LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: The Best Places To Visit
What's better than a city packed with gorgeous locals, cheap drinks, and irresistible clubs? A city that welcomes LGBTQ+ visitors! While many major cities offer legalized gay marriage and inclusive nightlife scenes, many smaller towns are still less than friendly to gay travelers. Fortunately, there are many excellent locations where you can feel safe and even meet the love of your life.
A groundbreaking study by Gallup in 2016 found that most Americans support same-sex marriage for the first time. In the same year, the UN Human Rights Council praised the work of many nations to ensure that no one is subjected to discrimination based on their sexual preferences or gender identity or expression. With this new wave of acceptance, it's never been easier for LGBTQ+ travelers to find those hidden spots where they can feel at home.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is one of the world's top destinations for LGBTQ travelers. The Scottish capital has a vibrant gay scene, drawing people from all over the U.K., the rest of Europe, and beyond. The city is known for its Pride Parade, which takes place in mid-August. There's also a lively culture of drag and cabaret. The city's famous Royal Mile is packed with shops, bars, restaurants, and clubs catering to all tastes.
If you want to meet other gay travelers, you'll find several hostels and queer-friendly guesthouses in town. Many of these are aimed at the younger LGBTQ crowd. There are direct flights from most major UK airports and a handful of European cities. Hostel dorm beds are around £20 per night, while one-bedroom apartments can be rented for about £100 per week.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is South America's smallest and most progressive country. Since 1934, same-sex sexual activity has been legal; anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ people have been in place since 2004, and gay marriage was legalized in 2013. Montevideo, Uruguay's capital and home to nearly half of the country's population, is a vibrant and laid-back city with a rich cultural life and stunning Atlantic Ocean beaches.
Because Uruguay is a small country, Montevideo is also an excellent starting point for day trips throughout the country. In the west, visit Salto, Paysandu, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Colonia del Sacramento, or take day trips to the party-til-you-drop Punta del Este, La Paloma, and Punta del Diablo.
Iceland
In Iceland, there is an adventure waiting to happen every day. Iceland is an outdoor enthusiast's dream, with mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, rivers, lakes, caves, and other rough terrain waiting to be explored. Aside from its natural beauty, Iceland is also a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ visitors.
Iceland has become a true rainbow paradise and a popular travel destination for gay people and gender minorities, with nearly full legal equality, vigorous representation in parliament and the media, and an infrastructure to support and elevate gender equality among people.
Berlin, Germany
With its thriving nightlife, diverse club scene, and plenty of gay events, Berlin is a perennial favorite for LGBTQ travelers. The city has a large and visible gay population and several LGBT venues and events throughout the year. Many of the city's bars and clubs are gay-friendly or gay-owned. But you're just as likely to find straight locals in these places as gay visitors.
Berlin is also home to a large and thriving gay community, with everything from gay sports clubs to support groups for gay parents. Several gay hotels, hostels, and hotels cater to gay visitors. Berlin's two international airports are the city's main points of entry. Tegel Airport is the city's larger airport, handling most of Berlin's international flights. Schönefeld Airport is more petite and operates some European flights, as well as some domestic flights.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the world's top destinations for LGBTQ travelers. It has a vibrant gay scene, drawing people from all over Spain, Latin America, and beyond. The city's Pride Parade, Gran Parada de Lesbianas y Homosexuals, is considered one of the best Pride events on the planet. The atmosphere is incredible and a great place to meet other LGBTQ travelers.
If you want to join in the festivities, you should visit between July and August, when the Parade takes place. Barcelona International Airport is the city's main airport, also known as El Prat Airport. There are direct flights to Barcelona from most major European cities. Gay hostels and hotels are famous in Barcelona. However, you'll also find plenty of hotels and guesthouses that welcome gay travelers. Two-person room rates start at around €30 per night.
Singapore
The city is generally very accepting and has a lively gay community. Most of Singapore's gay bars are located in the districts of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. You'll also find gay clubs in the Lan Quarry area and some clubs in Sentosa, a popular tourist attraction.
There are direct flights from most major Asian cities and many European cities. Gay-friendly hotels and hostels are popular, but many regular hotels are LGBTQ-friendly. You can expect to pay around $70 per night for a single room. A good option for budget travelers is the Singapore Squeeze hostel, where dorm beds start at just $16 per night.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal attracts a diverse crowd of gay travelers from across North America. The city has a thriving gay scene, with everything from gay sports clubs to support groups for gay parents. You'll find gay bars and clubs in the mainly French-speaking city. The leading gay area is the Village, located in the downtown area.
If you're looking to meet other gay travelers, Montreal's Pride celebrations are a great place to start. They take place every June and attract visitors from all over the world. There are direct flights from most major Canadian cities and US cities. Hostel beds in Montreal start at around $30 per night, while cheap budget hotels are easy to find.
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza is a gay-friendly island in the Balearic Sea, off the coast of Spain. The island is home to a lively gay scene, with everything from gay sports clubs to support groups for gay parents. You'll find gay bars and clubs on the mainly Spanish-speaking island. The leading gay area is Playa den Bossa, located east of the island.
If you're looking to meet other gay travelers, Ibiza's Pride celebrations are a great place to start. They take place every June and attract visitors from all over the world. You can arrive at Ibiza airport. Many major European cities and some in North America and Asia can be reached without changing planes. Hostel beds in Ibiza start at around €18 per night, while cheap budget hotels are easy to find.
North America
If you are looking for a queer-friendly vacation, you might want to consider visiting North America, as this continent is widely considered to be the most LGBTQ-friendly place to travel.
Some of North America's most well-known LGBTQ events and festivals, such as the Pride March in New York City, DragonCon in Atlanta, and the Seattle International Film Festival, take place in North America. Many large U.S. and Canadian cities also have LGBTQ neighborhoods with bars, restaurants, and shops that cater to the queer community.
Conclusion
The rise in awareness among people worldwide has made it easier than ever for LGBTQ+ tourists to find safe havens. We trust that with this article, your search for the next best trip with your special someone is over. Start booking your tour now!
