What to Pack for Santorini

There is nowhere on earth quite so photogenic as Santorini, and — let's be honest — nowhere that asks quite so much of your suitcase. The island is a study in contrasts: whitewashed villages tumbling down the caldera, infinity pools that bleed into the Aegean, volcanic beaches in shades of charcoal and rust, and sunset dinners that demand you look effortless while perched on the edge of a cliff. Pack badly and you'll spend the trip wishing you'd planned. Pack well and you'll glide through it all, glass of Assyrtiko in hand. Here is precisely what to bring.

The Infinity-Pool Swimwear

Santorini is the spiritual home of the infinity pool, and every photograph will feature you in one. This is no place for the swimsuit you keep meaning to replace. Invest in pieces that read as considered: a sculptural one-piece from Melissa Odabash in ivory or black will photograph beautifully against the caldera's blues, while the crinkle-knit textures of Hunza G flatter every figure and pack down to nothing. For something a little more architectural, Monday Swimwear does a clean, high-leg silhouette that looks expensive and feels even better. Shop Hunza G

The White-and-Blue Palette

Lean into the island's own colour story and you cannot go wrong. White linen, crisp cotton, the occasional flash of cobalt or cornflower — this is the uniform of someone who belongs here. The beauty of a tonal capsule is that everything mixes: a white shirt-dress by day becomes a layering piece by night, and a blue swimsuit slips under a linen kaftan without a second thought. Avoid loud prints that fight the architecture; the backdrop is doing the work, so let it. A few well-chosen Shop Zimmermann pieces in broderie anglaise will tie the whole palette together. For more on building this kind of edit, see our guide to luxury resort wear.

Cover-Ups & Kaftans

The cover-up is the most overworked item in any Greek-island wardrobe, so choose ones that earn their place. A long, fluid kaftan is non-negotiable: it carries you from pool to taverna lunch without a costume change, and it shields your shoulders from a sun that is fiercer than it looks. Zimmermann excels at the romantic, floor-skimming kind, while L*Space offers breezier, beach-ready styles that fold flat in a carry-on. A roomy gauze shirt — worn open over your swimsuit — is the lazy editor's secret weapon. Shop L*Space

Sunset-Dinner Looks

Dinner in Oia as the sun melts into the sea is the trip's grand finale, and it deserves a proper outfit. Think slip dresses in silk or satin, a column of white linen, or something with a little movement to catch the golden hour. Keep jewellery delicate — gold against a tan does all the talking — and bring one wrap for when the breeze picks up after dark. A pair of dressier sandals will lift even the simplest dress. You want to look as though you wandered out effortlessly, not as though you spent an hour deciding. For broader inspiration across the islands, our Greece packing guide is worth a read before you zip the case.

Shoes for the Steps & Accessories

A word of warning: Santorini is built almost entirely of stairs, and they are uneven, polished smooth, and occasionally treacherous. Leave the precarious heels at home. Flat leather sandals, a comfortable espadrille, and a single dressier pair for dinner will see you through. As for accessories, an oversized straw hat earns its packing space ten times over, a structured raffia tote carries everything from sun cream to your kaftan, and a good pair of sunglasses is essential against that white-on-blue glare. A silk scarf doubles as a hair tie, a wrap, and a tote-strap softener — the most quietly useful thing you'll bring.

The Packing List

To distil it all: three or four swimsuits in your tonal palette, two kaftans or cover-ups, a white shirt-dress, two or three sunset dresses, linen trousers and a couple of breezy tops for exploring, flat sandals plus one dressier pair, a straw hat, a raffia tote, sunglasses, and that hardworking silk scarf. Add high-factor sun cream, a refillable water bottle, and a light wrap for the evenings. Keep it edited, keep it tonal, and keep it light — remember those steps. For another Mediterranean variation on the theme, our Amalfi packing guide makes the perfect companion piece. Pack like this and Santorini will feel as effortless as it looks.