Gay Athens Travel Guide: Athens is one of the top gay friendly destinations in Greece. In this guide to Gay Athens, I will explore the gay bars, gay life in general, gay tours, saunas, hotels and things to do in Athens – everything you need to plan a gay trip to Athens!
I found Athens to be an intriguing city steeped in Greek history, mythology and some incredible Greek food and when it comes to gay Athens, it turns out that there is a well established and compact, gay scene in Athens to explore!
I spent 10 days in Athens before heading to another great Greek gay hotspot, Mykonos (see my Complete Gay Mykonos Travel Guide). During my time in Athens I made friends with a local and got to explore the gay scene in Athens, around Gazi and beyond.
Let’s get started with this Gay Athens guide!
Gay Athens: Quick Guide
In a rush? Here are some highlights and FAQ for gay Athens:
- Is Athens gay friendly? Yes, Athens is generally gay friendly, especially in Gazi where you will find most of the LGBTQ+ nightlife.
- Where is the gay area in Athens? Gazi is the main gay neighbourhood in Athens. Check out hotels in Gazi.
- Does Athens have a gay scene? Yes, Athens has a small but growing gay scene with bars, clubs and saunas.
- Best gay bars in Athens? Big Bar and Samis Bar are some of the best gays bars in Athens.
- Best gay clubs in Athens? Sodade 2 and Shamone Club are popular gay clubs in Athens
- Is there a gay beach near Athens? Yes, Limanakia Beach is the most popular gay beach near Athens, around a 30 minute drive away.
Is Athens Gay Friendly?
Is Athens gay friendly? Yes, Athens is generally considered to be a gay friendly city and you are unlikely to run into any problems. Things are improving, with Greece legalising equal civil marriage in February 2024, making Greece the first Orthodox Christian-majority country to do so – a positive signal for sure.
Athens is a typically a more conservative destination compared to other well known gay cities in Europe and it can be common for locals to not be be out to their co-workers or to show public displays of affection (in contrast to cities like Madrid where LGBTQ+ displays of affection are incredibly common, see my Gay Guide to Madrid for more).
That being said, Athens has many gay bars, gay saunas, a growing gay pride so it is fair to say, especially as a tourist visiting Athens, you can be relaxed and safely enjoy the gay scene in Athens as well as the wider city.
Gay Area in Athens: Where is the gay scene?
The main gay area in Athens can be found in Gazi, named after the fact that this area was home to the old gas works.
Gazi is considered to be the upcoming, cool place where young people spend their evenings to eat, drink and party. It may therefore be no surprise that this is where the gay bars and gay clubs in Athens have found a home.
If gay nightlife in Athens is your priority, I would recommend staying in Gazi as the majority of venues will be in walking distance.
For a detailed guide and list of where to stay in Athens and the best LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, head over to my Gay Hotels in Athens: A Complete Guide.
Athens does not have a huge gay scene like you might find in Berlin (see my gay guide to Berlin). In Athens, the gay scene is smaller and more concentrated, but fun nevertheless.
Whilst the main gay scene in Athens is centred around Gazi, there are other areas of the city popular for LGBTQ+ travellers worth taking a look at:
- Gazi – The main gay area in Athens with gay bars, clubs and nightlife. Very busy at weekends and a great place to stay if nightlife is your focus.
- Monastiraki – nearby to Gazi, here you will find spots like Rooster and Flex Sauna. Less so for gay bars but still a very gay friendly atmosphere given its proximity to Gazi.
- Koukaki – just 20 minutes by metro from Gazi, Koukaki is another gay friendly area and this is where you will find the popula Koukles Drag Bar. Staying here also gives you easy access to attractions like the Acropolis.
Best Gay Bars in Athens
If you are looking for the best gay bars in Athens then take a look at the updated list below, there have been some new gay bars in Athens since my last visit which I have added on.
The majority of these gay bars in Athens are centred around the Gazi neighbourhood so you can easily bar hop and walk from one venue to another.
There are other venues that are considered to be gay friendly bars in Athens, but these are the main ones to head to:
Big Bar Athens
Big Bar Athens has been open since 2004 and is a gay bar aimed at bears. While the crowd is mainly bears, you can expect many different types of guys there.
You can expect a friendly crowd, relaxed atmosphere. Big Bar is a great option if you a looking for some good music and cheap drinks (but aren’t quite ready for a club yet!).
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 8pm – 2am (expect for Saturday when it is open until 3am).
Address: Falaisias 12, Athina 118 55
Samis Bar
An unassuming, no attitude vibe gay bar in Athens which is chill during the week, and offers a more party atmosphere at the weekend.
This was one of the first gay bars in Greece, so well worth a visited. Mainly frequented by locals, head to Samis for good music and friendly vibes, they also have shows and theme nights.
Address: Filis 34, Athina 104 34, Greece
Koukles Club – Drag Show
And if you are looking for a gay bar that is dedicated to drag, take a look at Koukles Club – Drag Show bar. The shows usually run for two hours so make sure to check the timings.
Address: Zan Moreas 32, Athina 117 41, Greece
Best Gay Clubs in Athens
Sodade 2
I had a great night in Sodade. This gay club in Athens was recommended to me by a local I made friends with as their number one choice.
They have a front room with a DJ who plays a good mix of mainstream music which suited me and a back area where they focus more on house music. The crowd was quite mixed.
There is a small cover charge to get in which included a drink.
The club is open every night. From midnight for Friday and Saturday and 23:00 on Thursday for a drag show.
Address: Triptolemou 10, Athina 118 54
Shamone Club
Shamone is also a very popular and busy gay club in Athens, best for those wanting a trendy clubbing venue.
Here the décor is quite posh and trendy with a real mix of music playing from mainstream to Greek artists. They also do drag shows and often attract a younger crowd.
Address: 46 Konstantinoupoleos Ave, 118 54 Gazi
S-Cape
This is one of the larger gay clubs in Athens, best known for its different theme nights.
The club is open nightly and events include Karaoke Mondays, Drag Wednesdays, and Greek night Thursdays. This place gets very busy on a Saturday.
Here you can expect to find a mixed local and international crowd.
Address: Greece, Iakchou 32, Athina 118 54, Greece
NOIZ Club
NOIZ is a very trendy gay club in Athens, with themed nights including some cheekier ones, if you are looking for a late night out in Athens then check out NOIZ Club.
Check out their Instagram to see what events they have coming up.
Address: Konstantinoupoleos Ave. 78, Athina 104 35, Greece
Gay Friendly Cafes in Athens
There are a couple of gay popular cafes in Athens, take a look at Del Sol Cafe and Rooster Cafe below.
Del Sol Café – Gay Cafe Bar in Athens
Del Sol Cafe is a gay cafe bar in Gazi, Athens, great for coffee and brunch during the day, it’s a relaxed spot popular with locals and tourists – if you like a sweet treat, make sure to order their brownie.
They also serve cocktails, so this is also a great option for early evening drinks before heading to one of the late night gay bars venues in Gazi.
If you are a solo traveller, this is a great spot to potentially meet other LGBTQ+ travellers.
Address: Voutadon 44, Athens
Rooster
Found at the square of St. Irini, Rooster is another gay cafe in Athens offering a lunch menu, dinner menu and drinks. This gay cafe is open from 9am until 1am.
Their food menu is extensive, with lots of great options and they also run nights attached to events like Eurovision or Greek Night every Sunday for example.
Great option to come for lunch whilst exploring Athens.
Address: Agias Eirinis Square
Queer and Women Led Spaces in Athens
BEQueer
Considered to be one of the few queer spaces in Athens that owns freedom of expression and have an active awareness team that make this space feel extra safe.
With DJ’s, drag queens performing and a mix of people, if you are looking for a queer bar in Athens, this could be the one.
Address: Keleou 10, Athina 104 35, Greece
Beaver Cooperativa
This is a women led cooperative, with an inclusive atmosphere offering regular quiz nights and karaoke nights.
If you are looking for a queer, women led, community space with cafe bar vibes, this is the one for you.
Address: Megalou Vasileiou 46Α, Athina 118 54, Greece
Gay Pride Athens
Gay Pride in Athens and the Pride Parade draw in thousands of spectators to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community of Greece.
Athens Pride is a one-day event normally on a Saturday during mid June. Events typically start in the late afternoon from 5pm, with the pride parade starting at 7pm (when it is a little cooler)
The main event during Athens pride is a concert in the centre of the city at Syntagma Square, this is also where the Athens pride parade will start.
For more information and for future dates head to the official Athens Pride Website.
Gay Friendly Hotels Athens
There aren’t any dedicated gay hotels in Athens so your best bet would be to pick one in or close to the gay area of Gazi.
For a detailed guide and list of where to stay in Athens and the best LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, head over to my Gay Hotels in Athens: A Complete Guide.
A couple of options are also listed below:
Fresh Hotel Athens – This is a stylish, modern and trendy hotel with a rooftop bar. It is also a good option as it’s near the gay area of Gazi.
Pinacota Suites Athens – This is where I stayed and I loved it. I love the style, décor, the gym and I was well looked after by the guys who owned it. Its well located being a 40 minute walk or short taxi ride to the Acropolis.
A for Athens – Another new hotel which is near the gay area. This gets excellent reviews on TripAdvisor especially for its location. It’s rooftop bar has a view of the Acropolis.
Gay Saunas in Athens
Alexander Sauna Mens Club
Alexander Sauna brands itself as being the number 1 gay sauna in Athens.
It has been open since 2007 and has three floors with all the typical facailities including a large steam area and foam area.
They also have a shop on site selling many popular gay brands.
Opening times are Sunday – Thursday, 17:00–02:00 and Friday – Saturday, 17:00–06:00 with a general entrance cost of €18 or €11 if under 30.
Address: Megalou Alexandrou 134 & Iera Odos, Gazi, Keramikos Metro Station, Athens
Flex Sauna
Flex Sauna also brands itself as the number 1 gay sauna in Athens.
Again it has everything you would expect from a gay sauna and attracts both tourists and locals alike.
Opening times are from 15:00 – 24:00 everyday apart from Tuesday when it is closed. until 07:00. General entrance is €17 (with some cheaper option for under 30s).
Address: Polykleitou 6, Athina 105 51, Greece
Ira Baths
For something smaller and quieter, this is one of the oldest gay saunas in Athens near Omonia Square. Their online presence is weak, but there are recent reviews on Google indicating it is still open.
This sauna attracts a more mature crowd and is listed as being open from 10am – 6pm daily.
Address: Zinonos 04, Athina 104 31, Greece
Gay Beach near Athens
Limanakia Beach
Like most of the coast here, the beach is rocky but as a result you are granted beautiful clear waters to swim in which may be welcome after spending time in the hot city itself!
The beach is a 30-minute drive from the city centre or you can attempt getting a local bus (or Uber). It is known for being hot, busy and naughty during the summer.
For more info see my detailed Gay Beach guide for here.
Gay Map of Athens
Take a look at this gay Athens map below to get a sense of where to find the LGBTQ+ venues across this city. This should help you plan where to stay.
Gay Tours in Athens
If you want to learn more about the gay scene in Athens, check out these tours. These are especially good for solo travellers wanting to meet other gay travellers or if you are short on time in Athens and want to see as much as possible.
Things to do in Athens for Gay Travellers
Acropolis – The Acropolis is a citadel on top of a hill in the middle of the city. There are many ancient Greek structures to see including the most famous of all, the Parthenon. It’s a real journey back in time and you get excellent view of the city. Make sure to head there early because there is not much relief from the heat! Tickets for the Acropolis alone are €20 but you can also do various tours to learn much more.
Beaches – if you have time, you can reach many beaches within an hour. Some are stony, some are sandy. We actually drove out the city north to Chalcis to a local beach where we were the only tourists. There are also plenty of beaches to choose from close by along the western coast of Athens – of course, if you can, go and check out this gay beach near Athens.
Syntagma Square and its surroundings – Syntagma square is where a lot of events and concerts happen throughout the year including Pride. Just behind the square is a huge national garden to explore as well as the nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.
Food and Drink – I didn’t realise how much I loved Greek food until I was taken to a local restaurant called Kanella. Make sure you get out and try as much as possible. When it comes to drinks, Ouzo is the drink of choice with some water as the ‘mixer’.
Practical Tips for visiting Athens
- How long to spend in Athens? Two or three nights would be enough to see the main attractions of the city as well as experience a night out and the gay scene in Athens.
- Best time to visit Athens? For the best gay experience in Athens, a visit during summer tied in to Athens Pride in June is a great option. However, Athens remains popular in late spring and early Autumn with slightly cooler temperatures.
- Best way to get around Athens? You can use the metro to get around Athens, that is the most cost effective way to get around. Uber is available but slightly different due to local regulations, a local yellow cab will be dispatched through the app with an upfront estimated fair.
- How to get to Athens from Athens airport? You can take Metro line 3 from the airport to the centre of Athens, the metro runs every 30 minutes or so and takes around 40 minutes. Taxis are also an option for a fixed fare, however the journey time is still 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Where to stay in Athens? Read my Where to Stay in Athens Guide.
Athens or Mykonos?
Athens or Mykonos? Both are popular with gay travellers, with Mykonos being the main gay hotspot in Greece (one of the most popular gay destinations in Europe in fact).
Head to Athens if you enjoy a city escape, with lots of history and culture. Head to Mykonos if you are more interested in beaches, luxury hotels with pool and a very out loud and proud gay scene.
Many travellers choose to combine both, fly into Athens and spend a couple of nights there and then fly or get a ferry to Mykonos.
Read my Gay Guide to Mykonos for a full summary of everything the island has to offer,
It seems there is more to Athens and its gay scene than I first thought. It may have a smaller gay scene than other major European cities, but don’t forget that Athens is also the gateway to the gay mecca of Mykonos and the gay friendly island of Crete!
I hope you found my guide useful!
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