The Best LGBTQ-Friendly Destinations
It's been over 20 years since The Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage. Since then, 33 countries, including most of Western Europe, have followed suit opening the world to a community that had previously had to hide itself.
While homosexuality is still illegal in 64 countries, the world is making progress and the selection of LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations on offer is better than ever. Here’s a list of our favourite LGBTQ-friendly destinations.
LGBTQ holiday destinations in Europe
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Homosexuality has been legal in The Netherlands since 1811, and they were the first country to legalise gay marriage in 2001, making it one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. The most gay-friendly city in The Netherlands is Amsterdam. While it’s known for its risqué reputation, Amsterdam also has a thriving LGBTQ community. Head to the Reguliersdwarsstraat, the city's most famous gay street, and you'll find many gay cafés, shops, bars and clubs. For LGBT history enthusiasts, visit Homomonument, a large pink triangle memorial commemorating all the gay men and women who were persecuted due to their sexuality in WW2. When it was unveiled in 1987, it was the first gay memorial in the world. Plus you can still enjoy all the other historic and cultural sites of the city, including Anne Frank's House, the Rijksmuseum, and the Van Gogh Museum.
View all holidays to The Netherlands
Berlin, Germany
Germany is a relatively conservative European country with some strong right-wing views, especially in the eastern parts of the country and rural areas (in these areas, it's recommended to exercise caution in being publicly intimate). However, same-sex marriage has been legal here since 2017, and cities like Hamburg and Cologne are considered gay-friendly. Germany's capital, Berlin, is the friendliest to the LGBT community. There are many LGBT-focused attractions to see here, including the Schwules museum, the world's first LGBT-focused museum and Nollendorfplatz - a square where the gay community convenes in the Schoneberg district and host of the annual two-day lesbian-gay street festival called Motzstraßenfest.
View our Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz Tour
Madrid, Spain
Despite being a predominately catholic country, Spain is also LGBTQ-friendly. While Barcelona and Sitges enjoying a higher profile for gay holidays, Madrid has a queer population of 500,000. Its pride parade attracts more than 1.5 million people a year, including 300,000 overseas visitors, making it the second biggest in the world. Chueca, Madrid's 'Gaybourhood', is filled with bars, shops, nightclubs, restaurants and bookstores that focus on the gay clientele. And, if you visit in late June or early July, you'll get to enjoy their Gay Pride parties, which are famous worldwide.
Milan, Italy
As the fashion capital of the world, it's quite normal to see same-sex couples holding hands and kissing in Milan. When you're done seeing the Duomo di Milano and marvelling at da Vinci's The Last Supper, head to Milan's queer centre. Porta Venezia, specifically Via Lecco, has many options for gay-friendly bars and clubs. You can also follow in the footsteps of Madonna, Freddie Mercury and Elton John with a visit to the gay-friendly Club Plastic - Italy's answer to Studio 54.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Like the Scandinavian cities of Stockholm and Oslo, Copenhagen is known for its high level of LGBTQ integration. Whether you're looking for thrills at Tivoli Gardens, history at Rosenborg Castle, or culture at one of the many museums or galleries, Copenhagen has it all. While you're here, why not visit Europe's oldest gay bar, Centralhjørnet, Copenhagen's historic Latin Quarter?
We visit Copenhagen on our tour of Stockholm and Copenhagen.
View our Stockholm and Copenhagen tour
Helsinki, Finland
If you’re a gay man of a certain age, or if LGBTQ history interests you, you’ll know that Finland is the birthplace of Tom of Finland. The books featuring this leather-clad hero displayed a ruggedly sexualised masculinity pre-1971 when homosexuality was still illegal. In Helsinki, you can view work from the author, Touko Laaksonen - whose work served as a call to action for the gay rights movement by undermining the homophobic, heteronormative tropes of masculinity – in Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.
We visit Helsinki on our tours of Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga.
View our Helsinki Tallinn and Riga tour
Valletta, Malta
Malta ranks first in the Gay Travel Index as the most LGBTQ-progressive nation in the world. While there are no official gay areas in Malta, most of the gay bars and clubs can be found in Valetta. Here you can visit the famous Blue Grotto, explore the island's historic past in Grandmaster's Palace or take a day trip to Mdina - known as the Silent City.
Chora, Mykonos
Most Mediterranean islands are a safe haven for LGBTQ travellers, and Mykonos ticks all the boxes. Made famous by Jackie Onassis and Grace Kelly in the 1970s, the LGBT community have been flocking to Mykonos for 50 years. Whether you're looking to relax on one of the stunning white beaches, wander the pristine white streets or explore the fascinating archaeology of Delos, there's something for everyone here.
LGBTQ holiday destinations in the Americas
Toronto, Canada
Canada is also considered very LGBT-friendly. In Toronto, The Church and Wellesley Village is a particularly friendly neighbourhood and one of the city's most vibrant. Visitors flock to the Botanical Garden or the city's historic distillery district or use Toronto as a base from which to see Niagara Falls. There also are many gay-friendly things to see here, such as North America's oldest surviving gay and lesbian-focused bookstore, Glad Day Bookshop.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Of South American countries, Uruguay is by far the most progressive. Here same-sex activities have been legal since 1934 - 33 years before the UK's Sexual Offences Act of 1967. The nation's capital, Montevideo, is home to nearly half of Uruguay's population and one of the safest Latin American cities. This vibrant, laid-back city has a rich cultural life and stunning beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. As a relatively small country, it's possible to use Montevideo to explore the rest of the country on day trips. We recommend the cities of Salto and Paysandu and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Colonia del Sacramento to the west.
LGBTQ holiday destinations in Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa is more LGBTQ-friendly than any other country on the African continent. While South Africans are generally very conservative, gay travellers are free to be themselves in the cities, especially Cape Town. Here you can enjoy stunning views from Table Mountain and Lion's Head, visit historic vineyards that date back to the 1650s, visit fascinating museums like the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa or explore the native flora in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
We visit Cape Town on several of our escorted tours.
View all holidays to South Africa
Tel Aviv, Israel
While the middle east is known for being one of the least LBGTQ-friendly regions in the world, Israel is a notable exception. In Tel Aviv, 25% of the population is estimated to be LGBT. Situated along the Mediterranean Sea, it's got beaches, nightlife and a thriving LGBTQ+ community. The city is home to one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean basin, the Old City of Jaffa with a wealth of mosques, churches, sculptures, museums and galleries to explore. And for art lovers, the comprehensive collection of modern, contemporary and Israeli art at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a must-see!
LGBTQ holiday destinations in Australasia
Melbourne, Australia
Australia has a large LGBTQIA+ community of around 11% of the population. In Melbourne, members of the LGBT community are welcomed throughout the city, most notably in the fringe neighbourhoods of South Yarra and Collingwood - its gay centre. Here you'll find rainbow flags flying from buildings, queer street art and advertising tailored to the pink dollar. Visit cocktail bars, world-class coffee roasters, avant-garde art galleries, pop-up performance venues to explore, and the wealth of shops proudly sporting LGBT-friendly stickers.
Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most liberal countries in the world, making it a great choice for a gay-friendly holiday. For those with an adventurous heart, Auckland has a lot to offer. Built on volcanic hills and mountains, with rugged beaches to the north, you can hike and explore the natural landscape without leaving the city. For those with an interest in history and culture, Auckland has everything from war and maritime museums to the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium.
We visit Auckland on our tour of New Zealand.
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