When planning an LGBTQIA+ holiday, one of the challenges is determining what destinations are safe to visit. While you can never guarantee safety, you can certainly take precautions and look for places that welcome the LGBTQIA+ community with open arms.
For those who want peace of mind on their luxury holiday and don’t have the time to search about laws affecting LGBTQIA+, we have compiled this list of the best destinations for luxury LGBTQIA+ travel.
Mexico
Mexico is a fascinating and colourful country with vibrant energy. It’s a melting pot of people of different cultures and traditions and offers a variety of attractions for all travellers. These include those seeking luxury LGBTQIA+ travel experiences, with plenty of options for all. Because of its massive size, Mexico has a large LGBTQIA+ population. But you will find the bigger cities and popular tourist places like Puerto Vallarta or Playa del Carmen more welcoming to the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Puerto Vallarta is the most popular destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers. It has an area called the Romantic Zone, a popular hang-out spot for the gay community with panoramic views of the bay. As the sun sets, the area comes to life with many bars and clubs opening up, welcoming people from all walks of life. These are the best places to meet like-minded travellers.
The capital city of Mexico is one of the world’s most populous cities and has a growing LGBTQIA+ population, especially in its famous Zona Rosa neighbourhood. Here, you’ll find numerous gay-friendly bars and dance clubs. It also hosts the local gay pride festival parade, attracting thousands of visitors. Aside from its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, Mexico City offers many incredible attractions, from historical museums to art galleries.
Italy
There are many good reasons why Italy is one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations. Renowned for its glorious landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history, it offers the perfect destination for luxury LGBTQIA+ travel. As a popular tourist destination, Italy offers many opportunities to experience luxury gay travel, ideal for those planning an LGBTQIA+ getaway.
Puglia is an ideal destination to visit for LGBTQIA+ travellers. It’s a picturesque coastal escape boasting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, delectable regional cuisines, and post-card-perfect surroundings. To meet like-minded travellers, visit the southern section of Puglia called Salento. Here, you’ll find numerous gay hangout spots, such as bars and clubs. It is also close to Gallipoli, home to Italy’s most gay-friendly beaches.
Rome is one of those Italian cities becoming more liberal, with a thriving gay community. Italy’s capital city offers a seductive mix of gay dance parties, gay-friendly saunas and massage parlours, and a bustling nightlife scene. But aside from partying, you should take the time to enjoy sightseeing, and explore the city’s highlights, from the Colosseum to the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain.
When evening comes, head to the city’s top cocktail bars. A more thrilling way to end the day is to visit an underground fetish party or good old-fashioned gay disco.
Greece
Greece has a long tradition of being tolerant of gay men. Over the years, the country has extended its tolerance to the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Home to picturesque islands and stunning beaches, Greece offers the perfect destination for luxury LGBTQIA+ travellers.
The Greek Islands have been a famous holiday destination for the LGBTQIA+ community for many years, especially Mykonos. Renowned for its legendary party scene, it has numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants that have become the hangout spots for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Despite the mass tourism, including LGBTQ+ tourism, much of Mykonos remained unspoiled by modernity, offering a more authentic Greek holiday experience.
Strolling through Chora is a fun experience. Much of it is impeccably preserved and feels like a village from the 18th century.
Aside from Mykonos, another fantastic destination for luxury LGBTQIA+ travel is the island of Lesvos. Located east of the Aegean Sea, next to Turkey, it has become a pilgrimage for those in the LGBTQIA+ community due to the Greek poet Sappho, famous for her lyrical poems focusing on relationships between women. Visit Lesvos in September, when the island hosts the International Eressos Women’s Festival in the village of Skala Eresou, where Sappho was born.
Croatia
Croatia is relatively safe for the LGBTQIA+ travellers. Lying along the Adriatic Sea, it has a fabulous climate, hundreds of picturesque islands, beautiful beaches, fascinating historical sites, and incredibly stunning national parks. In fact, there are many incredible cruises situated in Croatia, a perfect option for those looking to explore several islands.
Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, is tolerant of the gay community. The city offers a thriving queer culture and has many gay-friendly venues, like clubs, bars, and events. Luckily, for LGBTQIA+ travellers heading to Croatia, more and more cities are becoming more welcoming to the community, with many gay-friendly establishments opening in the cities of Dubrovnik, Split, and many others.
Hvar is the most luxurious of all the Croatian islands, making it an ideal place to visit for luxury LGBTQIA+ travel. At the centre of Hvar is the picturesque town with a lovely harbour lined with luxurious yachts. Hvar is the hub of partying in Croatia, so you can expect to find numerous bars and clubs across the island. Many of these nightspots are frequented by those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a thriving queer culture and has a growing number of establishments geared towards the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in major cities like San Jose and Manuel Antonio.
You’ll likely arrive in San Jose when flying into Costa Rica. While most travellers would use it as a starting point for other destinations, it’s worth spending a day or two in the city. It’s home to many incredible attractions and excellent gay bars to socialise and meet with fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Manuel Antonio is a famous seaside town becoming popular among LGBTQIA+ travellers. It’s home to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and offers numerous exhilarating outdoor activities. If you love nature and are fond of exploring the great outdoors, Manuel Antonio is a fantastic place to visit.
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