– no extra short shorts for men (especially the sports type), unless you are heading to the beach or vacationing in a beach resort and even then prefer them longer (knee-level, bermuda shorts type). An absolute no-no are running shorts or wearing shorts in the evening ! Also avoid wearing socks with shorts.
Shorts. It is acceptable to wear shorts, whether you are a woman or a man. However, NEVER (and I do mean NEVER) wear shorts if you want to visit a church or monastery. Also, if you plan to do a walking tour of Athens, ditch the shorts and opt for a dress – if you are a woman – or a pair of long pants – if you are a man ...
How Men Dress in Greece. Men dress comfortably but not too casually. In warm weather, you can be comfortable in loafers or nice sandals. For warm-weather activities shorts are fine.
Greece does not have any unspoken rules about attire such as "cover your shoulders”, or "wear long skirts, dresses, trousers” like India for example, but as with everything an element of common sense in deciding what you are going to pack is imperative.
Obviously, the weather will play a factor in what you're packing — but if you're going to Santorini from late spring to early fall, you should be fine with mainly “beachy” attire. Think sundresses, several bikinis, shorts, and cute tops, along with hats and sandals.
Avoid anything too smart – Greece really is very casual. Wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), a sunhat and sunglasses. If you take a boat trip you may find there's a cool breeze out on the water. The sun will be extra strong too and you may not have much cover.
With the hot temperatures, Men shouldn't worry about being informal. Greek men have no problem wearing shorts because pants would be almost unbearable during the day come July. We like to pack two or three pairs for versatility, such as gym shorts and travel shorts.
Keep it casual
You will rarely see tourists or locals in Greece in smart or formal clothing. When packing for the trip, only bring casual clothing. One of the sample outfits you can wear is cropped pants or a skirt with a white shirt.
There is not a strong tradition of tipping in Greece, particularly among the locals, but it's become expected that tourists leave a small tip while travelling through the country. In restaurants it's common to leave a cash tip for whoever is looking after you – 10–15 per cent is standard.
Nodding your head "yes" is not polite; say "yes" instead. "Yes" is signified by a slight downward nod of the head; “no" is a slight upward nod of the head. The “O.K.” sign is a rude gesture; "thumbs up" means O.K.
Can you wear shorts in Europe? Yes, you can. However, most Europeans only wear them when on vacation and in more outdoorsy settings, on the beach, or while sightseeing in more rural areas. Most Europeans would not wear them when going out for dinner, inner-city sightseeing, or during city tours, wine tastings etc.
Most locals prefer knee-length skirts and long pants. Fortunately, we had company from the other tourists wearing shorts. Greece is one of the conservative European countries regarding what they wear. While going to our BnB by public bus in Athens, I saw no locals in shorts or short skirts on the bus!
You should select clothes in white, all shades of blue, beige, green, and light grey colors. Avoid at all costs dark colors, particularly black. Remember that is going to be hot in Greece and white color reflects light, which results in less absorption of the heat, while dark colors absorb more light and heat.
You can wear shorts in Italy and look perfectly normal.
I am so glad I decided to pack some shorts! What is this? On the first day, I wore some light khakis. We went to the Vatican and found that there were plenty of men wearing shorts.
Travelers can wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing to the beach, whether it be a bikini or a Speedo, so long as they are mindful of how to dress when off the beach.
Our travel expert shares their tips on etiquette, hygiene and water sanitation in Greece. In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo.
The various rules of the Greek Orthodox Church have shaped people's eating habits. Even non-religious Greeks abstain from foods deriving from animals –meat, dairy products and eggs— during the numerous Lenten days that precede Easter, Christmas and other religious occasions.
Anyone can bring any medicine he or she needs when travelling to Greece. I asked a local pharmacist and the chief of police at the Athens airport. Both of these men laughed at me. They both indicated to me that people are not normally questioned about pills or other medicines which are obviously for personal use.
Shoes & Sandals
Travel Sandals: If you'll be in Greece during the summer, sandals are a great idea, especially if you'll be spending time walking around the cities. Consider a sports sandal like these leather athletic sandals or a pair of Birkenstocks.
Towel ✔ Many hotels in Greece do not supply beach towels. You will find them for sale everywhere but the quality is often poor. Pack a small quick-dry towel for use at the beach as well as at waterfalls, on boat trips and for exercise too.
Unless you're visiting an island resort, you should avoid wearing tank tops, baggy shirts, shorts, and other overly relaxed clothing. Wearing athletic garments from head to toe is also a big no-no. If you want to fit in, it's advisable to elevate your casual outfits so that you'll look nicer and smarter.
A quick-dry beach towel that takes up small space in your luggage and is large enough to cover you up is a must-have item when you travel to Greece.
Bathing suits are for the beach only. Never leave the beach without covering up. Also, it is considered quite rude to go barefoot on the beach. And while there are some nude beaches in Greece they are few and far between.
Today, Greeks find black versatile. As all dark colors, it complements mediterranean complexions well. It also doesn't get dirty easily, a plus in a city where smog soon turns whites grimy.