Looking for an LGBT-friendly holiday? Teletext Holidays have listed the top destinations for travellers

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The LGBT+ scene is spreading the love across our favourite beach and city destinations, armed with colour, excitement and vibrancy, keeping the parties popping all year long.

We’re gearing up for a great 2018 by sharing our top picks of gay friendly destinations.

Madrid

Spain is crowned as one of the world’s most gay-friendly countries, with a plethora of resorts known and loved for their exciting LGBT hangouts – and being the third country to legalise gay marriage back in 2005, its ever-growing popularity within the community is to be expected.

It’s no doubt that Spain’s sizzling capital loves to put on a show, and you’re likely to find it in the city’s old quarter of Chueca, just off Gran Via, with everything from mega clubs to flamboyant cabaret acts on offer. 

Madrid’s LGBT calendar buzzes with activity, with a selection of events to check out across the city.

A couple worth mentioning are LesGaiCineMadrid, the capital’s International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival held in autumn, and GayDay, a fun day out for the LGBT community and their families at Madrid’s Parque de Atracciones, with exhilarating rides, music acts and shows awaiting.

Barcelona

Barcelona’s gay scene is centered around the bustling l’Eixample area (often referred to as Gayxample), brimming with gay boutiques, bars and beaches. La Mar Bella, located near the famous Barceloneta Beach in El Poblenou, is one of the most popular stretches along the seafront, with a line-up of lively xiringuitos that back the sand (Xiringuito BeGay a popular plate pleaser – for obvious reasons), watersports and entertainment.  

If you’re looking for gay-friendly accommodation close to the action, W Hotel Barcelona offers a luxury stay that’s suitable for all guests.

Paris

What better place to express a celebration of love than in one of the most romantic cities in Europe? The LGBT scene in Paris oozes ooh la la, with its quaint, cobbled streets.

The main place to be is the gay-friendly hub Marais District, where you’ll find lively bars, boutique hotels, cafes, clubs and shops.

Thanks to the city’s vibrant cultural scene, there are plenty of popular LGBT events to head to all-year round, such as Paris pride in June, the Salon du livre lesbian (book fair) event in July, the artistic Jerk Off festival in September or the LGBT cinema film festivals hosted throughout October.

Beyond Marais the gay scene has spread to areas including Les Halles and Bastille, with a myriad of shops, bars and cafes including nightlife at Banana Café, The Labo and more.

New York

This atmospheric city boasts a mixture of cosmopolitan flair and natural beauty, with atmospheric squares, iconic sights, scenic landscapes and stylish fashion houses all rolled into one – no wonder it’s a hot spot for the LGBT community.

New York is full of entertainment with a handful of lively dining spots, clubs and bars for upbeat evenings, with lots of LGBT venues to check out including Flaming Saddles Saloon and Dinner with the Divas – a must-visit if you like old-school dinner theatre with a few famous faces thrown in.

You’ll also find The Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art alongside a variety of international events worth visiting during your stay in New York.

Key neighborhoods to check out include Hell’s Kitchen, Greenwich Village and Chelsea, which are known for having some of the best gay bars across all five boroughs.

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