Once 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 nations and territories — with the demise penalty even occurring in 12 of them for same-sex sexual exercise. That being mentioned, there isn’t any method it’s 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 here are 12 locations to reside your finest life and luxuriate 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 the complete world.
Similar-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 relation to geography — because it’s a few of the most spectacular on the planet. Nonetheless, in relation to their LGBTQ+ rights, you could not be extra incorrect. Iceland is without doubt one of the world’s most progressive nations, and queer individuals are extensively seen in public life. In truth, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir grew to become the world’s first overtly 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 taking part in host to tug reveals, reside music, and extra. You may 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 Pageant — 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 checklist journey locations. Whether or not you’re eager to hike up volcanoes, kayak by means of 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, almost 10% of its Parliament recognized as LGBTQ+, and nearly all of Kiwis help 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 thought 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 measurement, it greater than makes up for by way of selection. On the one hand, you’ve obtained the sun-kissed seashores of the Algarve — the proper spot for sipping on ice-cold cocktails. On the opposite, you’ve obtained the port wine vineyards of the Duoro Valley. Add in vigorous capital Lisbon — packed full with glorious eateries, cafés, and bars — and you’ll see why we adore it.
What’s extra, Portugal is persistently ranked as being one of many world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly nations. Public opinion is overwhelmingly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, and it was one of many first nations on the 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 the 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 energetic 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 — significantly inside the neighbourhood of De Waterkant — together with the seashores lining the Atlantic. Town can also be house to a improbable Delight parade in February or March, and Jo’burg Delight is the county’s longest-running occasion.
Brazil is a fully huge nation — house to the biggest swathes of the mighty Amazon Rainforest, seashores aplenty, and megacities like São Paulo. It’s additionally house to a thriving LGBTQ+ scene — significantly 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 additionally 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.
Conserving on the South American continent right here, and onwards to Argentina — a powerful nation recognized for its knockout surroundings, world-class vino, and cosmopolitan cities. It’s additionally probably the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in Latin America, and has progressive legal guidelines, a powerful queer rights motion, and a usually supportive social local weather — significantly in main cities and cities.
Get together-loving Buenos Aires — or ‘BA’ because it’s typically known as — is arguably the queer capital of Latin America. Neighborhoods like Palermo and San Telmo are the place to be for those who’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 reveals, and film screenings. Elsewhere within the nation, you’ve obtained Rosario and Córdoba — each progressive cities with vibrant arts and queer activism scenes.
The Netherlands was the primary nation on the planet to legalize same-sex marriage again in 2001, and its legal guidelines stay among the many most inclusive globally. As with most nations, 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 avenue packed filled with LGBTQ+-friendly retailers, bars, cafés, and eating places. Amsterdam additionally performs host to the enduring Canal Parade — a floating LGBTQ+ celebration not like another the place over 80 embellished boats sail by means of the town adorned in glitter and rainbows.
Rotterdam can also be an excellent place to go to for those who’re a member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Because the Netherlands’ second largest metropolis, it’s each modern and edgy. Plus, the queer scene right here is ever-growing — anticipate finding queer movie nights, operating golf equipment, and even poetry on high of the standard bars and cafés.
Spain persistently ranks as probably the most queer-friendly nations globally, with main cities providing thriving LGBTQ+ scenes and smaller cities turning into extra inclusive yearly. The capital, Madrid, presents a wealth of issues to do and see for those who’re part of the neighborhood, and Chueca is taken into account probably the most vibrant ‘gaybourhoods’ in Europe. The Madrid Orgullo (MADO) in July is without doubt one of the world’s largest Delight parades, and there’s every part from nightclubs and bars to queer bookshops and artwork areas so that you can take pleasure in.
Elsewhere within the nation you’ll discover Barcelona — whose Eixample neighbourhood (AKA ‘Gayxample’) is packed full with many LGBTQ+ bars, cafés, and bougie, boutique resorts. A brief prepare trip 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 plain right here, however Greece is without doubt one of the most photogenic locations on earth. Assume sun-kissed historical ruins, shiny blue waters lapping rocky coves, and sunsets that by no means appear to finish. Add in glorious delicacies and pleasant native individuals, and you’ll see why we adore it.
It’s additionally probably the most progressive nations within the Balkans, and whereas conventional values nonetheless affect some areas, the nation has made actual progress in LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance — significantly within the final decade. Athens has lots going for it — significantly within the LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of Gazi — and the queer arts, drag, and trend scenes are at all times rising.
Elsewhere, the homosexual island hotspot Mykonos presents homosexual seashores galore on high of flashy seaside golf equipment — good for dancing the night time (or day) away. Extra laid-back Lesbos is a non secular house for queer girls, with the city of Skala Eressos being an epicentre for lesbian tourism. Don’t miss the annual Eressos Ladies’s Pageant, 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, improbable 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 probably the most queer-friendly locations inside South East Asia, and whereas full authorized equality isn’t fairly but achieved, it’s a socially-tolerant spot in relation to LGBTQ+ rights.
Selection-filled Thailand can also be probably the most visibly trans-friendly nations on the planet — even when authorized recognition is missing — and guesthouses, resorts, and hostels throughout the nation cater particularly to LGBTQ+ patrons. Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya are nice locations for those who’re wanting nightlife — for one thing extra chilled, head to the islands or Chiang Mai.
Rounding off this checklist of the very best locations on the planet to take pleasure in queer journey is none aside from Norway — arguably probably the most stunning locations on earth. Jaw-dropping fjords, snow-capped peaks, and even polar bears (for those who’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 nations on the planet for LGBTQ+ rights, making it a superb vacation spot for queer travellers on the lookout for out of doors journey and concrete tradition.
For those who’re within the capital Oslo, then don’t miss a wander round Grünerløkka — an artsy, queer-friendly district packed filled with cafés, classic retailers, and inclusive nightlife. Elsewhere, Bergen and Trondheim have burgeoning scenes.
