What to pack for
a Greek islands trip with kids.
Sturdy shoes for ruins, real sun protection, and a few extras for ferry days. This covers only what to add on top of our base family packing list.
Skip the flip-flops for sightseeing days.
Ancient sites like the Acropolis and most island old towns sit on uneven, worn stone that is genuinely rough on a young kid's ankles in thin sandals. Sturdy, closed-toe sandals or lightweight sneakers handle both the ruins and the cobbled streets far better, with real swim sandals packed separately for the beach.
A small kit for the crossing.
Motion sickness aids if anyone in the family is prone to it, snacks and water since onboard options are limited and pricey, and a full change of clothes in the carry-on for a rough crossing or an inevitable spill. Sun protection matters here too: open ferry decks give kids a lot of unshaded time.
What families ask us.
What shoes are best for Greece with kids?
Sturdy, closed-toe sandals or lightweight sneakers rather than flip-flops. Ancient sites like the Acropolis and most island old towns have uneven, worn stone underfoot, which is rough on a young kid's ankles in thin sandals.
Do you need anything special for ferry days in Greece?
Motion sickness aids if anyone in the family is prone to it, snacks and water since onboard options are limited, and a change of clothes in a carry-on in case of a rough crossing or a spill.
Is sun protection different in Greece than at a typical beach?
Not different, just more constant. Between ruins with no shade and long beach afternoons, reef-safe sunscreen, sun hats, and a rash guard for younger kids get heavier use in Greece than on a typical one-beach vacation.
What is the base packing list this builds on?
Our full family packing list, split by ages 0 to 2 and 3-plus, covers everything universal: bags, sleep, feeding, tech. This page only covers what changes specifically for Greece.