Best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays

Scoping out the best LGBTQ+ holidays? You’re in luck. This shortlist of gay-friendly holiday destinations – from Menorca to Mexico – should get your search started. Whether you’re craving a city break, dreaming of a long-haul escape, or just desperate for some close-to-home sun, there’s a destination with your name on it. Plus, in some places you can time your trip with Pride celebrations for a holiday nobody’s going to forget in a hurry. 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands 

First in line to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, The Netherlands is a front-runner when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. So it’s no surprise to see the country’s capital headlining our list of gay-friendly holiday destinations. Amsterdam lines up world-famous art, one-of-a-kind cafés, and the kind of nightlife that attracts Europe’s best DJs. A network of ancient canals circles the sights, so you can take it all in on a cruise, cycle like a local, or just grab your comfiest shoes and explore it all on foot.  

Don’t miss… Amsterdam Pride, which takes over the city every year for the first weekend in August. 

Menorca, Spain 

Looking for a peaceful beach break? Menorca’s a good shout. This Balearic Island may be a bit more of a wallflower than its larger-than-life sisters Majorca and Ibiza, but it’s home to a gay-friendly nightlife scene that centres around the capital of Mahon. By day you can shop at indie markets, artisan food shops and one-off boutiques, and by night it’s all about cocktail bars and trendy clubs. Plus, delicate heads are covered at laidback beaches like popular Cala’n Bosch and low-key Playa de Fornells on the opposite side of the island. 

Don’t miss… a tour of Mahon’s Xoriguer gin factory for a taste of the island’s famous drink. 

Mykonos, Greece 

Jackie Onassis put Mykonos on the map back in the seventies – over the years, this Greek island has become a top LGBTQ+ holiday destination. Elia beach – the island’s longest – also tops the list as the most gay-friendly stretch, and it’s easy to see the appeal. The pristine sandy shoreline shelves into clear, swimmable water, and rolls into a second, quieter beach – Agrari – which is just over the other side of a rocky stretch. There’s a nightlife scene to match, so you can round off a day at the beach with a night on the tiles at JackieO’ Beach Club – it’s said that this one’s a Mykonos rite of passage. 

Don’t miss… a ferry ride to Delos, birthplace of Apollo – AKA the patron saint of same-sex love. 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 

Thinking exotic? Mexico’s got your back for a properly tropical escape, and Puerto Vallarta is the place to base yourself. The Zona Romantica is the hub of the action, whether it’s sandy beaches, cocktail bars or gorgeous restaurants you’re after. There’s no shortage of drag shows in this neck of the woods, plus the annual BeefDip Bear Week pulls in a huge crowd.

Don’t miss… zip lining through the jungle-coated Sierra Madre mountains to chase some waterfalls. 

Gran Canaria, Spain 

Another Spanish shortlister, Gran Canaria, just so happens to host one of the biggest Pride parades in Europe. It all kicks off in Maspalomas, a beach resort on the island’s southern tip that’s backed by Sahara-style sand dunes and fronted by deep blue Atlantic waters. This being a Canary Island, it basks in sunshine all year round – so don’t panic if you’re not in town for Pride. And beyond Maspalomas you’ve got culture on tap in the capital, Las Palmas, and the island’s best nightlife courtesy of always-on Playa del Ingles. 

Don’t miss… the sunset from the sand dunes on Maspalomas beach. It’s a showstopper. 

Tempted by a LGBTQ+ holiday?   

Pick your First Choice break, take a look at some of the best destinations for same-sex weddings and find out where and when the best Pride celebrations take place next year.  

Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.  

Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 28/08/23