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6 things the English girls get SO wrong on the beach in Greece!

On the Greek island of Zakynthos I’ve been enjoying plenty of beach time while on holiday, hanging out with my daughter, niece and friends. From behind my (designer) sunglasses I’ve been observing Greek beach etiquette and realising how different it is from a British day out at the seaside. The stylish Greek girls laugh at the English holiday-makers who get it wrong in every way on the beach. So if you want to blend in with the cool crowd on the beach, here’s where you need to know about Greek beach style.

Beach style in Zakynthos Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Beach style in Zakynthos Greece

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1. Don’t think that the beach is free

If you’re used to a week in Cornwall you may imagine that on your Greek holiday you’ll be laying your towel out on the sand and unpacking the picnic you brought with you. The beach is free, right? Wrong!

In Greece you need to rent a pair of sun beds which will cost you €4-10 for the day. No self respecting Greek would lay their towel on the sand unless they were in a completely deserted spot with no beach bar.

Nobelos in Zakynthos in Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Nobelos in Zakynthos in Greece

For a start, the sand is way too hot and there’s no shade. Besides you need that handy table to put your drink so you can relax and chat your friends without getting sand in your hair.

Some beach bars don’t charge for sun beds but you’ll still be expected to order a couple of drinks at the bar. For sun-beds and drinks you probably need to budget €10-15 for a day at the beach.

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Porto Roma Beach Zakynthos Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Porto Roma Beach Zakynthos Greece

2. Don’t try to get bronze in a week

The Greeks look on with astonishment at the English girls who lie in the sun for hours, desperate to go home after a week’s holiday with a deep and lasting tan. You’ll never see a pink and peeling Greek girl.

The Greeks respect the sun and will either stay in the shade or sunbathe for short periods with plenty of sun-cream. In the hottest part of the day it’s time for a siesta. Why worry about your tan when the summer stretches ahead of you? After all there’s plenty of beach time to develop that gorgeous brown body.

Review my favourite sunscreen products and more on my beach trip packing list

Dafni beach on Zakynthos Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Dafni beach on Zakynthos

3. Understand the importance of a stylish bikini

In the magazines you may admire those elegant one piece or tankini swimming costumes and think that they are just the thing to cover up any embarrassing bulges. But in Greece everyone from the largest to the slimmest, from your daughter to your granny wears a bikini.

So leave your one-piece to wear in the pool back home. In the blistering Greek summer a one-piece would just be too hot and inconvenient. 

Beach style in Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Beach style in Greece

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Bikini etiquette in Greece

And while we’re on the topic of Greek beach etiquette, the Greeks always wear their bikini to the beach, never change when they get there. Slip on your micro-shorts and a transparent, floaty top to show off your figure and you’ll be considered stylish but not slutty.

On the sun bed or in the beach bar you can pose in your tiny bikini, go for a swim, dry off and then cover up again to go home. After a siesta, shower and change you can dress up for an evening meeting your friends in the bars and clubs.

Beach style in Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Beach style in Greece

If you’re wondering whether you can go topless in Greece, topless sunbathing is legal but uncommon among the locals. So if you see someone going topless in Greece they are probably a tourist. If you want to do it, find a quiet spot at the end of the beach and you probably won’t be bothered. 

Check out the 10 best beaches and places to swim in Zakynthos – Greece

Nobelos in Zakynthos in Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Nobelos in Zakynthos in Greece

4. The coffee comes chilled not hot

Why would you order a hot drink when the temperature is in the 30’s? The Greeks love their coffee too but it has to be chilled.

To be like a Greek you need to order a “Freddo” coffee, which is the typical Italian style of coffee such as espresso or cappuccino, but on ice. When the guy comes round to take your order as you lie on the sunbed, make it a Freddo cappuccino, Freddo Espresso or a Freddoccino (iced mocha coffee with chocolate).

If you need something stronger then order an iced beer. But he Greeks would never drink more than one or two since they’ll be going home for a home cooked meal later on and it’s considered bad form to appear drunk in front of family and friends.

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Frappe coffee in Zakynthos Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Frappe coffee in Zakynthos Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com

5. Why spend the day at the pool when you can go to the beach?

The Greeks can’t understand why the Brits come on holiday for a week and then lie by the pool rather than going to the beach. After all you can find a pool in any city or hotel. Surely when on holiday you want to make the most of the beautiful beaches and swim in the sea as much as possible?

The Greeks believe the pool water is full of chemicals and other people’s sweat, while the sea is natural and healthy. There’s a Greek saying that if you swim in the sea all summer, you’ll be healthy all winter.

The Greeks on holiday will also want to see as many different beaches as possible. So they hire a car to go and explore the best ones rather than keep returning to the same place. On Zakynthos you could probably find a different beach or rocky cove for every day of the month and still have not seen them all.

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Windmill Bay Hotel Argassi Zakynthos Greece Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Windmill Bay Hotel Argassi Zakynthos Greece

6. Be sure to wear the latest designer sunglasses

The sun in Greece is strong. So the Greek girls understand the importance of a good pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes. This is an investment purchase, not a bit of 5 euro fun to throw away at the end of the holiday.

A Greek girl will buy a new pair of designer sunglasses each summer, depending on the latest fashion, so she has a few pairs in her wardrobe. Last year it was all bright frames, this year it’s oversized rounded frames and iridescent lenses.

My Greek fashion spies tell me that in Athens everyone is wearing wooden framed sunglasses, so next summer you’ll probably see them on every Greek beach.

You can find a selection of sunglasses on my beach trip packing list

Sunglasses - Beach Packing list Photo Heatheronhertravels.com
Designer Sunglasses in Greece

Now you have all the Greek secrets for a stylish day on the beach where you can blend in with the locals and not stand out like a beetroot. Thanks to all my beach babes and Greek style advisors who advised me on this article!

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Greek Beach style - what to wear on the beach in Greece

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No important

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

I love to hear what we should or should not do but as a blood Greek American Im more proud to be a traditional conservative snd not flaunt my body in a bikini. I grew up with Parents with morality and as I got older I realized the importance which others role their eyes in disbelief but I can care less what the world thinks. If I don't like something I just don't do it I am not a follower I'm a leader and as i have my own standards!!!

Heather Cowper

Wednesday 26th of October 2022

@Ella I respect your personal choice to wear whatever swimwear suits you best!

Nha Trang Booking

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

Got back yesterday from Crete and a villa on the beach and tes the young Greek women are so cool! Great Greek beach tips Heather

Bert

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

First of all going topless is almost normal and can be found on almost any beach. I suggest surveying your surroundings before taking off your top and if there is not a convention of priests, an elementary school trip, or any group around who might be offended, and there are others who are topless (female I mean) then go ahead. The worst that will happen is someone.

Stop presenting opinions as facts you preud.

They also dont all buy a new pair of sunglasses every year.

Buzz off

Heather Cowper

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

@Bert My blog is my personal viewpoint but no problem if you see it differently

Josephine E Hemingway

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Hi Heather, While I totally understand the enthusiasm of exploring all the “secret & sacred” spots of travel, I do have to mourn the loss of the above “mystery” as soon as it gets on to social media. So I’m selfish in this respect and would ask that you maintain some secret spots as - exactly that - SECRET & SACRED - not for the tastes of the average tourist. Snobbery yes - save the planet at the same time! I love your respect for social norms, and, clearly all those who decry your sensitivity with regard to topless bathing are those who stick to the more commercial islands such as Mykonos. It’s clearly a matter of choice but bear in mind greek islands have always been the summer homes of local people and they are naturally more conservative than our European riviera friends. So possibly discretion would be the better part of valour here - keep your beachwear in tune with the island you choose to visit and ALWAYS respect the local traditions. BIKINIS - here I agree totally - the Greek women - and men - are blissfully blind to the requirements of an hour glass figure. Thank goodness there are some places where flesh is ample and accepted, wrinkles and rolls abound with reckless abandon and if only I could get over my body shame I would roll, voluptuously, right onto that beach - warts n all! I have new intentions this summer of frolicking carefree in the velvet waters with the natural abandon that most Greeks find much more important to the soul and spirit than any sense of guilt or shame I might want to indulge in. That said with bikini and kikoi clasped firmly around my ample proportions! Gotta run - just about to catch my ferry! Be kind and respectful is what I would say - above and beyond all else. Xx nomadic me - all who wander are not lost!

Heather Cowper

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

@Josephine Thanks for your thoughts, I'm also a bikini lover although as you say a beach wrap is handy for disguising the bulges.

Dulichkhanhhoa.net

Friday 3rd of September 2021

I remember hopping about on burning feet very often in the summer. Must admit at my age I wouldn’t be seen dead in a bikini and don’t find a swimming costume that hot to wear