| Document and Entity Information | Oct. 22, 2021 |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Oct. 22, 2021 |
| Entity Registrant Name | GLOBAL PARTNERS LP |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity File Number | 001-32593 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 74-3140887 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | P.O. Box 9161 |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 800 South Street |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Waltham |
| Entity Address, State or Province | MA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 02454-9161 |
| City Area Code | 781 |
| Local Phone Number | 894-8800 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001323468 |
| Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 9.75% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests |
| Trading Symbol | GLP pr A |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Common Stock [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Units representing limited partner interests |
| Trading Symbol | GLP |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| 9.50% Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests [Member] | |
| Entity Listings [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 9.50% Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests |
| Trading Symbol | GLP pr B |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
