30th June 2022

As Pride month draws to a close, we are shining a spotlight on LGBTQ+ friendly cruise destinations around the world. Read on to see what made our shortlist...

Sydney, Australia

The Australian city of Sydney is very LGBT+ friendly, with cosmopolitan bars, trendy cafes and cool art galleries. The areas around Darlinghurst and Oxford Street are the city’s main gay district and it is here that every March a huge Mardi Gras party is held. The street is closed to traffic and it’s absolutely one of the best Pride festivals you need to include on your list.

Mykonos, Greek Isles

Home to white-washed windmills and idyllic beaches, Mykonos is picture-postcard perfect. It also happens to be a European hotspot for LGBTQ+ folk, with legendary parties throughout the high season of May to September. Jackie Onassis helped put Mykonos on the gay travel map in the 70s, so it’s no surprise that the Jackie O bar is one of the most popular haunts on the island, as well as Super Paradise Beach, but don’t expect it to be peaceful - it’s a party all day.

Sitges/Barcelona, Spain

Just down from Barcelona on the Costa Brava, is the lively town of Sitges. Sitges in the summer is predominantly an LGBTQ+ destination and if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, this is not it. The LGBTQ+ venues are not tucked away like some destinations - the old town is out and proud with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and at least 20 bars to choose from.

If you’re a culture vulture, the Museu del Cau Ferrat has modernist art on offer and it's only a 30-minute train ride into Barcelona if you want to combine a more cosmopolitan holiday with a vibrant one. Barcelona also has a great share of LGBTQ+ venues to visit, Eixample is the place to head to. 

New York, USA

Whilst San Francisco probably claims the title of the most popular gay-friendly city in America, New York still flies the flag and was an important part of LGBTQ+ history. It was here in 1969 that the Stonewall Riots pushed forward the fight for equal rights for the whole nation. The Stonewall National Monument is therefore a must, along with a trip to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. This visual art museum hosts over 30,000 pieces of work, so you will want to allocate a good couple of hours to wander around. 

The neighbourhoods of Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen and Greenwich Village are teeming with places to shop, eat, drink and explore when you make a trip to the city that never sleeps.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Another of the big Spanish gay hubs, Gran Canaria has a slightly different vibe as it still offers that beach holiday experience where relaxation is at the forefront. The area of Maspalomas is the main focus of the LGBTQ+ scene, with the Yumbo Centre being the beating heart. There is also a stretch of beach which is LGBTQ+ friendly and can be found around the beach bar named Kiosk #7. 

Montevideo, Uruguay

The port city of Montevideo in Uruguay is one of the most progressive in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1934 and gay marriage was legalised in 2013, way before a lot of its European counterparts. The Old Town is an art deco heaven, where you can people watch on the Plaza de la Independencia and then take some tango lessons as the sun goes down. 

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is firmly cementing itself as the capital of LGBTQ+ rights in Asia – it’s currently the only Asian country where gay marriage is legal. Head to Ximen station (and grab a photo op on the rainbow crossing) to discover the laidback Red House district offering plenty of bars, shops and restaurants and rainbow flags proudly hanging from buildings. For people-watching, Café Dalida is a good place to start and popular with locals and tourists.

Ibiza, Balearic Islands

The hedonistic island of Ibiza has always been a mecca for LGBTQ+ folk looking for a holiday to remember. Club night La Troya has been a party staple for over 30 years, moving through various popular Ibizan venues and still is probably one of the most famous LGBTQ+ parties in the world. The bulk of the community's bars and clubs can be found in Ibiza town around Dalt Villa and out towards Figueretas. If you want a beach day, the gay-friendly Es Cavallet is about 15 minutes from Ibiza town.

Hope you have had a great Pride Month!