Why Packing Light for Crete is the Best Travel Decision!

Find the Right Backpack for Crete

Some say that the priority when it comes to backpacks is their capacity. Yes, size is critical, but you do not want to carry a 60L backpack for your trip. That can turn out to be very heavy. Unless you are after a daily and challenging back workout, this is not the wisest way to go. 

What you want from any backpack is comfort. Although there are many options, only a select few will fit perfectly on your back. Note that one backpack can work great for you but may not suit someone else.

Test It or Not?

The ideal situation would be to try the backpack before you get it. But if you want to be realistic, you have to place a lot of random stuff inside it to see how it feels, which is not easy. And it is even harder to test the backpack for hours in a row to proxy how you would use it in real life. 

The next best option is to consult others, read reviews, and ask for opinions. Speaking from experience, one of the best backpacks you can get is the Osprey Farpoint 40L, which has now been upgraded and is sold as the Osprey Fairview 40L.

There are many reasons why this backpack is the perfect fit. In short, it is versatile, easy to carry, and immensely helpful for organizing and quickly accessing your stuff while on the go.

Keeping it Organized!

Organization is crucial for a backpack. You do not want to squeeze all your stuff in your bag and then hustle to find a single item. It must have enough compartments or dividers and easy-to-access pockets for items you use during the day.

In short, organization is an important point you want to look out for in your new backpack. Note that the larger the backpack, the easier it is to organize your stuff.

→ Check the Osprey Fairview 40 Liter (women& men version)
→ Check the Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack (2020 Version – unisex)

Although it may sound handy to have a large bag, you would regret it if you always had to carry a bulky and heavy item on your back. Especially when you could do without most of its content. 

In sum, here are the three main points you need to look for when buying a new backpack:

• comfort,
• organization,
• and capacity, in that order.

Now that you know which one to get or how you can decide, it is time to address the challenging part: mindset. 

Are you Ready to Ditch the Suitcase?

This article does not mean to change the way you think. But it will show you how to travel to Crete with a backpack. Thousands of people have done this before. So you know it is possible. If traveling light in Crete sounds appealing, keep reading to discover how.

How do you travel to Crete with a backpack and no other luggage?

Once you have selected your backpack, you will go through three main decision phases.
First, you must handpick which clothes to take to Crete.

Then, you must select what accessories and other things you will bring. Ultimately, it is time to do your magic and fit everything in your backpack: this is the art of packing.

PHASE 1: Handpick Clothes

The critical word here is handpick. If you want to travel light, you have to give up the privilege of choosing your best clothes. Instead, you handpick the best clothes and ensure you bring no more than what you need to go five days without laundry. 

There is usually a tendency to pack so many clothes that you can go without laundry for 20 or even more days. Not only is this impossible if you want to travel with a backpack, but it is also unnecessary.

So the first rule of choosing your clothes is to be super picky. The aim is for your clothes to fill no more than three-fourths of your backpack; this may sound hard, but it is not. To select only the clothes you need, a good rule of thumb is to bring only three changes of clothing in total:

• one to wear,
• one to wash,
• and one to dry.

Yes, laundry will be part of your routine while traveling with a backpack. There is no magic formula for it. Instead of sweating yourself out carrying extra luggage bags, you spend 10 minutes per day or two days doing laundry. 

Laundry? Sure!

If you worry about finding a way to wash your clothes, note that most Crete accommodations offer laundry services, either on-site or off-site. Hand washing is always a quick and welcoming alternative in case of emergency. Your efforts here will enable a carefree and comfortable trip with only a backpack. Think of the many places you can go when traveling light; doing laundry enables that.

Okay… But What to Pack?

Besides being selective, it is also wise to consider cloth functionality. You want to bring lightweight, multipurpose clothing. For example, packing pieces of clothing you can wear in several ways can save space and increase versatility.

Think of shoes you can wear day and night or at the beach and in town (I’ve found them!).

To give you an idea of what you may pack for Crete, here is a list of items for all the women who want to travel only with a backpack. This list is for the summer months between May and October. 

What to Put in Your Backpack for Crete in Summer (Women’s Version)

• 2 Basic T-shirts: Choose neutral colors you can wear on any occasion.
• 2 tank tops: Pick breathable fabrics; these garments are great for excursions. Basic garments in packs of two, like this one, can be convenient.
• 1 long-sleeve shirt: If you are traveling in May or October.
• 1 light jacket or raincoat: The weather in Crete is sometimes unpredictable, especially at the end of summer. This one is packable and reasonably priced.
• 2 pairs of shorts: consider a loose-fitting pair, comfortable for long walks.
• 1 pair of long pants: It can get chilly in the evening, especially during May or October. These can tick several boxes!
• 2 summer dresses: Consider the ones that do not need ironing. Something like this works well if you pick neutral colors.

• 2 swimming suits: Bring one in your day bag if you want to change it while on the go.
• 4-6 underwear: They don’t take much space, so you can take a few more if you want!
• 2 bras: Avoiding push-ups is a good idea, as summer in Crete can be super hot.
• 1 beach towel: Pack a microfiber one as they are thin while they can still absorb lots of water.
• A few pairs of socks if you pack hiking boots or sneakers.
• Travel sandals: Choose a comfortable pair because you will walk a lot. I try to wear sketches whenever possible as they are super light (great for a backpack) and comfortable. I love these!
• Sneakers: Comfortable yet stylish sneakers are great for long walking days.
• Sleepwear: Have something comfortable and light as the nights in summer can be pretty hot.

What to Put in Your Backpack for Crete in Summer (Men’s Version)

And this is the list for men:

• 3 everyday T-shirts: Choose darker colors; they easily match other colors and show dirt less.
• 1 long-sleeve shirt: For May and October.
• 2 pairs of shorts: These are great for long walks and tours and do not need a belt!
• 1 pair of jeans: You may often have to follow a dress code for dining, where shorts are not allowed for men. 
• 1 light jacket or raincoat: For May and October. This one is both quite light and affordable.
• 2 pairs of swimming pants: You will need them for the beach or pool.
• Underwear: Whatever you need, plus a couple of extras.

• Socks: Bring more if you plan to hike.
• 1 beach towel: choose a light microfiber one.
• Sneakers: Comfortable, plain, dark sneakers are great for long walking days. If they are not fancy colors, you can also wear them during a night out.
• Sleepwear: Choose something comfortable and light.
• Hat: A baseball cap or a jockey hat is necessary for hot summer days.
• Flipflops: You can also get them everywhere in Crete

PHASE 2: Choose Extras and Accessories 

Once you know what clothes to bring, it is time to choose your accessories and other extras. Most importantly, prepare a small ziplock bag with all the necessary toiletries.

If your hotel doesn’t offer it, you should bring toothpaste, a toothbrush, insect repellent, conditioner, sunscreen, and shower gel. Do not bring a bottle larger than 50 ml. After all, your backpack will go with you on the plane.

A good rule of thumb is to bring the lightest and smallest possible versions of your necessary items, including tech gadgets. For example, you will not need a laptop or tablet if you can access your social media and the internet on your smartphone.

If your smartphone’s camera is good enough, you do not need to bring a separate camera. 

Another handy item to pack is a canvas tote or other foldable fiber backpack. Whether you visit a grocery store, the local market, or a souvenir shop, you will need a bag to place and carry your items.

If you have your own, you will also avoid using plastic bags, which are harmful to the environment. And if you end up with more stuff than you can fit in the backpack on your way back home, you can use the extra bag. It is a win-win.

PHASE 3: Pack Your Stuff

At this point, you already know what you need to bring to Crete… in that backpack!
It is time to fit everything into your backpack; this is the art of packing.

There has long been an intense dispute in the backpacking community about the ideal way to pack clothes. It is known as the fight between the so-called “folders” and “rollers.”

While folding is a more traditional and reliable way of packing items, applying the rolling technique can save a lot of space in your backpack.

I am a roller enthusiast, but some things are better packed if folded. If you are unsure which packing method will save you the most space, why not try both? Just spend a few minutes folding everything and then put them in your backpack.

See how much space is left, and then repeat the process with rolling items instead. Finally, compare the two scenarios and choose the one that looks more practical and saves you the most space.

If you need help organizing your backpack or want to fit more on it, consider getting a few packing cubes. These are zippered compartments that can also work as compression cubes. These are the ones I use: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Packing Cubes

You can put small items like socks or underwear into a packing cube and prevent them from rolling or moving around in your bag. As a result, you can easily find what you are looking for without taking everything out of the backpack. 

Traveling to Crete with a Just a Backpack: The Verdict 

As you can see, traveling to Crete with a backpack and no other luggage is possible. Even if you have not done this before, this article offers you a few steps you can take to help you travel light in Crete.

In short, once you have found the ideal backpack, it is time to carefully handpick your clothes, choose a few accessories, and pack everything together. 

If you are accustomed to traveling with an entire array of suitcases and bags, hitting the road with a single backpack can be daunting. But if you make a few key changes to how you choose and pack your clothes, you will find that backpacking can be a fun, stress-free travel method.  

Do not forget that you are visiting Crete. The island has everything you need for a perfect holiday. If you bring yourself (and your wallet) to Greece, it will be okay if you forget to pack something. Whenever you need any extra clothing, you can quickly get that from the island. 

All in all, traveling to Crete with only a backpack is possible and gives you a unique opportunity to travel to remote places on the island. So what are you waiting for? Prepare your backpack and get ready to discover the island as you have never experienced it before. Are you planning to travel to Crete with just a backpack?

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