What makes us want to visit a country besides an attractive climate, stunning landscapes, monuments housing centuries of history, entertainment venues, or delicious food? What makes us feel good about our chosen destination? The way a country treats its inhabitants and welcomes its visitors, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

Being a gay-friendly country is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement for travelers looking for places that guarantee and respect people's rights. 

Spain is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. How does it fare when it comes to issues of diversity and equality?

Is Spain a gay-friendly country?

Spain is widely recognized as a gay-friendly country. In recent years, it has stood out for its inclusive policies on LGBTQ+ rights. Did you know that Spain was the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005? In addition, these couples have the right to adopt children. Also, in the field of legislation, Spain has been implementing robust laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in various areas, such as employment, education, or services.

Spanish society is generally very open and welcoming, with cities known for their vibrant LGBTQ+ communities and significant events.

Which is the most gay-friendly city in Spain?

Madrid is the most gay-friendly city in Spain, coming sixth in the world ranking of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ+ community by Big 7 Travel.

The Spanish capital stands out for its vibrant LGBTQ+ dynamic and its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Here, diversity is celebrated without taboos and inclusion is a reality. With its many world-renowned events, attractive nightlife, and a society that welcomes all types of people, Madrid offers a unique and charming environment for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, the city offers a rich and welcoming experience for everyone.

Discover the 7 most gay-friendly cities in Spain

Madrid

Few cities in the world embrace the true concept of being gay-friendly like Madrid. This authentic center of life is a breath of fresh air for those looking to be and live fully with their true selves.

Known as Madrid's gay district, Chueca is the epicenter of the city's LGBTQ+ community. It is home to many bars, clubs, discos, stores, and cafés aimed at the LGBTQ+ public, and is a dynamic meeting and socializing point.

The Madrid Pride Parade, known as MADO (Madrid Orgullo), is one of the largest and most famous in the world. It takes place every year at the beginning of July and attracts millions of participants from all over the world. The event includes parades, parties, concerts, and various cultural activities. In addition to the Pride Parade, Madrid hosts several other LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including film festivals, art exhibitions, and themed parties.

In terms of infrastructure, Madrid offers a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments that pride themselves on being inclusive and welcoming.

This progressive atmosphere that can be felt on the streets of Madrid stems from the open attitude of Madrid society, which invites the presence of a visible and active LGBTQ+ community.

Are you going to be in this city? Here's everything you can do in Madrid.

Barcelona

A little further down the Big 7 Travel ranking is Barcelona in 13th place. It has a long history of inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community and offers a variety of resources and attractions aimed at this audience.

Like Madrid, the city of Barcelona also has its gay district, the Eixample or, as it is affectionately called by many, "Gaixample". This area is known for its lively nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, stores, and clubs aimed at the LGBTQ+ crowd. It is lovely to locals and tourists alike.

Barcelona is also home to many important LGBTQ+ events, including Pride Barcelona, one of the biggest gay pride celebrations in Europe. Another relevant event is the Circuit Festival, one of the largest gay party festivals in the world, which is held annually in the city.  

In the arts, Barcelona has numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and cinemas that celebrate diversity. Places like the Barcelona History Museum often host exhibitions and events related to LGBTQ+ history and culture.

Barcelona's tourism industry is highly inclusive, with many hotels and hostels that are explicitly gay-friendly. There are also several beaches popular with the LGBTQ+ community, such as Mar Bella Beach, known for its welcoming atmosphere.

Are you going to be in this city? Here's everything you can do in Barcelona.

Benidorm

On the Costa Blanca lies a city that is very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Benidorm has more than 50 businesses aimed at this audience, including bars, clubs, saunas, and hotels. An interesting fact about the city is that it contains the world's first gay bar, built during the Franco regime in the 1960s.

Benidorm is also famous for its annual gay pride festival, Benidorm Pride, which takes place in September and is one of the last big events of the European summer. At this parade, you can expect themed parties, parades, shows with international DJs, and other activities on the beach and in the old town, which is the center of the local gay community.

At night, neon lights illuminate and add color to the city and the party goes on until the early hours of the morning. If you visit Benidorm, don't miss the best shows and performances with the drag queens of the moment.

Sitges

If you add picturesque streets, stunning beaches, plus a great offer for the LGBTQ+ community, the result will be the town of Sitges. The historic center is the heart of the city's gay scene, especially along the streets of Bonaire, Cinc d'Oros, and Passeig de la Ribera. These areas are full of bars, clubs, restaurants, and stores that cater mainly to the LGBTQ+ crowd.

Like many gay-friendly cities, Sitges organizes its festivals and events that attract thousands of people every year, such as Sitges Pride, one of the biggest and most important in Spain. And because gay pride isn't just shown at parties, the town also hosts the Sitges International Film Festival, which regularly features LGBTQ+ films or related themes.

As a beach town, Sitges offers several options for those who want to socialize with other members of the gay community. Bassa Rodona Beach and Los Muertos Beach are just a few examples. And for those who like to go out at night, places such as Parrots Pub, Queenz, El Horno, and Atlas are inclusive and ideal for partying or socializing in quieter surroundings.

Torremolinos

Torremolinos is often mentioned in lists of gay-friendly destinations in Europe and around the world, standing out for its hospitality and rich offer of activities and services for the LGBTQ+ community. It was one of the first cities in Spain to attract gay tourists and to this day maintains an open and inclusive attitude.

This city celebrates Torremolinos Pride and Mad Bear Beach, a particularly popular event among "bears" (a subculture within the gay community), which includes beach parties, night events, and other social activities.

The main gay district of Torremolinos is called La Nogalera and this is where most of the LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and restaurants are concentrated. Some examples: Parthenon, Aqua Club, and Eden Beach Club.

Will you be in the area? Here's everything you can do on the Costa del Sol.

San Sebastián

San Sebastián's commitment to diversity and respect for others is evident in its cultural and social dynamics, making it a very attractive destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. The fact that many of the hotels in this region are gay-friendly reflects this. For example, the Axel Hotel San Sebastián is specifically aimed at the LGBTQ+ community, where only adults are allowed.

This Spanish city hosts several events that appeal to the LGBTQ+ community, making its reputation as a gay-friendly destination even more evident. Its multicultural profile, reinforced by the presence of international students and visitors, contributes to the city's atmosphere of openness and acceptance.

For those who want to explore gay nightlife, although San Sebastián doesn't have as many gay bars and clubs as larger cities, its general attitude, and inclusive venues ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals feel welcome and comfortable.

Ibiza

Known worldwide as a party destination, Ibiza is a highly welcoming island to the LGBTQ+ community. Clubs such as Amnesia, Pacha, and Ushuaia regularly host LGBTQ+ theme nights and electronic and house music parties, which attract a diverse and inclusive crowd.

One of the island's most anticipated events is Ibiza Gay Pride, held in June, which consists of a series of parades, shows, and activities celebrating diversity.

The island's beautiful beaches are also very popular with the gay community, such as Es Cavallet Beach, known for its nudist area, or Figueretas Beach, which is in the center of Ibiza.

Are you going to be on this island? Here's everything you can do in Ibiza.

All this makes Spain one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world in terms of LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance. So, if you're thinking of traveling, it's an ideal country to live in or visit during your vacations.

Celebrate LGBTQ+ pride month with us.

Discover the most gay-friendly cities in Portugal.

Visit Living Tours for more travel experiences in Portugal and Spain. And explore more travel ideas on the Living Magazine Blog.