Is it time to plan your next escape, but you're not sure where to go? Sure, there are thousands of holiday hotspots around the world where you can relax by the beach, sample the local cuisine, and enjoy the nightlife in a welcoming atmosphere. But if you're looking for a destination that combines all of that, plus a gay-friendly city—or in many cases, a large LGBTQ+ population or group of visitors—there are only a handful of places internationally that make the cut.
We've come up with a list of the top 15 most gay-friendly cities in the world to visit. These destinations are well-known and exciting places for your next gaycation!
Key West has long been a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ travelers, artists, and freethinkers, and that remains true today. This eclectic, delightful little island offers plenty for active travelers—kayaking, skydiving, shipwreck diving—and just the right amount of low-key activities for the more relaxed traveler, such as beaches, shops, and galleries. Getting around on foot or by bike is a great way to experience the island. During the day, you can head to Duval Street for shopping or check out the only gay and lesbian historic trolley tour. There’s also Higgs Beach, which has a poignant AIDS memorial. Gay life seems to spill into the mainstream on the island, and visitors can expect to feel welcome and comfortable at any establishment, whether it’s a bar, hotel, or shop. At night, there are plenty of options for fun, like 801 Bourbon Street for drag shows or Bourbon Street Pub for dancing.
>> Recommended Hotel: Island House Key West
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Central America isn’t exactly known as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination, but Costa Rica is making headway, especially thanks to Manuel Antonio, a popular gay-friendly beach town. In fact, it’s one of the few LGBTQ+-friendly small towns in Central America, and you’ll find plenty of gay establishments here. Manuel Antonio has only one main road, making getting around ridiculously easy. The gay nightlife scene is located in the last half mile of the road. Same-sex marriage was recognized in Costa Rica in 2020, and it is relatively accepted, though with a bit of discretion. Check out Mogambo BarCafé or Café Milagro for an LGBTQ+ bar and cafe scene, and Club Karma for a night out. Playa Espadilla is the main beach and, by virtue of being in Manuel Antonio, also a gay beach. For a nude beach, you’ll need to visit Playa La Mancha.
>> Recommended Hotel: Oceanfront Hotel Verde Mar
Just south of Barcelona, Sitges has been a popular gay destination for decades, and its luster remains strong. With an awesome yet relaxed beach vibe, great restaurants, events, and nightlife, we can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t love Sitges. Perhaps one of its most famous attractions are the sun-soaked beaches that line the coast of this tiny Catalan town—17 in total! All are gay-friendly, though Platja de la Bassa Rodona is the main gay beach, along with Platja d’Aiguadolç and Platja dels Balmins, which are the nude beaches located a bit farther south from the city center. Sitges is a totally relaxed beach town, but it comes alive at night with a surprisingly vibrant nightlife scene. The night kicks off early at Plaça Indústria, a large square filled with outdoor terraces—perfect for people-watching and sipping cocktails.
>> Recommended Hotel: Parrots Gay Hotel
Gallipoli, Italy
Puglia is also one of the most gay-friendly areas in Southern Italy, and within it is the town of Gallipoli. Gallipoli is another small, charming gay beach town, but unlike Sitges or Fire Island, it is not known for its party-boy wild nightlife scene. Instead, it's celebrated for its beauty and come-as-you-are atmosphere. However, the increasingly popular Italy Gay Summer Party is held at the end of August in Gallipoli. This three-day beach party, organized by Italy Gay Travels attracts an international crowd. Salento Pride also takes place in Gallipoli in August. Overall, this gay beach town is perfect for the gay traveler looking to relax in a gay-friendly environment away from the circuit party scene.
>> Recommended Event: Italy Gay Summer Party
Just 90 minutes from Boston is a tiny seaside town on the tip of Cape Cod that has as much history as it does gay culture. While many remember from history class that Plymouth Rock was where the Pilgrims settled in 1620, it was, in fact, Provincetown where the Pilgrims first landed before moving on to Plymouth and establishing what would soon become the U.S. But American history aside, P-Town, like many popular small gay getaways, has been completely embraced by the LGBTQ+ community. With a population of about 3,000, this small New England getaway boasts 40+ gay guesthouses, 10+ gay bars and clubs, and 2 gay beaches, while also hosting a dozen or more LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.
>> Recommended Hotel: The Brass Key Gay Guest House
Palm Springs has been an LGBTQ+ getaway for decades, dating back to the glamorous days of Hollywood in the early 1930s. Actors working in Hollywood would escape to Palm Springs, just a two-hour drive away, to let loose and mingle with other closeted gays from the entertainment industry. These days, Palm Springs may have a reputation as a destination for middle-aged or retired visitors, but don’t be fooled. The city has plenty to offer for all ages, and you’ll find travelers of all generations visiting, especially during major events like gay pride, The White Party, and Coachella Music Festival, which draws a particularly young demographic. If you haven’t thought about visiting Palm Springs, you might want to think again. With year-round warm weather and lots of events and cool activities, there’s no better time than now to plan a trip.
>> Recommended Hotel: La Dolce Vida Resort & Spa
Fire Island, USA
For New Yorkers and East Coasters, Fire Island is the go-to summer gaycation spot. Though its year-round population is only 400 residents, during the summer months it soars to about 20,000 with visitors. One of the more charming aspects of the island is the lack of cars, with people using bikes, golf carts, and boats instead. If the island had a capital, it would be Ocean Beach, which has the largest downtown area on the island. The more queer-centered neighborhoods are the Pines and Cherry Grove. Some annual events worth noting include Women's Pride, Invasion of the Pines, Fire Island Dance Festival, and Pines Party.
While London may have a great LGBTQ+ scene, Brighton is really where it’s at. Just an hour away from London by train, this gay-friendly seaside town is a great summer destination for gay bars, clubs, and even its own Pride. Apart from the nightlife, there are plenty of coffee shops, drag burlesque shows, or simply lounging and soaking up the sun—weather permitting, of course. The heart of the gay scene is the Gay Village, located on St. James Street in the Kemptown district. All the beaches are popular with the LGBTQ+ community, but the Brighton Gay Beach is the nudist beach by Brighton Marina. As for annual events, in addition to Brighton Pride, there’s also Trans Pride in July. Let’s hear it for the T in LGBTQ+!
>> Recommended Tour: Piers & Queers Tour
As Mexico’s most gay-friendly resort town, Puerto Vallarta offers a safe environment and has even legalized civil unions. The gay district of Zona Romántica features gay clubs, cocktail bars, as well as gay hotels, and even a gay hostel—Jet’s Gay Hostel—opened by our friend Jet. This gay-friendly beach town is still growing as LGBTQ+ travelers discover its sandy beaches, boutique shops, and vibrant nightlife. Playa Los Muertos is Puerto Vallarta's gay beach, perfect for relaxing, people-watching, socializing, or cruising. Visit in May for Vallarta Pride or in November for the White Party Thanksgiving Circuit Event.
>> Recommended Tour: Jet's Gay Boat Tours
Mykonos is the most popular Greek island for LGBTQ+ travelers. Beautiful beaches, white-painted buildings framed with blue windows, beachfront shops, restaurants, and wild summer parties attract many queer travelers seeking a mix of rest and relaxation, as well as party and pleasure. One of the most popular and largest gay events is XLSIOR Mykonos, described as Europe’s hottest annual summer gay circuit festival. The best time to visit the island is from June to September, but aim for the end of May to the beginning of July if you prefer to avoid the crowds.
>> Recommended Hotel: Poseidon Hotel Suites
This small island in the Mediterranean is very gay-friendly and attracts quite a mixed crowd. Whether you’re there to go clubbing in its infamous nightlife scene, take it easy while tanning on one of its beautiful beaches, or perhaps enjoy a little bit of both, Ibiza won’t disappoint. It’s also well known for its historic center, where the old city wall still stands, its incredible Mediterranean gastronomy, and its can’t-miss annual events. Most of the gay and gay-friendly bars can be found on the gay street, ironically named Calle de la Virgen. However, there are also a handful at Peixateria Vella, the old fish market, and within Dalt Vila, the walled city. While on the gay street, check out places like DADO and Sunrise. Most of these spots are quite similar and feature cute terraces where you can enjoy a cocktail and people-watch.
>> Recommended Hotel: AxelBeach Ibiza
Maspalomas, Spain
Gran Canaria is a unique, gay-friendly, and adventurous place to visit. It’s a hot gay destination year-round due to the warm climate, and Maspalomas is its gay capital. Drag shows in Gran Canaria are like the residency shows of Las Vegas, but with a slightly smaller budget and without the celebrity status. Still, they’re a hit and a must-see. The Yumbo Centre in Maspalomas is the heart of the gay nightlife, with gay bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafes. There are plenty of gay accommodations in and around Maspalomas, but we personally recommend Paso Chico, a great budget option for private bungalows, with a pool right across from all the gay nightlife. Don’t miss the chance to visit Gran Canaria’s famous sand dunes. Located close to Maspalomas, these gently undulating dunes are a protected Nature Reserve that looks like a dazzling corner of the Sahara Desert—and they’re quite cruisy.
>> Recommended Hotel: AxelBeach Maspalomas
Phuket, Thailand
Some say that Phuket has a poor reputation as a tourist destination due to its immense popularity, and with that demand in tourism often comes overdevelopment, large crowds, and harm to the natural environment and wildlife. This issue is not limited to Thailand but occurs across the world. Still, local authorities are continually making efforts to curb these trends. Thailand’s gay-friendly reputation, combined with Phuket’s relaxing yet lively party atmosphere, attracts LGBTQ+ travelers from all parts of the world. Whether you come alone, with a significant other, or with friends, you’re sure to meet other LGBTQ+ people and might even make a few new friends. One thing we really appreciate about Phuket is how welcoming it is to LGBTQ+ individuals. The annual TropOut Festival is a symbol of how gay-friendly this place is and highlights the wide range of opportunities available to visitors, including cultural excursions, island tours, or simply relaxing on the beautiful beaches.
>> Recommended Event: TropOut Festival
Torremolinos became a gay hotspot in the 1960s when its first gay bar opened. Today, it may seem a little outdated, as much of the '60s and '70s style is still present, but its relevance to the LGBTQ+ community remains strong, with many gays continuing to visit during the warmer months or for specific events like Torremolinos Pride and Bear Week. Plenty of year-round sunshine makes it an ideal vacation spot, and breezes from the sea help keep the summer heat tolerable. It’s the perfect place to get a great tan and enjoy some outdoor activities. Some come to relax on the warm sandy beaches, party in the gayborhood of La Nogalera, or shop along the pedestrian street of Calle San Miguel. Whatever your interests may be, this former fishing village in the south of Spain is absolutely worth checking out.
>> Recommended Hotel: Hotel Ritual
Benidorm started as a relatively unknown fishing town until the 1960s. Its discovery by northern Europeans as an inexpensive and beautiful Mediterranean getaway helped boost its international tourism. Even back then, Benidorm had a gay leaning, with its first gay bar opening in the 1970s. It was one of the first popular gay destinations in Spain, even before Sitges. The gay scene has taken over the Old Town, where about 30 gay bars and clubs are located. Bars and terraces tend to be busy all evening and into the night due to the mix of visitors who are used to going out early and the local Spaniards who go out much later. As for the beach scene, the gays head to Ti Ximo Cove for a full-body tan. For a cruisier spot, there’s Racó de Conill, a gay/mixed nudist beach a few kilometers outside the city.
Which place would you most like to visit?
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