The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2023.
The main gay area in Athens is trendy, industrial Gazi, on the western edge of the old city center. There are not many hotels in this area, so most of the gay-friendly hotels in Athens are located in the city’s other gay area, Monastiraki. This neighborhood is most famous for its Flea Market and ancient ruins, but it is also home to popular gay saunas and hangouts. Among these, Rooster cafe is probably the most popular, and one of the best places to meet other gays in Athens. All of the hotels in this list are within walking distance of the Monastiraki gay scene. If you’re in town for clubbing, you may want to look out for those close to Monastiraki Metro station, since this provides a direct 5-minute connection to the Gazi gay clubs. Alternatively, a taxi between the two areas is only about 15 minutes.
Most hotels in Athens could be described as gay-friendly. Greece is one of the most progressive countries in Southeast Europe when it comes to gay rights. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1951, gay marriage since 2015, and its hate speech and hate crime legislation is among the most comprehensive in all of Europe.
The city as a whole is gay-friendly, with the area surrounding gay Gazi especially so. That said, Greek society has less of an “out and proud” attitude than others, so you may raise a couple of eyebrows with public displays of affection outside of the immediate gay and tourist areas.
Gazi is home to most of Athens’s gay nightlife. Gazi sits on the western edge of the old city center, next to Monastiraki and Psiri. However, there are not many hotels in Gazi, so most of the recommended gay-friendly hotels are in the neighboring, Monastiraki and Psiri.
From our bookings, most gay travelers opt for hotels in Monastiraki and Psiri to be near to the gay nightlife and also the tourist sites of Athens.
Discover an unforgettable experience at Academias Hotel, Autograph Collection in the heart of Athens. This boutique hotel offers luxury amenities, including an indoor swimming pool, a signature spa, and the NYX rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. Located in Athens’ premier shopping district, it’s within walking distance of the Acropolis and other historic sites. For those seeking an exciting nightlife experience, the hotel is a 30-minute walk from a popular gay sauna, Alexander Sauna Men’s Club and Athens’ vibrant nightlife in Monastiraki area.
This small boutique hotel sits just around the corner from Rooster, one of gay Athens’ favorite hangouts. It is also a 5-minute walk to FLEX Sauna and to Monastiraki Flea Market and Monastiraki station, which provides a direct Metro connection to the Gazi gay area. Rooms feature a stylish combination of grey concrete and dark wood for a refined, masculine feel. The rooms with Spa Bath are ideal for a romantic stay. The hotel has an indoor pool as well as a bar and a restaurant.
AthensWas Hotel sits between two of Athens’ most iconic sights, the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, with the latter being practically across the street. The hotel features sleek contemporary interiors with a chic retro vibe, focused on clean lines and rich materials. All the rooms have luxe amenities like a mini-bar and Nespresso machine, and all have designer furnishings and black marble bathrooms. The suites on the higher floors are especially luxurious: both the AthensWas Suite and the Hellenic Suite have spacious open balconies directly overlooking the Acropolis. Sense Restaurant also benefits from an impressive view – the Parthenon sits directly above you as you dine. There is an excellent Fitness centre, and the hotel even offers personal training.
This boutique hotel features trendy contemporary design, a mix of minimalism with touches of bright color, original artworks, and unique accents. Different rooms have different visual themes inspired by Greek culture, from blue evil eye patterns to old postcards of Athens or depictions of Greek folklore and mythology. Every room has large floor-to-ceiling windows, custom furnishings and art, and a spacious layout – even the Standard room is bigger than most in town. If you feel like treating yourself, you can’t do better than the Penthouse Suite, complete with 360-degree panoramic views and a large private terrace. Facilities include a stylish gym and a gorgeous state-of-the-art spa, as well as a rooftop bar-restaurant. New Hotel is located right next to Syntagma, Athens’ central square.
Electra Metropolis is conveniently located in the center of Athens, about a 5-minute walk from popular gay hangout Rooster cafe. This new hotel (opened in 2016) features elegant, upscale interiors in a classic Greek blue and white palette, with original contemporary art in the public areas and a chic retro style in the rooms. These come in a range of sizes, with the suites being especially spacious and luxurious. All come with extra-comfy beds and stylish marble bathrooms. We recommend the rooms with private balconies overlooking the Acropolis for something extra special. Electra Metropolis has excellent fitness and wellness facilities, including a fabulous rooftop pool, a fully equipped spa, and a good gym. The roof garden bistro is delightful, and there are three other bars to choose from. With these facilities, it’s no surprise that Electra Metropolis is one of the most booked luxury hotels in Athens.
The Royal Olympic Hotel has one of the best locations in town for visiting Athens’ main attraction, the Acropolis. The hotel is under a 5-minute walk from the Acropolis Museum and you can reach the Parthenon at the top the hill in under 15 minutes. The hotel is ideal for those who like a bit of classic old-fashioned grandeur in their 5-star hotels – think white marble bathrooms and vintage baroque furnishings. The Athenian Panorama room directly faces the Temple of Zeus for an incredible Greek view, while the luxurious Suites come with opulent tiled baths, a private balcony, and ample living space. There’s a lovely outdoor swimming pool surrounded by gardens, a cozy library, and a modern, well-equipped gym. Guests also have a choice of three bars and can dine in the restaurant, which has incredible views of the various surrounding ancient ruins. The Royal Olympic is one of the most booked luxury gay-friendly hotels in Athens.
This modern boutique hotel is a gay-friendly favorite in Athens, thanks to its stylish design, rooftop pool, and proximity to both gay nightlife and major sights. The rooms feature a minimalist all-white contemporary decor with bright color accents on the walls, designer furnishings, and Korres toiletries. They are all spacious and bright, especially the suites. Connecting rooms are available for groups. Facilities include a well-equipped gym, massage service, and daily yoga classes by the rooftop pool. The rooftop is also home to a chic and charming bar-restaurant, complete with views of the Parthenon. The hotel is under 5 minutes from both FLEX Sauna and Ira Baths, and under 10 minutes to the ever-popular Rooster cafe. Cinema Athinaikon, an adult cinema that shows gay films at night and is a common cruising spot, is just a couple of steps from the hotel. Fresh Hotel is one of the most booked gay-friendly hotels in Athens.
This designer 5-star hotel is practically across the street from the Acropolis Museum – it’s only about a 10-minute walk to the Parthenon at the top of the Acropolis. Coco-mat Athens BC features a trendy minimalist aesthetic, complete with pastel colors, rose gold accents, and Scandi-retro furnishings. All rooms come with high-end amenities and most have great city or museum views. The Master Suite is exceptionally lovely, with a large glass-fronted balcony and a stunning view of the Acropolis. Since Coco-mat is primarily a sleep brand, you won’t be disappointed by your beds: they even offer a personalization service, whereby their staff will tailor the bedding in your room to suit your build and sleeping style. The hotel facilities, from the restaurant to the spa, state-of-the-art gym, and rooftop outdoor swimming pool, are all beautifully designed and eco-friendly.
As the name indicates, Economy Hotel is a no-frills budget hotel located in the tourist center of Athens. Rooms are a little on the old-fashioned side but are clean and comfortable – there are single, double, and triple rooms available, and they all come with a small private balcony. There is a covered rooftop terrace where you can enjoy views over the city and the Acropolis. Both Ira Baths and FLEX Sauna are under a 5-minute walk away.
This chic boutique hotel is located right across from the eclectic Monastiraki Flea Market and, consequently, Monastiraki Metro Station, giving it an uber-convenient direct connection to the Gazi gayborhood (about 5 minutes). Meanwhile, both FLEX Sauna and Rooster gay cafe are under 5 minutes away. All of the rooms are modern and stylish, with the Standard rooms having a simpler, more minimalist vibe and the Suites featuring a contemporary designer twist on classic Greek style. The Red Suite is the most luxurious, with an outdoor hot tub directly overlooking the Acropolis, but all of the Suites are a treat. The buffet breakfast, featuring carefully sourced and handmade Greek goods, is as authentic as they come, and there is also a trendy brunch menu, a bar, and a restaurant to enjoy while you enjoy the view from the terrace. A For Athens is one of the most booked gay-friendly hotels in Athens.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2023.