The 9 Best Destinations to Travel to as a Gay in Spain

Proud and showing off one’s true colours is the best way to experience life without any inhibitions, boundaries, and restrictions. This may have been recognized by Spain for being the third country in the world that legalized same-sex marriage way back in 2005.

Progressive Gay Spain

Spain being a politically progressive country, not only in Europe but in the entire world, became known for its unwavering respect for the dignity and rights of the gay community. This could not be surprising that it became a popular tourist destination for gays and other members of the LGBT+ community.

Tourism had poured in especially gay travellers and contributed to Spain’s pocket a resounding amount of 6,5 billion euro. Such a figure surpasses the income earned from tourism of other European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

Friendly atmosphere in Spain

The friendly atmosphere of Spain had become its magnet that attracts gay travellers to explore the beauty and culture of Spain. One will be mesmerized by Spain’s historical landmarks for being the former world power. It will be like traveling through time with its beautiful architectural buildings and monuments like Mesquita in Córdoba, Alhambra in Granada, which is famous for Spain’s palace, and the Aqueduct in Segovia.

Surely the art aficionados will be delighted with the country’s museums such as the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Prado Museum in Madrid, and as well as the Guggenheim in Bilbao.

Being in Spain is just like experiencing the fusion of modernity to the age-old architectural designs, culture, tradition, and dance. You will enjoy the upbeat life in every corner of the country. To enjoy Spain is to travel in Spain. Here are the top picks for gay travellers that can be the best destination in Spain.

The 9 destination for gays in Spain:

1. Sitges

A charmer in its own right, Sitges had lured gays to its place and one can feel that the entire town of Sitges may be considered as a town for gays. It is a small town with approximately 29.000 inhabitants and can be reached by train from the south of Barcelona.

It seems that Sitges caters to the need of the gay community, and it exudes its gay friendliness by offering excellent services in their gay bars that are located in Calle Montroig.

You cannot grow tired of this town, for aside from the sizzling nightlife, it also offers good beaches in its coastal areas, such as the Platja de la Bassa Rodina, which is known for being a gay beach.

You should also not know amiss the nudist gay-friendly beaches like Platja d’Aiguadolc and Platja dels Balmain’s. This place is indeed a haven for gays for its being the gay-friendliest and as well as with superb amenities and excellent service.

Sitges can be best described as the place for partying and as well as beautiful scenic beaches. It can trigger both fires up the adrenalin rush for fun and be stress-free when you take a plunge on the beautiful beach.

2. Ibiza

This is another gay hotspot and beach that is frequently visited by gays is a primary port of the island is the Ibiza town. You can’t help but take notice of the town’s well-preserved walled structure. It is in this town that you need to check out the famous gay beach, which is the Es Cavallet which is about fifteen minutes ride from the town proper.

Enjoy basking under the heat of the sun in your nakedness, for it is in this place that clothing is optional. You can flaunt your body without any reservation, inhibitions, or restrictions. Enjoy watching guys basking in the sun while eating a sumptuous meal or a cava sangria at the Chiringay.

It is a place of Adam where naked men are roaming around mindless of the eyes looking on their naked bodies. Some promotional guys are driving in Speedos and giving out flyers in their nearly naked bodies. You can say that this is just like being in the “Baywatch,” of which you can enjoy watching the well-toned, masculine, and almost naked bodies of men. It is considered a promotional hit as it attracts tourists to flock to the area.

If you got tired in Es Cavallet beach, you could hop to another beach which is the Playa de Ses Illetes voted as the best beach on TripAdvisor. You can reach this beach on the island of Formentera through a ferry boat ride from Ibiza.

Aside from the beautiful beach of Ibiza, another attraction for the gays in the street is called Calle de la Virgin, which is Ibiza’s center for gays where gay bars, gay shops, gay restaurants, and gay cafés are line-up in the street. Being in Ibiza would only connote that there is no time for being in the “boring” zone for every inch and a quarter of the place offers excitement for the travellers, especially for gays.

3. Torremolinos

Torremolinos is one of the best gay hotspots in Spain and you will surely enjoy partying and take a plunge on the beach. It is considered the best gay beach not only in Spain but in entire Europe. If you got the hype for partying, this place is ideal for you, for it is known for its energetic gay nightlife that can even rival the major cities a hundred times its size.

The combination of partying and beach is the best way to describe this place which is located outside Malaga, which is in Spain’s southern part. Gays flock to the famous gay beaches in the area, especially during the events like Mad Bear Beach Weekend, Torremolinos Pride, Wonder Beach Festival, and Delice Dream.

This area became a gay hotspot even way back in 1960, for it is in this place that the first gay bar was opened. Gays find the place relaxing for the beach is perfect for basking under the sun, and for achieving a perfect tan, you can also enjoy shopping at Calle San Miguel. Surely if you just love partying, shopping, and enjoying the outdoors, the Torremolinos is a perfect place.

This could be the place where all the colours meet, and in fact, it is labelled as the most gay-friendly city in Spain. One can see a large representation of the gay community enjoying the party life of Torremolinos.

There are two famous beaches of which Torremolinos is known for which are El Gato Beach and Eden Beach. You can still get connected even when you are on the beach, for there are Wi-Fi services that are being offered at Gato Lounge in El Gato Beach.

4. Madrid

If you are into clubbing, shopping, and bar hopping, you must opt to have a quick stop in the city of Madrid. This is the city that is dubbed as the gay-friendliest city not only in Spain but in the entire world.

Experience Europe through Madrid’s gay pride which is best described as organized chaos where everybody got together regardless of their colour spectrum, sex preferences, everyone is gathered together to enjoy and participate in the event. This Madrid’s Pride had brought around 4 million people when it hosted the World’s Pride.

Aside from the extravagant Madrid’s Pride, Madrid is also known to be a good host for several gay events such as the WE Party Festival and Gays Pride.

If you want to have a side trip to historical places in Spain like the towns of Segovia and Toledo, you can reach these historic places through a high-speed train from Madrid. This city is considered the heart of Spain and the gayest friendly city with an estimated 500,000 population of LGBT+ community. It is just common in this place to see same-sex couples enjoying a good stroll and view of the place.

5. Barcelona

Barcelona may be considered as the rival of the city of Madrid in terms of tourism, culture, sports, as well as being a gay-friendly city. In Gaixample, which is Barcelona’s gay district, several gay clubs, gay bars, gay hotels, and restaurants can be found. The night is alive with its sizzling gay activities that will surely fire up the night.

But one thing that makes this place stand out from its competitors and this place is famous for is their beach coastline, known for gay and nude beaches. One famous beach in this place is the Platja de la Mar Bella which caters to the gay community. It is a place where one can be proud of his body as he can flaunt his body in its nakedness without the fear of being subjected to ridicule.

Since 2008 gay Barcelona has held a Circuit Festival. This festival became popular for its circuit party reputation.