You can also find out more about Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ history at the Pink Point information stand, located close to the Homomonument. It hosts a tamer crowd every Thursday night with featured drag shows.Īlso not to be missed is the Homomonment, a “living monument” to homosexuals who’ve been oppressed around the world.
One of the best sex clubs is Club Church which holds themed parties. It opened its doors in 1927 and you’ll often find crowds spilling out onto the street from its kitschy interior. One of the best gay places to visit is Cafe t’Mandje, the oldest gay bar in Amsterdam. There are more sex shops and gay bars dotted throughout the Red Light District - just look for rainbow flags. Most of the city’s gay nightlife is on a single street in the center of Amsterdam, the Reguliersdwarsstraat. Milkshake, a summer queer music festival with no dress code, welcomes everyone to come and enjoy different music on one of their nine stages. The annual Pride is a floating celebration on water, with boats instead of typical parade floats coasting down the Amstel and along the city’s scenic canals, like the Prinsengracht. Plus, Barcelona is only half an hour from Spain’s most celebrated gay city, Sitges.Īmsterdam is hands down one of Europe’s best cities for LGBTQ+ travelers. And La Federica is one of the best LGBTQ+-friendly bars with a retro-modern decor, mean cocktails, and an excellent tapas spread - not to mention the cute, bearded bar staff behind the counter. ES Collection has some seriously sexy pieces of men’s underwear perfect for those fun nights out at the club where hook-ups may happen. You’ll find most of the city’s gay bars, restaurants, and shops in the Eixample district, with other cool spots also spread throughout the city.Īntinous, is a gay and lesbian bookstore in the Gothic quarter, selling comics, travel guides, DVDs, and more. With a warm climate, Spanish tapas, clothing-optional beaches, a plethora of cultural offerings, and a well-established friendly community, Barcelona is a year-round LGBTQ+ destination.īig annual events include Barcelona Gay Pride in June, Circuit Festival in August, and the International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival held in the fall.
Photo: Luciano Mortula – LGM/Shutterstock