Queer travel: 14 LGBTQ+ friendly countries to visit

When you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, sometimes planning a trip away isn’t as easy as just hopping on a flight pointed anywhere. As of 2025, laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ individuals at large exist in 76 countries and territories — with the death penalty even occurring in 12 of them for same-sex sexual activity. That being said, there's no way you should opt out of travelling just to stay at home. There are plenty of destinations all over the world that embrace and actively celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. So, without further ado, here are 12 destinations to live your best life and enjoy queer travel.

Canada

The world’s second-largest country, Canada is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, and iconic landscapes. But it’s also famous for its people — who are some of the friendliest, politest, and most welcoming people you’ll find. This translates to their LGBTQ+ rights too, which are among the most progressive in the entire world.

Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples have the same adoption rights as heterosexual couples, and most provinces encourage self-identification on official documents. Plus, Pride Toronto — tending to run on the final weekend of June — is North America’s largest Pride and home to one of the world’s largest Trans Prides. Expect plenty of celebration throughout the month — including block parties, a festival with headliners and DJs, and the Parade itself with more than 250 parade contingents.

Iceland

With a nickname of ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Iceland is a country of real extremes. You’d be right when it comes to geography — as it’s some of the most impressive on the planet. However, when it comes to their LGBTQ+ rights, you couldn't be more wrong. Iceland is one of the world’s most progressive countries, and queer people are widely visible in public life. In fact, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the world’s first openly gay head of government back in 2009.

The capital Reykjavík is arguably the hub of LGBTQ+ life here, with establishments like Kiki Queer Bar, Bravó, and Gaukurinn playing host to drag shows, live music, and more. You could also tie in a visit to the country with Pride running every August. Around 100,000 people attend the event with a parade, DJs, and other cultural events. The Reykjavík Bear Festival — one of the world’s largest — also runs in August too.

New Zealand

Famous for its awe-inspiring scenery and friendly locals, New Zealand often tops bucket list travel destinations. Whether you’re wanting to hike up volcanoes, kayak through fjords, or hurl yourself off a bridge tied to a bungee cord — then this is the place to be.

But scenic Aoetorea as it’s locally known is also renowned for its progressive rights and inclusivity. Back in 2020, nearly 10% of its Parliament identified as LGBTQ+, and the majority of Kiwis support equal rights and same-sex marriage.

Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, is packed full of gay establishments like bars and cafés, and it’s arguably home to the country’s most diverse and largest LGBTQ+ scene. The capital Wellington is known for being artsy, and it’s also home to the Wellington Pride Parade — the country’s longest-running Pride. For something a bit different, don’t miss a trip to Queenstown Winter Pride — combining skiing with some epic LGBTQ+ events on the snow.

Portugal

What Portugal lacks in size, it more than makes up for in terms of variety. On the one hand, you’ve got the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve — the perfect spot for sipping on ice-cold cocktails. On the other, you’ve got the port wine vineyards of the Duoro Valley. Add in lively capital Lisbon — packed full with excellent eateries, cafés, and bars — and you can see why we love it.

What’s more, Portugal is consistently ranked as being one of the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly countries. Public opinion is overwhelmingly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, and it was one of the first countries in the world to ban conversion therapy. For the liveliest LGBTQ+ scene, head to Lisbon with a vibrant scene centered around the Bairro Alto and Príncipe Real neighborhoods. You’ll find Portugal’s largest queer club, Trumps, here, as well as ‘Queer Lisboa’ — a well-respected queer film festival running every September.

South Africa

With a name like the ‘Rainbow Nation’, it’s no surprise that South Africa is Africa’s most queer-friendly place. It was the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and trans people can change their gender here since 2003. The cities are where LGBTQ+ rights are most front and centre, with Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban having active queer communities, nightlife, and events.

Cape Town is billed as the ‘Gay Capital of Africa’, and there are plenty of places here to enjoy the scene — particularly within the neighbourhood of De Waterkant — along with the beaches lining the Atlantic. The city is also home to a fantastic Pride parade in February or March, and Jo’burg Pride is the county’s longest-running event.

Brazil

Brazil is an absolutely vast country — home to the largest swathes of the mighty Amazon Rainforest, beaches aplenty, and megacities like São Paulo. It’s also home to a thriving LGBTQ+ scene — particularly in places like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. Arguably the epicentre of the LGBTQ+ community is São Paulo, home to the world’s largest Pride parade with over three million people attending — as well as plenty of LGBTQ+ bookstores, activist spaces, queer film festivals, and plenty of nightspots too.

Further up the coast lies Rio, which not only plays host to the legendary Carnival, but also some of the best LGBTQ+ friendly beaches in the country. Salvador also has a strong Black queer movement, and is the place to let loose to Axé and other Afro-Caribbean music.

Argentina

Keeping on the South American continent here, and onwards to Argentina — a magnificent country known for its knockout scenery, world-class vino, and cosmopolitan cities. It’s also one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in Latin America, and has progressive laws, a strong queer rights movement, and a generally supportive social climate — particularly in major cities and towns.

Party-loving Buenos Aires — or ‘BA’ as it’s often called — is arguably the queer capital of Latin America. Neighborhoods like Palermo and San Telmo are the place to be if you’re queer, and they’re full to the brim with bars, clubs, and places like Casa Brandon — a queer cultural venue with an in-house art gallery, karaoke, drag shows, and movie screenings. Elsewhere in the country, you’ve got Rosario and Córdoba — both progressive cities with vibrant arts and queer activism scenes.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2001, and its laws remain among the most inclusive globally. As with most countries, the queer scene here is at its most inclusive in cities like Amsterdam — which is always a ‘Dam good time. (Sorry, not sorry!)

Here you’ll find the colourful Reguliersdwarsstraat — a buzzing street packed full of LGBTQ+-friendly shops, bars, cafés, and restaurants. Amsterdam also plays host to the iconic Canal Parade — a floating LGBTQ+ celebration unlike any other where over 80 decorated boats sail through the city adorned in glitter and rainbows.

Rotterdam is also a great place to visit if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As the Netherlands’ second largest city, it’s both innovative and edgy. Plus, the queer scene here is ever-growing — expect to find queer film nights, running clubs, and even poetry on top of the usual bars and cafés.

Spain

Spain consistently ranks as one of the most queer-friendly countries globally, with major cities offering thriving LGBTQ+ scenes and smaller towns becoming more inclusive every year. The capital, Madrid, offers a wealth of things to do and see if you’re a part of the community, and Chueca is considered one of the most vibrant ‘gaybourhoods’ in Europe. The Madrid Orgullo (MADO) in July is one of the world’s largest Pride parades, and there’s everything from nightclubs and bars to queer bookshops and art spaces for you to enjoy.

Elsewhere in the country you’ll find Barcelona — whose Eixample neighbourhood (AKA ‘Gayxample’) is packed full with many LGBTQ+ bars, cafés, and bougie, boutique hotels. A short train ride away you’ll also find Sitges — a globally-famous gay spot known for its welcoming atmosphere, great eateries, and ahem clothing-optional beaches.

Greece

Stating the obvious here, but Greece is one of the most photogenic places on earth. Think sun-kissed ancient ruins, bright blue waters lapping rocky coves, and sunsets that never seem to end. Add in excellent cuisine and friendly local people, and you can see why we love it.

It’s also one of the most progressive countries in the Balkans, and while traditional values still influence some areas, the country has made real progress in LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance — particularly in the last decade. Athens has plenty going for it — particularly in the LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of Gazi — and the queer arts, drag, and fashion scenes are always growing.

Elsewhere, the gay island hotspot Mykonos offers gay beaches galore on top of flashy beach clubs — perfect for dancing the night (or day) away. More laid-back Lesbos is a spiritual home for queer women, with the town of Skala Eressos being an epicentre for lesbian tourism. Don’t miss the annual Eressos Women’s Festival, which tends to run in September.

Thailand

In the words of Nicki Minaj — ‘let’s go to the beach, beach…’ — though there’s more to Thailand than just beaches, fantastic though they are. ‘The Land of Smiles’ is also famed for its historic cities, lush, wildlife-filled jungles, and buzzing capital Bangkok. It’s also one of the most queer-friendly destinations within South East Asia, and while full legal equality isn’t quite yet achieved, it’s a socially-tolerant spot when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights.

Variety-filled Thailand is also one of the most visibly trans-friendly countries in the world — even if legal recognition is lacking — and guesthouses, hotels, and hostels across the country cater specifically to LGBTQ+ patrons. Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya are great places if you’re wanting nightlife — for something more chilled, head to the islands or Chiang Mai.

Norway

Rounding off this list of the best places in the world to enjoy queer travel is none other than Norway — arguably one of the most beautiful destinations on earth. Jaw-dropping fjords, snow-capped peaks, and even polar bears (if you’re lucky), the European gateway to the Arctic Circle is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kinda spot. This being Scandinavia, it also ranks among the most progressive countries in the world for LGBTQ+ rights, making it an excellent destination for queer travellers looking for outdoor adventure and urban culture.

If you’re in the capital Oslo, then don’t miss a wander around Grünerløkka — an artsy, queer-friendly district packed full of cafés, vintage shops, and inclusive nightlife. Elsewhere, Bergen and Trondheim have burgeoning scenes.