What is love but two people’s shared experiences coming together to make precious core memories. Social media be damned; it’s in our minds where you’ll find the real highlights of our lives, especially those we’ve shared with our partners. Your first date (or more likely, in the modern age, your first hook-up), your first night after moving in together, your first threesome, your wedding day, and your honeymoon all hopefully find their rightful places among those core memories.

Memories of honeymoons should be infused with romance and passion, so your choice of backdrop for a little post-wedding connection, of both the mental and physical kind, is of the utmost importance. Presenting our personal top ten LGBTQ+ honeymoon destinations for queer romantic getaways. And let these gay honeymoon ideas help you choose your perfect love nest.

Malta

Malta is the romantic gift that keeps on giving. With its blend of cultures—from Italian and Arabic to British and North African (everyone seems to have ruled Malta at some point)—the archipelago is the perfect backdrop for letting out some post-wedding passion. Its natural beauty is rivaled only by its man-made marvels: the romantic cobblestone streets of Valletta (horse-drawn carriages and everything), golden beaches (like Golden Beach), hidden coves and lagoons (like the crystalline beauty that is Blue Lagoon), and majestic fortresses (like those found in “the Silent City” of Mdina) overlooking sky-blue seas.

Having been named the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly country by the Spartacus Gay Travel Index and having hosted EuroPride in 2023, its gay-friendly credentials are firmly in place, making it one of Europe’s strongest LGBTQ+ honeymoon picks.

Ibiza/Formentera, Spain

Spain is one of the most gay-friendly places in the world and is beautiful from top to bottom, so really anywhere along its coast makes for a good honeymoon spot. Ibiza, though, is a world apart.

Its reputation as a party island means it is often overlooked when it comes to those looking to do more than emerge from superclubs at 9 a.m., but Ibiza is also a stunningly beautiful backdrop for a blossoming gay love story. Outside of the party centers, you’ll find hidden beaches with four-poster beds along their sands, secluded couples’ resorts with candlelit seafront terrace bars, and quiet coves made for sunset swims.

What’s more, its neighboring island, Formentera (easily reached by a 35-minute ferry trip), is a Caribbean paradise with crystal-clear waters and beaches with flour-colored sand. It isn't cheap to stay at one of its few hotels, but if you are after complete tranquility, you might consider really pushing the boat out and making it your love base for your honeymoon.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is for couples who like their romance with a little texture. It’s not polished in the obvious honeymoon way, but that’s exactly the charm. Think tiled façades, steep cobblestone streets, candlelit wine cellars, and golden sunsets over the Douro River with a glass of, you guessed it, port.

Days here are made for wandering hand in hand through Ribeira, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge for port tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia, and lingering over long seafood lunches that accidentally become dinner. Portugal’s LGBTQ+ credentials are strong too, making Porto an easy, elegant choice for couples who want Europe, romance, great food, and wine without the obviousness of Paris or the price tag of the Amalfi Coast.

Milos, Greece

Mykonos is the name on most gay lips when it comes to gay-friendly Greek islands. For singles, it’s a gay goldmine; for LGBTQ+ newlyweds, not so much. The other known escape is Santorini, which is gorgeous, of course, but absolutely bursting with tourists. A total mood-killer.

Luckily, just a Heracles-strength stone’s throw away from them is Milos: calmer, still gay-friendly, and tailor-made for honeymoon love. Milos is all volcanic drama, moon-like beaches, quiet fishing villages that practically hang off seaside cliffs, and water so blue you could sing a late-’90s Europop song about it.

Couples can spend their precious time together sailing to Kleftiko’s white cliffs, swimming at Sarakiniko, wandering the colorful boathouses of Klima, watching the sunset from Plaka, and seeking out beaches with colorful rock formations and waterfront caves. Or they can spend it in a white-walled hotel overlooking the perfect shoreline, consummating the marriage. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan is the gayest place in Asia—well, except maybe Bangkok. But it certainly holds its own. It was the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

The capital, Taipei, is romantic in its own urban way: lantern-lit night markets, steamy bowls of beef noodle soup, boutique hotels, rooftop bars, temples tucked between skyscrapers, and hot springs in nearby Beitou. Add in day trips to misty mountain towns like Jiufen or tea fields in Maokong, and Taipei delivers for those who want a more active honeymoon. It also has a reasonable gay scene in Ximen, should you not be averse to a few late-night outings together on the town.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand is one of Asia’s great LGBTQ+ escapes, and now that same-sex marriage is legal there, it has even more reason to be on a honeymoon list. Bangkok may have the big gay energy, Phuket may have the crowds, but Koh Samui is where couples get it on in an environment that is softer, sexier, and a little more private.

The island is all palm-fringed beaches, private pool villas, Thai massages, sunset cocktails, temples tucked into the hills, and warm seas with gently lapping waves. Should the mood take you, there are also boat trips to Ang Thong Marine Park, candlelit dinners on the sand, and just enough nightlife in Chaweng to keep things spicy should you wish.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is for couples whose idea of romance leans more toward the active than the passive, at least when it comes to out-of-the-bedroom activities.

If love for you is amplified by mountain views, copious amounts of wine, and jumping, screaming, off a bridge attached to a bungee cord, then Queenstown, New Zealand, will get your heart pumping. Set on Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the dramatic Southern Alps, it’s ridiculously beautiful, and it really is as epic-looking as Lord of the Rings presents it to be. New Zealand is also one of the world’s most liberal and LGBTQ+-friendly destinations—just ask Frodo and Sam.

A honeymoon here can include jet boating, hiking, skiing, or skydiving, balanced out with a long lunch at a Central Otago winery or a quiet soak overlooking the mountains.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is a honeymoon cliché for a reason, and that reason is that it’s more offensively beautiful than your average L.A. bartender. You’ve no doubt seen it plastered across your screensaver with its overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, coral gardens, mountain peaks, breakfast delivered by canoe… you get the picture. It’s perfect.

For LGBTQ+ couples, French Polynesia also offers the comfort of being part of France, where marriage equality is recognized. That makes Bora Bora a strong choice for newlyweds who want Caribbean-style perfection without sacrificing peace of mind. It is anything but cheap, naturally, but if there is ever a time to go big, then it is for a honeymoon, and Bora Bora is worth every dollar.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is already one of Latin America’s best choices for LGBTQ+ honeymooners, and Manuel Antonio is the country’s undisputed gay capital. There you’ll find “pura vida” and marital bliss against a backdrop of rainforests filled with inspirationally laid-back sloths and jealous gibbering monkeys, a huge national park (Manuel Antonio), boutique hotels with ocean-view terraces, and dramatic sunsets to get the loins stirring. Days can be spent jungle hiking, zipwiring, trying other adventure sports, lounging on beaches where jungle meets Pacific surf, and rewarding yourselves with ceviche, cocktails, and a late-night hotel plunge pool made for two.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Yes, it’s obvious. But besides being one of the most popular gaycation locations in the world, Puerto Vallarta serves the romance. I mean, the gay area is literally called “Zona Romántica.”

It has the beaches, the sunsets, the margaritas, the mountains, the beach clubs with beds, the clothing-optional sailing trips, and all the restaurants with mariachi bands to serenade you one could ask for. There are plenty of gay accommodations to choose from both within the city and up the jungle-lined mountains, all of which will no doubt treat you to a few bottles of champagne to celebrate your newlywed bliss. Los Muertos Beach is the obvious daytime playground, while the bars, cabaret shows, restaurants, and clubs of Zona Romántica beckon everyone out to have a good time, newly-wed or not. After all, a couple who parties together stays together!

Wherever you choose, may your honeymoon be one that stays etched deep into your and your loved one’s shared collection of core memories—some romantic, some ridiculous, and above all, some sexy.

FAQ: Just the Tip

Which countries are best for LGBTQ+ honeymoons?

Some of the best countries for LGBTQ+ honeymoons include Malta, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Mexico, and French Polynesia. They each offer a mix of romance, beauty, and queer-friendly credentials, from Malta’s strong LGBTQ+ protections to Spain’s beach escapes, Taiwan’s marriage-equality milestone, Thailand’s newly legal same-sex marriage, and Costa Rica’s pura vida approach to love, life, and late-night plunge pools.

Do I need to bring marriage documents when traveling?

Usually, no. For a regular honeymoon, your passport and any required visas are what matter most, and your flight and hotel reservations should match the name on your passport. However, it can be smart to bring a digital copy, or a certified copy, of your marriage certificate if you’ve recently changed your name, booked a honeymoon package, or are hoping to claim any romantic newlywed perks along the way.

What resorts cater to queer couples?

There isn’t one single type of resort for queer couples, which is good news because we contain multitudes. Look for LGBTQ+-welcoming hotels, IGLTA-member properties, adults-only resorts, boutique hotels in gay-friendly destinations, and gay-owned accommodations. In this list, Puerto Vallarta and Manuel Antonio are especially strong for gay stays, while Koh Samui, Bora Bora, Ibiza, Formentera, and Milos are ideal for private villas, overwater bungalows, and sexy seafront hideaways.

What are unique romantic experiences abroad?

Romance doesn’t have to mean rose petals and someone playing a violin badly near your dinner table. Think sailing to Kleftiko’s white cliffs in Milos, soaking in hot springs near Taipei, taking a private pool villa in Koh Samui, watching the sunset over the Douro in Porto, ferrying over to Formentera’s white-sand beaches, zipwiring through Costa Rican rainforest, or sipping cocktails after dark in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica.

When should I book to get the best rates?

For honeymoons, earlier is usually better, especially if you want a dream hotel, overwater bungalow, private pool villa, or peak-season dates. Aim for 6 to 12 months ahead for major international trips, popular islands, and special accommodations. For better value, consider shoulder season, midweek flights, flexible dates, and refundable rates you can recheck later. Waiting can work for bargain hunters, but honeymoons are not where chaos should be the third wheel.

Feature image by Alberto Ramírez Sobrino from Pexels.