20 LGBTQ+ travel destinations to explore

Because wanderlust can occur during any time of year, it’s always a great time to travel! So shake the dust off of your old town and check out some brand-new LGBTQ+ travel destinations that you may have overlooked.

In the United States and abroad, there are many LGBTQ+ travel destinations to check out — whether for Pride Month or just because! So pack your bags — it’s time to enjoy some new experiences, meet some new people, and gorge on amazing food!

1. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok has been called Asia’s most tolerant city, and Thailand just proved its love for the community by becoming the first Southeastern Asian country likely to legalize gay marriage. Thailand is also the destination for World Pride 2030, so scope out the sights ahead of time.

2. New York City

The cliche is that New York City is the city that never sleeps, but it’s kinda true — there’s always something going on. Whether you want to visit LGBTQ+ landmarks like the Stonewall Inn and Julius‘ or just vibe on Christopher Street, if you can’t find something to do, you’re trying to be bored.

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3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam used to be a big travel destination because of legal drugs — though as marijuana (and in some places, mushrooms) become increasingly legalized, that’s less of a draw. Luckily, Amsterdam still has a great queer scene and lots of sights to see. And if you’re a theme park geek, just drive about an hour and a half on the A2 to the Efteling Amusement Park — you’ll never go to Disneyland again!

4. São Paulo, Brazil

Brazil is amazing — beautiful people, lovely vistas, and all the best beef you can eat. But São Paulo has an amazing LGBTQ+ scene — and the Guinness book of world records has recognized the city’s pride parade as the largest in the world!

5. Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and has quite a gay scene. The pride parade in 2023 drew more than 20,000 people. And there’s also lots of beautiful wildlife to see.

6. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is considered the cultural capital of Australia, and it’s got a thriving LGBTQ+ community. You’ll be able to see art, concerts and go clubbing in some of Australia’s best bars. Word to the wise, though: Don’t pronounce it “mel-born” — it’s much closer to “mel-bin.”

7. Montreal, Canada

Montreal is the gay capital of Canada — it’s even got a neighborhood called the Gay Village. There are historic sites galore, as well as lots of places to be entertained. Get yourself one of the city’s famous Fairmount bagels while you’re there too.

8. Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s 2017 Pride festival was the largest ever in Europe, with 3.5 million attendees. Madrid isn’t just Spain’s capital, but also Spain’s gay capital. Madrid’s queer community is leading the way for the rest of Europe. In 2004, it was the third European country to lift the ban on gay marriage.

9. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is one of Argentina’s best cities: loads of museums and parks, amazing architecture, and tons of party people ready to rock into the night. It’s got its queer bonafides as well: It was the first Latin American city to legalize civil unions in 2004, and in 2010, allowed full marriage and adoption rights to gay couples.

10. Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is perhaps the gay capital of East Asia, drawing 200,000 people to its Pride festival. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. In celebration, hundreds of couples flocked to Taipei in 2019 to get married.

11. Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand is sometimes called Australia’s little sibling, but it’s an amazing country. The people are friendly, the wildlife is strange and beautiful, and the kiwifruit candy is to die for. Auckland has a burgeoning gay community, so make sure to check out the gay scene on the streets of Ponsonby and K Roads!

12. Seychelles

Seychelles, an archipelago off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, may not be at the top of mind when one thinks of LGBTQ+ travel destinations, but maybe it should be. It is one of the handful of African countries where homosexuality is legal, and it’s absolutely gorgeous with its paradisiacal setting and amazing wildlife.

13. New Orleans, Louisiana

As Pride Month draws to a close, it may be tricky to find a party destination on short notice. Don’t worry, though — New Orleans has your back. Every year, the city throws the six-day Southern Decadence queer festival ending on the Sunday before Labor Day. Of course, it’s a great place to visit the rest of the year too.

14. Athens, Greece

Athens is one of the most important historical cities of the Western world. If you’re a history nerd, you’ve probably already booked your trip — but even if you’re not, there’s plenty to explore. Beautiful orange trees, amazing farmers’ markets, and more await!

15. Mexico City, Mexico

While Mexico at large may be a conservative, Catholic country, Mexico City embraces its queer population. Last year, in celebration of Pride, the city changed 131 trans people’s gender markers on official documents and married 120 LGBTQ+ couples.

16. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has long had a thriving queer scene; it was even documented in the 1969 classic film Funeral Parade of Roses. Those who’ve seen the film may have even wanted to travel to Shinjuku or Ni-Chome already. But even without the gay connection, Tokyo is one of the cultural capitals of the world, so there’s plenty to see and do.

17. Orlando, Florida

Yes, the biggest thing in Orlando is Walt Disney World, the thorn in Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (FL) side. But there’s plenty of other things to see and do, with a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Orlando Pride is a huge deal, and last year it drew 200,000 people despite DeSantis’ best efforts to cripple his state’s tourism industry.

18. Cologne, Germany

Cologne is one of Europe’s gay capitals, with thriving queer neighborhoods and tons of places to party. It’s also a nice hub city for exploring the rest of Germany, as Dusseldorf is only a half hour away by train, and Frankfurt’s just an hour and change.

19. Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá is perhaps South America’s best-kept gay secret. The city is very queer-friendly — it even elected a lesbian mayor in 2020. It’s the home of the Theatron, Latin America’s biggest gay nightclub. If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ travel destination your friends haven’t already beaten you to, check out Bogotá.

20. Seattle, Washington

While San Francisco is often considered the gay capital of the United States, Seattle definitely has a claim to the title. Seattle is very queer-friendly, and Seattleites aren’t afraid to protest anything that even smacks slightly of homophobia. It’s also beautiful with its greenery and the gorgeous waterfront area — and so much delicious fish!

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