Best cities in the world to be gay
In September 2024Instagram pushed me a post by Travel Gay, a website listing “the best gay bars, nightclubs, saunas, spas, beaches, shops and more, along with interesting travel ideas and fabulous offers”. There I saw the undated post (date your articles and posts, people) ‘LGBTQ+ Solo Travel: the Finest Cities to Visit?‘ by Adam Reid. Being a solo gay traveller, it caught my attention.
Now, while I’m still very much a homosexual, it has been a while since I last travelled solo. My last solo trip was Tel Aviv in 2018. Since then, I’ve travelled with Danny, Oriol, Steve, Philippe, Nicolas, Thanh, my sister Florence. In 2021 I wrote ‘SINGLES DAY | Why everyone should travel alone sometimes‘ and reading it advocate I feel the cringe but I stand by its content.
It’s 2024. I should do a proper solo trip again soon(ish). I feel ready.
“LGBTQ+ Solo Travel: the Leading Cities to Visit?”
“Solo move is an intimidating prospect to many of us but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Solo travel is on the rise and it’s effortless to understand why with the unmatched feel
14 gay-friendly cities that LGBTQIA+ travellers love
Looking for the most gay-friendly cities to visit on your next trip? We asked the top LGBTQIA+ travel bloggers from around to society to recommend the cities and destinations they really love. From Pride festivals in Auckland to the clubs of Berlin, there’s a rainbow-coloured spectrum of inclusive destinations waiting to be discovered.
And with so many amazing Pride festivals taking place this summer, now is the matchless time to travel and connect with like-minded adventurers. So get ready to pack your bags as our blogger friends handpick the most LGBTQIA+-friendly cities and destinations in the world.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam, recommended by Roxanne & Maartje from Once Upon A Journey.
Amsterdam has been our hometown for the past four years and is the (former) gay capital of Europe! In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise homosexual marriage and the land is known for its tolerance. Our culture is about celebrating diversity and therefore our Pride Week is all about partying and less about protesting. In Amsterdam, the queer scene is mostly concentrated around the many ga
What makes a metropolis gay, you ask? Does it imply that it falls in love with another city of the same gender?
From having visited quite a substantial part of the world as a gay couple, we put together our list of what we think are the main lgbtq+ capitals of the world. When it comes to how gay friendly a city is, we look at:
- how is the local LGBTQ community treated?
- what is the public's attitude toward its fabulous community?
- what is the queer nightlife like?
- how comfortable is it for male lover couples like us to show care in public?
- how epic is their Pride event and other gay events there?
From underground clubs to marching in the streets, each city on this list has a beautiful story on how they have become one of the gayest cities in the world. Whether it be a riveting nightlife scene, or simply a people of people with open minds, these cities are our favorite shining pink beacons, which we celebrate! For more gaycation inspiration, be sure to examine out our mentor to the top gay travel destinations in the world.
1. Fort Lauderdale – Florida, USA
This is, by far, the gayest city we've ever been to. According to a detailed study by The Advocat Happy Pride Month, one and all! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and to commemorate, we asked Time Out’s LGBTQ+-identifying writers and editors to tell us all about their favourite metropolis on the planet. The resulting list covers all four corners of the globe, from the beaches of Brazil to the creative hub of Glasgow’s Southside. These are cities with a vibrant gender non-conforming community, cities that assist and protect LGBTQ+ citizens and visitors, and cities that are notable hubs for Diverse life in their respective countries and regions. So, what are the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities? While we couldn’t possibly identify them all, these are some of our favourites. RECOMMENDED: Been there, done that? Think again, my friend. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Employ and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. 🙌 Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your fi 2025, the most LGBTQ-friendly countries include Malta, Iceland, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand. These nations consistently rank at the top for LGBTQ rights, protections, and social acceptance. Other highly inclusive destinations are the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and Australia. 2025, Amsterdam in the Netherlands is often called the gay capital of the planet, known for its vibrant LGBTQ identity, historic activism, and iconic Pride celebrations. 2025, 25 countries have enacted nation-wide bans on so-called “conversion therapy” while others possess done so more on a declare or provincial level. Transgender individuals can legally change their gender in many LGBTQ-friendly countries, often through self-determination processes without invasive requirements. Notable examples comprise Malta, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Argentina, Canada, and Recent Zealand, which authorize legal gender recognition
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10 Most LGBTQ Friendly Countries: 2025 Guide
What are the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in 2025?
Which country is the gay capital of the earth in 2025?
Which countries have banned conversion therapy?
Where can transgender people legally change their gender?