Every year Trip Advisor asks its readers to vote for the top 25 travel destinations. We will discuss the 2018 winners over the next few months. Every two weeks we will rate five of them by how LGBT friendly they are and by just how fabulous they are. And because you look to us for advice – a few tips to make your trip even better.
Please enjoy #6 through #10!
Barcelona has one of the most vibrant gay scenes in the world. LGBT clubs, bars and restaurants, are spread throughout the city, but the gayest areas are the neighborhoods of L'Eixample and Gràcia. This is an excellent city to discover on foot especially the waterfront and of course the stunning La Sagrada Família, architect Antoni Gaudí’s famous, still unfinished cathedral. The food scene is amazing – try the paella and the ham – yes ham! GT Tips: Take a commuter train and enjoy the LGBT beach scene in Sitges and stay for a 10 pm dinner in one of its great restaurants. Try off season – avoid the crowds and still have fun.
We can never say enough about Prague – ever. Old Town, The Jewish Quarter, the Castle, the astronomical clock, and of course the Charles Bridge. Prague is an exceptional value for food and hotels. The LGBT scene is intense and concentrated in the city center. This is an easy place to meet the local LGBT community. Stay for at least four days – you will not forget it. GT Tips: Go for Pride in mid-August, 10,000s of people from all over the world celebrating for one week. Many events are in both Czech and English. And if you can’t go for Pride – go in the winter to avoid the crowds. Prague is only for hours from Berlin by train – a great combination of cities. Go to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) a spa two hours from Prague by train. Its numerous thermal springs have made it a popular destination since the 19th century.
Marrakech is truly a great destination: exotic, exceptional food, a great value, mysterious riads (guest houses, and unlimited shopping. But you must never lose sight that homosexuality is illegal here. As an LGBT tourist you may never get into trouble, but in 2014 a British gay man was arrested and sentenced to four months in prison. GT Tips: Eat!!! Stay in a riad, incredible restored guesthouses. And take a day to enjoy the Atlas Mountains.
One of world’s greatest destinations: centuries of architecture, exotic markets, exceptional restaurants, hotels from simple to extraordinary. Istanbul is a must-see city that is an exceptional value – just not now. The current government is actively persecuting the LGBT as well as others. Go somewhere else on this list and wait to the situation gets better. GT tips: if you do go, walk and walk and walk – this city is best seen on foot. Take a boat trip to the Princess Islands and another up the Bosporus.
Most likely one of the top five LGBT cities in the world for so many reasons: shopping, eating, museums, concerts, nightlife that turns into day. Endless possibilities. On a somber note the September 11 Memorial and Museum is now finished and worth a trip. GT tips: Even if you go in 2018 get ready for 2019 - the fiftieth anniversary of Stonewall.
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