As an out queer person, finding destinations where I can be myself is a top priority when I travel.
Safety and comfort are non-negotiable, which is why I am so excited to share some of the best destinations in Europe for queer women.
When I can hold my partner’s hand, dress how I want, and connect with the local queer community, it transforms the vacation experience. No more having to hide or worry about being misgendered in public spaces. Instead, I can focus on connecting with people, experiencing a new culture, and doing the things I enjoy โ activities like hiking, kayaking, wandering charming towns and villages, and of course letโs not forget the food!
This blog post covers the best destinations for queer women in Europe. While a few of these cities are on my bucket list, I have visited many of these places myself โ and Iโm happy to share my favorite tips with you.
Ready to dive into the top destinations in Europe for queer women?
1. Berlin, Germany
From the moment you step foot in Berlin, the city’s sex-positive, anything goes vibe is palpable. Queer-owned businesses, nightlife hotspots, and a whopping TEN lesbian bars, dot the landscape, making it easy to connect with queer Berliners and expats.
I’ve encountered stares and judgment when visiting smaller towns in Germany. The infamous “German stare” makes me feel self-conscious about my nonconforming appearance and reluctant to hold my partner’s hand. I’m happy to report that Berlin is judgment-free!
While present-day Berlin is progressive, LGBTQ+ Germans were rounded up and sent to concentration camps. It’s important to remember this chapter of history when visiting Berlin. I encourage you to search out the memorial to the lives lost during the Holocaust on a trip to the Tiergarten, and spend a moment reflecting on the struggles and persecution that queer individuals have faced โ and continue to face in many corners of the world.
2. Paris, France
Paris is the queer capital of France.
At the heart of Paris”s thriving queer scene is the lively Marais, a neighborhood rich with LGBTQ+ and Jewish history. Deepen your appreciation of the Marais with an LGBTQ walking tour – tours like this are among my favorite ways to explore queer history while traveling!
If you enjoy crepes โ and who doesn’t? โ seek out Breizh Cafe, a Breton-style creperie in the Marais, which I first heard about from the gay baker David Leibovitz. (Fun fact: there is also a Breizh in Kyoto, which I stumbled upon by chance during my trip to Japan!)
L’as du falafel is another favorite spot in the Marais.
Outside of the Marais, Paris has so many amazing things to see and do. I highly recommend a tour of the Palais Garnier, Paris’s Opera House and the setting for The Phantom of the Opera. Here’s a photo of the Chagall ceiling.
I’ve visited Paris several times over the years, including with my wife. The city has a reputation for brusqueness, and I’ve certainly experienced that. However, I’ve never been made to feel out of place for my queerness.
Later this year, Iโm celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary with a trip to the south of France. My wife and I watched Transatlantic and decided we had to go to Marseilles, which happens to have a huge LGBTQ scene! Word has it that Nice is also pretty queer friendly.
If you want to avoid the crowd heading to Paris for the Olympics and see a different side of France, put those two cities on your lesbian travel list. Maybe Iโll even see you there!
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
As the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, the Netherlands deserves a top spot on any lesbian travel list. Amsterdam in particular has long been a beacon of progressive values, acceptance, and sex positivity.
The city is a veritable wonderland for nature lovers, with the nearby Keukenhof Gardens exploding in a kaleidoscope of tulips from March to May. And the bustling street markets, world-class museums, and cozy, lesbian-owned cafes provide endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Dutch culture and community.
If you’d prefer to take in Amsterdam’s famous Canal Pride, time your lesbian holiday for August. On the first Saturday in August, the canal fills with ran now-hued boats cruising the city’s waterways.
Contiki has run Amsterdam Pride trips before. It looks like they’re planning something different this year, but we’ll let you know if this LGBTQ-friendly tour company opens up another Amsterdam trip.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
Not only is Reykjavรญk incredibly safe for solo travelers – it’s the one place I felt comfortable Couchsurfing – this northern capital also happens to be very LGBTQ+ friendly.
Sure, the city may only have one dedicated gay bar โ the aptly named Kiki’s โ but the entire vibe of Reykjavรญk is infused with an undeniable spirit of openness, diversity, and empowerment. On my first visit, my Airbnb host went out of her way to give me local tips, like directing me to the city’s municipal swimming pools.
Soaking in the local swimming pool โ or on a trip to the Blue Lagoon โ I never had to worry about drawing unwanted attention to my body hair. Chasing the aurora borealis at night or marveling at street art along the main street, I never had to worry about reaching for my partnerโs hand. Instead, I was free to be me.
Reykjavรญk used to hold a winter Pride event (thatโs actually when I went). But I donโt think itโs returned since the pandemic. So if youโre looking to experience Icelandโs welcoming during Pride, plan to visit in August, when the city’s annual Pride celebration is held. With 22 hours of daylight and a lineup of unapologetically queer revelry, it’s the perfect time to visit and connect with Reykjavรญkโs vibrant queer community.
Whenever you decide to explore Icelandโs charms, my LGBTQ Reykjavik guide will help you plan a fabulous adventure โ even if you are on a budget!
5. London, England
London consistently ranks among the best lesbian travel destinations in the world โ and for good reason. The city has so much to offer our beautiful queer community.
A couple of years ago, I went to London on a family holiday. My partner and I booked a hotel in Shoreditch and stayed on a few extra days, exploring the LGBTQ side of the city.
We had a blast exploring East London and Shoreditch, two queer-friendly neighborhoods. We did a Shoreditch street art walking tour with London With a Local, which also offers an LGBT history tour. It was the perfect introduction to the neighborhood’s vibrant colors.
Afterwards, we shopped the Brick Lane flea markets, scoring secondhand cashmere sweaters, blown glass jewelry, and colorful embroidered jackets. I didn’t quite succeed in my quest to find bold prints a la Noel Fielding from Bake Off, but I had a blast.
If you’re traveling solo, London is a great place to connect with other queer women. Gal Pals throws hot queer dance parties for lesbians, transgender and non-binary people. Queer BIPOC-led Moonlight Experiences offers pop-up events throughout Europe, including many lesbian London get-togethers. The city is full of queer-owned businesses, like the LGBTQ bookstore bar Glass House. Multiple lesbian walking clubs host city walks and social events for bi and lesbian-identified women – perfect for sober queers to meet and mingle!
Whether you’re looking to dance the night away at a pulsing queer club, explore LGBTQ+ history and street art, or simply exist as your authentic self in a safe, affirming environment, London is an absolute must-visit Europe city trip.
6. Dublin, Ireland
When you think of LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations in Europe, Ireland may not immediately leap to the top of the list.
Nearly 90 percent of Irish citizens are Catholic โ a religion not known for accepting LGBTQ+ people. And homosexuality was criminalized in the country as recently as the 1990s.
Despite the religious reputation, Ireland has undergone a remarkable transformation when it comes to LGBTQ+ acceptance.
The country has embraced equality since the 90s, becoming the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote, in 2015. Ireland has even elected an openly gay Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar.
Dublin is Ireland’s capital, and itโs also the LGBTQ hub. From the cityโs annual gay theater festival to the robust Dublin Pride, which turns 50 this year, lesbian travelers have so many opportunities to tap into Ireland’s burgeoning queer community.
Looking to get outside the city and explore the beautiful Irish countryside? Check out these Irish LGBTQ walking groups!
7. Athens, Greece
Greece just passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, despite fierce opposition from the Greek Orthodox Church. What better way to celebrate this historic win than with a Greek vacation?
Many travelers head straight for the islands when planning a trip to Greece. But the main islands like Santorini and Mykonos get incredibly crowded.
While itโs true that Santorini makes other top lesbian Europe lists, Iโve heard from other friends that the island is not as nice as those Reels make it look.
In fact, when I was planning a vacation to Greece, I deliberately avoided overcrowded islands like Santorini in favor of under-the-radar places, like the UNESCO gem of Zagorohoria Greece.
I fell in love with Athens when I spent a month in Greece, so thatโs where I recommend you start. Athens is SO rich in history, culture, not to mention the food. If you spend the night in Piraeus just to hop on a boat and leave, you are really missing out!
The Gazi neighborhood is the queer center of Athens. Itโs a compact neighborhood near the Kerameikos archaeological site, walkable to so many Athenian attractions. I went back to Gazi a few times trying different restaurants and cafes (see the photo on the right) and loved them all. Youโll find plenty of bars and clubs here if you want to explore the nightlife, but itโs also nice to have an alcohol-free option to find queer community.ย
Athens’ tourism department put together a super-great LGBTQ guide to visiting the city, that will help you make the most of your trip, so definitely check it out!
8. Stockholm, Sweden
The Swedish capital of Stockholm consistently ranks among the most welcoming and progressive cities in Europe.
Stockholm has many queer-owned businesses, from cafes and specialty boutiques to nightclubs. Walking around the city, youโll spot plenty of rainbow flags. But two neighborhoods stand out when it comes to LGBTQ nightlife: Gamla Stan or Old Town, a charming medieval district, and the trendy, artsy Sรถdermalm district.
Moxy is the most popular women’s dance party, with rotating events all over town. But there are plenty of other queer nightlife options, most of which welcome lesbians!
Want to visit Stockholm for Pride? It’s held annually in late July/early August. Sweden is currently experiencing some political pushback against LGBTQ rights This year’s Pride theme is a celebration of queer resilience, and a reminder that we are stronger together.
9. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona has become a huge tourist destination in recent years. In fact, some tourists and locals believe the city is too crowded and want to stay away.
Iโm not here to tell you to avoid Barcelona. But if you go, prepare for the crowds or try to avoid them by visiting during off-season.
People from all over the world flock to Barcelona to visit the Sagrada Famรญlia and Park Guell, some of the UNESCO heritage sites designed by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudรญ. I loved getting to see Gaudรญ architecture up close โ and at the same time, I’m glad I visited Barcelona before the current tourist rush.
At the very heart of Barcelona’s thriving queer scene is Gaixample, a vibrant neighborhood filled with rainbow flags. Strolling through the district, youโll discover queer-owned shops, restaurants, and gay bars. Gaixample is close to the Gothic Quarter and Modernisme trail, a walking route that highlights some of the best-known Spanish Modernisme buildings, including some Gaudรญ gems.
10. Mallorca, Spain
Every August, an international crowd of shes and theys descends upon this small island paradise for the Ella International Lesbian Festival. If you’ve dreamed of finding queer community, celebration, and pure, unabashed joy, get yourself to Ella – one of our top solo lesbian travel picks.
With activities ranging from adrenaline-fueled zipline rides to blissful beach days, there’s something to delight every lesbian traveler.
The LGBTQ+ magic of Mallorca doesn’t end when the festival concludes. Year round, Mallorca gives off laid back island vibes, welcoming LGBTQ travelers with a just-for-us map connecting visitors to inclusive businesses, events, and community spaces throughout Palma, the capital city. Whether you’re strolling hand-in-hand with your partner through the historic streets or dancing the night away at a lively queer bar, you’ll be met with nothing but openness and acceptance.
Which of these 10 LGBTQ-friendly European destinations are you most excited about visiting? Drop me an email, and I’ll put together a lesbian travel guide to the destination that gets the most votes!
