LGBTQ+ friendly holidays

Get the lowdown on the best queer-friendly holiday destinations around the globe.

We asked our LGBTQ+ Network for their best holiday destinations to create this handy guide of rainbow-ready recommendations. It includes everything from beach-brushed spots in Europe to city breaks across the pond.

We believe everyone deserves to feel safe and welcomed on holiday. So, for more details on different destinations’ LGBTQ+ laws, head over to the FCDO website.

Why book an LGBTQ+ holiday with TUI?

  • Destinations recommended by our LGBTQ+ Employee Network

  • Holiday types for everyone

  • Family-friendly LGBTQ+ holidays

Queer-friendly destinations as recommended by our LGBTQ+ Network

These destinations have been given the stamp of approval by members of our LGBTQ+ Employee Network. With everything from bar-lined beaches to historic spots, there’s plenty to pick from.

Gran Canaria, Spain

Gran Canaria, Spain

Since the first gay bar opened its doors here, the LGBTQ+ scene has continued growing. Maspalomas is the epicentre of it all. It hosts two Pride weeks – one in the summer, and one in the winter – both packed full of pool parties and parades that paint the town into a rainbow. Plus, it’s home to the Yumbo Centre – a shopping complex dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.

Key events:

  • Maspalomas Gay Pride: May

  • Winter Pride Maspalomas: November

  • Freedom festival: Summer

View Gran Canaria holidays.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos’ glamour and style make it a big hit, especially Elia Beach – it’s an unofficial nudist beach with a relaxed live-and-love attitude. On top of that, you’ve got some of the best beach clubs, like Paradise Beach and Jackie O’, known for its iconic drag shows. Plus, it hosts XLSIOR, one of the most popular international LGBTQ+ summer festivals.

Key events:

  • XLSIOR Gay Pride: August

View Mykonos holidays.

Sitges, Spain

Sitges, Spain

Sitges is home to some of Spain’s best gay beaches, like Playa de la Bassa Rodona. There are cocktails and music playing all day, and it’s not far from the Old Town, which is a hub of gay bars. Even the souvenir shops sell ‘I love Sitges’ rainbow vests. And, when it comes to Pride, they go big, hosting pretty much any party you can think of.

Key events:

  • Sitges Pride: June

View Sitges holidays.

San Francisco, USA

San Francisco, USA

This place is often dubbed ‘The LGBTQ+ capital of the world’. You can walk in the footsteps of Harvey Milk – an iconic gay rights activist – under the Castro’s huge rainbow flag, or grab a drink in the original gay bar which opened in 1935. Polk Street is a must, too – it held the city’s first Pride parade and is now lined with LGBTQ+ owned boutiques, bars and bakeries.

Key events:

  • Frameline LGBTQ+ film festival: June

  • Fresh Meat Festival LGBTQ+ art festival: June

  • San Francisco Pride: June

View San Francisco holidays.

Las Vegas, USA

Las Vegas, USA

The dazzling and vibrant ‘Sin City’ is known for its LGBTQ+ scene. On the regular, you’ve got drag shows, go-go dancers and performances from the Queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race at The Fruit Loop, just east of the strip. Then during Pride, Fourth Street in downtown is packed with vibrant floats, drag queens and entertainment.

Key events:

  • Las Vegas Pride: October

View Las Vegas holidays.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland may not be the first destination that comes to mind, but in more recent years the LGBTQ+ community aren’t just welcomed here, they’re celebrated. Two of the most popular bars worth a try are called Kiki and Curios. Plus, their Pride celebrations bring around 100,000 people – about a third of their population – to the country each year, so it’s a pretty big occasion.

Key events:

  • Reykjavik Pride: August

View Iceland holidays.

LGBTQ+ friendly city breaks

From Rome’s iconic sites to the as-seen-on-screen streets of New York, we’ve got a bunch of LGBTQ+ friendly cities to check out.

New York, USA

New York, USA

The Big Apple has the glitz and the glamour, the history and of course, Broadway.

View New York city breaks.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark

This city is the LGBTQ+ neighbourhood of Scandinavia, home to the oldest gay bar in the world and the host of two Prides.

View Copenhagen city breaks.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin, Germany

The Schwules Museum, gay saunas and the city’s Queer Film Festival are just the tip of the iceberg of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ scene.

View Berlin city breaks.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

Rainbow flags hang from balconies and LGBTQ+ friendly bars line the streets right in the midst of the city’s top sites.

View Barcelona city breaks.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The city of canals and the birthplace of LGBTQ+ rights shows off its credentials with the Homomonument memorial and thriving gay districts.

View Amsterdam city breaks.

Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

Via San Giovanni – AKA Gay Street – lays out gay bars, hotels and restaurants right by Rome’s most iconic site, the Colosseum.

View Rome city breaks.

LGBTQ+ friendly TUI experiences

Once you’ve decided on your destination, it’s time to plan your next move. We’ve put together a list of our favourite gay and trans-friendly TUI experiences – they’re all designed to help you explore your destination’s LGBTQ+ scene a little more. Check them out below…

Go on a Pride walking tour in NYC

Go on a Pride walking tour in NYC

On this Pride walking tour, you’ll hear all about the revolutionary 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Learn the history of the Stonewall Inn and understand the climate of the world that led to that historic night 50 years ago.

Find out more about the NYC Pride walking tour.

Discover Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ nightlife with a local

Discover Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ nightlife with a local

Amsterdam’s known for being a no-judgement city that’s open to people from all walks of life. Here, you’ll find a strong LGBTQ+ community with dedicated clubs, bars and so much more.

Find out more about the LGBTQ+ nightlife tour in Amsterdam.

Go on a guided tour of LGBTQ+ Berlin with a local

Go on a guided tour of LGBTQ+ Berlin with a local

Discover the LGBTQ+ community in Berlin on this guided tour with a local. Known as one of the most queer-friendly cities in Europe, the German capital’s full of surprises and welcomes everyone with open arms.

Find out more about the LGBTQ+ tour of Berlin.

Explore Paris’ gay-friendly neighbourhood

Explore Paris’ gay-friendly neighbourhood

Learn about the history, culture and lifestyle of the LGBTQ+ community in Paris on this two-and-a-half-hour walking tour of the Le Marais neighbourhood.

Find out more about the Le Marais neighbourhood tour.

LGBTQ+ Castro neighbourhood tour in San Francisco

LGBTQ+ Castro neighbourhood tour in San Francisco

This two-hour walking tour takes you through San Francisco’s Castro neighbourhood – the largest LGBTQ+ community in the world. More than 20 historical sites feature on the itinerary.

Find out more about the Castro neighbourhood tour.

Big fan of Married at First Sight UK? 

Get the lowdown on the top spots to swap vows, plus the hottest honeymoon destinations inspired by the show – we’re looking at you, Italy, Greece and the Maldives.Take a look at our MAFS UK page.

Get the lowdown on the top spots to swap vows, plus the hottest honeymoon destinations inspired by the show – we’re looking at you, Italy, Greece and the Maldives.

Take a look at our MAFS UK page.

Inclusivity at TUI

Discover LGBTQ+ friendly holidays with TUI

Check out our latest articles and get set for your next LGBTQ+ friendly getaway…

Best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays

Best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays

From party getaways and romantic escapes to solo adventures and culture-filled breaks, we’ve got you covered with the best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays. Soak up the sun on Cancun’s white-sand beaches in Mexico, or head to Maspalomas in Gran Canaria for the Pride event of the year.

Read more about the best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays.

Best destinations for LGBTQ+ Pride

Best destinations for LGBTQ+ Pride

First of all, what is Pride? It’s all about people coming together to show support for LGBTQ+ communities, to celebrate how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and to continue raising awareness.

Read more about the best destinations for LGBTQ+ Pride.

Best LGBTQ+ friendly honeymoon destinations

Best LGBTQ+ friendly honeymoon destinations

We know there are a few extra things to think about when you’re planning a honeymoon as an LGBTQ+ couple. That’s why we’ve caught up with our LGBTQ+ employee network group to get the info on the best places to go.

Read about the best LGBTQ+ friendly honeymoon destinations.

Best same-sex wedding destinations

Best same-sex wedding destinations

Congratulations! You’ve popped the question, and now it’s time to plan your big day. Does the UK’s unreliable weather have you daydreaming about leaving Blighty behind and swapping vows on white sands instead?

Read about the best same-sex wedding destinations.

Best LGBTQ+ friendly city breaks

Best LGBTQ+ friendly city breaks

Planning an LGBTQ+ friendly city break? Look no further. Whether you want to see the sights, party well into the night – or both – we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up the best LGBTQ+ city breaks spots, and we’ve got the info on everything from where to stay and what to do while you’re there.

Read more about LGBTQ+ friendly city breaks.

FAQs

Where’s the best LGBTQ+ friendly destination to go on holiday?

There are lots of LGBTQ+ friendly destinations to choose from, but some of our top-rated holiday spots are Gran Canaria, Mykonos and Sitges. For more details on different destinations’ LGBTQ+ laws, head over to the FCDO website.

Where are the most gay-friendly cities?

If you’re looking for a gay-friendly city break, New York, Barcelona, Copenhagen and Amsterdam are popular picks, thanks to their thriving party scene, colourful Pride events and historical sights.