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Best LGBTQ+ friendly honeymoon destinations

Discover the 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. There are plenty of destinations to choose from, whether you fancy sunning yourselves on a beach in Mexico or wrapping up warm to explore Iceland’s Golden Circle. Get the lowdown…

Mexico

Cancun is a top pick for LGBTQ+ honeymoons, and its sandy beaches, five-star hotels and toasty temperatures are only half the story. Stay in the Hotel Zone if you’re looking for a lively honeymoon – it’s home to a bumper list of bars and clubs, including a small handful of LGBTQ+ spots. The main hub of bars welcomes everybody though, so you’ve got a huge list to choose from. Once you’ve recovered from your wedding reception, a big night out at Coco Bongos is a must.

Further along the south coast, Playa del Carmen comes with a much slower pace, plus a community of LGBTQ+ locals. You can catch the city’s Pride event if you’re honeymooning in June. Mamitas Beach has a friendly vibe, and its namesake beach club lines up tasty Mexican plates, Caribbean-inspired cocktails and DJ sets. If you’d rather relax after your big day, Riviera Maya is your go-to for peaceful honeymoons – most of the hotels along this stretch of coastline are just kept company by a beach, so you’re sorted for snoozing on the sand.

Find out more about our holidays to Mexico.
Akumal Bay in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Costa Rica

Like to be on the go while you’re away? Meet Costa Rica. There are so many cute honeymoon activities to pick from here, from hiking through national parks to spotting sloths on a wildlife walking tour. Plus, you can pick from more than 300 beaches. The country’s capital – San José – is where you’ll find the main hub of LGBTQ+ friendly bars, but at around a four-hour drive inland from the main beach towns, it’s a little bit of a stretch for a night out. Instead, you can head to a cosy beachside restaurant to try out some local dishes – fresh fish is usually on the menu. For cosy evenings out, Coco Beach comes with a small strip of bars, shops and restaurants, and there’s a handful of spots to dine out at in Playa Flamingo.

Get all the info on our Costa Rica holidays.
A footbridge crossing a river in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

Thailand

Thailand is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in Asia, so it’s a great pick for a far-flung LGBTQ+ honeymoon. If you fancy spending your getaway in two or three different destinations, our Multi-Destination holidays have got you covered.

Spend the first half of your holiday relaxing in Khao Lak, then go to Phuket – the jumping off point for boat trips to the likes of Koh Phi Phi, James Bond Island and Khai Island. Koh Samui makes a great base if you’d prefer to stay in one place – there’s loads to see and do, including jungle treks, scuba diving trips and big nights out on Chaweng Beach. Plus, it’s only a short ferry ride from Koh Toa and Koh Phangan, so you can still tick off a few islands if you fancy a change of scene. The latter’s most famous for its full moon parties, while Koh Toa’s big on scuba diving.

Find out more about our holidays to Thailand.
Gardens and a temple in Phuket.

Greece

If you’d rather honeymoon a little closer to home, a Greek getaway is a great option. Mykonos is a favourite for gay couples, with its bumper collection of LGBTQ+ friendly bars and beaches. Santorini is also a top pick – it’s got romance written all over it. We’re talking stunning sunsets, whitewashed buildings and clifftop restaurants. The bigger islands – like Rhodes and Crete – are also a great option if you fancy some serious exploring. Crete is the largest of the Greek isles, and it’s well worth renting a car to take a road trip across the island. Top tip: Chania’s cobblestone old town and Venetian harbour make a great background for your honeymoon snaps on insta.

Get all the info on our holidays to Greece.
Outdoor restaurant tables in Mykonos at night.

Croatia

Unlike most European countries, Croatia doesn’t have much of an LGBTQ+ scene, but that doesn’t mean it should be off the cards for your honeymoon. For a destination that does the double, take a look at Dubrovnik. This place is a story of two halves – it pairs up Medieval buildings and historic churches with trendy bars and international restaurants. So, it’s a great choice if you’re stuck between somewhere traditional or a little more modern. A sunset cruise should be on your list when you’re planning days out, some come with an open bar, so they’re perfect for making a toast to your life as newlyweds.

Get all the info on our holidays to Dubrovnik.
Overhead view of Dubrovnik.

Mainland Spain

Back in 2005, Spain was one of the first countries to legalise same-sex marriage, and it’s been on the cards for LGBTQ+ travellers long before that. Spain’s Costas all come with their own collection of LGBTQ+ friendly venues and hotels. Stay in Costa Brava and you’ll have easy access to Barcelona – one of the country’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities. Here, you can check out top sights together like Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, the Sagrada Familia and Barceloneta Beach. Further south, Costa Blanca’s Benidorm hosts its own Pride event every September, so you can pair your honeymoon celebrations with a carnival-style party on the town’s cobblestone streets. If you'd like to celebrate on a city break, take a peek at Madrid. It hosts Europe’s biggest Pride event each June, and there’s a big collection of LGBTQ+ friendly bars, restaurants and art galleries to check out. Stay in the neighbourhood of Cheuca to be close to the action.
Barcelona Beach on a summer day.

Iceland

Iceland is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the world, with a series of laws designed to help protect its queer residents and visitors. Its gay scene is pretty small, with a couple of LGBTQ+ bars dotted around the capital, Reykjavik. However, honeymoons to Iceland aren’t about nights out, they’re about exploring the country’s iconic landscape. If you’re heading on a winter honeymoon, you can opt for a package with two experiences included. On your first night, you’ll hunt for the Northern Lights, followed up by a trip around the Golden Circle the next day, where you’ll tick off thermal geysers, Gullfoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. Things are just as magical here in summer, too. The sun barely sets in Iceland from mid-June to the end of the month, and even in the weeks before and after Reykjavik stays light for almost 24 hours. Whale watching under the midnight sun sounds like a top-tier honeymoon activity if you ask us.

Get all the info on our holidays to Iceland.
Sky Lagoon, Iceland.

Italy

It’s back to warmer climes for the last destination on our list, as we head over to Italy. It probably comes as no surprise that Milan is the centre for queer culture here, with Fashion Week, Milan Pride and an LGBTQ+ Film Festival all on the calendar. But, if you’re looking for a honeymoon that’s closer to the coastline, the Amalfi Coast should be on your radar for picture-perfect honeymoons. There are so many pretty towns and villages to explore together, including Ravello which perches more than 300 metres above sea level and locks in sweeping views of the coastline. The story is much the same in Sorrento, where you can stroll along cobblestone streets and stop off for coffee and cake in a curb-side café.

Get all the info on our holidays to Italy.
View of Sorrento, Italy.
Ready to get your first getaway as newlyweds sorted?

Check out all our honeymoon inspo.

Plus, read about our best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays, LGBTQ+ employee network group and the best same-sex wedding destinations.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Karl Taylor

Last updated: 04.04.2024

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