The nine most LGBT+ friendly holidays in the world
Attitudes towards LGBT+ travellers vary widely from country to country. Here, four influencers recommend eight destinations and one cruise line that have their seal of approval for holidays where they are free to be themselves.
Recommending LGBT+ friendly holiday destinations can be a daunting task when you’ve not had that personal experience, so we’ve asked four influencers to share their top tips based on their own extensive travels. Here are nine places they’ve visited and felt comfortable being themselves.
SION & BEN WALTON-GUEST, FOUNDERS, THE GLOBETROTTER GUYS
Madrid
If we had to choose our all-time favourite LGBTQ+ travel destination, the Spanish capital would win each and every time. It is the place we have felt the most comfortable travelling as a gay couple. You can barely set foot outside your hotel before encountering numerous other LGBTQ+ couples walking around hand in hand – and this is city-wide – not just in the gay neighbourhood of Chueca. However, for an LGBTQ+ city break in Madrid, Chueca is the place to be. Getting off the Metro you are immediately welcomed by a rainbow-coloured subway entrance, announcing your arrival to the “gaybourhood”. And while Madrid Pride is amazing, Madridalso celebrates LGBTQ+ events year-round.
Cape Town
Cape Town took us by surprise. After expecting little to no LGBTQ+ scene in the South African city, we couldn’t believe that we arrived during Cape Town Pride and ended up marching the streets alongside the parade, in one of the most authentic and diverse prides we have ever attended! We also loved checking out the local gay scene, especially dancing the night away in LGBTQ+ nightclub Pink Panther. Typically, people in Cape Town don’t show PDAs, and so we followed suit, however when checking into hotels, asking for double beds, and going on dates in restaurants, we felt very welcome and safe as a gay couple.
Stockholm
The Swedish capital is known as the “Open City” and within a few hours of arrival it was easy to see why! This is a city that welcomes all travellers equally – regardless of gender, sexuality, race or religion. Touring Stockholm we came across many gender-neutral clothing stores, as well as various LGBTQ+ owned bars and restaurants such as Kaffekoppen (the first cafe in Stockholm to fly the rainbow flag). We also loved seeing that most public bathrooms across the city are gender-neutral. We felt at ease walking hand in hand, and quickly realised that the LGBTQ+ community is such an integrated part of their society, it is practically normalised. If only more places were like this!
AISHA SHAIBU-LENOIR, FOUNDER, MOONLIGHT EXPERIENCES
Gili Islands, Bali
This trio of idyllic islands are definitely worth a visit, not just for their white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, but also their vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. As a solo queer Black traveller, I found Bali a welcoming and easy place to navigate, with fun gay bars and hidden beach spots to enjoy live music and surreal sunsets, and a highlight was trying the world’s most expensive and finest coffee, kopi luwak. The relaxing vibe of the islands makes it a popular destination for queer travellers and for those looking for new adventures. Plus, with no cars or motorbikes, it’s the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of Bali’s mainland.
Phu Quoc
Vietnam is a stunning destination offering an authentic Asian experience as well as surprises for LGBTQ+ travellers. It remains relatively unspoiled by mass tourism, adding to its charm as a perfect queer getaway. My wife and I explored the bustling city of Hanoi, with its quaint queer bars and a hassle-free attitude towards LGBTQ+ travellers. We also visited stunning Ha Long Bay and took in the breath-taking scenery of Phu Quoc, where I proposed. All the hotel staff locals there were incredibly friendly and welcoming towards us as a couple, adding to our experience.
Celebrity Cruises in the Mediterranean
I never imagined a cruise line would become an integral part of our travel experiences. On every trip with Celebrity Cruises, we meet other LGBTQ+ travellers, queer groups and couples. On a recent cruise, we were thrilled to attend dedicated LGBTQ+ events, from meet-ups to queer parties. Plus every port of call offered opportunities to immerse ourselves in the local queer culture. For the ultimate queer experience onboard, the Pride at Sea cruise in June offers a plethora of LGBTQ+ activities. With fine dining, entertainment, wellbeing and comfort at sea, I don’t think there’s a better way to rejuvenate and have an exceptional travel experience.
MELISSA TILLING, FOUNDER, CHARITABLE TRAVEL
Tampa, Florida
I love travelling to the USA and really enjoyed the thriving and diverse city of Tampa in Florida, which is a great base to explore the nearby Gulf Coast resorts. The city has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and hosts the Tampa Pride Diversity Parade in March, but there is much more. Lively Ybor City is a historic area with Cuban and Latin American heritage and has its own zone for the community called GaYBOR, with clubs and lively bars like Bradley’s and Reservoir, which are great fun. I found the Tampa Bay website full of information, such as a directory of hotels that are particularly welcoming.
Barcelona
I fall in love with Barcelona every time I visit. Being yourself is easy in this big, cosmopolitan city. Aside from its iconic attractions the city has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and a great queer culture. Wandering around the gay district, in the lively Eixample neighbourhood, is a safe and fun way to meet others in the community. There are lots of bars, restaurants and clubs in this area. I like the Sky Bar at the Axel Hotel. Barcelona Pride in June is obviously a fabulous time to visit. For those who want to sunbathe, Barcelona has several beaches popular with the LGBTQ+ community, including Mar Bella and La Barceloneta.
Berlin
The German capital is another huge city that is accepting of queer culture so you can be happy and anonymous wandering around and exploring the incredible sights with no hassle. Since transitioning, I’ve been perhaps five times and I feel safe and one of the crowd in Berlin. I haven’t yet been out to Schoneberg, which is regarded as the centre of the scene with bars, restaurants and even a gay museum. The Pride festival, known as Christopher Street Day, takes place in late July, which includes a parade, parties, and cultural events. Thanks to the big LGBTQ+ community here, simply enjoying their trip will be the first thing on your clients’ minds.
MELISSA’S ADVICE FOR NON-BINARY CLIENTS
As a transgender traveller, decisions about where to go on holiday – sadly, still in many cases – often depend on whether you present or “pass” as the man or woman you were born to be. Society in so many places still expect to meet only binary individuals. If you are gender fluid or are concerned by the acceptance of your appearance, for personal safety issues and the anxiety the situation may cause, I recommend travelling to big cities where you can be more anonymous in their busy streets, or to places that have a thriving LGBTQ+ community where you will fit right in and be welcomed.
Watch on demand: Latest TTG LGBT+ Seminar
From learning which destinations to recommend to same-sex couples and transgender travellers, to identifying how best to support LGBT+ families booking holidays, this latest online seminar will bust the myths and misconceptions, highlight the destinations marketing themselves to LGBT+ people and offer key tips and advice on how to sell and market to this all-important sector.
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