Gay-Friendly Cities

Fortunately, many areas of the World have become more accepting and welcoming to gay tourists.  This has opened up many areas to exploration that may not have been as friendly just a decade ago.  Gay travelers no longer have to limit themselves to a few “ghettos” in order to express themselves.  We love being able to help our clients find destinations that best meet their personalities, interests, and budget.  An interest in culture, cuisine, outdoor activities, nightlife and so on should play an important role in determining the best place to vacation for you.  But, sometimes it’s nice to head to a place where you know you’ll be accepted, can act care free, and be able to find plenty of things to do without putting a lot of thought into it.  Below are a few of our favorite gay-friendly cities to visit around the World.

Gay-Friendly North America

Fortunately, the continent most of our clients call home is full of gay-friendly destinations.  You can pick and choose locations that best meet your specific interests.  West Hollywood offers beautiful men, great nightlife, the beach, and an expanding restaurant scene.  It is also easy to hop to nearby Palm Springs for its midcentury modern architecture, and stark mountain and desert beauty.  Chicago offers amazing architecture, museums, restaurants and a friendly nightlife scene at an affordable cost compared to coastal cities.  Montreal, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, Guadalajara, San Diego, Rehoboth Beach all offer a mix of nightlife, culture, and outdoor activities.  Even cities off the beaten path such as Minneapolis, Columbus, and Denver offer amazingly friendly nightlife options and a surprising amount of culture.  But, our favorite gay-friendly cities to visit are below.

New York City

Just a few years ago there was a debate about “New York values”.  New York’s values include diversity, inclusiveness, a respect for culture and education, and a willingness to party.  We’re good with those.  America’s largest city offers more LGBTQ nightlife options than any other. It also has some of the best museums in the country, more food options than you can count, and an intoxicating sense of excitement in the air.  Being the home to Broadway also adds gay cache.  But, if musicals aren’t for you, you can head to Central Park or a gay sports bar.

San Francisco

Having San Francisco on a list of gay-friendly cities is a bit of a cliché.  But, it is on every gay list for a reason.  The nightlife options, from raunchy to sophisticated cocktail joints, is legendary.  Rolling hills, the bay, Victorian architecture, dramatic bridges, and cable cars add to the charm.  Plus, it’s a foodie paradise.

Puerto Vallarta

It has beautiful beaches, dramatic mountains, and tropical jungles.  It also has cobblestone streets, great shopping, and a variety of restaurants.  Enjoy some Mexican style seafood and a margarita.  But, there is also high-quality Chinese, French and a variety of other cuisines represented.  It is famous for its stripper bars, but also has small and laid-back gay nightlife venues.  It also has a wide variety of entertainment options with many performers from the gay cruises and Provincetown also performing here.  The locals don’t call it “the San Francisco of Mexico” for nothing.

Provincetown

Many gay men are originally from small towns, but never felt accepted there.  Provincetown is a delightful New England village with shingled cottages, beautiful dunes, and a small-town charm.  But, it also buzzes with activity, serves as the summer venue for many drag and Broadway performers, has high end restaurants, and more gay bars than most cities hundreds of times its size.  America’s oldest arts colony maintains a vibrant gallery and museum scene to this day.  This artistic heritage has made PTOWN liberal and accepting of all types.  It is probably America’s premier gay resort town, and for good reason.

Gay-Friendly South America

Dramatic and jagged mountains, tropical rain forests, ancient ruins and modern cities, South America has it all.  Lima and Machu Picchu, Santiago, Bogota, Cartagena, and other cities have much to offer.  Sao Paulo arguably has the best nightlife and restaurant scene.  But, in South America our hearts belong to the following cities.

Buenos Aires

Argentina was the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage.  While there is not the same level of acceptance as found in San Francisco, the residents of Buenos Aires are surprisingly cosmopolitan and sophisticated.  The city offers beautiful boulevards, fascinating museums, and topnotch restaurants at reasonable prices.  The gay scene is also large and varied.  There isn’t much that’s sexier than a same sex Tango lesson.

Rio

While Rio has a large gay population, they don’t dominate the city as strongly as in many other places on this list.  But, there is a wide variety of gay bars, saunas, and beaches where gays are in the majority.  The city is absolutely stunning with modern high-rises weaving their way through tropical mountains and valleys.  The city doesn’t seem to care whether you’re gay or straight.  They just want you to enjoy life and party.  There are also special events for the gay community during their legendary Carnival.

Gay-Friendly Europe

Like North America, this diverse region is filled with gay-friendly cities to visit.  You can take your pick of culture, cuisine, and nightlife (from the sophisticated to raunchy).  There are simply too many good options to be able to narrow it down without leaving some topnotch destinations out.  The desirability of Paris goes without saying.  Scandinavia is filled with some of the most tolerant cities in the World.  Mykonos offers charm with a fun gay scene.  Prague looks like a Disney fantasy that just happens to have the headquarters of a well-known gay porn company not far away.  We can’t get enough of Barcelona and Sitges.  But, in our opinion the following are the best gay cities in Europe.

London

The economic and cultural capital of Europe has long been one of our favorite cities.  The fact that it is so culturally diverse means that whatever your type is, you can find it here.  Stellar restaurants offer updated twists on classic British dishes and ethnic restaurants cover every corner of the World.  The museums, performing arts, and shopping are among the best on Earth.  Much of the city is bustling, but you can still find pockets of traditional English charm.  The city also offers the greatest number of gay nightlife options in Europe.

Amsterdam

The Netherlands was the first country in the World to legalize same sex marriage.  They have long had tolerant attitudes towards sex, prostitution, and soft drugs.  The city itself is charming, filled with magnificent, but not overwhelming, townhomes lining its famous canals.  The nightlife scene is one of the best in Europe and concentrated in a small enough area to make bar hopping a breeze.  Throw in some World class museums and you have the makings of a great getaway.

Berlin

The capital of Germany was once referred to as “sexy but poor”.  (S)he is still sexy but is now booming.  The nightlife scene is famous for its kink and leather bars, but you can find options for any tastes.  The Tiergarten park offers a welcome respite from the city.  It also offers popular gay sections for everything from sunbathing, to sports, to other activities.  While traditional German food abounds, influences from the Middle East have added diversity to the restaurant scene.  (Although we still haven’t been able to fall in love with the ever-present Currywurst).  The city is perhaps the working arts capital of Europe.  This gives you an opportunity to see art being made, in addition to the Old Masters in the museums.

The Gay Middle East

This region of the World is probably the least gay-friendly by miles.  This is unfortunate as it has so much to offer in terms of history and culture.  Morocco, Dubai, and a few other areas have pockets that offer a glimmer of a gay scene.  But, you have to keep a low profile overall.  Fortunately, many of the gay tour operators we work with offer group vacations that help you to navigate gay life in this exotic region.  Istanbul offers several gay nightlife options in a vibrant and chaotic urban atmosphere.  But, there is one city that stands out above all others as a gay-friendly city to visit in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv

This bustling city offers World class beaches, a cuisine that manages to be both delicious and healthy, and smolderingly beautiful people.  Being gay and Jewish makes you a double minority in the overall region.  But, the local population is sophisticated and accepting.  Plus, being a double minority has created a tight knit and coherent gay community.  The city’s pride parade is also considered by many to be one of the most fun in the World.

Gay-Friendly Africa

Like the Middle East, this region is also not known for its tolerance towards the gay community.  Although there are several exciting cities, most visitors come here for the natural beauty and wildlife.  We know of several gay tour operators that can help you experience this on an all gay safari adventure.  But, there is one very gay-friendly, and beautiful, city to visit.

Cape Town

This South African city sits between dramatic Table Mountain and the sea.  It offers a near perfect climate and a beautiful landscape.  It also offers half a dozen good gay bars, a vibrant gay beach scene, and an open-minded population.  The fact that they tend towards the good looking is a bonus.  The surrounding wine country makes for a relaxing and fun day trip.

Gay-Friendly Asia & Australia

This incredibly large region is one of the most culturally diverse on Earth.  While the area generally lags North America and Europe in laws protecting gay people, it also doesn’t generally enforce laws that are harmful.  But, New Zealand is a standout as being one of the most progressive countries regarding gay rights on Earth.  We also appreciate Auckland’s tight-knit and friendly gay community.  Over in Australia Melbourne is a favorite for its Victorian charm, cultural scene, and friendly nightlife options.  Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Seoul all offer incredible food, gay-friendly nightlife, and an endless array of sightseeing options.  But, our favorite gay-friendly cities to visit in the region are below.

Bangkok

This magnificent city sometimes seems to be one third shanty town, one third gleaming metropolis, and one third gold encrusted temples and palaces.  Exotic aromas, chaotic street scenes, and serene monasteries all beckon.  Thailand is probably the most progressive country in Asia regarding gay rights and the community is out and about everywhere.  It has an especially visible transgender community.  The nightlife is legendary from relaxing cocktail bars to infamous sex shows.  A visit to Soi 2 & 4, in the Silom nightlife district, is a must.  The city also offers a convenient gateway to the famous gay resorts on the island of Phuket.

Sydney

A majestic harbor, dramatic bridge, stunning beaches, and the legendary Opera House.  Sydney is an Instagrammer’s dream location.  It has a large gay nightlife scene and so many good restaurant options you’ll wonder how everyone remains so fit.  What started out as a British penal colony certainly knows how to impress today.  In February/March the city hosts the famous Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras with multiple events occurring around town.  But, at any time of the year you won’t run out of things to do in this spectacular city Down Under.

The best gay city for you to visit depends on what you are looking for.  Contact Purple Light Vacations so that we can discuss your interests and assist.  We’d love to help you plan your next trip.

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