Greece Gay Travel

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 Top 40 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 se but the majority 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 set 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 the most archaeologically rich island in Greece.

Best Time to Visit: If you’re looking to party in Mykonos, plan your trip in high season (Jun–Aug). For cooler weather and less 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: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.

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 responsibility of the traveller.