LGBT Travel Ideas: Top 12 Gay Friendly Cities

The pink dollars have gained traction. The UN-WTO in 2012 estimated that the impact of this queer community is over 65 billion USD per annum in the USA. Before traveling, it is always better to know the political implications, security risks, precautions you can take. Just boycotting a city for its anti-gay laws never helps the closeted LGBT community or the traveler. At the same time, being open about your sexual preferences or acting freely in public may also not be the right decision.

Our recommendation is to use the gay apps, gay travel ideas, tour guides dedicated to helping the gay community. It’s good to be familiar with the gay-friendly cities and spots that have a vibrant LGBT community to save you unnecessary hassles and trouble. Very recently, we saw an entrapment charge in Egypt, a British tourist sent to jail in Morocco, a Swedish gay tourist being sent to jail in Tunisia, and a couple facing harassment in Dubai. So be mindful of the local laws and customs, the security issues and make informed decisions after doing due diligence on your travel destination.

Let us start our city travel in words to the world’s top twelve gay-friendly destinations.

Berlin is cosmopolitan and diverse, with one of every ten persons of its growing 3.5 million population being bisexual or gay! One of the most liberal destinations in Europe, same-sex couples are treated on par with heterosexual couples. Do read up the Comprehensive Berlin Guide for travel ideas for lesbians and gays and enjoy the hospitality.

Start with the exquisite Brandenburg Gate and Germany’s 18th-19th-century buildings like the Cathedral. Next, head to the old border at Checkpoint Charlie Mauermuseum Haus to get into a historical shame hidden now in the recent dark side of history. If you wish to shop instead, take your pick from a variety of shops and supermarkets and shop till you drop.

After dark, dress smart, and head to the Gas Lamp Quarter, where you will find a huge variety of the LGBT restaurants, bars, nightlife spots, and a vibrant community having fun on the streets. Did you know that the mayor of Berlin is openly gay? Visit Schöneberg in Western Berlin, which is the oldest Berlin gay district. And then there is the Turkish quarter of Kreuzberg, where the first gay Turkish conclave happened. Spot the latest hunk and punk from the young and hipster crowds here. Yes, also visit Prenzlauer Berg and the Schoppens tube before you explore the eastern parts of Berlin.

If you want to dance, head to Berghain, this dance club was once an electric plant that was converted to a huge concrete and steel dance floor. The club plays the latest in Detroit style techno. It also has an ice cream parlor, a bar, and more to raise your spirits. East Berlin is also home to Tom’s Bar, the fun spot bar for eccentric people. Like live music with DJs? Try the Alexander Platz GMF’s gay-night at the Club Weekend. You have a bar on the rooftop patio, and 3 levels of club activities in the high rise to choose from and indulge in.

Hungry? Try the Sage Restaurant on the banks of the River Spree in Kreuzberg, which has lots of sunny terraces and intricate dishes at modest prices. If you like German cuisine, then try the gay-run Kurhaus Korsakow or experiment with Indian cuisine at the Arman. Pack smart and check out the weather ahead of your visit. It can be sunny or very cold too in Berlin.

New York has been eternally high on the gay map. It is due to the 2019 World Pride and also the gay rights Stonewall riots of 1969’s 50^th Anniversary. The city of the Big Apple is one of those fabulous travel ideas that introduce you to the best ‘gay-vacation’ of your life in a city famed for its internationally famous skyscrapers. It is also famous for skylines in the world besides being a melting pot of culture, media, entertainment, commerce, politics, and fashion. Are you aware that New York City legalized gay marriages in 2011 and was also home to the pride march of 1970?

Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea are forerunners among gay villages. As far as the dining scenario goes, it is impossible to cover the sheer variety of cuisines on your bucket-list of things to do in New York. Chelsea’s Elmo is a very popular and crowded eating joint for the locals and gay population too. If you want to be at the more trendy and upscale community, try the Cafeteria well-known for stiff drinks, loud techno music, and sexy staff with those huge Mac n' Cheeseburgers loved by the LGBTQ. If Elvis, Cher, or Dolly Parton is among your favorites, head out to the Vynl Asian Bistro at Hell's Kitchen. It is affordable and pop music rocks! The Thai themed Room Service is for those gay people who love Bangkok cuisine and modernity.

After dusk, it is time to head out to the merengue and salsa Bum Bum Bar. Don’t miss out on the 1950’s Duplex Cabaret Theater and Piano Bar for some entertainment and art sighting. The upscale actor’s favorite Bar Centrale and the pizzeria and sports bar of Boxers are also great places to do some people watching, eating out, and have some fun at modest prices. Need travel ideas special to the LGBT community? Try the Broadway shows, visit the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. Stay and interact at the LGBT Community Center and drop in at the free Central Park. Just stay clear of unwanted trouble or hate provoking scenes. Walk around and discover yourself. Use the buses, Metro, and subways to get around and make sure you pack with the weather in mind. It can get really cold in New York.

Have you been to Hollywood Beach? Did you know the Edgewater beach of Chicago is also called the gay beach? And believe anyone who tells you Chicago is second to none in terms of its infrastructure, architecture, food cuisines, restaurants, bars, hotels, museums, landmarks, and spots to explore. Gay or straight, there is no dearth of gay people to hang out with. The best part is there is always a strong community standing behind you. Why don’t you use this gem among travel ideas and vacation in Chicago the coming summer? Find out for yourself, and stay assured you will not be disappointed.

Canada’s Francophone city of Montreal is another of those great travel ideas. French men make great lovers and the Montreal men, swear in French they are not far behind! Paris and its pleasures are available in Montreal, too, and it is easily accessible from anyplace in Europe.

Have you heard that Puerto Vallarta has many firsts in the gay commune? It is Mexico’s Gay Travel Approved city of 2017. The Gay Travel Awards-2016 Gayborhood of the year went to Zona Romantica! This is Mexico’s sin-city like San Francisco in the USA. Each year when it is cold in the USA, the gay community appears to take over Puerto Vallarta and its beaches, restaurants, bars, lodging facilities, and events too. From October through the 8 months to May, it is a gay time here. Ask for adventure activities, liquor, fine dining options, travel ideas, modern amenities, gay beaches, a White Party, a Gay pride parade, or a New Year’s bash for the LGBTQ. You will find them all here in Puerto Vallarta.

Here are the places you should not miss.The beaches at Banderas Bay, Sayulita the surfer’s Mecca, the daily action at Playa Los Muertos, The Blue Chairs Resort, the Mantamar beach club, Lido Beach club, the gay village of Yelapa with boats from Los Muertos Pier and even a gay bar-hopping tour are a must-visit. The nightlife for the proudly gay is to be found in the Old Town area of Zona Romantico with strip clubs, dance bars, saunas, Latin Fever music restaurants. All you wish for is a stone’s throw from the Lazaro Cardenas Street and the gay beach.

One of our best travel ideas and tips for the gay community is to visit Mexico City, which was an early adapter of equality for the LGBT community. Whether its bars, hotels, dance clubs, museums, nightlife spots, places to visit, or landmark sights to see, Mexico City does not disappoint anyone. Just reach out to the large community of the LGBT here and be fine and safe as you enjoy your trip as a solo traveler or as a couple.

Want to take a break from the USA? Short of travel ideas for a beach island? Honolulu is right there and easily connected to most US flight hubs. Ever participated in an international Gay Pride Parade? This is a must-do event for bisexuals to declare their pride in coming out. The colorful parade winds its way through the traffic-laden Kalakaua Avenue with floats and music and ends with the festivities at the Waikiki Shell and Kapiolani Park. These are also the best areas if you are looking to find queer-owned clubs, places to stay, or businesses in Honolulu. Go right ahead and say it out aloud. You are safe in Honolulu, which is proud of its LGBT inclusive community.

Did you know that the Shinjuku-nichōme area has more gay bars than the whole of London? Though public display of affection, sexuality, and being openly gay is not part of the polite Japanese people. It should not come as a surprise that they do speak about it in Japanese after a few shots of liquor. So, find a Japanese speaking friend if you want to enjoy Tokyo’s pleasure spots. Here is another weird fact about the Japanese men. They are gay on the weekends with the family being the priority during the week!

Talk about LGBTQ equality, and Tokyo will show you the way through its many events. Sample these. An oft-repeated among travel ideas for the lesbians is never to miss the bar, Goldfinger. The bar has Saturday-night bashes for gay women-only. Every May, if you are in Tokyo, then participate in the Tokyo Pride event. Here are some travel ideas sure to ring a bell with the discerning LGBTQs. Explore the Toyosu Fish Market instead of the Tsukiji market, which was replaced by the 2020 Olympic stadium’s construction. The more upscale Irodori is also LGBT friendly and offers excellent dining options with a space called Colorful Station for the queer to explore. The gay-owned Tac’s Knot is a cocktail bar that promotes gay artists. Advocates Café is for the lesbians and gay men looking for pure fun and excitement at the bar.

The Shangri-La monthly gay events at Age Ha Club have LGBTQ across the globe attending the event. So, don’t miss out on this opportunity. The annual Tokyo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival occur in June. The creative spirits should explore the Mori Art Museum and the Meiji Shrine. August has the Tokyo Rainbow Pride picnic and a tea dance. If you love gay bathhouses, then a must-visit travel idea is the 24 Kaikan Shinjuku.

Want some top beach travel ideas? Cancun at spring is a hot tourist destination for those who are straight and also known to be hospitable to gay people. The Playa Delfines white sanded beach is very popular among communities that are gay and is very well-known for its awesome sunset views. The waters run deep, and swimming may not be for the weak, but there are other activities like surfing and jet skiing for which you can take lessons at the Playa Delfines beach.

Florida’s Key West area is the Mecca to visit for the gay people. In 1983 the area became famous for electing Richard A. Heyman as a gay mayor openly. Would you like us to let you in on some hot travel ideas or spots? Try out the Island House. There is no dearth of community numbers here in the Key West, which boasts of a large LGBT population, a vividly naughty nightlife, guesthouses. And gay-friendly hotels and a wide community of straights who openly speak for gay inclusiveness. Feel safe here and enjoy the many pleasures and sights of sunny Florida’s Key West area.

Its beach time at Ibiza! This Spanish Balearic Islands is among the four Mediterranean islands known for its gay hospitality and infamous nightlife. Have you discovered the gay’s southern nude beach and clubs of Es Cavellet yet? The party is ever on at sunbather’s favorite of Figueretes beach, the gay couple's favorite of Port Des Torrent, and the Ses Salinas crowded beach-bars beach, and the Cala Conta beach with breathtaking sunset views. Want a fine dining option or gay travel ideas? Try the Bar MonaLisa for catching a celebrity or just enjoying your drinks and dinner on the terrace. Don’t forget to take and share those pictures to treasure, will you?

Need travel ideas for Tahiti? Try the famous Tahitian beaches with black sand. This French Polynesian island is openly welcome to gay and LGBT visitors. The Mahu District is well known for being risqué and where you probably will find the best drag shows and strip clubs in Tahiti. Papeete also has some locations well known for a vibrant same-sex community. The Piano Bar in Tahiti is perhaps the one place you should not forget to visit just for their sheer fun performances catering to both homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals too. Don’t worry so much as this island is safe.

We want to remind you that the travel industry is eyeing the power of the pink dollar with its travel ideas. It is currently at 211-billion USD per annum, according to Out Now. They even have an app designed for the gays by GeoSure, which rates 30,000 LGBT travel destinations, finding them the best travel places to visit. We have taken you through to the top twelve and hope you enjoyed reading about where you will be more than welcome. Go ahead and plan now! Happy and safe traveling.

They even have an app designed for the gays by GeoSure, which rates 30,000 LGBT travel destinations, finding them the best travel places to visit. We have taken you through to the