What would be appropriate attire for most restaurants in Athens,Crete, and Santorini? We have heard that wearing shorts(men)is not appropriate in Athens(do not mean short shorts).
Thanks.

It depends on your age. Under 12 shorts are OK.

In general, European men do not wear shorts. You will see tourists wearing shorts though and if it's hot, no one will blink an eye.
Kay

My experience is that European men do wear shorts, of all lengths, but mostly longer types, Bermudas or capri length. The majority of tourists in Greece will be Europeans, so the chances are the men wearing shorts there will also be European.
Sorry Stanleyrb, I can't answer your question never have been to Greece, but I hate the sweeping generalisation that Europeans don't do something. We are not an homogeneous group.

It very much depends on the type of restaurant and whether you're going out for lunch or dinner. In Athens, especially when it's really hot, it's common to see men ( mostly tourists) wearing shorts to casual lunch places and for sightseeing. Not so common to see anyone wearing shorts at dinner, although I have seen some capri-type pants on some younger guys in Athens.

In Crete and Santorini, it again depends on the time of day and type of restaurant. But certainly many people wear shorts there, too, and both islands are much more casual than Athens.

In touristy areas it is fine to wear shorts to dinner, espiecally on the Islands, especially in the summer, and unless you are in a really nice place in Athens I would wear shorts too.( not sloppy beach shorts mind you)

I found Greece to be the least formal of all the Europeon countries I have been to, and although I haven't been in many years I seriously doubt it has become more formal as time has gone on.

Of course, as I noted, if you go to a REALLY fancy place, put pants on.. LOL

We have been to Greece 7 times and I have never taken pants. I have nice dress shorts and have never had a taverna even glance at my attire. Mind you we do not go to high end restaurants.
If you want to wear shorts you will not be alone and the tavernas will be pleased to accept your money.

Hello Stanley...I assume because you are posting here that you dine at up-scale USA restaurants. USA locals dress appropriately. Up-scale European restaurant visits are usually to celebrate, birthday, first communion, anniversary or name day. Often there will be a funeral party present. These groups dress quite formally. I have yet to see, baseball caps and tank tops on men or minimal clothing on the ladies in a 'class' restaurant in Europe. If you are seated next to the kitchen door you may be sure you are not dressed properly.

I'm a european man and I do wear shorts... Where does this generalisation come from???

It would be quite simple:
- when I am on holiday in a place where lots of people are on holiday, where the general atmosphere (place, temperature, other people) is clearly a holiday one, I don't hesitate to wear shorts,
- If I would do the 2 and 3-star michelin restaurants in Athens, I would dress up for the occasion.

Elementary, no?

Exactly - a casual taverna next to the beach is a different thing entirely to 'dinner' at a city centre restaurant.

Take some trousers (pants) but you can certainly also wear shorts in many places.

Don't worry about what is appropriate, think about what is practical.

I wear shorts during the day, trousers/long pants in the evenings. Apart from high season, evenings can be cool, and some islands have mosquito problems. For me, trousers in the evening are simply more comforatable.

I also have an "appropriate attire" question.

While eating in nicer restaurants in Venice and Florence, does my husband need a jacket/tie.

Also, the tennis shoe question. Will he stand out as an American if wearing jeans and tennis shoes while touring during the day?

nicer restaurant question...
- you might have a jacket for the 'nicer' or 'nicer casual city center' restaurant, but no tie. you can have a casual jacket (veston in french) and wear it with a polo or a shirt without tie. you also have black or dark brown jeans which might look a bit less 'blue jeans' which can do.

the tennis shoe question...
whatever you wear, we will always recognize you... if it is not with the jeans and tennis shoes, it will be with the baseball cap or whatever other detail...

but you are on a holiday, why does it bother you?

Will he stand out as an American if wearing jeans and tennis shoes while touring during the day?

No, but who cares anyway?

Everyone wears jeans.
Its the pants that zip off as shorts that look touristy, but , I have to agree, who cares. Most men don't anyways.

And comparing upscale dining at home with eating at a beach side or village square taverna is silly.
The islands are like any island seems to be, less formal, everyone else not working is there on vacation too!

Thanks for all the information.
We are leaving tomorrow for Greece(first time anywhere in Europe)and from what we hear, we have chosen a wonderful place to visit.