5 L GBTQ+ Friendly Destinations to Visit in 2023
By Lola Méndez
5 LGBTQ+ Friendly Destinations to Visit in 2023
By Lola Méndez
Here are our top five destinations for queer travelers to visit.
There are places around the world that are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers, but several cities tend to continually top the charts of the most queer-friendly destinations.
Barcelona, Spain
Spain is one of the most progressive countries in the world for LGBTQ+ rights where queer folks have the right to marry, adopt, serve in the military, change gender, and donate blood. Barcelona’s gayborhood is well worth a visit. L’Eixample (lovingly known locally as Gaixample) is home to iconic gay bars such as Punto BCN, Moeem, Night Barcelona, and drag shows at El Cangrejo. Travelers can visit Gaudí’s unfinished church, La Sagrada Família, complete with rainbow-stained glass.
Barcelona, Spain
Spain is one of the most progressive countries in the world for LGBTQ+ rights where queer folks have the right to marry, adopt, serve in the military, change gender, and donate blood. Barcelona’s gayborhood is well worth a visit. L’Eixample (lovingly known locally as Gaixample) is home to iconic gay bars such as Punto BCN, Moeem, Night Barcelona, and drag shows at El Cangrejo. Travelers can visit Gaudí’s unfinished church, La Sagrada Família, complete with rainbow-stained glass.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Homosexuality was decriminalized in Denmark in 1933 and in 1989 Denmark became the first country in the world to recognize registered partnerships for same-sex couples. The country’s capital city, Copenhagen, is one of the best places in Scandinavia for queer travelers to visit. The coastal city is home to one of the world’s oldest gay bars, Centralhjørnet, which is a great place to grab a beer and mingle with other queer travelers or enjoy a memorable drag brunch. Oscar Bar & Cafe is the place for coffee in Copenhagen’s Rainbow Square. For a nightly party head to Masken Bar, one of the oldest gay bars in the city. Queer female travelers will want to visit Copenhagen’s only exclusively Lesbian nightclub, Vela.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Homosexuality was decriminalized in Denmark in 1933 and in 1989 Denmark became the first country in the world to recognize registered partnerships for same-sex couples. The country’s capital city, Copenhagen, is one of the best places in Scandinavia for queer travelers to visit. The coastal city is home to one of the world’s oldest gay bars, Centralhjørnet, which is a great place to grab a beer and mingle with other queer travelers or enjoy a memorable drag brunch. Oscar Bar & Cafe is the place for coffee in Copenhagen’s Rainbow Square. For a nightly party head to Masken Bar, one of the oldest gay bars in the city. Queer female travelers will want to visit Copenhagen’s only exclusively Lesbian nightclub, Vela.
New York, USA
Visiting The Big Apple is a right of passage for every LGBTQ+ traveler. The historic city has been at the forefront of the modern gay rights movement since the Stonewall Uprising in 1969. Manhattan is one of the few places in the United States that has not one, but two, lesbian bars—Henrietta Hudson and Cubbyhole Bar, both in the West Village. Drag performances can be found weekly throughout the five boroughs with LIPS being especially spectacular. Pay your respects to trans activist Marsha P. Johnson at the statue of her bust in Christopher Park.
New York, USA
Visiting The Big Apple is a right of passage for every LGBTQ+ traveler. The historic city has been at the forefront of the modern gay rights movement since the Stonewall Uprising in 1969. Manhattan is one of the few places in the United States that has not one, but two, lesbian bars—Henrietta Hudson and Cubbyhole Bar, both in the West Village. Drag performances can be found weekly throughout the five boroughs with LIPS being especially spectacular. Pay your respects to trans activist Marsha P. Johnson at the statue of her bust in Christopher Park.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Since the 1960s this year-round Mexican beach destination has been welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers. The beach-front Blue Chairs Resort was one of the first gay bars in town and continues to be the top spot for leisurely beach days surrounded by other queer travelers. Mr. Flamingos is the place to sing and dance the night away to pop hits from the 90s, early aughts, and current Top 40 ballads. Puerto Vallarta has a growing lesbian scene with specialized events during Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride for queer women hosted by PV Lesbian Pride and year-round events at the lesbian-owned-and-operated Elixir Mixology in the gayborhood of Zona Romantica.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Since the 1960s this year-round Mexican beach destination has been welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers. The beach-front Blue Chairs Resort was one of the first gay bars in town and continues to be the top spot for leisurely beach days surrounded by other queer travelers. Mr. Flamingos is the place to sing and dance the night away to pop hits from the 90s, early aughts, and current Top 40 ballads. Puerto Vallarta has a growing lesbian scene with specialized events during Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride for queer women hosted by PV Lesbian Pride and year-round events at the lesbian-owned-and-operated Elixir Mixology in the gayborhood of Zona Romantica.
Sydney, Australia
Gay marriage was legalized in Australia in 2018 and Sydney is the country’s most diverse, inclusive, and LGBTQ-friendly city. The 2023 host of WorldPride is an LGBTQ+ mecca for queer travelers, especially during the multi-week Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. If you’re not visiting during the pride celebrations you can still find the local community hanging out along the LGBTQ+ strip, Oxford Street, at bars such as Stonewall and Universal. Be sure to catch one of Courtney Act’s drag shows.
Sydney, Australia
Gay marriage was legalized in Australia in 2018 and Sydney is the country’s most diverse, inclusive, and LGBTQ-friendly city. The 2023 host of WorldPride is an LGBTQ+ mecca for queer travelers, especially during the multi-week Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. If you’re not visiting during the pride celebrations you can still find the local community hanging out along the LGBTQ+ strip, Oxford Street, at bars such as Stonewall and Universal. Be sure to catch one of Courtney Act’s drag shows.
Want to keep reading?
Jessika's enduring passion for travel began on Pine Island in South Florida, where the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and later the majestic mountains of Wyoming instilled in her a love for exploring new horizons. Growing up near Yellowstone National Park fueled her adventurous spirit, embracing places others dream of visiting. Her journey commenced in 2001 with Cody Trolley Tours, sharing the charm of her hometown in Wyoming.
Her career took a transformative turn in 2010 with Holland America Line, where she thrived as a Librarian, Travel Guide, and Assistant Shore Excursion Manager, traveling across all seven continents, and visiting nearly seventy countries. Meeting her Dutch husband, Marcel, along the way, Jessika embraced life on land and at sea, driven by a shared passion for cultural immersion and exploration.
By 2024, Jessika embraced her role as a Travel Advisor, with a focus on world cruise travel. She revels in crafting seamless back-to-back itineraries for retirees and s ...