If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ group, typically planning a visit away isn’t as straightforward as simply hopping on a flight pointed wherever. As of 2025, legal guidelines criminalizing LGBTQ+ people at giant exist in 76 nations and territories — with the dying penalty even occurring in 12 of them for same-sex sexual exercise. That being mentioned, there is not any approach you must decide out of travelling simply to remain at residence. There are many locations all around the world that embrace and actively rejoice the LGBTQ+ group. 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. But it surely’s additionally well-known for its folks — who’re a few of the friendliest, politest, and most welcoming folks 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, Pleasure Toronto — tending to run on the ultimate weekend of June — is North America’s largest Pleasure and residential to one of many world’s largest Trans Prides. Count on 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 considering 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 flawed. Iceland is without doubt one of the world’s most progressive nations, and queer individuals are broadly seen in public life. In actual fact, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir grew to become the world’s first brazenly homosexual head of presidency again in 2009.
The capital ReykjavÃk is arguably the hub of LGBTQ+ life right here, with institutions like Kiki Queer Bar, Bravó, and Gaukurinn taking part in host to pull reveals, stay music, and extra. You can additionally tie in a go to to the nation with Pleasure operating each August. Round 100,000 folks attend the occasion with a parade, DJs, and different cultural occasions. The ReykjavÃk 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 record journey locations. Whether or not you’re eager to hike up volcanoes, kayak by fjords, or hurl your self off a bridge tied to a bungee wire — then that is the place to be.
However scenic Aoetorea because it’s domestically recognized can be famend for its progressive rights and inclusivity. Again in 2020, almost 10% of its Parliament recognized as LGBTQ+, and the vast majority 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 residence to the nation’s most various and largest LGBTQ+ scene. The capital Wellington is thought for being artsy, and it’s additionally residence to the Wellington Pleasure Parade — the nation’s longest-running Pleasure. For one thing a bit completely different, don’t miss a visit to Queenstown Winter Pleasure — 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 received the sun-kissed seashores of the Algarve — the proper spot for sipping on ice-cold cocktails. On the opposite, you’ve received 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 like 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 PrÃncipe 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 folks 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 throughout the neighbourhood of De Waterkant — together with the seashores lining the Atlantic. Town can be residence to a unbelievable Pleasure parade in February or March, and Jo’burg Pleasure is the county’s longest-running occasion.
Brazil is a completely huge nation — residence to the biggest swathes of the mighty Amazon Rainforest, seashores aplenty, and megacities like São Paulo. It’s additionally residence to a thriving LGBTQ+ scene — significantly in locations like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
Arguably the epicentre of the LGBTQ+ group is São Paulo, residence to the world’s largest Pleasure parade with over three million folks 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 unfastened to Axé and different Afro-Caribbean music.
Protecting 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 one of the 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 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, and so they’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 received 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 all the time 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 long-lasting Canal Parade — a floating LGBTQ+ celebration not like some other the place over 80 embellished boats sail by the town adorned in glitter and rainbows.
Rotterdam can be an incredible place to go to should you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ group. Because the Netherlands’ second largest metropolis, it’s each revolutionary 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.
Within the phrases of Nicki Minaj — ‘let’s go to the seashore, seashore…’ — although there’s extra to Thailand than simply seashores, unbelievable although they’re. ‘The Land of Smiles’ can be famed for its historic cities, lush, wildlife-filled jungles, and buzzing capital Bangkok.
It’s additionally one of the 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 be one of the visibly trans-friendly nations on the planet — even when authorized recognition is missing — and guesthouses, inns, 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.
Spain persistently ranks as one of the queer-friendly nations globally, with main cities providing thriving LGBTQ+ scenes and smaller cities turning into extra inclusive yearly. The capital, Madrid, gives a wealth of issues to do and see should you’re part of the group, and Chueca is taken into account one of the vibrant ‘gaybourhoods’ in Europe. The Madrid Orgullo (MADO) in July is without doubt one of the world’s largest Pleasure 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 inns. A brief practice 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, brilliant blue waters lapping rocky coves, and sunsets that by no means appear to finish. Add in wonderful delicacies and pleasant native folks, and you may see why we like it.
It’s additionally one of the 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 style scenes are all the time rising.
Elsewhere, the homosexual island hotspot Mykonos gives homosexual seashores galore on high of flashy seashore golf equipment — good for dancing the night time (or day) away. Extra laid-back Lesbos is a non secular residence for queer ladies, with the city of Skala Eressos being an epicentre for lesbian tourism. Don’t miss the annual Eressos Ladies’s Competition, which tends to run in September.
Rounding off this record of the very best locations on the planet to get pleasure from queer journey is none aside from Norway — arguably one of the lovely 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 nations on the planet for LGBTQ+ rights, making it a superb vacation spot for queer travellers on the lookout for outside journey and concrete tradition.
If you happen to’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.