Beaches & Islands · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Santorini packing list for families
Santorini is beautiful and very vertical, with cliffside hotels, stepped lanes, and beaches of hot volcanic sand. A few smart packing choices make it far easier with kids in tow.
Kristina's notes on Santorini
- Santorini is built on a cliff, so most caldera hotels mean steps, lots of them, often with no luggage cart in sight. I bring a carrier instead of a stroller for little ones and pack bags each person can manage up a stairway.
- The beaches are black and red volcanic sand and pebbles, and by midday in summer the sand gets hot enough to hurt little feet. Water shoes solve both problems, and I plan beach time for the morning.
- Oia at sunset is packed shoulder to shoulder in summer. With kids, I'd rather watch from a hotel terrace, a boat, or a quieter spot in Imerovigli, and save Oia for a morning walk when the lanes are calm.
Best timeMay–Jun, Sep–Oct
PlugsType C/F, bring an adapter
MoneyEuro
PassportYes
Your packing edit
Santorini
This time of year
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Carry-on18
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Travel neck pillow for the grown-ups
Kids' travel pillow
Light blanket or large scarf for the plane
Change of shirt for the grown-upsSpills on a kid mean spills on you.
Baby wipes, even for big kids
Kids' backpack for their own things
Coloring book, sticker book, or activity pad
A new book or two
Gum or mints
Foot rest sling for long flightsKristina's pickHooks over the tray table so your feet are up and your back thanks you after hour six. I never fly long-haul without mine.
Clothing14
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Light sweater or sweatshirt per personPlanes, restaurants, and evenings run cool.
Light rain jacket per person
Leggings or comfy travel pants for the flight
Shorts and skirts
Swim cover-ups
Belt
Sports bra or workout clothes
Socks for closed shoes, plus a spare pair
Pajamas for the first night in the carry-onIf a bag is late, bedtime still happens.
Light windbreakerSummer meltemi winds and evening boat rides can feel cool.
Shoes4
Sandals
Flip-flops or slides for the pool and shower
Dress shoes or nicer sandals
Kids' water shoesKristina's pickVolcanic sand gets very hot and many beaches are pebbly.
Beach & pool13
Swimsuits2 per person
UPF rash guardsKristina's pick
Mineral sunscreen
Wide-brim sun hats
Swim diapers
Hyperlite life jacket for boat and ocean daysKristina's pickA properly fitted life jacket for boats and open water.
Lightweight beach tote
Goggles
Sand toys that nest flat
Pool float or swim vest for little swimmers
Waterproof phone pouch
After-sun aloe
Sand-free beach towel
Little ones14
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Sippy cup or straw cup
Bibs and a few spoons
Portable changing pad
Diaper cream
Baby monitor
Fitted crib sheet from homeA familiar smell helps babies sleep in a new crib.
Outlet covers
Potty seat or folding potty
Soft-structured baby carrierVillage lanes are stairs, not stroller paths.
Soft baby carrier instead of a strollerKristina's pickStairs, cobblestones, or trails make strollers hard here.
Little things22
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Stick-on battery night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Kids' sunglasses
Wet bag for swimsuits
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Small foldable tote for souvenirs and laundry
Sewing kit and safety pins
Luggage tags
Collapsible water bottle for the grown-ups
Sunglasses for the grown-ups
Clip-on sunglasses strapKeeps sunglasses on through caldera breezes and catamaran days.
Small zip coin purseHandy for bakery stops, beach umbrellas, and the cable car.
Health & toiletries19
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Bug spray
Hanging toiletry bag
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Deodorant
Hairbrush, comb, and hair ties
Face wash and moisturizer
Makeup and makeup remover
Razor
Contact lenses, solution, and glasses
Prescription medicines in original bottlesKeep them in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
Bandages and blister pads
Kids' thermometer
Anti-itch cream
Hand lotion and SPF lip balm
Feminine products
Clear quart bag for liquids
Documents & tech17
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
Driver's licenses and kids' IDs
Health insurance cards
Travel insurance details
Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Some cash in small billsFor tips, taxis, and markets.
Photos of passports and IDs on your phone
Booking confirmations saved offline
Phone chargers and cables for everyone
Multi-port wall chargerOne outlet, every device charged by morning.
Tablet chargers and kids' headphones adapter
Wireless earbuds for the grown-ups
Airplane Bluetooth adapter for seatback screens
Camera and memory card
E-reader
Passports for everyone, valid 6+ months past your trip
Travel plug adapterKristina's pickType C/F, bring an adapter
The outfit edit
Aegean
Whitewash, Aegean blue, linen, sage
For the grown-ups
For photos
- White against the blue doors
- Sunset in Oia is busy, try mornings
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
Santorini weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F 14°C | Cool, breezy, and quieter, with some rain and many hotels closed | |
| February | 59°F 15°C | Cool, breezy, and quieter, with some rain and many hotels closed | |
| March | 62°F 17°C | Cool, breezy, and quieter, with some rain and many hotels closed | |
| April | 67°F 19°C | Mild spring days, a cool sea, and the island waking up for the season | Greek Orthodox Easter, with candlelit services and village celebrations Spring wildflowers on the hillsides before the summer heat |
| May | 74°F 23°C | Mild spring days, a cool sea, and the island waking up for the season | Greek Orthodox Easter, with candlelit services and village celebrations Spring wildflowers on the hillsides before the summer heat |
| June | 81°F 27°C | Hot, dry, and sunny, with strong meltemi winds in July and August | |
| July | 84°F 29°C | Hot, dry, and sunny, with strong meltemi winds in July and August | Peak cruise-ship and visitor crowds; go early to Oia and Fira |
| August | 84°F 29°C | Hot, dry, and sunny, with strong meltemi winds in July and August | Peak cruise-ship and visitor crowds; go early to Oia and Fira Grape harvest at the island's vineyards |
| September | 80°F 27°C | Hot, dry, and sunny, with strong meltemi winds in July and August | Grape harvest at the island's vineyards Warmest sea of the year with thinner crowds |
| October | 73°F 23°C | Warm October with a still-swimmable sea, turning cooler and wetter in November | Warmest sea of the year with thinner crowds |
| November | 67°F 19°C | Warm October with a still-swimmable sea, turning cooler and wetter in November | |
| December | 61°F 16°C | Cool, breezy, and quieter, with some rain and many hotels closed |
Questions families ask
Santorini with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit Santorini with kids?
The best time is May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mild spring days, a cool sea, and the island waking up for the season
What's the weather like in Santorini?
Typical daytime highs range from about 58°F (14°C) in January to about 84°F (29°C) in July. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for Santorini?
Yes. Bring a passport for everyone, including babies, and make sure each one is valid for at least six months past your trip. Check visa and entry rules before you go.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for Santorini?
Type C/F, bring an adapter.
What's your top tip for Santorini with kids?
Santorini is built on a cliff, so most caldera hotels mean steps, lots of them, often with no luggage cart in sight. I bring a carrier instead of a stroller for little ones and pack bags each person can manage up a stairway.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.