Europe is easily the most tolerant and accepting region in the world, and there are many cities across the continent where you can let your true colors shine without fear of judgment or harassment. Places like Amsterdam, Berlin, and Barcelona are well-known for being gay-friendly, tolerant, and having large LGBTQ+ communities. Still, we think Madrid is perhaps the top contender for the number one spot on our list of the best gay destinations in Europe. Certainly, there are a handful of cities that compete for this title, but with its mix of size, gay scene, events, and overall vibe, we’d argue that Madrid takes the crown. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should visit Madrid and see why we believe it’s the best gay destination in Europe.

Madrid is Tolerant and Gay Friendly

Madrid is not a city where the LGBTQ+ community is confined to just the gay neighborhood. For years, Madrid has been known as a tolerant place, where you can hold your partner's hand or be affectionate in public, and nobody cares. For the most part, local residents are accustomed to LGBTQ+ people, and you’ll rarely encounter hostility—let alone even a single anti-gay comment or glance from a local. The vibe in Madrid is not just one of tolerance, but rather of acceptance. There are very few cities in the world that offer the same kind of welcome to LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.

Madrid’s Weather is Great

The weather in Madrid is warm nearly all year, and the city enjoys more than 300 sunny days annually. Besides a couple of chilly months in January and February (though not terribly cold), Madrid’s climate is pleasant, and for this reason, you’ll see locals outdoors at all hours of the day. July and August can be a bit warm in the heat of the afternoon, but this is why the Spanish siesta is so well-known. As the afternoon turns to evening, the weather cools down, making it extremely pleasant to spend the evening socializing outside with friends, family, or colleagues.

Awesome Gay Neighborhoods

Madrid is full of diverse neighborhoods, each offering its own unique style. The city has a great “gayborhood” called Chueca, where for decades the LGBTQ+ community gathered and lived together. However, as the city became more open, welcoming, and tolerant, the LGBTQ+ community has expanded beyond the borders of Chueca to other great neighborhoods like Malasaña, La Latina, and Lavapiés. While Chueca still has the highest concentration of gay bars and LGBTQ+ specific venues, more and more places are opening in these other neighborhoods and throughout the city. In each of these areas, you’ll find cool new bars, cafes, and restaurants constantly popping up.

The Party Scene is on Fire

Madrid is well-known across Europe for its fantastic nightlife, and this reputation applies to both mainstream and gay parties alike. It’s incredibly common to see crowds of people still out at 6 or 7 in the morning, wrapping up their night during the weekends. Madrid’s size and large gay population fuel a vibrant party scene, offering plenty of options when going out. The city has everything from bars and clubs to saunas and more, ensuring you can party and dance into the early hours of the morning. After the clubs close at 6 a.m., you can even find after-parties that continue until 10 a.m. or noon if you’re up for it. To find the latest events and parties, you can take a stroll through Chueca and check out the posters and flyers advertising the weekend’s happenings. Or better yet, connect with a gay local in Madrid who can recommend the best places, events, and parties.

Madrileños are Sexy

Residents of Madrid are called Madrileños, and you’ll find no shortage of attractive people in this city. Spaniards are known for their southern European flair, with many possessing the light skin and dark features that are widely admired. The city’s mild weather nearly all year and its thriving gay community attract attractive people from all around the country, many of whom keep up their appearances by staying in shape and following the latest fashion trends.

The LGBTQ+ Population is Huge

The local government of Madrid estimates the LGBTQ+ population to be around 500,000. Since the city and its surrounding areas have a population of just over 5 million, this accounts for about 10% of the entire region. With numbers this large, the community simply cannot go unnoticed. Beyond the large population, people are not shy about being themselves and being visible in the community. It’s common to see rainbow flags outside the gay neighborhood, and LGBTQ+ couples and friends are seen throughout the city expressing themselves without fear or shame.

Madrid’s Pride is Among the Biggest and Best in the World

Madrid has held its annual gay pride march and celebration for nearly 50 years, with 2017 marking a major milestone. Madrid hosted the official 2017 World Pride from June 23rd to July 2^nd drawing crowds from around the world. As a way to unite the global pride movement, WorldPride has been hosted for more than a decade in various cities, including Rome, Jerusalem, London, Toronto, and now Madrid. Madrid Pride is already a massive event, attracting more than 1.5 million attendees annually. It’s the largest pride event in Europe and the second-largest in the world. The experience is truly one of a kind, with the full energy of the entire city behind it. WorldPride in 2017 was bigger and better than ever, with the city drawing upwards of 3 million LGBTQ+ people for the 10-day event.

LGBTQ+ Rights and Protections

Spain is known worldwide for being a progressive country, and LGBTQ+ residents have had many important rights and protections since the early '90s. Just 10 years earlier, Spain was recovering from decades of repressive government under Franco, the dictator who led the country since the end of the Spanish Civil War. However, after Franco’s death, Spain changed tremendously in a short period, likely as a reaction to the repression. Hate crime and non-discrimination laws have been in place since the '90s, and Spain became the third country in the world to offer full marriage equality in 2005. While there is, of course, still work to be done, given Spain and Madrid’s history and leadership in LGBTQ+ equality, the country is still recognized for its significant accomplishments for its LGBTQ+ citizens.

Annual Events Beyond Pride

Madrid hosts a variety of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year beyond just gay pride in the summer. Yes, pride is the largest gay gathering, but you’ll find smaller events happening in spring, summer, fall, and winter. For parties, the WE Festival is held twice a year—during New Year's and pride week—when thousands of gay visitors partake in a week-long series of dance parties hosted by the WE Group, one of Spain’s top organizers of gay events. Events with a different flair include GayDays Madrid, an LGBTQ+ day at the local amusement park in September; the LGBT film festival Lesgaicinemad in November; and MadBear, the annual celebration for bears and admirers, held in December.

Tons of LGBTQ+ Specific Venues

You’ll find more than 200 LGBTQ+ specific venues in Madrid, including bars, clubs, shops, saunas, hotels, and more to keep you busy and entertained throughout your visit. Bars, clubs, and saunas are scattered throughout the city, but most gay shops, cafes, and restaurants are located in and around Chueca. Favorite bars include El 12, La Kama, Cazador, and LL Bar for drag shows. Popular clubs include Boite, Delirio, Kluster, and Baila Cariño. As for popular cafes and restaurants, check out Carmencita, El Buo, or Vivares. If you visit Madrid in the summer, you’ll find that the gay community takes over two public swimming pools—one located at Metro Lago in Casa de Campo and the other at the local Complutense University.

Have we convinced you yet that Madrid is the best gay destination in Europe? For those with an extra-short trip or having trouble narrowing down the list of sights, check out our friends Michael and Matt's blog on what to see in 24 hours in Madrid.