A lesbian-friendly trip might sometimes be difficult to plan due to recent political and social tensions. Traveling with your partner, or even solo should allow you to relax and not be afraid of showing affection in public.
There are many destinations that welcome LGBTQ+ tourists, but females (especially those traveling alone) might be at a higher risk for violent crimes. So, let’s take a look at the top lesbian travel destinations.
These are the best lesbian travel destinations from around the world:
| City | Country | LGBTQ+ Scene | Legal Status | Notable Events/Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Netherlands | Vibrant | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Pride Amsterdam, LGBTQ+ nightlife |
| Provincetown | USA | Lively | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Women’s Week, LGBTQ+ beaches |
| Mykonos | Greece | Welcoming | LGBTQ+ Friendly | LGBTQ+ beach clubs, vibrant nightlife |
| Berlin | Germany | Diverse | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Christopher Street Day, LGBTQ+ nightlife |
| San Francisco | USA | Thriving | LGBTQ+ Friendly | San Francisco Pride, Castro District |
| Montreal | Canada | Inclusive | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Montreal Pride, LGBTQ+ Village |
| Sydney | Australia | Vibrant | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras |
| Brighton | United Kingdom | LGBTQ+ Hotspot | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Brighton Pride, LGBTQ+ scene |
| Reykjavik | Iceland | Tolerant | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Reykjavik Pride, LGBTQ+ community |
| Bangkok | Thailand | Thriving | LGBTQ+ Friendly | Silom Soi 4, LGBTQ+ nightlife |
1. Milan, Italy
Nothing screams “romance” more than Italy, but you must keep in mind that gay couples are more welcome in the North of the country. Milano is considered the gay capital of Italy, but all the other important towns are gay-friendly as well.
The population in the great Italian cities embraces social diversity, and kissing your partner won’t often cause stares and whispers.
Homosexuality has been legal in this part of Europe, despite it being mostly Catholic, but as long as you don’t travel to small conservative towns and villages, you should be able to enjoy a vacation just like anyone else.
You can find many gay-friendly bars in the big cities, and there are several beaches and resorts that are favored by same-sex couples. Some of the best destinations are Gay Street in Rome, Via San Giovanni, Balestrate gay beach in Sicily, Villa Gordiani Park in Rome, Venice, and much more.
One wonderful thing about Italy is that violence towards women is quite low, so traveling as a lesbian is most of the way safe, as long as you practice common precaution measures.
2. Bangkok, Thailand
It’s well known the LGBTQ+ scene is quite vibrant in Thailand, which makes it an unforgettable exotic travel destination. Bangkok especially has many gay bars and beaches where nobody will bat an eye. Most of the party venues frequented by same-sex couples are in the Silom district, however, the acceptance rate is so high in Thailand that you can go everywhere you want.
However, keep in mind the country sees the public display of affection as unusual even for heterosexual couples. In the locals’ mentality, kissing, hugging, and holding hands are intimate acts that shouldn’t be displayed out in the open. But if you do it in an area mostly frequented by tourists, nobody might care.
As for women safety, Thailand is a very safe place for women traveling alone, as long as they don’t display valuable items. Most crimes involve purse snatching and thievery. Crimes against lesbians are very rare.
3. Paris, France
The “city of love” is one of the best places to visit for any lesbian couple that wants a romantic getaway. The historical gay neighborhood of Marais is most of where the nightlife happens, and it’s located between Hôtel de Ville and the Bastille. There is where you will find most of the clubs and bars frequented by the LGBTQ+ community, as well as many chic stores for every shopping addict.
Paris is a safe city for women, and lesbians traveling by themselves don’t have much to worry about. The city also has many gay-friendly hotels and romantic retreats for the girls wanting to get away from the urban rush.
4. Ibiza, Spain
The party capital of Europe is the perfect getaway for girls who just want to have fun. Since the island is so gay-friendly, it won’t be hard to find lesbian-themed parties and themed nights in clubs, bars, and on beaches. Space, La Troya, and Sunrise have weekly events for lesbians and the surrounding beaches are popular with lesbian couples who want to bake in the sun and have a couple of drinks near the waves. Privilege, the largest club in the world, is another favorite when it comes to LGBTQ+ crowds.
5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There are few getaways with as vibrant of a lesbian scene as Puerto Vallarta. Even though it’s frequented by every type of member of the LGBTQ+, this is mostly a girls’ haven. Besides the stunning beaches, colorful nightlife, and culture, this city has Casa Cupula, one of the best gay resorts in Mexico. It’s located in the Romantic Zone in the Amapas neighborhood. It’s been going strong for over 20 years and one of its best features, aside from wonderful amenities, is the option to book tours operated by the resort.
Another top lesbian spot in Puerto Vallarta is Casa Velas, an all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort close to the beach. But if you don’t want to walk to the ocean, this place will let you swim with koi fish!
6. New York City, USA
NYC is one of the best urban escapes in the US, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Lesbians will have a wonderful time and not a single moment of boredom while exploring this vibrant metropolis. One of the spots you must not miss while in NYC is the Leslie-Lohman Museum of LGBT Art, located in SoHo, Lower Manhattan. Christopher Street is another historical place and the symbol of Gay Pride after the Stonewall Riots of 1969. If you want to stop for a drink, don’t shy away from CubbyHole. It’s one of the best lesbian gathering points in the city.
New York City is very gay-friendly, and despite having its fair share of violence, women, and especially lesbians, are not preferred targets. Just practice basic safety precautions, especially if you travel alone, or if you’re out at night.
7. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is by far the most gay-friendly island in Greece, with one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe. This island never sleeps and many of the famous bars and clubs on the island, especially in the Little Venice neighborhood, are gay-owned. Despite being a mostly Catholic Island, tolerance increased significantly over the past decade, in recent years becoming the most frequented tourist destination in Greece for the LGBTQ+ community.
The openness here can be seen even from the fact that some beaches are gay and nude-friendly, so you don’t have to keep your clothes on if you don’t want to. Just make sure you’re on the right beach.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
It’s no secret that Sweden is the most tolerant country in the world when it comes to LGBTQ+. Gay people (and not only) have equal rights to everyone else, including adoption & insemination, and gender-neutral marriage.
That being said, tourists visiting Sweden will have tons of fun and not have to worry about discrimination. Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a vibrant city with very intense nightlife. It’s been at the top of the list for gay travel for many years now.
Needless to say, Stockholm is a very safe capital, so lesbians traveling alone don’t have to worry much.
9. London, UK
If you’re a lesbian looking for a partner, especially while traveling to a new destination, you might be happy to know that London has the highest number of Grindr users in the world! Which literally makes it the gayest city.
London is amazing as it is, but Soho is the gay community hot spot, full of gay clubs and bars that are open all the time. Soho is also one of the best districts to shop in, so if you have the cash to burn, this is the place to visit.
There are many LGBTQ+ events that take place in this busy city, so if you want to experience a certain one, make sure you check out the events calendar.
10. Malta
One of the safest countries in the world is also one of the most tolerant ones. For a long time, it was ranked as the best option when it comes to gay travel. This ancient country has some of the best laws that protect the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s absolutely stunning as well.
Lesbians in need of a historical thrill will get their fix here, a place with 7000 years of rich history. The country has tons of archeological sites and old buildings that are a wonder to the eye. If you don’t care much about culture and history, Malta has gorgeous beaches and warm Mediterranean waters perfect for diving and exploring.
The nightlife shouldn’t be ignored either. It’s vibrant and always has gay-themed events that you can attend. It might be a small country, but it has a large gay scene!
