25 LGBTQ Travel Destinations for 2025

by Paul Heney
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Mon December 30, 2024

With the LGBTQ travel market expected to grow to $568.5 billion by 2030, the post-Covid vacation boom at times feels like the queer community is leading it. With a dynamic variety of upcoming events in 2025, this group of intrepid travelers has a lot of options from which to choose. Add in some mainstays as well as a few fun alternatives, and the New Year is ripe for travel adventure! Here are 25 options to consider for your queer 2025.

1. Dallas

This dynamic Texas city boasts a wonderful gayborhood, Oak Lawn, but also a series of yearlong events. The House of Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is one of the city's premier charity events, with fashion, art, and philanthropy coming together to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. Held every Spring, this gala showcases extraordinary fashion shows, live entertainment and a vibrant auction. 2025's event will be on May 3. The Teddy Bear Party in December benefits LGBTQ families and communities and supports children and families facing cancer and other serious medical issues. Since 2011, it has contributed more than $685,000 and donated more than 13,000 teddy bears to its beneficiaries!

2. Arosa, Switzerland

Arosa Gay Ski Week’s 20th anniversary event will take place from January 18-24, 2025. This year’s event has 15 LGBTQ-friendly hotel partners. Many hotels, including Tschuggen Grand Hotel, Valsana Hotel in Arosa, and Hotel Schweizerhof Lenzerheide, are actively promoting themselves as allies and inclusive destinations. One of the world’s leading gay ski weeks, last year’s event attracted 800 skiers.

3. Lisbon

Portugal’s first ever EuroPride will be held in Lisbon in 2025 from June 14-22. This very queer-friendly European capital city will be an ideal host, with an extensive array of LGBTQ-owned bars, restaurants, shops, and accommodations. Choose The Late Birds Lisbon or Villa 3 Caparica to support the local community. The city is a feast of excellent gastronomical choices, boasts a vibrant culture, offers boast classical and modern architecture, and is endlessly welcoming to the queer community.

4. Washington, DC

The nation’s capital is bringing in its 50^th anniversary of Pride celebrations with a band by hosting its first-ever World Pride. Set for May 17-June 8. The festivities will include the traditional parade, a street festival, the Capital Cup sports festival, and the traditional Human Rights Conference. With the theme of "The Fabric of Freedom," this World Pride will showcase this very queer city, as well as its incredible cultural institutions. Attendees will enjoy a series of performances, concerts, and a protest march.

Aerial view of South Beach, Miami, Florida.

5. Miami

South Florida's international mecca has long been a draw to LGBTQ visitors, thanks to its tropical weather, beaches, fashion and art scene, and excellent restaurants. Many of its events for the new year have a community connection. First, the Gay8 Festival in February is said to be the largest Hispanic LGBTQ festival in the U.S. Held in the city’s Little Havana, it showcases art, music, and food. Winter Party Festival is a week-long celebration in March with events and beach parties that benefit the LGBTQ community. And then Miami Beach Pride, from April 12-13, boasts lavish floats, a queer art showcase, and a multitude of performances.

6. St. Louis

The gateway city’s PrideFest is one of the Midwest’s largest Pride events, featuring a parade, live entertainment, and plenty of family-friendly activities. The city’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its vibrant LGBTQ community and events. QFest St. Louis is an annual queer film festival highlighting diverse cinema types and is typically held in April. And in June, come for Metro East PrideFest, a smaller, neighboring Pride celebration in Belleville, Ill.

7. Baltimore

Charm City’s rich history and diverse community are on full display during its annual Pride Week in June. Festivities include a parade, block party, and various cultural events, offering a unique experience for LGBTQ travelers. In addition, other events of interest include the Charm City Fetish Fair, an inclusive event celebrating the kink and fetish communities, usually held in February, and October’s Baltimore Black Pride. This event celebrates the city’s Black LGBTQ community with a variety of activities and workshops.

8. Vienna, Austria

Vienna's Rainbow Parade is a true highlight of the city’s queer calendar, attracting visitors from across Europe and around the world. The city’s famously progressive attitude and rich cultural scene make it a top European destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Vienna Pride (culminating in the Rainbow Parade) is a two-week June festival with parties, discussions, and cultural events. In the Fall, visitors also come for Rosa Wiener Wiesn-Fest, an LGBTQ-inclusive version of the traditional Viennese festival.

9. Palm Beaches, Florida

This often-overlooked stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coastline boasts a burgeoning LGBTQ community. The unique International Gay Polo Tournament, the only LGBTQ polo league in the world, runs each Spring at the nearby International Polo Club. Queer polo athletes from around the world compete over a weekend. The extravagant tailgates often steal the spotlight with fun themes. Each tailgate has a unique and bold theme, and the atmosphere is akin to a nightclub-style celebration. Past themes have included a pop-up salon with drag performers and a wedding chapel. Plus, the popular Polotini Party and Sunday Brunch are not to be missed!

10. Greece

This popular European destination has made significant strides in LGBTQ rights, solidifying its position as a leading destination for queer travelers. Recent advancements, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage and adoption rights, coupled with a strong performance on the 2024 ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (Greece ranks sixth, with a score of 71%), show the country’s commitment to equality and a welcoming atmosphere. From historic Athens to the idyllic islands of Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini, there is a diverse range of experiences to be had here.

11. Louisville, Kentucky

The city is gearing up for The Great Gatsby’s 100^th anniversary, with a variety of celebrations in Louisville, where F. Scott Fitzgerald was supposedly inspired by parts of the novel. There’s a new Gatsby Suite at the Seelbach Hotel. Bourbon & Belonging returns to Kentucky in October 2025, one of three LGBTQ-focused festivals held annually in Louisville, in addition to Kentuckiana Pride (June) and Louisville Pride (September). Plus, Play Louisville is an underrated mecca for Drag in the South—and one of its regulars, Lexi Love, is starring in Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

12. Amsterdam

This favorite LGBTQ metropolis has long been at the top of many travelers' lists, due to its progressive policies. A new study by Emisil analyzed seven key factors to assess different cities’ appeal to LGBTQ people. Amsterdam ranked seventh with a score of 82.5. With the highest percentage of queer residents at 14%, Amsterdam is the ultimate city for finding other queers. Add in 84 LGBTQ+ events, and the city becomes a great place for single travelers.

13. Toronto

That same Emisil survey showed Toronto as ranking first, with a composite score of 100, making it a dream city for queer singles. With 966 LGBTQ events and 11% of the population identifying as LGBTQ, Canada’s largest city offers a truly inclusive atmosphere. A date cost of $88.74 keeps the city accessible, while still offering a world of possibilities. And even if you can’t make it for Pride in June, there are so many other cultural events throughout the year, including Inside Out, Canada’s largest lesbian and gay film and video festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, Taste of the Danforth, Fringe Festival, and The Word on the Street.

14. Finger Lakes region, New York

This area is known for its picturesque lakes, waterfalls, wineries, and wonderful parks like Watkins Glen. But many of the small towns and cities here are quite welcoming. Corning has been named one of the most LGBTQ-friendly small cities in the U.S. and hosts the SoFLX Pride Festival in June, which includes Camp Fruit Fly. This overnight camp is for ages 15-18 and is designed for rural queer youth, focusing on community building and classic camp experiences. Ithaca is home to the Ithaca Pride Alliance, which is focused on inclusive, accommodating, educational and accessible spaces for the LGBTQ community. There’s an Ithaca LGBTQ History Walking Tour, and visitors will find 'Ithaca is Inclusive' window decals in many local businesses.

15. Sonoma County, California

A mere 30 miles from uber-queer San Francisco, Sonoma County features laid-back wine tasting in the most sustainable wine region in the world, along with beaches, river adventures, fine dining, charming towns, and nightlife. Equality Vines is the world’s first cause wine portfolio dedicated to equality for all people. Gay-friendly accommodations abound here, and the county hosts large gay events throughout the year with two Women Weekends in May and August, and midsummer’s Gay Wine Weekend, Lazy Bear Week, and the Russian River Pride Parade and Festival.

16. Mallorca

In the Summer of 2026, the world's next total solar eclipse path will put this dreamy Spanish isle in the spotlight. So next year is a perfect time for you to discover Mallorca. With a direct flight on United from Newark to Palma, getting here is easier than ever. Grab a drink and some food at iconic Bar Flexas or the new hotspot Ca’n Cuir, which serves as both a cultural center and a bar. Owner Edward opened it in April 2024, and it's already a beloved local queer gathering place.

17. Loudoun County, Virginia

This picturesque region, located adjacent to Washington, D.C., offers visitors to WorldPride 2025 a quieter alternative with charming towns and a selection of wineries amidst the rolling Virginia landscapes. Using the county as a home base allows travelers to pick and choose the Pride activities they attend and retreat back to regenerate. The concurrent events, DC Black Pride, the Capital Cup Sports Festival, and the International Choral Festival, are also easily reached from Loudoun County.

18. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavík Pride, also known as "Hinsegin dagar," will take over the city from August 6-11. Visitors to Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon located just outside the city, can enjoy a unique perspective of the celebrations from the 230-foot infinity-edge lagoon overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. This annual festival recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and attracts more than 100,000 attendees. Featuring a special maritime parade in collaboration with Ýmir Sailing Association, boats and kayakers wave vibrant LGBTQ flags visible from the lagoon’s infinity edge.

19. Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand is near the top of many queer travelers' bucket lists, due to its spectacular scenery, friendly people, and welcoming culture. Now, Auckland is the most connected city in the South Pacific to North America, with seven airlines flying directly from eight North American cities. Auckland is one of the few cities in the world bordered by three harbors on two bodies of water. Plus, it has more than 50 islands, the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere, and the landscape is dotted with 53 volcanic cones. This incredibly diverse city features sparkling waters, lush landscapes, world-class dining, tons of shopping, and luxurious accommodations.

Gorgeous architecture at the Four Seasons Madrid

20. Madrid

Whether you’re excited by its world-class art scene, Michelin-starred dining, famous queer nightlife, or historic charm, Madrid promises a year-round experience for all the senses. The Spanish capital city has direct flights from major U.S. cities, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, so it is more accessible than ever. For arts and culture, Liria Palace, the House of Alba’s private residence, features a treasure trove of works by Goya, Velázquez, and other Spanish masters. The Royal Collections Gallery opened in 2023 and offers a peek into Spain's royal history through its stunning collection of art and artifacts. And the Reina Sofía Museum is home to Picasso’s iconic Guernica and a must-see for any modern art lover.

21. Charleston

This city’s MOJA Arts Festival is an annual celebration of Black arts and culture and its artistic contributions to the world, primarily through African American and Caribbean legacies. Scheduled for September 25 to October 5, there will be a wide variety of events, such as dance, gospel, jazz, poetry, R&B music, storytelling, and theater. September 26 – October 6, 2024. The city's International African American Museum, which opened last year after two decades of planning, was recently named “one of the world’s greatest places.”

22. The Dolomites

The 2026 Winter Olympics are coming to the Dolomites mountain region in northeastern Italy, so take the chance now to visit this iconic region for skiing and more. The luxurious Lefay Resort & Spa, Dolomiti, recently announced a new indoor/outdoor wellness program that uses the beautiful, UNESCO-heritage-site nature surrounding it for hiking and cold-plunging in mountain streams. In nearby Verona, the 2024 Pride celebration received the city's endorsement for the first time ever, showing that progress continues to move in the right direction in many places.

23. St. Lucia

In 2022, this island nation became one of the few in the Caribbean to legally provide protections to people in same-sex relationships who experience domestic violence. And it’s the only country in the region to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the implementation of these laws. That’s good news for queer travelers, as it potentially shows a softening of St. Lucia’s longtime anti-queer societal attitudes. The island is one of the most picturesque in the world, with its famed Pitons mountains, and boasts a wide array of stunning resorts.

24. Istanbul

Home to some 16 million people across its metropolitan area, the city where Asia meets Europe is a feast for the senses, with ancient architecture of almost every type, many bazaars, incredible restaurants, and magnificent views from nearly every corner. While the country still has much work to do in the legal treatment of queer people, the citizens here are friendly, open, and welcoming, and Istanbul continues to be a popular destination for LGBTQ tourists.

25. Seoul

While much of Asia is behind the curve on acceptance of queer life, South Korea’s capital city is the center of gay life here, with the gayborhood of the Itaewon District being the focus for this city of 10 million residents. But the culture is changing, with a majority of young citizens supporting same-sex marriage, a massive change from the older generation. The recent hit Japanese gay reality show, The Boyfriend, included a South Korean cast member. Today, visitors can visit gay clubs in the city, such as Tool, Glove Bar, and STUD.

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