COVER

SITGES, SPAIN

This is one of Europe’s top LGBT travel destinations and it’s not hard to see why! Around an hour outside of Barcelona, Sitges is a beautiful destination full of pristine beaches, cobbled streets lined with quaint cafes and bars, and a large gay community. There are also regular events throughout the calendar year that draw LGBT travelers to this beachy town such as the huge annual Pride events that take place with gay parties on the beaches. Although neighboring Barcelona is often thought of first with its famous gay district of Eixample favored by many, Sitges has come up to challenge it as the number one destination in Spain for gay travelers.

OSAKA, JAPAN

Queer travelers are discovering Osaka, a more laid-back Japanese destination than frenetic Tokyo. The city, which generally celebrates its cherry blossom season in late March, has a moderate climate and eclectic gay scene, with plenty of niche clubs. Some travelers describe Osaka as the country’s most LGBTQ-friendly city, due to the relaxed attitude of its citizens. Visitors will find all the modern conveniences, along with plenty of culture and history to explore.

VANCOUVER, CANADA

Canada is famous for being possibly the most progressive country in the world when it comes to openness and inclusion for all minorities, including sexual minorities. Vancouver is a great cosmopolitan city set amongst a backdrop of jagged, snowy mountains and has a bustling LGBTQ scene with everything from gay shops, hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from. Davie Village is the heart of the LGBTQ community in Vancouver and its vibrant, open and welcoming nature makes it perfect for gay and lesbian travelers to visit and feel safe and comfortable.

TUCSON, ARIZONA

Southern Arizona’s Tucson has been called the state’s Austin—a city that embraces a bit of weirdness, as well as it’s LGBTQ citizens. Plus, with the University of Arizona amidst its borders, the city always seems to feel young and active. Queer visitors can focus on the nightlife or get out and hike and explore. Saguaro National Park, a local treasure, is split into two parks that sit next to Tucson, and other mountainous areas around the metro area offer unparallel hiking options for active travelers.

MYKONOS, GREECE

Mykonos is known as the LGBTQ hub of Greece and is perfect for the traveler who longs for stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, traditional little villages and a good gay scene. This Greek Island is known for its welcoming nature and is often chosen as a honeymoon destination for LGBTQ travelers due to how welcoming and inclusive it is. Mykonos Town, however, is a great place to visit for solo travelers for its lively gay party scene, full of bars and full of likeminded people to meet and make friends with. This island is home to some of the best gay beaches, so they are worth exploring if you like to soak in the sun and do some swimming.

Miami And Key West

These cities are some of the safest and most diverse cities in the US in terms of sexual minorities. Both Miami and Key West are famed for their large gay and lesbian communities and are great for those wishing to go long haul to more tropical destinations. The gay 12th Street beach brings out the bronzed and beautiful in Miami and is a great place for those looking for the hustle and bustle mixed with lots of sun. Key West is a great gay destination, known for historically being a gay holiday destination for those looking for relaxation and taking it easy.