Thinking about a holiday any time soon? Here’s our breakdown of the gayest cities in europe for unforgettable LGBT holidays.
It’s the end of Pride and the start of summer. So we’re looking at some LGBTQIA+-friendly holiday destinations to celebrate…
Valletta
Perhaps less gay-specific venues than other places on this list, don’t let that put you off. Malta has a strong record on LGBTQIA+ rights. It’s even at the top of ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe Index, making it one of the best gay holiday destinations.
Go be gay in any bar or club and no one will bat an eyelid. They have their Pride in September, so maybe squeeze it in before uni starts again.
Madrid
You may immediately think of Barcelona or Sitges as great queer destinations. But the dry heat of the capital is home to a large LGBTQIA+ community. Make sure you check out the neighbourhoods of Chueca and Malasaña. Rich history, culture and food by day, followed up by partying late into the night.
Gran Canaria
In particular, Maspalomas to the south, but anywhere really. Just a higher concentration of gay venues in the southern tip of the island. Any of the Canary Islands would make a great choice for sun-loving party gays. The Gran Canaria Pride actually happens much later in the year, so if you fancy some November sun, check it out.
Antwerp
Beautiful architecture and friendly people await in this historic European city. Whether you’re more mild or wild, there’s something for you. From museums to beer tasting to naughtier venues, this is a haven of LGBTQIA+ rights. They have a Pride event in the middle of August each year.
Glasgow
Looking for something you don’t need a passport for? Glasgow is Scotland’s sleeper hit for queer tourists. Not only does it have plenty of LGBT bars and clubs for those who love a night out, but there’s also a rich creative scene. Hit the city in mid-July to coincide with their Pride festival.
Berlin
For the raunchier side of the community, Berlin’s gay saunas are world-renowned. For everyone else, there are vibrant late-night clubs or historical landmarks. There’s even the famously exclusive Berghain which used to be a gay bar (and still largely is). Berlin Pride usually falls in mid-late July.
Mykonos
Following the pattern of mediterranean islands being great destinations for LGBTQIA+ people, Mykonos is hugely popular with gay men. The picturesque isle is rich with great food and stunning landmarks. It's one of the best LGBT travel destinations. There's also the gay festival XLSIOR in mid-late August.
Sydney
Alongside all the tourist trappings you could hope for, this aussie city has a thriving gay scene. If you’ve got the means to travel down under, the Oxford Street gay scene is certainly worth a stop. As well as Pride festivals, Sydney also has the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras that runs from mid-February to March.
Copenhagen
Home to the world’s oldest gay bar, Denmark’s capital has a highly integrated queer community. This means the gay-specific scene may be smaller, but you probably won’t face any issues there. Copenhagen Pride runs in mid-late August each year.
Dublin
Ireland was the first country to pass same-sex marriage by popular vote and is just a stone’s throw away. Queer clubs, cafes and bookshops for the booze, beans and books fans respectively. Each year the city sees a large crowd gather for Dublin Pride in late june.
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