fbpx

Subscribe to our Gay Travel Newsletter here

Greece Gay Travel

Gay travellers will fall in love with this thick slice of hedonistic heaven.

From ancient Olympia to modern Mykonos, Greece has always been a country where the food is as rich as history, and the locals are as hot as the weather. Thankfully, travellers can cool off in the balmy Aegean Sea, which laps the country’s beloved beaches. While you’ll find gay bars throughout the country, Mykonos deserves a special shout-out. The island’s extraordinary nightlife is as flaming as saganaki—and just as delicious. If you’re planning a big gay Greek adventure, we highly recommend packing your stretchy and party pants…and maybe even a toga for good measure.


Quick Facts

  • Capital City: Athens
  • Currency: Euro
  • Languages: Greek
  • Best Time of Year to Visit: For a proper Gaycation: Jun–-Aug. For everything else: Apr & May, Sep & Oct

LGBT Rights in Greece

Gay Greece Travel

Best Places to Visit in Greece

More Info

Greece has a long and storied history with homosexuality. Beyond Greek mythology being particularly homoerotic—looking at you, Apollo—some of the best-known gay historical figures were of Greek descent. Notably Alexander The Great. Today, Greece remains a largely LGBTQ+ welcoming destination, especially in major cities and throughout the laid-back islands. However, the openly homophobic Greek Orthodox Church maintains a firm grasp on day-to-day life. Much of rural Greece remains devoutly religious.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Same-Sex Marriage: Civil Unions
Right to Change Gender: Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption: Single only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts

 

Fact: Gays love Greece. It’s one of the oldest and best-known LGBTQ+ destinations. Specifically, Mykonos is the epicentre of gay Grecian nightlife, where local and international Queens perform for bears, boys, and the occasional lesbian. Countless beaches are overridden with queer people in and out of designer speedos. Circuit parties thump out club beats throughout high season, with the largest and most famous being XLSIOR hitting the island every August. Finally, Athens Gay Pride is a celebration of local queer culture. It tends to put activism and social equality at the forefront of the festival.

Gay Villages in Greece:
Athens – The Gazi district
Mykonos – No Village per see, but most of the island’s LGBTQ+ scene is in Chora.

Pride and Gay Events in Greece:
Athens Pride: Annually
Xlsior Mykonos: Annually in August

Best Gay Bars in Greece:
Athens – BIG Bar (Bear Bar)
Athens –  Enodia Cafe Bar (Greek-style cafe bar)
Athens – Noiz (Nightclub)
Mykonos – Jackie O’
Mykonos – Babylon Bar

Best Gay Beaches:
Athens – Limanakia
Mykonos – Elia
Mykonos – Super Paradise

5. Athens
The country’s capital is a clash of historic sites against the modern city.

4. Akrotiri
One of modern history’s greatest excavation sites: An entire Minoan city buried beneath volcanic ash after the eruption of 1613 BC.

3. Acropolis
In a country brimming with archaeological sites of cultural and historical significance, the Acropolis of Athens is arguably the most culturally and historically significant.

2. Santorini
Postcard-perfect Santorini is as Greek as it gets, with its famous stucco architecture rising right out of the Aegean.

1. Mykonos
For decades, this lively Greek island has been the preferred hedonistic escape of Europe’s LGBTQ+ (but mostly gay male) population. And its reputation seems to be growing! But beyond the Adonis eye candy and all-night parties, Mykonos also features fantastic local restaurants, gorgeous beaches, and international shopping. Most importantly, it is conveniently a short ferry from Delos, arguably Greece’s most archaeologically rich island.

Best Time to Visit: If you’re looking to party in Mykonos, plan your trip in the high season (Jun–Aug). For cooler weather and fewer crowds, shoulder seasons tend to be a better choice (Apr & May, Sep & Oct)

Electricity: The power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more info, click here.

Time Zone: Eastern European Summer Time (GTM +3)

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Greece, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations. 

Visas: A visa is not required for American, Australian, British, and Canadian citizens travelling to Greece for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.

Last updated on August 21, 2023. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.
LGBT Rights in Greece

Greece has a long and storied history with homosexuality. Beyond Greek mythology being particularly homoerotic—looking at you, Apollo—some of the best-known gay historical figures were of Greek descent. Notably Alexander The Great. Today, Greece remains a largely LGBTQ+ welcoming destination, especially in major cities and throughout the laid-back islands. However, the openly homophobic Greek Orthodox Church maintains a firm grasp on day-to-day life. Much of rural Greece remains devoutly religious.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Same-Sex Marriage: Civil Unions
Right to Change Gender: Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption: Single only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts

 

Gay Greece Travel

Fact: Gays love Greece. It’s one of the oldest and best-known LGBTQ+ destinations. Specifically, Mykonos is the epicentre of gay Grecian nightlife, where local and international Queens perform for bears, boys, and the occasional lesbian. Countless beaches are overridden with queer people in and out of designer speedos. Circuit parties thump out club beats throughout high season, with the largest and most famous being XLSIOR hitting the island every August. Finally, Athens Gay Pride is a celebration of local queer culture. It tends to put activism and social equality at the forefront of the festival.

Gay Villages in Greece:
Athens – The Gazi district
Mykonos – No Village per see, but most of the island’s LGBTQ+ scene is in Chora.

Pride and Gay Events in Greece:
Athens Pride: Annually
Xlsior Mykonos: Annually in August

Best Gay Bars in Greece:
Athens – BIG Bar (Bear Bar)
Athens –  Enodia Cafe Bar (Greek-style cafe bar)
Athens – Noiz (Nightclub)
Mykonos – Jackie O’
Mykonos – Babylon Bar

Best Gay Beaches:
Athens – Limanakia
Mykonos – Elia
Mykonos – Super Paradise

Best Places to Visit in Greece

5. Athens
The country’s capital is a clash of historic sites against the modern city.

4. Akrotiri
One of modern history’s greatest excavation sites: An entire Minoan city buried beneath volcanic ash after the eruption of 1613 BC.

3. Acropolis
In a country brimming with archaeological sites of cultural and historical significance, the Acropolis of Athens is arguably the most culturally and historically significant.

2. Santorini
Postcard-perfect Santorini is as Greek as it gets, with its famous stucco architecture rising right out of the Aegean.

1. Mykonos
For decades, this lively Greek island has been the preferred hedonistic escape of Europe’s LGBTQ+ (but mostly gay male) population. And its reputation seems to be growing! But beyond the Adonis eye candy and all-night parties, Mykonos also features fantastic local restaurants, gorgeous beaches, and international shopping. Most importantly, it is conveniently a short ferry from Delos, arguably Greece’s most archaeologically rich island.

More Info

Best Time to Visit: If you’re looking to party in Mykonos, plan your trip in the high season (Jun–Aug). For cooler weather and fewer crowds, shoulder seasons tend to be a better choice (Apr & May, Sep & Oct)

Electricity: The power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more info, click here.

Time Zone: Eastern European Summer Time (GTM +3)

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Greece, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations. 

Visas: A visa is not required for American, Australian, British, and Canadian citizens travelling to Greece for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.

Last updated on August 21, 2023. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.


TAILOR-MADE VACATIONS
Plan your dream trip
Tailor-Made Vacation
  • Choose your date

    Choose your date

  • Choose destination

    Choose your destination

  • Tell us what you want to do

    Tell us what you want to do

Learn More



Reviews

Some from our travellers

John B

It exceeded all expectations

Greece: Aegean Sea Gay Cruise
Rating:

This was my first Out Adventures experience, and it exceeded all expectations. The team, the boat we were on, the places we visited, and the other travelers were all just wonderful. I would highly recommend Out Adventures!

ACCOMMODATIONS:
TRANSPORTATION:
MEALS:
GUIDE:
VIEW THIS TRIP

Glenn H & Mike L

A truly stellar experience

Greece: Aegean Sea Gay Cruise
Rating:

OUT Adventures offered us a truly stellar experience, carefully curating daily activities to make sure we had unforgettable days and nights. Each day had a good balance of exploring, learning, experiencing local life, and free time to do as you please. Half of the fun is getting to know your fellow travelers

ACCOMMODATIONS:
TRANSPORTATION:
MEALS:
GUIDE:
VIEW THIS TRIP

Jules & Roeland O

What a remarkable tour

Greece: Aegean Sea Gay Cruise
Rating:

What a remarkable tour to a country with such rich history, culture and food. Everything was perfect, and we felt, in every instance, that our Out Adventure hosts, tour guides and boat crew truly cared about us and did their best to make this trip memorable. Every day brought new experiences and towns, and we had delicious meals offered onboard and ample opportunities to explore great restaurants on the islands. But what was most special was sharing this experience with like-minded travelers, all with the zest for life and adventure!

ACCOMMODATIONS:
TRANSPORTATION:
MEALS:
GUIDE:
VIEW THIS TRIP
See All Reviews

By using our website, you agree to the Out Adventures Privacy Policy which includes Out Adventures' practices regarding personal data and cookies.    I AGREE