LGBT travellers from across Europe flock to Spain for its good weather, tolerant resorts and vibrant nightlife.
Despite a strong Catholic influence, Spain was ranked as the world’s most gay-friendly country in a Pew Research Center poll. 88 percent of those surveyed responded “yes” to the question: Should society accept homosexuality?
In a recent report from IGLA-Europe, Spain was hailed as a ‘model’ nation for LGBT rights in Europe. Laws on same-sex marriage, adoption, and rights for transgender people were highlighted.
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is illegal so you should have no trouble securing a hotel room and other tourism services. With same sex marriage also legalised in 2005, Spain is quite rightly high on the list of destinations for LGBT travellers.
Best gay destinations in Spain
Madrid: With a huge LGBT population, Madrid is one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe. Nightlife is centred around the Chueca neighbourhood but the rainbow flag flies across the city.
Normally held around the end of June, Madrid’s Pride parade is one of the world’s largest with over one million participants each year. Read our Madrid travel guide.
Barcelona: The Catalan capital rivals Madrid with gay bars, restaurants and shops spread right across the city. The Eixample neighbourhood has several adults-only hotel aimed at LGBT travellers.
Easy access to one of Spain’s most popular LGBT beach destinations at Sitges is also a reason people choose Barcelona. Read our Barcelona travel guide.
Sitges: Less than an hour from Barcelona by train, bus or car, Sitges is the one of Spain’s most upmarket beach resorts. It’s also been a centre for gay and lesbian travellers for many years with famed nightlife centred around the Old Town, and a couple of LGBT-specific beaches.
Gran Canaria: Maspalomas on Gran Canaria’s southern coast draws gay travellers from across Europe with its promises of sunshine year-round, even in the winter. Open since the early 1980s, the Yumbo Centre is a nondescript shopping centre by day that transforms into a giant strip of gay bars and nightclubs as soon as the sun starts to set. Read our Canary Islands travel guide.
