White Cycladic houses sitting on sheer and craggy cliffs that rise above a turquoise sea – it’s hard not to fall in love with sun-kissed Santorini. Sitting at the cusp of the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Crete, this Greek hideaway is a playground for everything hedonistic. After all, Santorini is the land of the sexy and there’s a lot of skin showing, and all for a good purpose. What’s more, it definitely adds to the island’s sultry vibe. If that wasn’t enough, Santorini is incredibly gay-friendly and the number of gay hotels in Santorini Greece is through the roof. The gay scene might not be much and the island slightly calmer than its rambunctious neighbor Mykonos. Despite that, the island is sultry and gay-friendly to boot. It even has a gay-popular nudist beach, Vlychada which is very easy to access as well.
Beyond the gay scene, there’s so much more to explore on this gorgeous island, which is one of the Most Beautiful Greek Islands. For one, it’s home to a submerged volcano and caldera, which is amongst the World’s Most Incredible Cliffs. The island is also one of the Most Colorful Places On Earth, as is evidenced by the lush foliage, black cliffs, turquoise waters – and the incredibly vibrant towns. If that wasn’t enough, the island is one of the Best Luxurious Honeymoon Destinations in the world – and has been for a long time. It’s only fitting then that if you’re looking for a sexy and sultry sun-kissed gay vacation, then Santorini is the place to be. To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece.
Table of contents
- Dioskouri Art Villas
- Santellini Hotel
- Katikies Hotel
- Anteliz Suites
- Altana Heritage Suites
- Phos The Boutique
- Aspaki by Art Maisons
- Andronis Boutique Hotel
- Volcano View by Caldera Collection
- Lilium Santorini Villa
- Esperas
- Best Gay Neighborhoods in Santorini
- Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Santorini
- Best Gay Saunas in Santorini
- Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Santorini
Dioskouri Art Villas
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Located in southeast Santorini, Dioskouri Art Villas is one of the chicest gay hotels in Santorini. Tucked in the seaside town of Kamari, the hotel’s beige and blue exterior with white trimmings stands out against the turquoise of the Aegean Sea. Choose from a host of large suite-like rooms, all of which come with kitchenettes for cooking romantic meals and small dining areas as well. Large bedrooms with plush beds and modern, chic bathrooms complete the digs. Everywhere, you can see the influences of traditional Greek architecture in the form of arches in the doorways. You’ll especially love the cozy walk-in shower areas, which are large enough for two people. In fact, some suites even come with deep-soaking tubs, perfect if you’re on your honeymoon.
Outside the rooms, the divine outdoor pool forms the epicenter of the hotel. It’s a tranquil and quieter alternative to Kamari beach. After a refreshing dip, enjoy snacks and beverages at your perch under the umbrella. What’s more, the snack bar even offers great cocktails and light meals throughout the day. The best bit is the rich buffet breakfast that’s served every day in the dining room. Post that, you can head out to the beach or exploring the island.
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Santellini Hotel
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Nestled in the heart of Kamari is one of the most unique gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece, Santellini Hotel. Since Kamari is often overlooked due to the presence of Thera, it’s decidedly less crowded, which gay travelers who want to stay award from crowds will love. The classic blue-and-white exterior is typically Santorini, which classic designs such as arches and shutter windows. Rooms and suites have simple designs in color schemes of pink, grey, and blue. Fresh flowers, feature walls, huge windows, and shaded patios overlooking the pool add to the romantic ambiance. Immaculate and modern bathrooms round up the place.
The rest of the hotel is similarly impressive, especially the huge outdoor pool and sun terrace that is its beating heart. Begin your day with a refreshing swim and a lounge on the sunbeds while sipping cocktails. Post a swim, head to the spa for a relaxing couples massage, which can you even convert into an in-room one. The sandy Kamari Beach is a hop, skip, jump away. Finally, the hotel offers a delicious continental breakfast, despite not having a restaurant on-site.
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Katikies Hotel
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Are you in Santorini for your honeymoon? Then head to one of the Best Hotels in Santorini For Honeymoon, Katikies Hotel. What’s more, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful gay hotels in Santorini. Located close to the island’s northern tip in Oia, this cliffside hotel offers spectacular views of the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. All whitewashed rooms at this hotel boast private terraces with views across the caldera. Besides all the usual mod-cons, you’ll also find fridges, minibars, and even small wine cellars. So, this hotel is perfect for a staycation in Santorini too! Bathrooms are mesmerizingly all-white with wooden vanities and sexy fittings and bath products. Go for the suites with deep-soaking bathtubs, and we’re sure you’ll never leave the hotel!
Begin your day with a fabulous American breakfast with champagne every morning right in the comfort of your private terrace. The rest of the hotel is similarly decadent; it has two infinity pools and a hot tub with some of the most breathtaking views in all of Santorini. Moreover, two on-site restaurants are perfect for date night, in case you don’t want to head to the town. It’s no wonder that this hotel is often called one of the World’s Most Unusual Hotels!
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Anteliz Suites
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Gay travelers who want to stay away from and yet close to the bustle of Fira will love Anteliz Suites. One of the most intimate gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece, this hotel is a modern take on Santorini’s iconic Cycladic architecture. So, rooms are traditionally whitewashed, and yet boast all-marble floors and high ceilings like contemporary digs. At the same time, you’ll find all the modern touches you’d expect from an upscale hotel today, such as iPod docking stations and huge flatscreen TVs. What’s more, you’ll even find decadent touches such as minibars and plush beds with pillowtop menus. The bathrooms, however, are the sexiest feature. They’re decked out in dark and sensual shades such as carmine, teal, and black marble. Rain showers and bathtubs add to the erotic vibe, making it the perfect place to indulge in romance.
You’ll love the rest of the hotel too, which begins the day by serving hearty breakfasts on the expansive sun terrace. The heavenly outdoor pool lies right beside and enjoys mesmerizing views of the caldera. There’s even a hydromassage bath right next to it for a relaxing soak after a swim. Finally, the staff assists you with everything from massage treatments and boat trips to wine tastings.
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Altana Heritage Suites
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Gay travelers who love their decadence and luxury to be topped with a dollop of history and character will love Altana Heritage Suites. One of the most charming gay hotels in Santorini, this heritage hotel sits in an envious location right next to Skaros Rock in the village of Imerovigli. The hotel offers million-dollar views of the Aegean, but that’s not all. It sits in a restored 18th-century structure, making for characterful digs. The light-filled interiors perfectly complement the decadent exteriors, which include divine plunge pools set in vast private terraces. Mod-cons such as minibars, coffeemakers, and swish bathrooms with slippers and bathrobes means that you have all essentials for a romantic staycation.
Begin your wonderful day with a hearty homemade breakfast at the on-site cafe. Besides the plunge pools in the rooms, there’s a huge outdoor swimming pool too with mesmerizing views of the ocean. During the day, laze on the sunbeds or chaise lounges by the pool, drink cocktails, and read books from the private libraries in the rooms.
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Phos The Boutique
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Yet another of the best gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece is Phos the Boutique, which lies right at the western edge of Santorini in Akrotiri. Nestled right above Akra Aspronisi peninsula, it offers unobstructed views of the caldera and the Sea of Crete. The boutique resort offers the ultimate in amenities, which discerning gay travelers who love opulence will absolutely adore. Choose from a bevy of king-sized suites and villas, all of which come with private terraces overlooking the sea. But, that’s not all. The terraces also have heated infinity pools with hydrotherapy jets and sun loungers by the side. Even the interiors are no less, perfectly blending the traditional design with modern and tropical touches. Plush beds, fluffy robes, organic toiletries and swanky mod-cons complete the digs.
The rest of the hotel is similarly impressive. A delectable à la carte breakfast can be enjoyed in privacy of your room, right by the pool. Moreover, the restaurant serves delectable Mediterreanean fare for lunches and dinners. If that wasn’t enough, delicious snacks and cocktails are served throughout the day. The best bit is the that you can book revitalizing wellness and spa massages or body treatments right on the sun terraces.
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Aspaki by Art Maisons
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One of the most luxurious gay hotels in Santorini is the Instagrammable Aspaki by Art Maisons. The hotel’s photos are perhaps used the most to show what a possibly luxurious and hedonistic Greek holiday looks like. Imagine a Cycladic architectural tunnel filled with water leading out to an infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea – that’s what this hotel looks like. Barrel vault ceilings and whitewashed stone walls add to the sultry character of the rooms and suites, no two of which are alike. Moreover, there are just seven suites, which add to the intimate and exclusive vibe of the hotel. Besides all contemporary mod-cons, they all come with balconies with mesmerizing sea views. Furthermore, they all have private heated pools or private jacuzzis, or both! Oh, and both the pools and jacuzzis are built into hand-carved caves in the cliffside. Sigh.
Service is absolutely top-notch here, and you have access to the full-sized, heated outdoor pool that forms the centerpiece of the rest of the hotel. Thanks to the poolside bar service, you can rest on your perch all day long and keep sipping on cocktails with your significant other. Post a swim, indulge in a Mediterranean meal at the adjacent restaurant. After exploring Oia’s attractions and sights, return to the hotel and enjoy light meals, snacks, and sundowners at the bar.
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Andronis Boutique Hotel
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Andronis Boutique Hotel is one of the most minimalist gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece. Located smack dab in the heart of Oia, the hotel complements its minimalist stylings perfectly with feature pieces of decor and wooden furniture. Think naturalistic curving ceilings, traditional island window shutters, etc. Plus, the gorgeous whitewashed hotel offers incredible views over the caldera from every nook and cranny. Even the digs here are decadent to boot. All units at this all-suite property have been hand-carved into the cliffside, a la traditional Santorinian caves. What’s more, each suite has its own plunge pool or jacuzzi, besides the two shared pools at the hotel. Comfy chairs, tables, and sunbeds, Tempur-Pedic beds, and swanky mod-cons such as minibars and coffee machines make up the rest of the place.
What’s special about this hotel is that it houses what is Oia’s first restaurant, Lauda. Opened in 1971, it’s the island’s oldest restaurant and even had its first telephone at that time. Choose to swim in and lounge at one of the two pools, one of which is cool and the other one is heated. If you tire of the poolside views, which we don’t think will happen, the hotel also offers a slew of other amenities. Think wine-tasting sessions, yoga classes, and cooking lessons. It’s no wonder that this is one of the Best Hotels in Santorini.
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Volcano View by Caldera Collection
3
Going one better than all of the above is Volcano View by Caldera Collection, one of the most unique gay hotels in Santorini. Located high above Fira, it offers breathtaking views of the town, the caldera, and the Sea of Crete. Gay travelers who simply want to unwind will love staying here. Every room and suite here has a private terrace or a balcony that overlooks the volcano and the sea. For couples who’re looking for privacy, go for one of the seven secluded villas. Not only do they come with their own terrace space, but each of those terraces even has a private plunge pool. On the inside, the rooms are utterly modern with Greek architecture enhancing their beauty. The bathrooms are especially sexy and some even have bathtubs that have been carved naturally from the rock – talk about luxury!
The hotel is special in more ways than one. For one, it has not one or two but three different pools, all of which are perfectly positioned to overlook the sea to catch those gorgeous Greek sunsets. They’re peppered with sunbeds and are the perfect place to laze around during the day and soak up the Greek sun. Dig into delectable meals at the restaurant, which is also a lovely place to watch sunsets with a sundowner in hand. Begin your day with a wonderful Greek breakfast, after which you can amble down the cobblestone streets and explore the town.
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Lilium Santorini Villa
2
The gorgeous Lilium Santorini Villa is one of the most charming gay friendly hotels in Santorini Greece. Located a mere five-minute drive from Fira, the villa hotel sits right on the edge of Santorini’s caldera. So, it’s also close to most of the Top Things To Do In Santorini. Thus, it boasts some of the most gorgeous views over the Sea of Crete and the Aegean Seas, as well as the peak of Tholos Naftilos. Villas are clad in all-white, with the dark floors providing the pop of color. and, of course, there’s the blue of the sea that can be seen from the private balcony of each villa. Besides minibars and plush beds, they all also have serene, all-white bathrooms. Bespoke bath products offer a touch of indulgence.
The rest of the hotel is also very impressive, right from the infinity pool to the restaurant that serves Mediterranean fare. Take in the stunning panoramas from the sun loungers at the infinity pool while sipping on craft cocktails from the bar. After a swim and a lounge, head for a hearty lunch at the restaurant, which also boasts gorgeous sea views.
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Esperas
1
LGBTQ travelers who love rustic luxury will love Esperas, one of the finest gay hotels in Santorini. The hotel is literally carved into the caldera-facing cliffside and offers stupendous views of the sea. Choose from a bevy of tasteful, Cycladic-style units which are divided into studios, cave homes, and honeymoon suites. Notwithstanding what you choose, they all have jaw-dropping views of the Aegean from their private terraces. Greek architecture medls seamlessly with mod-cons such as plush beds and coffeemakers. The cave-carved bathrooms give off a primal feeling, with the dark-walled walk-in showers being incredibly sexy – and large enough for two, might we add.
The rest of the hotel is equally picture-perfect, especially the stunning infinity pool that offfers unbeatable views of Santorini and the sea. After a refreshing swim, lounge on your perch and sip on cocktails from the pool bar. You can even enjoy light snacks such as healthy wraps if you’re going to stay by the pool longer. After a round of sundowners at sunset, dine by the starlight in the restaurant, which boasts an intimate ambiance and million-dollar sea views. It’s no wonder that his gay friendly Santorini hotel occupies the top spot.
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Best Gay Neighborhoods in Santorini
Santorini doesn’t have a gay scene as such, but gay travelers shouldn’t be discouraged. Overall, the island is not a partying or clubbing destination – that’s Mykonos. That said, most of the best bars in Santorini, which are mainly lie in the western town of Thera (a.k.a. Fira and Chora) are gay-friendly. What’s more, Santorini even has a gay beach that lies on the southern side called Vlychada Beach. It’s currently the most popular and hottest “gay” beach on the island. It’s followed by Koloumbos and Exomitis Beaches, both of which have gay-friendly attitudes.
On the whole, acceptance on the island is very high, especially for couples. Since Santorini is such a romantic destination, single gay travelers might have to cruise around to meet someone. That said, whether you’re here to hook up or dial up the romance on your relationship, Santorini and its gay hotels are ideal.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Santorini
- Theros Wave Bar: Voted one of the Mediterranean’s best beach bars, the gay-friendly Theros lies on the gay-friendly Vlychada beach. What’s more, it’s also one of the most popular wedding destinations on the island. What’s more, the bar is also known for the amazing parties it throws, which you and your partner can enjoy. Drink cocktails and enjoy delicious Greek cuisine while relaxing on the gay nudist beach.
- Tropical Bar Santorini: Located right on the stairs in Thera, this gay-friendly bar is one of the best spots to enjoy date night on the island. It boasts amazing views of the Sea of Crete, especially when you grab a table on the balcony. A lilting ambiance aside, great music, lip-smacking food, and happy hour discounts make it an excellent place to enjoy more than once.
Best Gay Saunas in Santorini
Despite all its gay-friendliness, Santorini doesn’t have a gay sauna – yet. But, it does have gay beaches and gay hotels that have saunas and jacuzzis, such as Aspaki Hotel. And of course, we’re hoping that a gay sauna makes its appearance on the island soon!
Best Gay Events/Shows/Tours in Santorini
- Gaily Tour in Santorini: Helmed by a gay/lesbian tour guide, explore the amazing towns and sights of the island. Explore prehistoric settlements, discover frescoes, and experience the charms of the amazing towns such as Oia and Thera on this gay-friendly tour. The tour is two hours long and takes place in a minibus or car, depending on the number of people.