Pride isn't just for June, but it's a great time to give you another overview of the safest and most accepting travel destinations for queer travelers. Whether you're going to immerse yourself in the community and history, or you just want to know that you're not going to be uncomfortable out sightseeing with your significant other or just being yourself.
Personally, I like to know that I'm spending my travel dollars in more progessive and tolerant places. Knowing that a destination is queer-friendly is a good indication that it's great for solo women travelers, too. I want my money to go to people who have everyone's best interests in mind and are working to make the world a better place for all travelers, because travel is for everybody.
What are your favorite cities for queer travel, acceptance, and history?
Infographic by me:
New York City, New York - The birthplace of Pride, it has an established scene of gay bars, drag fests, and nightlife. Visit queer landmarks including the Leslie-Lohman Museum of LGBT Art, CubbyHole, & NYC Aids Memorial, then stop at Big Gay Ice Cream.
Amsterdam, Netherlands - A trailblazer in queer history, it’s home to some of the oldest gay rights organizations, was the first country to legalize gay marriage, and even has a (homo)monument to remember those lost in WWII. Get your queer merch and city info from Pink Point, then hit up some of the best queer bars and nightclubs.
Taipei City, Taiwan - The first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Taipei has cemented itself as one of the best and safest cities for queer travelers. Specifically, the Ximen and Zhongshan neighborhoods are brimming with bars, clubs, and even speakeasies.
San Francisco, California - The home of iconic Harvey Milk, everyone knows the City by the Bay is a haven for queer activity, but did you know they also have the world’s first transgender district? Enjoy the rainbow crosswalks, the Aids Memorial Garden, and colorful murals.
Bangkok, Thailand - Not only is Bangkok known for being very queer-friendly and progressive, it’s also budget-friendly, so you can party and sightsee for less than most destinations. Take in the nightlife, markets, history, and more!
Sydney, Australia - Called a queer capital the world over, Sydney also puts on the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Pride is a BIG deal there. It has the largest collection of queer-owned establishments. You can even head out to Darlinghurst & Surrey Hills for a quieter, rainbow-filled visit.
Barcelona, Spain - Open and accepting to all, the city has it all. Gaixample, the official gayborhood is the heart of the queer community, filled with gay shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the “hetero-friendly” gay-owned Axel Hotel.
Reykjavik, Iceland - In 2009, the first openly-gay Prime Minister was elected. Already one of the safest cities for women and solo travelers, Reykjavik became a safe haven for queer travelers, too. Pride sees 100K visitors and Rainbow Reykjavik celebrates the nature of Iceland over 3-10 days.
Berlin, Germany - With a long history of LGBTQ community, you can learn about the city’s queer story at the Schwules Museum, see a queer show at House of Presents, pay your respects to those persecuted at The Memorial to Homosexuals persecuted under Nazism, and choose a safe hotel from the Pink Pillow Collection.
