sunset views and trying not to fall down staircases. Pack these, ditch the rest. Seriously.
