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Homosexual Europe Journey Information – Prime 12 Homosexual Cities in Europe


A homosexual Europe journey information to one of the best homosexual cities, together with journey recommendations on one of the best homosexual bars, golf equipment, excursions & lodges in Barcelona, Berlin, London, Paris, Rome and different high homosexual cities

It’s in all probability not a shock, however Europe is considered one of my favourite continents. The variety of cultures, peoples, meals, issues to see and do—it’s this smorgasbord of life. I like it. Every European nation has its personal charms and quirks, and every metropolis its personal tradition and life. And whereas the trendy homosexual rights motion would possibly’ve begun exterior a homosexual bar in New York Metropolis with the Stonewall riots in 1969, Europe has been on the forefront for LGBT points for a lot of the previous few a long time.

Denmark was the world’s first nation to permit same-sex partnerships and unions again in 1989. And the Netherlands enacted the world’s first regulation recognizing same-sex marriage in 2001. Since then, the world has seen one of many quickest civil rights actions happen with nations enacting comparable progressive legal guidelines all over the place from the Americas to Europe and, sure, in Africa and Asia, too.

So it’s no shock that, in the present day, a few of Europe’s largest and finest cities are additionally a number of the most gay-friendly locations. With the big LGBT populations and authorized protections, these cities have turn out to be a hotbed of homosexual occasions, golf equipment, events, historical past and tradition.

Making an attempt to make a “high 10” checklist is all the time going to incite a little bit of drama, so I’ve put beneath my favourite homosexual European cities—not in any order, however with my private suggestions on what makes these such gay-friendly cities. It’s what these cities have to supply—from the numerous homosexual lodges, bars, golf equipment, festivals and prides—that makes homosexual Europe such a captivating place. And surprisingly various due to the varied cultures and nations that make Europe, Europe.

Gay Europe Travel Guide - Top 12 Gay Cities

• • •
Barcelona, Spain

With a heat local weather, Spanish tapas, clothing-optional seashores, a plethora of cultural choices, and a well-established, pleasant LGBT neighborhood, Barcelona is a year-round LGBT vacation spot. Huge annual occasions embrace Bear Delight in March, Barcelona Homosexual Delight in June, Circuit Competition in August, and the Worldwide Homosexual and Lesbian Movie Competition held every October.

You’ll discover many of the metropolis’s homosexual bars, eating places, and retailers positioned within the Eixample district, with different cool nightlife spots unfold all through the town. Antinous, is a homosexual and lesbian bookstore within the Gothic quarter, promoting comics, journey guides, DVDs, and extra whereas retro-decorated bar La Federica is positioned in Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighborhood—an space widespread with college students and hipsters.

ES Assortment has some severely horny items of males’s underwear good for these enjoyable nights out on the membership the place hook-ups could occur (simply watch your pockets whereas at Barcelona’s mega-clubs and road events). In addition to the charms and delights you’ll discover in Barcelona correct, the town is simply a half hour approach from Spain’s different most celebrated homosexual metropolis, Sitges.

For extra locations to go, right here’s your Barcelona Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Gay Barcelona

• • •
Berlin, Germany

With out query, each Berlin’s historical past and it’s fame in the present day make it considered one of Europe’s most gay-friendly locations, if not the *most* gay-friendly metropolis. Traditionally, the homosexual middle of Berlin was round Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg, an space nonetheless widespread in the present day with fetish golf equipment and leather-based bars (to not point out the legendary Folsom Europe occasions every September), however in in the present day’s Berlin, the brand new homosexual hotspots are discovered all through Kreuzberg and Neukölln neighborhoods.

The town’s annual homosexual pleasure pageant, Christopher Avenue Day, brings half one million guests and contains a parade and events all through Berlin for nearly two weeks. The lesser identified and various Transgenialer CSD (or Kreuzberg Delight) which takes place on the identical day, celebrates lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgendered folks. Artwork is necessary to the queer neighborhood of Berlin and also you’ll discover small galleries like The Bowery or The Coven showcasing rising queer artists.

Beside’s Berlin’s numerous homosexual occasions, the town’s identified for its epic homosexual events, just like the month-to-month Homopatik get together at //about: clean, Gegen at Package Kat (held on the primary Friday of each different month), Pornceputal at Prince Charles or Cocktail d’Amour at Greissmüle. SchwuZ is a rising homosexual membership in Neukölln widespread for “Madonnamania” membership nights and a month-to-month get together known as “London Calling” enjoying Britpop & indie music.

Although many Berlin bars have their seedier aspect with darkish rooms and bare nights, there are equally as many with cool crowds and cozy atmospheres. Bars to hit up embrace the smoky Möbel Olfe with a large “Homo Bar” signal posted exterior, The Membership which hosts artwork exhibitions and drag exhibits, and Facciola, a lesbian-owned and operated wine bar in Kreuzberg widespread for its pop-up Cabaret Opera nights. Additionally value testing is the monument to the LGBTQ victims of the Holocaust and the world’s first queer museum, the Schwules Museum—to not point out all the opposite historical past in Berlin.

Discover extra journey suggestions for Berlin within the Berlin Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Gay Berlin

• • •
Manchester, England

Manchester, the UK’s second largest metropolis, is well-known for being a gay-friendly vacation spot, particularly after the favored TV collection Queer as Folks famously filmed there within the ’90s. The Homosexual Village, located in and round Canal Avenue, is crammed with bars, golf equipment and different gay-owned companies. Throughout the day, calm down on the Richmond Tea Rooms for an Alice in Wonderland impressed high-tea expertise.

At evening, head downstairs to the exact same institution into The Eagle, a male-only, Victorian styled bar set within the basement of an industrial constructing. Afterward, dance the evening away at widespread nightclubs like G-A-Y or Poptastic—each with comparatively low cost drinks and sometimes younger crowds. Indie homosexual events occur exterior of the The Homosexual Village; examine for occasions hosted by PopCurious.

Manchester additionally hosts a number of LGBT occasions all year long, together with the Queer Contact arts pageant, Manchester Delight (the most important pleasure celebration within the UK) and the Sparkle pageant. But it surely’s not all enjoyable and events in Manchester, it’s also possible to be taught in regards to the metropolis’s homosexual historical past by visiting Sackville Gardens, a park containing three completely different historic monuments: the Alan Turing Memorial, the Transgender Remembrance Memorial and the Beacon of Hope, a sculpture memorializing these affected by AIDS. Another choice is to take a homosexual heritage tour with Manchester Guided Excursions.

For extra issues to do, right here’s your Manchester Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Manchester Gay Village

• • •
Rome, Italy

Rome is acknowledged as considered one of Europe’s high locations, however you may not have thought it to even be an amazing gay-friendly one. Rome’s homosexual scene is among the most underrated in Europe with the town’s unofficial “homosexual road” crammed with loads of bars and golf equipment simply steps away from the Colosseum (strive the aptly-named Coming Out bar for an off-the-cuff sundowner with an amazing view).

For 3 months over the summer season, a piece of a metropolis park is reworked into the Homosexual Village, an enormous get together with two open-air dance flooring, bars, stay music, and even meals vehicles. Then there’s Glamda, a summertime homosexual (and straight-friendly) get together held at an outside membership every week with loud techno music, neon lights, and pleasant locals. Whereas the drinks are on the costly aspect, the music is nice, and the group enthusiastic.

Extra enjoyable could be discovered on the common Friday evening Muccassassina occasion at Qube Disco, a long-running homosexual dance get together that’s turn out to be so widespread that folks willingly wait exterior in a queue for hours. The membership has three completely different dance areas, enjoying home, techno, and pop music.

However, once more, Rome’s gay-friendly ambiance goes additional than simply the nightlife, with tons of alternatives for love. Strive the Scooteroma tour on the again of a Vespa with a Rome native, a romantic stroll by the Spanish Steps (and, after all, a kiss on the Trevi Fountain) or one thing extra interactive like wine-tasting or a meals tour.

Discover extra journey tips on Rome within the Rome Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Gay Rome

• • •
Prague, Czech Republic

Like Rome, Prague is one other European metropolis that doesn’t usually present up on the homosexual journey radar (except you’re watching homosexual porn <— SFW). Prague is comparatively new to the scene, having simply celebrated their fifth pleasure occasion in 2015, which was their largest occasion ever with over 35,000 folks in attendance.

Whereas the town nonetheless has an extended approach to go when it comes to LGBT rights, there’s loads of motion available. Try Membership Termix, arguably Prague’s hottest homosexual bar and membership, providing drinks on a budget, a superb crowd, and DJs spinning—all in an underground, cramped bar with the damaged items of a automotive dangling from the ceiling above. Anticipate teams of sweaty boys and their girlfriends, dancing on tables and spilling drinks.

Not removed from Membership Termix is Saints Bar, a small bar that frequently holds events and different small occasions, widespread with locals. One other gay-friendly venue is Pals Membership in Prague’s historic Outdated City the place anybody and everybody are welcome. To get better from these lengthy nights out, hang around at Café Café for a hearty brunch the place you’re assured to identify cute {couples}. As an alternative of staying in a lodge located in considered one of Prague’s most touristy areas, contemplate renting an house within the metropolis’s latest “gayborhood” of Žižkov.

See extra photographs of gay-friendly Prague right here.

Gay Prague

• • •
Amsterdam, Netherlands

A metropolis infamous for intercourse, medicine and events, Amsterdam can be considered one of Europe’s finest cities for homosexual vacationers. Their annual homosexual canal pleasure is a floating celebration on water, with boats as a substitute of typical parade floats coasting down the Amstel and alongside the town’s scenic canals, just like the Prinsengracht.

Amsterdam has additionally hosted the European-wide EuroPride pageant, throughout the identical interval of Amsterdam Delight, with hundreds of individuals anticipated to satisfy for human rights discussions and panels, along with the common events and pleasure occasions. Milkshake, a summertime queer music pageant with no costume code, welcomes everybody to come back and revel in several types of music on considered one of their 9 levels.

A lot of the Amsterdam’s homosexual nightlife could be discovered on a single road within the middle of Amsterdam, the Reguliersdwarsstraat. Extra intercourse retailers and homosexual bars are dotted all through the Crimson Gentle District—simply search for rainbow flags in-between the numerous brothels.

One notably good bar value visiting within the RLD is Cafe t’Mandje, the oldest homosexual bar in Amsterdam and open since 1927 with a kitschy inside and late-night crowds spilling out onto the road. Membership Church holds themed intercourse events, with a extra tame crowd every Thursday evening with drag exhibits and drink specials.

To not be missed is the Homomonment, a “dwelling monument” to homosexuals who’ve been oppressed or persecuted all over the world. You can too discover out extra about Amsterdam’s LGBT historical past on the Pink Level info stand, positioned near the Homomonument. That is, importantly, one of many first nations to institutionalize LGBTQ rights, so a little bit of historical past and tradition ought to make it onto any homosexual Amsterdam itinerary.

See extra photographs of homosexual Amsterdam right here, together with their annual boat pleasure & loopy festivals.

Gay Amsterdam

• • •
Stockholm, Sweden

Except for its nice combination of design, tradition, purchasing, and pure magnificence, Stockholm is considered one of Europe’s finest homosexual cities. Their annual pleasure celebration options not solely the same old parade however a Delight Home with conferences and seminars and a big, open-air Delight Park with concert events, dance events, exhibits and different occasions (corresponding to trainings and demonstrations for BDSM and different fetishes).

The boutique Berns Lodge is the town’s unofficial “homosexual” lodge, crammed with two eating places (the Asiatiska and Berns Bistro and Bar), the basement membership Audiio, and even a live performance venue the place Diana Ross and the Supremes as soon as performed.

In the event you can drag your self away from the lodge (an actual problem—belief me), expertise Stockholm’s homosexual nightlife within the close by downtown district. Friday nights at “Sweet” at Le Bon Palais are all the time enjoyable with their three dance flooring blasting out digital, pop and even Eurovision-exclusives.

Stockholm’s coolest homosexual membership, nevertheless, is the underground King Kong membership with DJs spinning in two jam-packed basement rooms. Anticipate each pop and schläger music within the again room and techno beats up entrance.

For food and drinks, head to Mälarpaviljongen in the summertime, a restaurant and bar unfold over three floating docks. The homeowners are supportive of charity work from home and overseas, particularly for LGBT people. Additionally, make sure that to take a look at the classic purchasing and casual-but-cool eating places within the SoFo neighborhood.

Discover extra journey suggestions for Stockholm within the Stockholm Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Gay Stockholm

• • •
London, England

With London being one of the crucial multi-cultural cities in Europe, it’s additionally one of the crucial LGBT-friendly one. Whereas Soho was once the town’s primary homosexual neighborhood, a lot of the nightlife has moved over to East London. Take, for instance, Dalston Superstore, a homosexual bar and cafe that options artwork exhibitions and musical performances, in addition to serves up consolation meals like burgers and Sloppy Joes.

Additionally value visiting is The Glory, a queer and homosexual “super-pub” which hosts movie screenings, efficiency artwork, cabaret nights, and an inexpensive late-night disco. Every month in London, there’s a Bare Boys Studying occasion the place, you guessed it, guys learn the whole lot from poetry to items from their favourite books, all whereas utterly bare.

Even when a lot of London’s homosexual pubs and golf equipment at the moment are now not in Soho, you’ll nonetheless discover loads of causes to remain central, too. Soho nonetheless has a big focus of intercourse retailers and LGBTQ bookstores. Strive the newsstand on Outdated Compton Avenue for an enormous number of LGBTQ magazines, the Photographers’ Gallery for normal picture exhibitions (together with some with LGBTQ themes) or any variety of the numerous theaters in London’s West Finish for award-winning performances—the whole lot from E-book of Mormon to Kinky Boots.

Discover extra journey suggestions for London in my homosexual information to London.

Gay London

• • •
Paris, France

Unsurprisingly, the Metropolis of Love can be an amazing vacation spot for LGBT vacationers — particularly {couples}. Whereas France has had some turbulent years combating for LGBT rights, the scene in Paris is basically nonetheless intact. The town’s homosexual neighborhood, positioned close to the Lodge de Ville metro within the Le Marais neighborhood, nonetheless homes a few of Paris’ most well-known homosexual nightlife, just like the all the time crowded Spyce — open late on weekends.

Fashionable homosexual bars and native favorites like Open Café or Spyce are usually the beginning factors for an evening out in Homosexual Paree (say it in a French accent). The streets of the Marais (particularly: Rue Sainte-Croix de Bretonnerie) are lined with artwork galleries and small retailers through the day, remodeling right into a nightlife hub after darkish, with homosexual Parisians spilling out onto the sidewalk cafés.

In addition to romantic walks alongside the Seine River, or a stroll by means of the Left Financial institution (famously liberal and unbiased, with many worldwide eating places, cafés and bookshops), or, after all, a kiss on high of the Eiffel Tower, the one different cease for an LGBTQ tour in Paris must be the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

That’s the place you’ll discover Oscar Wilde’s grave (now protected by plexiglass) lined in kisses by his many admirers. The homosexual scene of Paris is surprisingly various, reflecting the big multicultural facet of Paris’ range. For a deeper dive into Europe’s most romantic metropolis, native tour operator The Homosexual Locals provide each historic and nightlife-themed homosexual excursions by means of Paris.

See extra photographs of Paris right here.

Gay Paris

• • •
Dublin, Eire

Eire made waves in 2015 with its historic same-sex marriage equality, voted in by widespread vote (the primary time on this planet). However its capital metropolis has been LGBT-friendly for for much longer. Homosexual icon Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin and in the present day there’s a colourful memorial statue inside Merrion Park, throughout from his former home. Persevering with the Irish custom for LGBTQ literature, Dublin hosts the Worldwide Homosexual Theatre Competition every Could with edgy, heart-warming and unbiased performances.

For nightlife, The George is a combined LGBTQ pub, crowded most nights of the week with drag performers taking the stage virtually nightly amongst younger teams of vacationers and locals crowding the two-storied bar. The yard smoking patio is a pleasant place to satisfy others, or there’s all the time the dance flooring. (Simply be careful for damaged glass!

Drinks are low cost so issues can get messy…) Go for Thirsty Thursdays or on bingo nights. Dublin Delight takes place every June and is commonly headlined by Eire’s most well-known drag queen, the toweringly tall Panti Bliss who additionally owns her personal homosexual bar simply exterior the Temple Bar district, aptly named PantiBar. Anticipate a number of shiny colours and pleasant, various crowds.

Gay Dublin

• • •
Copenhagen, Denmark

A longtime favourite for LGBT vacationers in Europe, Copenhagen has an extended custom as a gay-friendly vacation spot. Denmark was the world’s first nation to approve sure rights for LGBTQ people, and that Scandinavian spirit for individuality and an embrace of uniqueness or queer qualities has made it a secure and pleasant metropolis. Homosexual Copenhagen is centered round a single road, Studiestræde, with a handful of widespread homosexual bars and retailers.

There’s the prison-themed Jailhouse CPH bar or By no means Thoughts—one of many few widespread homosexual golf equipment within the space. Denmark’s liberal angle towards intercourse and sexuality has additionally allowed for a lot of intercourse retailers to stay open within the metropolis middle, corresponding to Homoware. The Oscar Bar, a nook café reverse Copenhagen’s metropolis corridor, is among the metropolis’s longest-running homosexual institutions with widespread Danish meals and host to a lot of completely different homosexual occasions every week.

Denmark’s inventive spirit is represented by means of the town’s homosexual scene, but additionally in Copenhagen’s many artwork museums, design retailers and trendsetting eating places. The Louisiana Museum, only a brief prepare experience north of Copenhagen, runs a few of Europe’s most fascinating and noteworthy up to date artwork exhibitions.

One among Copenhagen’s most iconic vacationer sights is the Little Mermaid, a small seaside sculpture created by artist Edvard Eriksen impressed by his spouse Eline. It’s a touching statue, usually underrated—however a symbolic and creative illustration of affection, and that difficult wrestle between happiness and melancholia.

Discover extra journey suggestions for Copenhagen in my homosexual journey tales right here.

Gay Copenhagen

• • •
Tel Aviv, Israel

Don’t give me grief for including Tel Aviv to this checklist, however Israel is on the sting of Europe and as one of many high Mediterranean seaside cities, it’s acquired some handy ties to European tradition and historical past.

Whereas Israel as a rustic doesn’t acknowledge the total rights of its LGBTQ residents, Tel Aviv itself is among the world’s most gay-friendly cities. The annual Tel Aviv Delight attracts tons of of hundreds of tourists every summer season with a city-wide parade, seaside events, road occasions and a movie pageant.

Whereas Tel Aviv’s sights are best to identify within the summertime months, the town’s an amazing vacation spot year-round. Small bars just like the long-running Evita Bar (widespread for its drag nights), Shpagat (nice for its hipster vibe) and Anna Loulou provide a glimpse into the native homosexual scene of Tel Aviv, whereas greater golf equipment and events like Consolation 13, Dreck and Kuli Alma maintain the nights working into the mornings with world-class DJs and loopy events.

Try the Atraf web site and app for the most recent homosexual events & occasions in Tel Aviv, or make mates with the locals at a few of Tel Aviv’s homosexual seashores—specifically the Hilton Seashore, however youthful homosexual crowds, {couples} and singles congregate round Frishman Seashore, too.

Culturally, Tel Aviv has a lot of nice sights for the homosexual vacationer, together with top-quality eating places, stunning boutique lodges and a disproportionate quantity of wonderful artwork galleries and design retailers.

Discover extra journey tips on Tel Aviv within the Tel Aviv Homosexual Metropolis Information.

Gay Tel Aviv

• • •

Have another suggestions for these high homosexual Europe journey locations? Depart them beneath within the feedback or tweet me @travelsofadam. Word that that is an expanded model of an earlier homosexual checklist revealed on Matador Community.





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