Top 7 Gay-friendly Cities in Spain
Spain has always been a melting pot of different cultures, resulting in increased tolerance among its diverse citizens. With same-sex marriage legal since 2005, Spain is one of the more politically progressive countries in southern Europe. Though it's a gay-friendly country as a whole, these are some of the best gay-friendly destinations Spain has to offer.
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Madrid is truly the heart of Spain, with an estimated LGBT population of 500,000 of the city’s more than 3 million inhabitants. Though Chueca is the capital’s official gay neighborhood, the gay community spills into the rest of the city and isn’t necessarily concentrated in one district. Madrid is not only one of Spain’s most gay-friendly cities, but it’s arguably one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in Europe as a whole. Its Pride parade alone is Europe’s largest, with over 1 million participants each year.
Barcelona is Madrid’s constant competitor city, not just for tourism, sports, and culture, but also as a gay-friendly destination. Its gay district Eixample, more commonly referred to as Gaixample, is where you’ll find many gay bars, clubs, shops, and restaurants, as well as gay-friendly hotels. One of the main things this capital city has that its rival doesn’t is a coastline boasting gay and nude beaches, Platja de la Mar Bella being the most popular. Also of note in gay Barcelona is its circuit party reputation, with the Circuit Festival as a highlighted annual event since 2008.
Just a 40-minute train ride south from Barcelona, Sitges is a small town of about 29,000 inhabitants that offers Spanish charm catering to gay clientele. Though the whole of the town feels like a gay district, dedicated gay bars are located in the Old Town area, especially along Calle Montroig. Nightlife is sizzling here any day of the week in summer, and the coastal town even boasts an annual Gay Pride event. All of the town’s 17 beaches are gay-friendly, though Platja de la Bassa Rodona is the main gay beach, followed by nudist-friendly Platja d'Aiguadolç and Platja dels Balmains.
Among Spain’s gay-friendly island destinations, Maspalomas in the Canary Islands is a choice spot. Playa de Inglés is the epicenter of gay life in this resort town. The Yumbo Centre, open since 1982, is where you’ll find all the best gay bars, clubs, and accommodations. Main LGBT events in Maspalomas are Gay Pride, Carnival, and German Carnival held in November.
Undoubtedly the most famed locale of the Spanish Islands is Ibiza, known for its lively club scene, which attracts top DJs and partygoers. However, the island also has plenty of dedicated gay clubs, saunas, and beaches. Ibiza Town is where gay travelers congregate, more specifically along Calle de la Virgen. The main gay beach, Platja des Cavallet, can be reached by ferry and is also clothing optional and has its own gay bar, Chiringay.
Benidorm
Attracted to the beauty of this coastal city located in the Alicante region of Spain, gay Benidorm visitors hang out at more than 50 gay businesses in town, ranging from hotels, saunas, and resorts to bars, restaurants, and sex shops. Benidorm celebrates its own Pride in September each year, and unlike Madrid and other Spanish Prides, its official Pride Party is free. It also hosts two big music festivals, Low Cost Festival and Electrobeach. Levante Beach is probably the city’s most popular, and Raco del Conil is a gay/nude beach that requires a vehicle to reach.
Torremolinos
Much like Benidorm, Torremolinos is a popular tourist destination among British tourists and an excellent choice for a gay-friendly destination in the south of Spain. Located in Costa del Sol just west of Malaga, this resort town boasts a thriving nightlife with bars, restaurants, and clubs serving the LGBT community, mostly within the La Nogalera part of town. Visit during the spring or at the end of summer to avoid the intense heat of July and August. El Gato Beach and Eden Beach are two of the most popular and centrally located gay beaches in town. El Gato Beach even offers Wi-Fi from El Gato Lounge, a gay restaurant and bar nearby.
Excited about these destinations and want to consider other top gay Spain journeys? See this guided cultural tour to various destinations within the Iberian Peninsula through HE Travel, and check out the gorgeous, gay-friendly Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba historic boutique hotel in Córdoba.
