The capital of Greece Athens lies at the cusp of Europe, Asia, and Africa, brimming with thousands of years of history. Remnants of Classical Greece, the Turkish Ottoman rule, and the Byzantine Empire are evident all over this historic city. Add to that year-round sunshine and a trailblazing culture, and you have one of the…
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…
Berlin’s gay pride in July attracts a huge number of visitors to the city, but gay travelers don’t only congregate here during pride. The city is one of the most sought after gay destinations in the world for various other reasons and as such there are plenty of gay hotels in Berlin to cater to…
Britain’s second-largest city Birmingham brims with exciting possibilities. The city boasts of beautifully restored Victorian buildings, picturesque canals, glitzy, futuristic real estate, and a fantastic heritage in the form of the Jewelry Quarter. Birmingham is also home to a diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ population and hosts the UK’s biggest two-day Pride festival. The rising numbers…
The seaside resort city of Blackpool sits pretty on the Irish Sea coast in the United Kingdom. This Lancashire seaside getaway became popular when England’s wealthy patrons came here to bathe in seawater during the mid-18th century. But, did you know that today Blackpool is the gay capital of northern UK? Yes! There are many gay…
The city of Brighton houses one of England‘s largest gay communities and is often called its ‘gay capital’. Home to UK’s best Pride Festival, the English seaside resort town of Brighton is home to many gay-friendly hotels and gay bars. In fact, gay hotels in Brighton run the gamut from high-end luxury hotels and mid-range…
Bristol in South West England straddles the River Avon and is one of the largest cities in England. The city is awash with the past, right from heritage structures, derelict docks-turned leisure venues, and an iconic suspension bridge. Moreover, Bristol is famous for its quirky, alternative character and a counterculture vibe, thanks to a world-class street…
The charming capital of Belgium, Brussels is famously the birthplace of the Belgium Waffle and the French fry. However, it also packs a big punch one of Europe’s fiercely progressive capitals. Brussels is historic yet hip, by-the-book and yet unorthodox, and Brussels is multicultural to its roots. To that end, it’s this forward-thinking attitude that…
The 19th-century fin de siècle architecture and elegant streets of Budapest epitomize the grandness of this Hungarian capital. Despite lying behind the Iron Curtain, this eastern European city has looked westward for a while. In fact, Budapest has a long history of culture and liberalism and boasts more than 100 galleries and museums. What’s more,…
The gay scene in Berlin might be more dynamic and bigger, but Cologne will give you a warm, fuzzy-something, familiar feeling. Famous as Germany’s ‘other’ gay capital, the city has become a popular tourist destination. It is due to this fact, as well as the city’s cosmopolitan and accepting attitude that there are many gay…
Pristine waterways, cultural riches, and a vibrant waterfront make Copenhagen a true Scandi gem. This cool Danish capital boasts of a cornucopia of cultural treasures, lovely neighborhoods, and diverse culinary prowess. Copenhagen also has a longstanding reputation for accepting LGBTQ culture, and rightfully so. It is home to the world’s oldest-existing gay bar, Centralhjørnet. It’s…
Heritage and hedonism exist in equal measure in the Irish capital Dublin. Majestic cathedrals and medieval castles are as important as their traditional pub culture. However, that’s not all that Dublin is known for. Ireland’s ground-breaking gender recognition laws have made Dublin one of Europe’s most gay-friendly destinations. There has been a profusion of gay…
Edinburgh, nicknamed ‘Athens of the North’ is not just Scotland’s capital but also its cultural nucleus. Cobblestoned streets and medieval castles sit amidst a lush woodland landscape overlooking the Firth of Forth. The gorgeous city brims with nooks that entice you to explore just a bit further. Edinburgh also boasts a playful, down-to-earth vibe, which…
Enchanting Florence, a.k.a. Firenze straddling the Arno River is rightfully called the cradle of the renaissance. Gourmet Tuscan cuisine aside, the city is a real feast for the eyes. Whether it’s iconic medieval architecture or world-class art, the city’s charm is enduring. Moreover, it has its own share of famous design-oriented gays, helmed by hometown…
Often referred to as ‘Mainhattan,’ Frankfurt, with its swish skyscrapers and swanky buildings, is distinct from other German cities. This multicultural and tolerant city is often overlooked because of its financial powerhouse image. However, the city has a big queer presence and therefore, there is no shortage of gay accommodation in Frankfurt. Although you won’t…
Considered as a continent in miniature, Gran Canaria’s been a gay destination for decades. So, not surprisingly, quite a few gay hotels sprang up. While all hotels aren’t exclusively gay, they’re all gay-friendly. So, finding gay accommodation in Gran Canaria is pretty simple. In fact, it boats more gay hotels than any other place in the…
Germany’s second largest city has undergone a huge transformation since its early beginnings as the world’s port city. Hamburg’s gay scene may not be as big as that of Berlin or Cologne but it is alive and kicking. You’ll find plenty of gay hotels in Hamburg though you won’t find any ‘exclusively’ gay hotels here.…
Sun-kissed Ibiza with its turquoise-blue waters and white-sand beaches is pretty much Spain’s all-time-favorite gay hotspot. Notwithstanding the season, the Spanish island is one of Europe’s most popular beach getaways. About an hour’s flight from Madrid, the island really never sleeps. There are plenty of gay hotels in Ibiza which has accommodation for all kinds…
Known earlier as Byzantium and Constantinople, Istanbul is one heady collision point of cultures and continents. It’s where the East meets the West, literally, at the cerulean waters of the Bosphorus Strait. In one frenetic fusion of mysticism and modernity, Istanbul combines diverse philosophies and people. Apart from Ottoman-era mosques and Byzantine churches, it’s also…
The 21st-century, urban-chic city of Leeds in northern England shines with a distinct and yet un-overwhelming Yorkshire swagger. It boasts of a fabulous drinking-dining scene and revitalized architecture. Leeds is also famous for being one of the friendliest gay cities in England, with LGBTQ people accounting for almost 10 percent of the city’s population. In…
Is Lisbon gay friendly? The 2019 Spartacus International Gay Guide Index states that Portugal was voted the most gay friendly destination in the world. So it’s no surprise that its capital city is a popular LGBT vacation destination. Gay hotels in Lisbon receive visitors from near and far. They come to enjoy the many attractions…
Jolly old’ London is one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities and has been a haven for the members of the LGBT community for more than a hundred years. In the last two decades, the city has become extremely gay-friendly, with LGBT clubs and bars popping up in tourist areas. London has been home to…
Madrid is one of the friendliest cities for gays in the world and is home to Spain and Europe’s largest gay population. Madrid’s native annual gay parade MADO, or Orgullo Gay de Madrid, is one of the world’s biggest pride parades today. Gay neighborhoods in Madrid like Chueca is where the LGBT community has lived…
Mesmerizing Malaga puts the ‘soul’ into Costa del Sol, the famous Spanish coastline overlooking the Alboran Sea. This ancient beach town is the birthplace of Picasso and is steeped in rich Islamic and Roman history. Moreover, it blends lip-smacking cuisine and authentic Spanish traditions with stunning architecture and wicked, wild nightlife. With Spain being renowned…