While you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, typically planning a visit away isn’t as straightforward as simply hopping on a flight pointed anyplace. As of 2025, legal guidelines criminalizing LGBTQ+ people at giant exist in 76 international locations and territories — with the demise penalty even occurring in 12 of them for same-sex sexual exercise. That being mentioned, there isn’t any approach it is best to choose out of travelling simply to remain at house. There are many locations all around the world that embrace and actively have a good time the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. So, with out additional ado, listed below are 12 locations to stay your finest life and revel in queer journey.
The world’s second-largest nation, Canada is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and iconic landscapes. Nevertheless it’s additionally well-known for its individuals — who’re a few of the friendliest, politest, and most welcoming individuals you’ll discover. This interprets to their LGBTQ+ rights too, that are among the many most progressive in all the world.
Identical-sex marriage has been authorized since 2005, LGBTQ+ people and {couples} have the identical adoption rights as heterosexual {couples}, and most provinces encourage self-identification on official paperwork. Plus, Delight Toronto — tending to run on the ultimate weekend of June — is North America’s largest Delight and residential to one of many world’s largest Trans Prides. Anticipate loads of celebration all through the month — together with block events, a pageant with headliners and DJs, and the Parade itself with greater than 250 parade contingents.
With a nickname of ‘Land of Fireplace and Ice’, you’d be forgiven for pondering that Iceland is a rustic of actual extremes. You’d be proper in the case of geography — because it’s a few of the most spectacular on the planet. Nevertheless, in the case of their LGBTQ+ rights, you could not be extra unsuitable. Iceland is without doubt one of the world’s most progressive international locations, and queer persons are broadly seen in public life. In truth, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir turned the world’s first brazenly homosexual head of presidency again in 2009.
The capital Reykjavík is arguably the hub of LGBTQ+ life right here, with institutions like Kiki Queer Bar, Bravó, and Gaukurinn enjoying host to pull exhibits, stay music, and extra. You can additionally tie in a go to to the nation with Delight operating each August. Round 100,000 individuals attend the occasion with a parade, DJs, and different cultural occasions. The Reykjavík Bear Competition — one of many world’s largest — additionally runs in August too.
Well-known for its awe-inspiring surroundings and pleasant locals, New Zealand typically tops bucket listing journey locations. Whether or not you’re desirous to hike up volcanoes, kayak via fjords, or hurl your self off a bridge tied to a bungee twine — then that is the place to be.
However scenic Aoetorea because it’s domestically recognized can also be famend for its progressive rights and inclusivity. Again in 2020, practically 10% of its Parliament recognized as LGBTQ+, and nearly all of Kiwis assist equal rights and same-sex marriage.
Auckland, the ‘Metropolis of Sails’, is packed filled with homosexual institutions like bars and cafés, and it’s arguably house to the nation’s most numerous and largest LGBTQ+ scene. The capital Wellington is understood for being artsy, and it’s additionally house to the Wellington Delight Parade — the nation’s longest-running Delight. For one thing a bit totally different, don’t miss a visit to Queenstown Winter Delight — combining snowboarding with some epic LGBTQ+ occasions on the snow.
What Portugal lacks in dimension, it greater than makes up for when it comes to selection. On the one hand, you’ve bought the sun-kissed seashores of the Algarve — the proper spot for sipping on ice-cold cocktails. On the opposite, you’ve bought the port wine vineyards of the Duoro Valley. Add in vigorous capital Lisbon — packed full with wonderful eateries, cafés, and bars — and you may see why we adore it.
What’s extra, Portugal is persistently ranked as being one of many world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly international locations. Public opinion is overwhelmingly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, and it was one of many first international locations on this planet to ban conversion remedy. For the liveliest LGBTQ+ scene, head to Lisbon with a vibrant scene centered across the Bairro Alto and Príncipe Actual neighborhoods. You’ll discover Portugal’s largest queer membership, Trumps, right here, in addition to ‘Queer Lisboa’ — a well-respected queer movie pageant operating each September.
With a reputation just like the ‘Rainbow Nation’, it’s no shock that South Africa is Africa’s most queer-friendly place. It was the fifth nation on this planet to legalize same-sex marriage, and trans individuals can change their gender right here since 2003. The cities are the place LGBTQ+ rights are most entrance and centre, with Cape City, Johannesburg, and Durban having lively queer communities, nightlife, and occasions.
Cape City is billed because the ‘Homosexual Capital of Africa’, and there are many locations right here to benefit from the scene — notably inside the neighbourhood of De Waterkant — together with the seashores lining the Atlantic. The town can also be house to a unbelievable Delight parade in February or March, and Jo’burg Delight is the county’s longest-running occasion.
Brazil is a completely huge nation — house to the most important swathes of the mighty Amazon Rainforest, seashores aplenty, and megacities like São Paulo. It’s additionally house to a thriving LGBTQ+ scene — notably in locations like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
Arguably the epicentre of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is São Paulo, house to the world’s largest Delight parade with over three million individuals attending — in addition to loads of LGBTQ+ bookstores, activist areas, queer movie festivals, and loads of nightspots too.
Additional up the coast lies Rio, which not solely performs host to the legendary Carnival, but in addition a few of the finest LGBTQ+ pleasant seashores within the nation. Salvador additionally has a powerful Black queer motion, and is the place to let free to Axé and different Afro-Caribbean music.
Preserving on the South American continent right here, and onwards to Argentina — an impressive nation recognized for its knockout surroundings, world-class vino, and cosmopolitan cities. It’s additionally one of the crucial LGBTQ+-friendly international locations in Latin America, and has progressive legal guidelines, a powerful queer rights motion, and a usually supportive social local weather — notably in main cities and cities.
Get together-loving Buenos Aires — or ‘BA’ because it’s typically referred to as — is arguably the queer capital of Latin America. Neighborhoods like Palermo and San Telmo are the place to be should you’re queer, they usually’re full to the brim with bars, golf equipment, and locations like Casa Brandon — a queer cultural venue with an in-house artwork gallery, karaoke, drag exhibits, and film screenings. Elsewhere within the nation, you’ve bought Rosario and Córdoba — each progressive cities with vibrant arts and queer activism scenes.
The Netherlands was the primary nation on this planet to legalize same-sex marriage again in 2001, and its legal guidelines stay among the many most inclusive globally. As with most international locations, the queer scene right here is at its most inclusive in cities like Amsterdam — which is at all times a ‘Dam good time. (Sorry, not sorry!)
Right here you’ll discover the colorful Reguliersdwarsstraat — a buzzing road packed filled with LGBTQ+-friendly outlets, bars, cafés, and eating places. Amsterdam additionally performs host to the enduring Canal Parade — a floating LGBTQ+ celebration in contrast to every other the place over 80 adorned boats sail via the town adorned in glitter and rainbows.
Rotterdam can also be a terrific place to go to should you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Because the Netherlands’ second largest metropolis, it’s each progressive and edgy. Plus, the queer scene right here is ever-growing — anticipate finding queer movie nights, operating golf equipment, and even poetry on prime of the standard bars and cafés.
Spain persistently ranks as one of the crucial queer-friendly international locations globally, with main cities providing thriving LGBTQ+ scenes and smaller cities changing into extra inclusive yearly. The capital, Madrid, gives a wealth of issues to do and see should you’re part of the neighborhood, and Chueca is taken into account one of the crucial vibrant ‘gaybourhoods’ in Europe. The Madrid Orgullo (MADO) in July is without doubt one of the world’s largest Delight parades, and there’s all the things from nightclubs and bars to queer bookshops and artwork areas so that you can get pleasure from.
Elsewhere within the nation you’ll discover Barcelona — whose Eixample neighbourhood (AKA ‘Gayxample’) is packed full with many LGBTQ+ bars, cafés, and bougie, boutique accommodations. A brief prepare journey away you’ll additionally discover Sitges — a globally-famous homosexual spot recognized for its welcoming environment, nice eateries, and ahem clothing-optional seashores.
Stating the apparent right here, however Greece is without doubt one of the most photogenic locations on earth. Suppose sun-kissed historic ruins, vivid blue waters lapping rocky coves, and sunsets that by no means appear to finish. Add in wonderful delicacies and pleasant native individuals, and you may see why we adore it.
It’s additionally one of the crucial progressive international locations within the Balkans, and whereas conventional values nonetheless affect some areas, the nation has made actual progress in LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance — notably within the final decade. Athens has lots going for it — notably within the LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of Gazi — and the queer arts, drag, and vogue scenes are at all times rising.
Elsewhere, the homosexual island hotspot Mykonos gives homosexual seashores galore on prime of flashy seaside golf equipment — good for dancing the evening (or day) away. Extra laid-back Lesbos is a religious house for queer girls, with the city of Skala Eressos being an epicentre for lesbian tourism. Don’t miss the annual Eressos Girls’s Competition, which tends to run in September.
Within the phrases of Nicki Minaj — ‘let’s go to the seaside, seaside…’ — although there’s extra to Thailand than simply seashores, unbelievable although they’re. ‘The Land of Smiles’ can also be famed for its historic cities, lush, wildlife-filled jungles, and buzzing capital Bangkok.
It’s additionally one of the crucial queer-friendly locations inside South East Asia, and whereas full authorized equality isn’t fairly but achieved, it’s a socially-tolerant spot in the case of LGBTQ+ rights.
Selection-filled Thailand can also be one of the crucial visibly trans-friendly international locations on this planet — even when authorized recognition is missing — and guesthouses, accommodations, and hostels throughout the nation cater particularly to LGBTQ+ patrons. Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya are nice locations should you’re wanting nightlife — for one thing extra chilled, head to the islands or Chiang Mai.
Rounding off this listing of the most effective locations on this planet to get pleasure from queer journey is none apart from Norway — arguably one of the crucial stunning locations on earth. Jaw-dropping fjords, snow-capped peaks, and even polar bears (should you’re fortunate), the European gateway to the Arctic Circle is unquestionably a once-in-a-lifetime kinda spot. This being Scandinavia, it additionally ranks among the many most progressive international locations on this planet for LGBTQ+ rights, making it a wonderful vacation spot for queer travellers on the lookout for out of doors journey and concrete tradition.
In the event you’re within the capital Oslo, then don’t miss a wander round Grünerløkka — an artsy, queer-friendly district packed filled with cafés, classic outlets, and inclusive nightlife. Elsewhere, Bergen and Trondheim have burgeoning scenes.
