How to Plan the Perfect Gay Honeymoon in Greece

Greece is an unbeatable destination for honeymooners – think white and blue villages, luxurious hotels, secluded beaches, and fascinating ruins from the ancient world. It’s also very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers in the tourist hotspots.

Here’s how to plan an unforgettable gay honeymoon in Greece, combining the buzzing gay scene of Mykonos, the romantic caldera views of Santorini, and some off-the-beaten-path islands for intimacy. We’ll also cover how to weave Athens into your trip and tips for smooth logistics.

Start Your Gay Honeymoon in Athens

Begin your honeymoon in Athens, the cradle of Western civilization and a city with a small but vibrant gay scene. Spend 1-2 days exploring the ancient sites – there’s something poetic about standing on the Acropolis with your new spouse, gazing at the Parthenon and the sprawling city below. Stay in a nice boutique hotel in central Athens (many are gay-friendly; look around Monastiraki or Koukaki neighborhoods for chic options). By night, check out the Gazi district, which is Athens’ gay nightlife area. You’ll find trendy bars and clubs where locals are friendly and the vibe is upbeat – a great way to kick off the celebration.

It’s also easy to arrange a private guide or tour of Athens tailored to LGBTQ+ history if that interests you (for example, some tours highlight homoerotic themes in ancient Greek art – a cool touch for history buffs). Logistics-wise, Athens is where you’ll likely fly in, and it’s the ferry/flight hub for the islands, so it naturally fits at the start or end of your itinerary.

The Mykonos Experience – Party & Relax in Luxury

No gay trip to Greece is complete without Mykonos, especially for honeymooners who don’t mind a bit of party energy. Mykonos is known as an LGBTQ+ hotspot​ for upwardly mobile travelers. For honeymooners, Mykonos offers both luxury and fun. Splurge on a beautiful suite – perhaps at a high-end gay-popular hotel like the Myconian Collection. By day, hit the gay beaches: Elia Beach is the most popular with a lively gay section marked by rainbow flags​, and nearby Super Paradise Beach also draws a mixed crowd of LGBTQ and straight partygoers with music and beach clubs​. You can rent a cabana, sip cocktails, and even go nude at the far end of Elia – total freedom​. By afternoon, consider a pool party at Jackie O’ Beach Club (a famous gay venue right by Super Paradise) for some DJ tunes and perhaps a drag show.

In the evenings, Mykonos Town is perfect for romantic strolls through whitewashed alleys and dinners in Little Venice (imagine dining on seafood while the waves lap below your table​). Then you can join the nightlife that Mykonos is known for: start at a cozy cocktail bar like Lola or Kastro, then later hit the clubs if you want to dance. If you’re visiting late August/early September, don’t miss the XLSIOR gay festival​ – it’s a huge circuit party week, if that’s your kinda scene. But if that’s not your scene, Mykonos in peak season guarantees some sort of gay event nightly. Insider tip: Book anything special (like sunset catamaran cruises or tables at famous restaurants) in advance, as honeymoon season (summer) is also peak travel season.

Santorini – Romance on the Caldera

After the high energy of Mykonos, whisk yourselves to Santorini for that quintessential honeymoon romance. Santorini is not as much a gay party island as Mykonos, but it’s incredibly LGBTQ-friendly (you’ll find plenty of gay couples among the tourists). The allure here is the breathtaking landscape – white cave houses and blue domes perched on cliffs around a volcanic caldera. For a honeymoon, consider staying in Oia or Imerovigli, where many luxury hotels offer private plunge pools or jacuzzis on your terrace overlooking the Aegean. Imagine sipping local wine with your dearly beloved in your infinity pool as the sky turns pink and orange – Santorini’s sunsets are legendary for a reason​.

While in Santorini, take a sunset sailing trip – many companies do semi-private gay-friendly catamaran cruises with dinner and wine onboard. It’s super romantic to sail under the cliffs and watch the sun sink while at sea. During the day, explore the island’s highlights together: visit a winery for a tasting (Santo Wines has an epic view), wander the ruins of Akrotiri (the Pompeii of Greece), or find a quiet moment on a black-sand or red-sand beach. Santorini’s vibe is definitely more about intimacy and luxury – long leisurely breakfasts, couples’ spa treatments, and strolling arm-in-arm through charming villages. Nightlife is low-key, but you can find gay-friendly bars in Fira (the capital) or just enjoy a candlelit dinner. Combining Mykonos and Santorini is popular because they’re the most sought-after spots. Ferries between them run regularly (about 2–3 hours high-speed), or you can take a short flight via Athens if preferred.

Hidden Gems – Lesser-Touristy Islands

To make your honeymoon truly special, consider adding a lesser-known Greek island for some quiet couple time away from big crowds. Mykonos and Santorini are spectacular but can be very busy. Some intimate alternatives:

• Milos: An upcoming favorite for romance, Milos has surreal landscapes (like the moon-like white rocks of Sarakiniko beach) and far fewer tourists than Santorini. It’s great for renting a car and finding your own private beach cove. Milos is also known for friendly locals and quaint fishing villages – perfect for a low-key few days.
• Naxos or Paros: These Cycladic islands are a short ferry from Mykonos/Santorini and offer a balanced vibe. Paros has boutique hotels and a couple of gay-friendly bars, but mostly it’s about picturesque towns and nice beaches. Naxos is larger, very authentic, with amazing food and quiet beach towns – an ideal place to unwind together. In fact, some multi-island itineraries include Naxos with Mykonos and Santorini.
• Folegandros or Koufonisia: Tiny islands like these are gems for seclusion. Folegandros has dramatic clifftop views (some say like a mini-Santorini but peaceful), and Koufonisia boasts Caribbean-clear waters and you can bike around easily. As honeymooners, spending 2 nights on a small island can feel like your own little paradise.
• Crete or Rhodes: If you have more time, even the bigger islands like Crete have charming quieter corners and luxury resorts. Crete’s Chania town is romantic and there are some gay-friendly venues. Rhodes has medieval architecture and you can even do a day trip to Symi island which is utterly charming.

When choosing a third island, consider travel logistics – ferries in Greece can connect several islands in one route. For example, a popular route is Athens – Mykonos – Paros/Naxos – Santorini – Athens​, which flows well. Also, note that some smaller islands might not have direct ferries between them, requiring a connection.

Travel Logistics & Tips

• Ferries vs Flights: The Greek ferry system is extensive. High-speed ferries can zip you between islands quickly (and you get to enjoy sea views). For instance, Mykonos to Santorini is ~2.5 hours by fast ferry. However, in peak season they can be full – always book ferry tickets in advance for you and your spouse (some honeymoon packages or travel agents can do this). A romantic twist could be springing for business class seats on the ferry, which are a bit comfier and less crowded. Alternatively, Greek domestic flights exist (Mykonos, Santorini, Crete etc. have airports). If time is tight or seas are rough, a flight via Athens can be worth it (45 min vs a few hours ferry). But honestly, island-hopping by ferry is part of the fun – standing on deck with the wind in your hair, hand in hand, approaching a new island together.
• Luxury Stays & Booking: Both Mykonos and Santorini specialize in luxury hospitality. As honeymooners, mention it when booking – many hotels (like Grace Santorini, Cavo Tagoo, etc.) will provide bubbly or special treats for honeymoon couples. There are also LGBTQ+-focused travel agencies (like our partners at OutOfOffice) that can tailor a package – but you can DIY easily since Greece is very used to gay tourists in these areas​. Fun fact: Some Santorini hotels are strictly adults-only, which suits honeymooners well.

Legalities & Openness

Greece recognizes same-sex civil partnerships (not full marriage yet), and in tourist areas Greeks are very accepting. Youlikely won’t face issues checking into hotels as a same-sex couple – Greek hospitality is gracious. You might even find staff eager to point you to gay-friendly spots. Public displays of affection like holding hands or a quick kiss are fine in Mykonos, Santorini, Athens. In smaller villages, you might be a bit more discreet simply because of local conservatism, but Greek islanders are used to foreigners. Many gay couples have enjoyed trouble-free honeymoons here. (If you plan to have a symbolic wedding or renewal, Mykonos even has planners for that – and the mayor of Tilos, another island, famously conducted Greece’s first same-sex marriage).

Ready to start planning your gay honeymoon in Greece? Our colleagues at Out Of Office, the world's biggest LGBTQ+ travel company, are on hand to craft the perfect itinerary for you.