The most underrated gay-friendly travel destinations

When it comes to travel destinations, we’re all familiar with the big-city heavy-hitters and well-traveled coastal queer oases.

But what about those gay gems, slightly off the beaten path (and not quite as documented on Instagram), but every bit accepting, charming, and worthy of our patronage?

As part of this year’s Best of GayCities, we asked readers to share their most underrated travel destination and what makes it so special.

What we learned was that we’ve got a lot more to see around the world — and there’s no shortage of places for gay travelers to visit and love out loud.

“Sitges, Spain, holds a special place in my heart when it comes to LGBTQ+ destinations. Think a charming seaside town with beautiful beaches, wonderfully camp drinking spots, welcoming restaurants, winding historic streets, and a genuinely vibrant queer scene. It’s certainly become more popular in recent years, so my advice is to visit before the secret is completely out. Just an hour by train from Barcelona, it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city – a laid-back, sun-soaked escape that’s absolutely worth the trip, even if you only have a day to spare.”

– Reuben Mourad, Best of GayCities editorial board

Below, 10 of the most underrated LGBTQ+ travel destinations, according to our readers.

1. Zürich, Switzerland

The party goes all night in the criminally underrated Zürich. This European city, ranked No. 1 by multiple respondents, contains a vast number of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, unique shopping and dining, as well as a bustling and vibrant gay community.

As one reader told us, there’s a surprisingly “vast spectrum of LGBTQ+ friendly resources.” Plus, it’s “relatively safe” and features a nice and “compact neighborhood.” The only downside? It can be “expensive,” so start saving your pennies now.

2. Montreal, Canada

With its diverse scene, adorable gayborhood Le Village, and French-kissed cuisine and community, Montreal is a can’t-miss LGBTQ+ destination that often gets overlooked in favor of other Canadian spots.

That said, its combo of rich history and charming design appealed to our readers. “[The city] has an enormous amount of old and impressive architecture,” one survey respondent told us.

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3. New Orleans

As one reader told us, New Orleans “rarely makes these lists, but I always have such a fun time when I visit.” Home to one of the oldest gay bars in America, NOLA is “a fun gem of a queer city” with a “creepy, haunted, taboo vibe going for it.”

Whether you’re making the trek for Mardi Gras or Southern Decadence, a.k.a. “Gay Mardi Gras,” or you stopping by on a regular weekend, you’re guaranteed to find some LGBTQ+ liberation on Bourbon Street.

4. Dublin, Ireland

Don’t forget about the luck of the Irish. As one GayCities reader told us, “[Considering it’s a] Catholic country, I never thought of it as friendly, but there were Pride flags everywhere.”

Indeed, Dublin‘s scene pulses down its cobblestone streets and cozy pubs, offering queer visitors an intimate and convivial vacation, where a pint of Guinness can easily turn into a drag show, a bar crawl, and meeting a handsome visitor with an accent to die for.

5. Sydney, Australia

Sydney has it all: sun-soaked beaches, harbor views, the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the historic Oxford Street, and, as one reader assured us, “hot, hot, hot men.” While the flight to Australia can feel prohibitive, let us assure you that after a week in one of the world’s most queer-friendly cities, you’ll understand why it’s earned its spot on our list.

6. Rio de Janiero, Brazil

If Copacabana was good enough for Barry Manilow, then it’s good enough for us. Between the electric spectacle of Carnival, the eye candy on Ipanema Beach, its bustling nightlife, and, of course, the incredible year-round temperatures, Rio de Janeiro is the type of rising LGBTQ+ travel destination that won’t stay underrated for long.

7. Denver, Colorado

They don’t call Denver the Mile High City for nothing. From incredible hiking, great weather, and just about every recreational activity you can imagine, to small hole-in-the-wall establishments and iconic gay bars and restaurants, this underrated and liberal city is the perfect introduction to all the beauty that Colorado has to offer.

And as one of our readers told us, “It has a terrific bathhouse and the men are really friendly as well.” Duly noted.

8. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Arkansas? Underrated? Gay?! It’s more likely than you think. According to one of our readers, “many people don’t even know about this gay-friendly accepting town,” but Eureka Springs is a bonafide queer oasis in the deep south, with a booming arts scene and a bounty of queer-owned businesses. Trade in your buzzing city lifestyle for a weekend of sweet charms, quirky shopping, and walkable surprises.

9. St. Louis, Missouri

We weren’t surprised to see St. Louis, Missouri make the cut. After all, the “Gateway City” is a haven of gay-friendliness in America’s heartland, with a rich queer history in gayborhoods like the Grove and Central West End, friendly locals, no shortage of LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S.

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10. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

The laid-back charms of the Delaware coast meet a lively and deeply rooted queer community in Rehoboth Beach, a popular getaway town for the D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore LGBTQ+ communities for decades. Between drag dinner theaters, gay watering holes, and friendly beaches, you might find yourself arriving at the same conclusion as one of our respondents, who dubbed the city “a lot more fun than I was expecting.”

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The 10 best LGBTQ+ travel destinations, according to GayCities readers
We asked, you answered!