Gay holiday destinations europe
Over 50s LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Europe
Europe has an array of different landscapes, landmarks, cultures, and people, with massive variation across the continent. There is truly something for everyone in Europe, but where are the best destinations for LGBTQ+ people? Attitudes and cultures vary around Europe, but whether you’re travelling alone, with your significant other or with Diverse friends, there are plenty of incredible sights and experiences to be had in Europe.
Whether you're looking for a solo holiday, an adults-only getaway, or an all-inclusive package for the whole family, our selection of holiday providers has you covered. Click below to start your holiday search!
All inclusive packages
Yes
All inclusive packages
Yes
All inclusive packages
Yes
Destinations
Greece, Spain, France, Italy,Portugal, Egypt
Accomodation options
Hotels, apartments
Accomodation options
Hotels, apartments, villas, cabins, cottages among others
Accomodation options
Resorts, villas
Travel insurance included
No
Travel insurance included
No
Travel insurance included
Yes. Optional
Being LGBTQ+ in Europe
Europe is generally considered to be
Best LGBT+ friendly destinations in Europe
What makes a destination a LGBT+ friendly destination? The most obvious answer is that bars, hotels, restaurants, shops are available for the LGBT + group. We think that it can even go further than that. We, female homosexual, gay, bi, transgender, multi-attracted people want to touch comfortable wherever we are without any judgment of who we are; we want to feel protected and respected. This can be possible with open-minded people and a robust sensitization led by politicians schools, families, police and the whole society.
Being an LGBT+ approachable destination must be a pride. Organizing the biggest gay pride in the world or having the highest concentration of LGBT+ bars is not what matters. What matters is to welcome any travellers with respect and form them feel at home. Discover the best European destinations for LGBT+ travellers and book your flights, hotel
Rainbow Map
2025 rainbow map
These are the main findings for the 2025 edition of the rainbow map
The Rainbow Map ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTI people, from 0-100%.
The UK has dropped six places in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Route, as Hungary and Georgia also register steep falls tracking anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how rollbacks on LGBTI human rights are part of a broader erosion of democratic protections across Europe. Read more in our insist release.
“Moves in the UK, Hungary, Georgia and beyond signal not just isolated regressions, but a coordinated global backlash aimed at erasing LGBTI rights, cynically framed as the defence of tradition or public stability, but in existence designed to entrench discrimination and suppress dissent.”
- Katrin Hugendubel, Activism Director, ILGA-Europe
Malta has sat on uppermost of the ranking for the last 10 years.
With 85 points, Belgium jumped to second place after adopting policies tackling hatred based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
Iceland now comes third place on the ranking with a score of 84.
The three Europe is our home continent where we grew up and have travelled around extensively. When it comes to gay travel, Europe has some of the most gay friendly places on the planet with terrific gay scenes and some of our favorite gay parties. Read on to find out more about our gay adventures across Europe, from clubbing in the super exclusive super club Berghain in Berlin, partying at Barcelona Self-acceptance, enjoying the gay XLSIOR festival in Mykonos, exploring the picturesque canals of Amsterdam and loads more! Overall, Europe is one of the safest places in the society for LGBTQ travelers, particularly in the West and Northern part of the continent. This is where you’ll find some of the best European male lover travel destinations such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Finland, Norway, France, Denmark, the UK and France. Sadly, parts of Central and Eastern Europe are extremely conservative and homophobic, especially Poland, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus. However, there are some pink havens in East/Central Europe in particular Prague, Vienna, Llubljana, Tallinn, Bucharest, Budapest and Bratislava. The cities If you had to pick just one continent for same-sex attracted travel, Europe has to be the number one respond. It has so much to extend including some of the most same-sex attracted friendly, progressive and welcoming cities and countries in the world. There are many amazing male lover destinations in Europe! [no_toc] Some countries in Europe, such as Spain and Sweden, go beyond uncomplicated acceptance or tolerance. They have developed to a point where the LGBTQ group is truly integrated into society, lgbtq+ couples are not labelled ‘gay couples’; they are just another couple in the street – as it should be. There are many well-known gay move destinations in Europe, from the homosexual hot spots in Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona and Sitges, to Berlin in Germany, the gay mecca of Mykonos in Greece and our UK home of Manchester. But many lesser-known cities and countries in Europe are now following suit to welcome gay travellers into their countries which is a step in the right direction! So why is gay move in Europe so easy and gradual in the first place? Here are some reassuring data for context:
How safe is Europe for gay travellers?
Why is European Gay Tour so easy?