Travel with pride at these global destinations that embrace queer identity

LONDON, UK

London fuses centuries of queer rebellion with today’s dazzling diversity. It’s where drag royalty reigns in Soho and queer Muslim collectives thrive in East London. Safe spaces bloom across boroughs, bolstered by public support, progressive laws, and visibility in everything from punk gigs to parliament. For here, every story finds a mic.

NEW YORK, USA

NYC remains the quintessential queer capital. From the historic Stonewall to voguing balls in Brooklyn, it’s a city where LGBTQIA+ rights were fought for and won. Here, Pride Month is a citywide spectacle, but safe spaces like the LeslieLohman Museum and queer-owned bars make it a haven all year round.

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

For over six decades, this Pacific Coast gem has been a beloved LGBTQIA+ sanctuary. Known as Mexico’s San Francisco, roughly one-third of visitors identify as queer, drawn to its vibrant Romantic Zone, home to over 40 bars and hotels dedicated to the community. Despite Mexico’s mixed national safety rankings, Puerto Vallarta shines as a beacon of acceptance and celebration.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Africa’s most progressive city, Cape Town is a queer gem where beach meets ballroom. The vibrant De Waterkant district is an inclusive haven, while the annual Pride Parade and nightlife reflect real strides in safety and visibility. With a growing Black and queer activist scene, it’s both a refuge and a frontier

MADRID, SPAIN

Madrid’s Chueca isn’t just a neighbourhood — it’s a love letter to queer liberation. In this city, Pride is political and passionate, with trans rights movements leading parades. Public affection is met with cheers, not stares. From museums to rooftops, joy is normalised and love, in all forms, is sacred.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Taipei is where progress meets peace. As Asia’s first country to legalise same-sex marriage, Taiwan leads with quiet courage. The queer scene — from Red House bars to indie film fests — thrives with safety and state support. Temples welcome all genders. You don’t have to hide who you love — you’re blessed for it.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam is liberation in motion. The city where same-sex marriage began is now home to one of the world’s most inclusive Pride events — on canals, of course. Legal protections run deep, but it’s the everyday ease — hand-holding in public, queer parenting, trans healthcare — that makes it a sanctuary, not just a scene.

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

In São Paulo, queerness is big, bold, and backed (literally!) by millions. Home to the planet’s largest annual Pride Parade, the city pulses with political drag, queer samba, and art collectives reclaiming space. Visibility is power here, and while challenges exist, local LGBTQIA+ networks create fierce, protective ecosystems of care and joy.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Auckland blends Māori hospitality with rainbow pride. As the Big Gay Out festival and indigenous queer art explode in colour, Karangahape Road remains the city’s safe, eclectic heartbeat. Legal protections and strong LGBTQIA+ advocacy ensure more than tolerance — they promise belonging. Here, the land, the people, and the culture embrace you back.

MALTA

Tiny but mighty, Malta is a queer utopia by law and spirit. With top-ranking LGBTQIA+ rights, trans-inclusive healthcare, and Pride celebrations across sundrenched islands, Malta offers not just safety but serenity. It’s a rare place where religion and reform coexist — and the sea sparkles with the same openness as its people.