8 Fabulously Gay-Friendly & Gay Hotels In Athens To Try On Your Next Gaycation!

Our next site for scouring the best gay hotels in Athens! Second only to Rome on the world’s list of most revered ancient cities, Greece’s capital has an amazing history and a cultural strength that stretches from thousands of years into the past to the present day. 

The city and the country are well known for an amazing amount of surviving ancient architecture, meaning there’s not a dull moment to be had if you’re interested in history or just in exploring the world as it used to be.

At its high point, Athens was the capital of an empire that spanned over a considerable portion of Europe and the Mediterranean, and the evidence of the incredible achievements made during this time can still be seen today in the city’s historic streets and in the sheer quantity of landmarks that lay within the city’s walls. 

But what if you’re not the exploring, history-interested type, and you’d rather hop straight into the nightlife? Well – Greece is very much still the place for you.

Famous for its lively, powerful, and internationally attractive party culture, the country is a beacon for all those looking to have a good time away from the worries of life.

Athens also offers unparalleled access to all the other islands of Greece, and thus it functions as somewhat of a gateway to experiencing the wider scape of the country as a whole. 

Focusing back on the ancient for a while, it deserves to be said once more that Athens’ greatest strength as a travel destination is the sheer amount of amazing monuments that still stand within the city’s borders, just like Rome.

There’s the Parthenon, of course, but it would be a crime to leave it at just one site. There’s also the world-famous Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the temple of Olympian Zeus, and a massive range of other significant locations that served as integral building stones to Greece’s society back in the day.

While Athens may be nothing short of extraordinary, and while its gay culture is one of the strongest in the Mediterranean (we are looking at you Sitges, Mallorca, and Mykonos!), there remains one predictable thing about the city, and it comes in the form of our usual disclaimer. Obviously, in most cases, there aren’t going to be hotels out there marketed directly towards gay people or queer people in general.

We know that, and therefore we’d like to note that the hotels on this list follow the same logic. Most of them have been listed as accommodating, friendly, and unjudgmental to, for, and by queer people in general, as well as being highly rated in general. After all, what good is such an exquisite city if you don’t have a safe, well-rounded place to enjoy it from?

So, with that said, it’s time to jet off for the warm, irresistible Mediterranean. Athens is a place of sublime balance between the modern and ancient worlds, and it’s waiting for new travelers with open arms!

Stanley Hotel

Making up our first step into finding a gay hotel in Athens is the excellent four-star Stanley Hotel – a 60’s style hotel with luxury in mind, history and decadence in practice, and a perfect link to one of Athens’ most beautiful suburbs.

The neighborhood that the Stanley Hotel finds itself in – dubbed the Metaxourgeio – is popular throughout the city as a bright cultural area and the home of Athens’ performing arts, meaning that you will be anything but short of entertainment and colorful experiences while staying here.

Not only that, but the hotel is also bordered by the wonderfully green Avdi Square, which is a beacon for those looking to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle amongst a wide range of bars, gathering points, and social hangouts.

The buildings are historic and wonderfully appealing, the vibes are strong and good, and a great time is almost guaranteed.

Interested in hitting all the tourist spots? You’re very much in luck! The Stanley Hotel is located near a subway and trolley bus station, and – even so – popular attractions such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis of Athens are less than two kilometers away.

If all of that wasn’t enough to sell the Stanley Hotel, both critics and reviewers agree that the hotel has wonderful dining and drinking options on offer, both in its own personal restaurant and bar combo and when it comes to room service.

Speaking of them, the hotel’s rooms are amazingly well outfitted for how comfortable Stanley’s prices are, meaning that you won’t have to go out or call staff if you need just that extra item to make your stay perfect.

There’s also an outdoor pool, laundry service for dirty outfits, and – if you’re looking for some physical activity – a gym.

Athens 1890 Hotel & Spa

Now for a particularly special recommendation – the only of its kind in this list, and a unique opportunity for queer travelers to pair absolute rejuvenation and a divine experience with their search for a gay hotel.

Although it doesn’t have a rating using the traditional ‘star’ system, this is large because the Athens 1890 is – as the title may imply – not just a hotel but also a luxury resort that includes a massive array of relaxation services and other benefits that other establishments could not even dream of offering.

Reviews for the Athens 1890 speak incredibly highly of the spa facilities and their comfort, as well as the amazing inclusion of an indoor pool and hot tubs.

The short answer to whether this hotel is worth staying at is as follows – if you value relaxation rather than rushing through destinations while traveling, this is the best hotel you could imagine. Reviewers praised the Athens 1890 for being clean and well attended at all ends, the room service for being comprehensive and fast when it came to cleaning, and delicious and surprising when it came to food. 

Speaking of food, it begs to be mentioned that the hotel’s in-house restaurant is the well-acclaimed Omnivore Athens, which means that you’ll be getting wonderful feed regardless of whether you stay in your room, wander around the hotel, or venture out into Athens.

The Athens 1890 is located in the Central Athens Regional Unit, and if you want a better run down of the benefits of this particular neighborhood, you’ll want to check out the Central Athens Hotel later in this list. The area is truly charming and gives an entirely different experience to visitors than you might expect.

Royal Olympic Hotel

Next up on our search for the perfect gay hotel is the Royal Olympic – the first five-star establishment on this list, and well deserving of that merit in every way.

Directly across from the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the massive area of historical ground and architecture that it provides, the Royal Olympics lives up to both of its namesakes with absolute clarity, providing both an ancient background and a modern quality of service to visitors and those who chose it as a place of accommodation.

The Royal Olympic also has a spa and a fitness center, meaning that no matter how your approach to self-care and personal health sways, you’ll have a place to enjoy yourself and unwind in the magical city of Athens.

These particular advantages offered by the Royal Olympics may not be as comprehensive as those offered by the Athens 1890 just before it, but visitors can rest assured that the edge offered by staying at the Royal Olympics far outweighs those on a greater scale. The location and the sheer attentiveness of the Royal Olympics make it one of the best in the city, and that isn’t an easy thing to say.

Just as the name proposes to claim, the Royal Olympic Hotel is indeed royal and treats its guests as though they were kings.

As usual, one of the best advantages of staying at a five-star hotel is the sheer strength of and attitude towards providing a wonderful customer experience, and with the Royal Olympic, this means that you can rely on the hotel’s staff no matter what. This carries over to the hotel’s treatment of queer travelers, as the Olympic is another hotel that has received many wonderful reviews from gay travelers.

Periscope

Although it’s a little further from the main tourist destinations than the rest of the hotels on this list, which could be a bit of a hindrance for those more interested in checking off all the hotspots of ancient Greek culture, the different angle that is staying at the Periscope offers on Athenian life is worth every extra step.

A four-star establishment with a full book of services, including an in-house restaurant, hot tubs, laundry, and breakfast delivery, the Periscope takes an incredibly modern spin on the usual air that hotels in Athens take, meaning that you’re in for a cutting-edge, streamlined experience while staying there.

If you’re a shopping freak or just like a good browse, the Kolonaki neighborhood where the Periscope is built is the perfect place for you. The area is home to some of Athens’ most famous and largest clothing and fashion chains, as well as a lot of smaller, independent, and unique native businesses.

Suppose you’re not into shopping, though, just like any other area in Athens. In that case, the Kolonaki neighborhood serves a dual purpose – a retail paradise but also a perfect spot to get a look at some classic Greek architecture and the regal Mt. Lycabettus. 

Reviews confirm that the Periscope’s rooms, maintenance, and treatment of queer travelers are up to the same high, glossy standard as the rest of the hotel’s conduct, and as such, one can expect nothing but a unique kind of pleasure and relaxation when staying there.

Although it isn’t as much on the cusp of Athens’ bustle and business life as some of the other hotels in this list, this small sacrifice allows the Periscope to feel much more relaxed than those who the center of the busy city surrounds.

Coco-Mat Athens BC

Rocking five full stars and a nearly 10/10 rating on all major platforms, the Coco-Mat Athens BC is a glistening jewel of luxury and all-needs-catered service set in an even brighter area.

The adjacent Makrygianni locale is wonderfully sophisticated and yet located right in the center of the city’s goings-on, meaning that you can simultaneously enjoy a relaxing experience while remaining in touch with the major tourist destinations and anything else you’re looking to see and achieve while you’re in Athens. 

We spoke earlier about the reviews and ratings that Coco-Mat Athens BC has to its name, which continues the hotel’s treatment of queer travelers. Several gay blogging sites have dedicated reviews to this particular hotel, and all of them have come away suitably impressed at how problem-free and liberating the accommodation experience there was.

Although individual experiences are always different, it’s very reassuring to know that the hotel has a history of positivity to add to its other positive factors.

If it’s practicality you’re looking for rather than exuberant luxury, you’ll be happy to know that the Coco-Mat isn’t all looks, service, and talk. It’s also one of the only hotels to allow pets to stay in rooms, and the price tag associated with a normal night’s stay is impressively low for the level of benefits that the Coco-Mat has to offer.

A spa for visitors? Check. A wonderful in-house dining experience that also translates to room service? Check. Rooms that impress and fill all positive boxes? Check.

A fitness center? Check. One only needs to see photos or walk through Coco-Mat’s rooms and halls to get a feel for the quality it offers and why it is so worth staying at.

Arion Athens Hotel

Like the earlier Royal Olympic and its views overlooking the Temple of Olympic Zeus, the Arion Athens is in a similar position, poised over the world-famous Acropolis of Athens.

Suppose you’re still hungry for more and eager to try out some of the city’s other touristic destinations. In that case, there’s also a subway station a minute’s walk from the Arion’s door, and many other destinations are equally reachable by foot.

The rooms are well-outfitted, private, and comfortable, and the fact that they include proper dining tables and a couples-orientated attitude means that they are perfect for a romantic getaway or simply sharing space with a partner or fellow traveler. If you consider bringing a significant other along, you’ll be relieved that the Arion is extremely LGBTQ+ friendly.

As for the rest of the area that the Arion finds itself in – the colorful, lively, and culture-heavy Psiri neighborhood – we’ll leave the selling points to the last entry to this list, which is the Attalos Hotel since that establishment is located a bit more centrally.

Regardless, it’s important to know that staying at the Arion doesn’t just grant you access and proximity to tourist destinations but also all the necessities you’ll need and want to have while staying in Athens. There are plenty of restaurants to try, plenty of hangouts to meet new people, and a lovely community to orientate yourself with.

Even inside the hotel’s walls, one can easily find themselves comfortable, relaxed, and catered to in every possible way. The Arion has a rooftop terrace and a casual bar down in the lobby, and all of the experiences there are enhanced to a legendary level by the wonderful views and the feeling of immersion amongst the ancient city’s streets and buildings.

Central Athens Hotel

Although the region that the Central Athens Hotel – similarly named the Central Athens Regional Unit – sounds not at all that touristic and more like it would be where the general population lives, the opposite could not be more true.

This part of the city is one of its most famous quarters and houses many of Athens’ historical sites and artifacts, as well as the lion’s share of museums and churches. There’s also the city’s National Garden and the National Archaeological Museum. 

The Central Athens Hotel has the same level of unparalleled access to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch as the Royal Olympic earlier on this list, and it has the added advantage of being a lot closer to the Temple of Hephaestus and the Acropolis of Athens.

Visitors to Central Athens are absolutely in for a jackpot of historical sites and wonderful sights to see, and that’s without having to walk that far or take public transport to arrive where you want to visit next.

But what about the services that the Central Athens Hotel has to provide visitors coming to Athens, and how does it shape up as a gay hotel?

Well – those staying with this excellent hotel will be more than satisfied by its competent in-house restaurant and bar ensemble, and – if you have something a little more serious planned – there’s always the hotel’s business and event facilities and extensive laundry and room-keeping services.

The Central Athens Hotel is also the closest out of all the places of accommodation on this list to the ferry system and the city’s waterfront, meaning that if you’re looking to explore things in that direction, staying here would be a massive investment in the better.

Attalos Hotel

It may have only three stars and be quite affordable, but don’t be deceived – the Attalos Hotel packs a punch, and its roster has a lot. Or, at least, the things that matter here in our search for Athens’ best gay hotel.

Top-notch reviews from gay travelers, a wonderful service reputation, and just about every plus a hotel can have on paper. And that’s without even beginning to mention the Attalos Hotel’s surroundings and connection to its city. 

We know that we’ve dubbed quite a lot of neighborhoods in Athens ‘wonderful’ already, but the fact is that there is quite nearly no going wrong in this wonderful, lively city. That is equally true regarding the Psyri district that the Attalos Hotel calls home – a space centered around the eatery-populated Iroon Square.

The Psyri district is undoubtedly most famous for its trendy culture and hip atmosphere, which lends well to the many bars, clubs, and interesting stores that have popped up there. 

Regardless of your specific interest in Athens, you’re sure to find comfort in the rooms of this well-outfitted, mellow location. Although the Attalos doesn’t have a pool or an in-house restaurant like some other hotels on this list, it makes up for its open, fresh atmosphere that helps the hotel feel like home for queer travelers.

The countless bars and external restaurants in the Attalos Hotel’s vicinity also pick up the slack, as does the fact that the hotel is just as near to the major tourist destinations as is the norm in this list. The Attalos has business facilities, a bar, wonderful room service, and a parking place, which is rare among hotels in Athens.

Gay Hotel Map Of Athens

Feeling a bit lost while planning your journey to Athens? No worries, darling! Our detailed LGBTQ+ tailored map is here to guide you. We’ve pinpointed all the vibrant gay-friendly bars, exhilarating clubs, extravagant parties, cozy hotels, relaxing saunas, and soothing massage parlors to ensure you find the perfect spot.

And these aren’t just any spots; we’re talking about the creme de la creme of locations in the heart of the city’s vibrant gay scene. Think panoramic views, easy access to nightlife, and all the amenities to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

But hold on to your feather boas! These hot spots are so fabulous they vanish quicker than a drag queen’s five o’clock shadow. Don’t delay; book now to secure the best deals and locations. Remember, the early bird catches the best deals in Athens! So, pack your rainbow flag, and get ready to experience the ultimate gay-friendly holiday in Athens.