Spain has some of the top gay destinations in Europe such as Madrid, Sitges, and Ibiza but Barcelona is not far behind. With its gay friendly spaces, Barcelona is also a popular destination for the gay community. Eixample fondly referred to as Gaixample or Gayxample is where most of the LGBT community head to in the city. It’s here that you’ll meet fellow travelers and be able to soak in the gay vibe. Bars, restaurants, clubs, saunas, and shops in the area specifically cater to the gay community. Eixample is one of the reasons why Barcelona has the tag of being one of the highest-rated gay cities in Europe.
There are plenty of gay hotels in Barcelona, but most gay travelers prefer to stay in Gaixample as the area is close to Barcelona’s main tourist attractions and gay night scene. Hotels in the area specifically cater to gay travelers so finding the perfect room that suits your taste should be easy. Within Eixample too you’ll find some interesting places to visit like the modernistic Casa Felip. However, many gay travelers also look for hotels closer to the gay beaches that the city is famous for. Although El Raval is another gay neighborhood in Barcelona it’s not the best place to stay. We’ve picked out the top gay friendly hotels in Barcelona to make your visit to the city a pleasant one.
Ako Suite Hotel
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Located in central Eixample, the hip-gay quarter in Barcelona, the Ako Suite Hotel boasts of being a ‘one of the most gay friendly hotels in Barcelona’ and is registered with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). We highly recommend this four-star boutique hotel with its spacious air-conditioned apartments, free Wi-fi, a modern kitchenette and a lounge area with a sofa bed. The hotel also has a rooftop pool area, terrace, and solarium.
Being centrally located, the Ako Suite Hotel is a great base to start your explorations of Barcelona. Of course, the obvious place to begin is Eixample itself. This gay tourist hub has shops and bars catering to the LGBT community. Within five-minute walking distance, you’ll find an impressively long list of gay bars such as Versailles, Club Mykonos, Bacon Bear and many more. The added bonus of staying here is that many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance.
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Acevi Villarroel
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Also within the heart of Eixample is this tastefully furnished four-star hotel. The cozy rooms of the Acevi Villarroel feature polished wooden floors, light-colored walls, and wood panels. With a wide range of facilities that the hotel has to offer, it’s the ideal base during your time in Barcelona. For a mid-range four-star hotel it has some surprisingly good facilities. A fully equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool, and a minimalist restaurant are some of the facilities that you can enjoy. If you want a bit of extra pampering, the hotel also has a luxurious spa.
Another good reason for picking Acevi is the convenience of having many gay institutions like Night Barcelona, Ambarito, Sauna Casanova and El Cangrejo just round the corner. It will take less than five minutes to get to some of these popular gay hotspots. The gay nightlife is also a 15-minute walk away.
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Axel Hotel
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Two blocks away from the Acevi Villarroel is one of the most popular gay friendly hotels in the area. Although the hotel classifies itself as being hetero-friendly, gays have first priority here. Axel Hotel is a part of a chain that focuses on the LGBTIQ community. It boasts of being a space that welcomes everyone without being prejudiced towards their sexual orientation and it shows. The staff are extremely friendly and will provide you good insider tips to the best gay happenings in the city.
The trendy hotel itself is welcoming with bright bold designs and modernistic touches. Elegant, specially designed soundproof rooms with a king-size bed and plasma TV with wifi are what you can expect here. At the end of the day, you can unwind at the rooftop Sky Bar, which is a gay destination in itself.
Other gay hotspots such as Gingin Bay Bar, Punto BCN, and Priscilla Cafe are just around the corner from this premium gay hotel. For a break from partying, you can work off some of those additional vacation calories at the Wellness Club 33 or indulge in a relaxing massage.
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H10 Art Gallery Hotel
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If you’re an art aficionado you’ll definitely love this gay-friendly hotel in Barcelona. As the name suggests, the four-star superior H10 Art Gallery Hotel is dedicated to contemporary art. The interior design of the hotel features open plan spaces and showcases a collection of original works by internationally recognized artists. Each floor of this gay-favorite hotel is dedicated to a particular artist, with rooms that are reflective of their unique styles. Although the rooms are not very large they are comfortable with some featuring a furnished balcony. A modern art-themed restaurant, a gorgeous outdoor bar with a plunge pool and a pleasant courtyard. L’Olivera Terrace is named after the century-old olive tree at its center.
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Cram
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A short walk from the bustling Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Cataluna is the Hotel Cram. Possibly one of the oldest buildings in the region, the modernist style building dates back to 1898. However, only the original facade remains. The hotel is a popular destination with the gay community for its excellent location to some of the best gay bars in the city. Just 10 minutes away is the Metro Disco, the largest gay club in the city.
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Hotel Pulitzer
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A stone’s throw from Plaza Catalunya and surrounded by some of the top attractions in Barcelona is the Hotel Pulitzer. Housed in a 19th-century building, the hotel has stylish contemporary rooms and an impressive rooftop terrace-garden that features live concerts and DJ sessions. Many gay bars and saunas are located within walking distance from the hotel. With the number of great saunas such as Sauna Gay Thermas and Sauna Gay Cassanova just a 10 minute walk away, you’ll definitely appreciate this hotel as your base. This trendy hotel is registered with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
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Melià Barcelona Sky
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Just a bit north from Barcelona’s center is the beautiful gay friendly five-star Melia Barcelona Sky. This hotel is located in the Poble Nu district, at a walking distance from some great beaches. The Platja de la Mar Bella, a popular gay beach is also nearby, making this hotel one of the 11 Best Beach Hotels in Barcelona. If you’re wondering about the nightlife, that’s also easily accessible. Popular gay spots such as La Chapelle, BOYSBAR BCN, Plata Bar, and Night Barcelona are all easy to reach from the Melia. For the architecture buff or someone interested in Gaudi’s works, we highly recommend joining the Master Gaudi, Four Locations Tour. This one day tour will take you to the four important works of Gaudi in one day.
The Melia hotel itself is luxurious and comfortable with an outdoor terrace pool and a fitness center and spa. The spacious and bright rooms are well equipped with modern comforts. The hotel also has two great restaurants and serves an excellent buffet breakfast. Its Skyline 24 Terrace is a great place to hang out with a cocktail to take in some great 360 degree views of the city.
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Hotel Soho
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If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel in the renowned ‘Gayxample,’ the three-star Hotel Soho is a great option. Situated right in the middle of Eixample, you can be sure that if you set up base here you won’t be too far from the happening gay places. The hotel also offers its own suggestions of the Barcelona LGBT Route to make it simpler for guests to find their way through the area. El Cangrejo, a club with a great vibe, Sauna Casanova and People Lounge are nearby. If you want to explore other parts of the city such as the iconic Sagrada Familia, you can get onto a train from the Urgell metro station, practically next door to the hotel.
The hotel features modern rooms that reflect Soho’s ‘Soft and Hot’ design. These rooms are not only comfortable but aesthetically pleasing that’s probably one of the reasons why this hotel is a preferred choice by gay travelers. A rooftop pool and solarium (open only during the summer months), on the 8th floor, provides great views of Gran Via and the neighborhood. It’s a great place to connect with fellow gay travelers. And did we mention that it’s one of the Top 11 Hotels With A Rooftop Pool In Barcelona?
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NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderon
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The recently renovated NH Collection Hotel, one of the best gay hotels in Barcelona, has a brand new hotel feel. Located on one of Barcelona’s most famous streets, Rambla de Cataluña, it’s a great place to set up base while you explore the city’s attractions. Gaudi’s townhouses, the old cathedral, and Plaza de Cataluña are a leisurely stroll away. What adds to the lure of this hotel is that the gay bars and gay clubs like ARENA are hardly 3 minutes away.
Simply decorated spacious rooms with pops of color amidst a pristine white background look out onto lovely views of the city. The premium rooms and suites are highly recommended as they have a full individual terrace space with sun loungers. If you’re in the hotel during the summer, check out the rooftop pool which is is a great place to bond with fellow gay travelers.
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Two Hotel Barcelona
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The second gay friendly hotel in Barcelona by the Axel chain is TWO Hotel Barcelona, located 15-minutes away from Gaixample. It is also closer to El Raval, the other gayborhood in Barcelona. A few steps away from the hotel you’ll find Club Black Hole and Boyberry, two popular cruising clubs.
Like its big brother Axel Barcelona, this hotel also prides itself on being ‘hetero-friendly.’ This newer gay hotel in Barcelona has a more modern decor than the Axel. Rooms in muted shades of black, grey and beige are comfortable and bright and styled in various styles and sizes. Superior rooms offer fantastic views of the city through floor-to-ceiling corner windows. The hotel also has a Sky Bar with an outdoor pool and loungers. Both hotels of the Axel group are extremely popular with gay travelers for the excellent gay services that they offer.
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W Barcelona
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One of the favorite gay hotels in Barcelona is the W Barcelona, part of the chain of hotels by the same name. The cutting-edge design and good facilities that the hotel provides are part of the reason why the hotel is so popular. The unique sail-shaped building situated at the very edge of Barcelona’s seafront was designed by renowned architect Ricardo Bofill. The rooms feature large windows that look out onto the sea, with colors that match the vivid blue of the Mediterranean. As you go higher up the categories of the rooms, they become even more luxurious. If you’re up for major pampering then we recommend the Presidential Suite with its own balcony jacuzzi and sun loungers.
The W is so well equipped with facilities that you may not feel like leaving the hotel. You can dine in at the Michelin-star restaurant Bravo24, or enjoy some great food and cocktails at the SALT beach club. If you’re looking for a great place to party, the Eclipse club will not disappoint. WET Deck, the rooftop poolside bar is the perfect place to unwind during the day or party at night. With 3 swimming pools and dedicated access to Platja San Sebastia, what more could you ask for!
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Just So You Know:
- One of Barcelona’s pioneer clubs in the LGBTI club scene is the Metro which hosts various shows and parties. Its two dance floors, three bars, and a very dark room attract a large number of fun-loving gay people.
- If you’re in the city to bring in the new year, the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Flamenco Show at the Palacio del Flamenco is one of the best places to be. Held in a restored 1920 theater, you can feast and party here from night till dawn.
- Spain legalized same-sex marriage in 2005 despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church, becoming the fourth country in the world to do so.
- Pride Barcelona takes place in late June and is a weeklong event that features concerts, open-air dance parties, film screenings, and art shows. The LGBTI film festival ‘Fire’ is also another noteworthy even.
Get Some Culture In Barcelona:
- Party Bus to Sitges Carnival – Before the start of Lent, the seaside town of Sitges is transformed into a party haven where sequins, feathers, and frivolity take precedence. Have fun on this round-trip party coach from Barcelona to experience this amazing carnival.
- Sagrada Familia – Discover all that makes this attraction so special on this 1.5 hours guided tour of Gaudi’s masterpiece.
Best clubs / Bars In Barcelona:
- El Cangrejo – If you’re looking for a great club vibe then this is where you should head to. The repertoire of this club is in the drag performance that takes place on the weekends. While the show is free, the drinks are priced a little higher than usual but it’s totally worth it.
- Night Barcelona – This gay club is one of the liveliest in the city and also draws in the crowds because of its fun vibe. For someone looking for an unexpected adventure, this is where you’ll find it. The place can get a little wild so be prepared.
- Sauna Casanova – Located at Carrer de Casanova 57, this is one of the most popular gay saunas in Barcelona that is open 24/7. The early hours of the morning are possibly the best time to visit when the boys are done with clubbing and hit the sauna.
