Greece Is as Dreamy as Instagram Makes It Look—But Pack for the Real Trip

The water really is that blue. The food is simple and incredible. The coffee tastes better, the beach days feel slower, the air feels cleaner, and the hospitality has a way of making you want to stay longer than planned. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to romanticize your life a little—and honestly, you should.

But if you do come, I want to save you from one packing mistake: don’t pack only for the Instagram version of Greece. Pack for the actual trip.

Because yes, the embroidered dresses, kitten heels, and perfectly styled “European summer” outfits look beautiful online. But the real Greece—especially if you’re island hopping or sightseeing—can also mean heat waves, cobblestone streets, stairs, ferries, windy beach days, and a lot more walking than you expect.

I didn’t pack heels for this trip for one very practical reason: I knew I’d regret it the second I hit a Greek village street. Instead, I packed Reef sandals and Croc sandals—definitely not the sexiest thing I’ve ever worn, but much more realistic when you’re walking all day, carrying beach bags, climbing stairs, and trying to actually enjoy yourself.

If you’re coming to Greece, here’s my honest packing advice:

And one thing I am glad I packed? Belts. They’ve been such a good finishing touch here—easy for taking a simple dress or linen outfit from beach to dinner without needing a whole new look.

I also brought a few linen pieces, and they’ve basically lived on top of my beach bag because I’ve reached for them almost daily. That’s really the sweet spot for Greece: pieces that feel light and practical, but still make you feel put together.
That doesn’t mean you can’t dress beautifully here. You absolutely can. It just means the best Greece wardrobe is one that lets you enjoy the beaches, coffee runs, villages, long lunches, and late dinners without thinking about your shoes the whole time.
So if you’ve been dreaming about Greece, go. Truly. It’s every bit as magical as people say.

And if you want to see what I’m actually wearing and doing here—in real time, not just the fantasy version—come follow along on Instagram at @adadeferrari. I’ll be sharing the outfits, the packing wins and regrets, and all the beautiful little moments that make Greece worth the trip.