Within the past decade, LGBTQ+ acceptance and same-sex marriage have gained momentum around the world and there are now 37 countries with full marriage equality. For LGBTQ+ travelers, safety and comfort are important considerations when choosing a destination. Sadly, there are still some 70 countries worldwide where LGBTQ+ people face legal obstacles as visitors – some more severe than others.

For those looking for a gay-friendly option in a European destination, ILGA-Europe publish an annual report revealing the top 10 European countries that afford their citizens and visitors with the most extensive LGBTQ+ rights and protections. Since the report in 2020 there have been many changes – some for the better and some for the worse. Sadly, the UK slipped from the top ten all the way down to the 17th to be replaced with Iceland. Whereas, France just took over Portugal for 10th place.The report also notes that once-leading countries in Europe are still falling behind in their commitments to equality for LGBTQ+ people. For example, Poland remians at the bottom of the EU ranking, having gone backwards on the Index compared previous to 2020.

Although this metric isn’t the only reason to choose a destination, it’s certainly one of the considerations many LGBTQ+ travelers use. These places are some of the most beautiful countries in Europe, plus they all have amazing things to discover and you’ll have a much greater opportunity to be yourself and not fear harassment or discrimination because of your sexual orientation.

Curious where a country ranks on the list? Click here to view the 2020 index.

Spain

On June 30, 2005, same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain – 3rd in line after The Netherlands and Belgium. If you’re planning a visit, destinations like Barcelona and Madrid have fantastic nightlife scenes. For a beachy atmosphere, The Canary Islands provides an array of activities, resorts, unique events and an incredibly accepting culture. Events like Maspalomas Gay Pride in May or the Winter Pride in November have attracted many gay and lesbian tourists, and the islands’ LGBTQ+ support has created a lucrative, accommodating culture for both single and couple travelers. Year-round, subtropical climates are a Canary Island cornerstone, and the charming towns exemplify the area’s comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Finland

Finland is an exceptional travel destination and is one of the world’s best countries to witness the Northern Lights. During the day, the endless countryside is blanketed in snow and peppered with frozen lakes. At night the sky is an eruption of light and color as the Aurora Borealis enthralls. Chances are that if you’re visiting Finland, you’ll also be spending some time in Helsinki, the capital city. One interesting activity in Helsinki is the Tom of Finland walking tour. The experience begins with an audio-visual introduction to Touko Valio Laaksonen, aka the famed erotic artist better known as Tom of Finland. After the introduction, a local guide leads you through the streets of Helsinki discovering everything from Tom’s local watering hole to his preferred cruising park.

Norway

Norway has some of the most epic and varied natural landscapes found in Europe. The country is known for its stunning and majestic fjords, which are towering cliffs overlooking the ocean, cut from retreating glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. Spectacular waterfalls, breath-taking viewpoints, amazing hiking opportunities and picturesque fjord cities are just a few of the experiences you can expect when visiting these geological wonders. Those who choose to visit Norway will be blown away by the natural beauty of this country, along with quaint and picturesque towns, farmsteads and churches. However, while it tops the list as being LGBTQ+ friendly along with offering stunning landscapes and nature, it’s also one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit.

Denmark

Denmark was the first country in the world to approve same-sex civil unions in 1989 (the first couple to do so registered in Copenhagen) before later approving same-sex marriage in 2012. The capital city of Copenhagen also has one of the oldest gay bars, Centralhjørnet, which has been open since 1917 and officially became a gay bar in the 1950s. Copenhagen is also known for its large, annual Pride celebration in August. This event is filled with drag performances, discussions related to LGBTQ+ issues, short films, parties, and of course a pride parade that attracts over 20,000 people participants and more than 120,000 spectators. Copenhagen is an urban city with a population creeping just over a million inhabitants and is also especially gay-friendly with a small, but noteworthy collection of gay bars clustered around Rodhuspladsen, the city hall square in the center.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the only countries in the world to have an openly LGBTQ+ person elected as the leader. Xavier Bettel was elected as the prime minister of Luxembourg in 2013 and in 2018 he became the first openly gay prime minister to be re-elected for a second term. Luxembourg itself is a tiny country nestled in between Germany, Belgium and France. It’s among the smallest countries in Europe by landmass and after Malta, is the smallest country by population in the European Union. Most of the population lives in the capital, Luxembourg City, which has a foreign community of nearly 70%. People from all over Europe and around the world come to live and work in Luxembourg, often taking jobs working for an international bank or the European Union. Luxembourg City actually shares the title of Capital of Europe with just Brussels and Strasbourg, as these three cities house most of the European Union administrate and political offices.

One benefit of visiting such a small country is the ease of exploring the cities and regions outside the capital. For example, you can take a day trip from Luxembourg City to Vianden to visit the most beautiful castle in Luxembourg. Vianden is just 50 km from Luxembourg City and it’s easily reached via train and bus, taking about 1 hour.

Malta

Malta is an archipelago of islands located in the center of the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily and above northern Africa. At just over 400,000 in population and 316 square km, it’s the smallest country in the European Union but is also considered one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta is a great place for foreigners to move to or even start a business. English is one of the official languages and all Maltese people are bilingual. Starting a business in Malta even comes with the advantage of a competitive tax system, including a low corporate tax rate and various tax incentives for specific industries.

Malta may not yet be on your travel radar but it’s quickly making a name for itself, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. In just the past couple of decades, LGBTQ+ rights and protections in the country have been elevated and are considered some of the best in the world. In fact, since 2015, the IGLA has ranked Malta first in terms of LGBTQ+ rights out of 49 observed European countries. Malta Gay Pride takes place at the very end of summer each year in mid-September. The small celebration includes a parade and concert on Saturday afternoon in Valletta, followed by parties across the city.

France

With a diverse landscape that includes picturesque countryside filled with lush vineyards, mountainous regions like The Alps and scenic coastal regions, France captivates visitors with its tradition meets modernity charm. Like its neighbor, Spain, it’s a progressive country with regards to LGBTQ+ rights and has fought its way into the top ten most gay-friendly countries in Europe since 2020. All the big cities in France have a gay scene of sorts, especially in Paris but also down in the smaller cities along the coast like Nice and Cannes. Paris has been listed as one of the most gay-friendly cities in not just Europe, but the whole world. Its high culture, delicious cuisine, fine wine and iconic landmarks – like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower – create the perfect mood for a romantic getaway, or its nightlife is filled with hot men of culture for those seeking new “romances”.

Sweden

Sweden has a very accepting and liberal culture and LGBTQ+ communities have found comfort within the country’s borders within the past couple of decades. Like most countries, you’ll find big LGBTQ+ communities and gay-friendly venues in the largest cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. The country was ahead of the curve in marriage equality and legalized same-sex marriage in 2009.

Stockholm, in particular, offers its annual gay pride festival with more than 500,000 participants attending, the largest in Scandinavia. It’s an international destination where most everyone speaks a high level of English, and it’s one of the world’s most culturally tolerant and modern places to visit in Europe. Self-proclaimed as the capital of Scandinavia, Stockholm is a beautiful and majestic city spread across multiple islands surrounded by countless lakes and wide-spanning bridges. From the old town of Gamla Stan to the trendy and hip neighborhood of Södermalm, you can explore Stockholm’s music, food and LGBT venues in this trendy and welcoming city. Immerse yourself in everything ABBA at the ABBA Museum – a true experience in the life of the Swedish musical sensations’ career.

Iceland

The Nordic beauty that is Iceland conjures up images of steaming natural pools, volcanic geysers, mud baths, snow-capped mountains and green wintry landscapes. For such a small island there's a lot to do – from whale watching and glacier hikes to seeing the awe inspiring lights of the Aurora Borealis. Iceland has always been one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, so it was somewhat of a surprise it wasn’t in the top ten back in 2020.They have the claim to fame of having the first openly lesbian head of state, it’s among the best places for LGBTQ+ legal protections and gender-affirming healthcare has been available since 2019. The gay scene may be modest in its size, but Reykjavik Pride is anything but – being a ten day celebration drawing in over one hundred thousand attendees every year.

Belgium

Renowned for its beauty and architecture, Belgium has been an LGBTQ+ hotspot since its gay marriage legalization in June of 2003. Belgium has an accepting culture making it a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers seeking security and respect during their visit. Specifically, the Belgian Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival has prospered since 1996, offering a ‘straight-friendly’ event while accommodating the country’s Rainbow Week. Similar events are common in Belgium, making it a great LGBTQ+ travel destination. Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and it has hosted one of the longest-running gay circuit parties in the world. La Demence has been going strong for more than 30 years and their massive parties attract crowds of up to 8,000 people.

Have you visited any of these countries during your travels? Let us know your experience in the comments below!