The Best Gay Cities in Spain
Spain gay travel destinations come in all different varieties, some of which have been the most memorable gay friendly cities I’ve ever visited.
From seaside gay resort towns to massive cities packed with nightlife, there’s a gay destination in Spain for every type of traveler.
Overall, the country’s culture is quite liberal and accepting of the LGBT community. Plus, gay Spaniards are about as friendly as they come!
Here are 11 of the best gay cities in Spain you should consider visiting for your next trip!
#1 Madrid
Madrid might seem like an obvious choice, but there’s a reason it’s one of the best gay destinations in the world. Nonstop gay nightlife, friendly gay locals, and a peaceful vibe make Madrid one of my absolute favorite cities in the world.
If you search Gay Spain on Instagram, you’ll see hundreds of gorgeous out and Pride gay men living in the community of Madrid.
World-renowned circuit parties, gay clubs like Kluster, the city’s annual bear week events, or just an authentic experience of the Spanish capital are all fantastic reasons to visit. You also can’t miss spending time in Chueca, Madrid’s famous gay district.
#2 Barcelona
Barcelona is another epic choice for gay travelers visiting Spain, especially for those visiting the country for the first time.
The city has loads of gay travelers and locals to meet, a comforting international vibe, a wonderful gay neighborhood, and the epic Platja de la Mar Bella gay beach.
The gay bars, clubs, parties, and saunas in Barcelona are among the best of any city in Spain. Sauna Casanova is one of the best gay saunas I’ve ever been to, at least in terms of how many attractive guys were there! Partying all night at The Black Room gay club is another experience I’ll never forget.
And aside from nightlife, Barcelona has tons of world-famous attractions to see, making the city an especially great destination for a family trip.
Hang out in Parc Güell, see the Sagrada Familia at sunrise, and drool over all the other famous Gaudí architectural landmarks.
#3 Torremolinos
Torremolinos is the absolute best gay destination in the south of Spain and one of my personal favorites. This amazing gay paradise is also largely undiscovered by gay travelers from outside Europe, so there’s much more of a local vibe.
A popular gay resort town, Torremolinos is filled with visitors from surrounding Mediterranean cities and inland Spanish towns each summer. I met a ton of local Spaniards here.
With several gay resorts, an enormous gay nightlife center, and an epic gay beach, Torremolinos has something for everyone. You can relax at one of the gay hotel pool decks, enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine at streetside restaurants, or party until the sun rises at the gay bars in La Nogalera, the city’s gay area.
#4 Maspalomas
Gay travelers from all over Europe fly down to Maspalomas to party, relax by the pool, and enjoy the year-round tropical weather of the Canary Islands. It’s such a unique destination, with never-ending stretches of sand dunes that everyone loves to explore.
The Playa del Ingles neighborhood of Maspalomas has a similar vibe to Torremolinos, with an enormous nightlife center with literally dozens of small gay bars packed together in one compound.
Maspalomas also hosts two gay pride events every year, so if you’re in the mood to celebrate at Winter Pride, the Canary Islands are the place to do it!
#5 Valencia
I fell in love with Valencia and thought the city had such a beautifully authentic vibe. Along Spain’s eastern shore, Valencia is a calmer gay destination in Spain, but definitely gets wild at night! There are plenty of gay bars and clubs where you can dance the night away.
Explore the futuristic architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences, relax on the shores of Pinedo gay beach, or try some Valencian Horchata while strolling the city center.
#6 Sitges
Sitges is among the most well-known gay cities in Spain and attracts droves of LGBT tourists every summer. Just a short ride from Barcelona, Sitges has an international gay vibe with the look of an authentic seaside Spanish town.
The small city is also known for energetic gay events like Sitges Bear Week, Carnival, and Sitges Pride. And of course, everyone loves soaking up the sun at the local gay beaches,
#7 Ibiza
A glorious summertime gay hotspot, Ibiza is an ideal destination in Spain for dreamy architecture, island vibes, and electric nightlife. Wander the narrow shop-lined streets, swim in the Mediterranean along local coves, or just relax by beautifully designed hotel pools.
Ibiza’s gay area is a ton of fun, located in the center of Ibiza Town as well as in Dalt Vila.
If you settle on a gaycation here, you have to stay at the beautiful AxelBeach Ibiza.
#8 Seville
Seville is another popular destination in Spain for gay travelers visiting Andalucía. The region’s capital city, Seville perfectly balances having plenty of interesting attractions, a local and authentic feel, gay nightlife, and an easy to find gay scene.
I found Seville to be a comfortable city to experience as a gay traveler. Meeting gay locals and exploring gay nightlife is an option, but it’s not what the city is all about.
I’d especially recommend Seville for gay couples visiting Spain too, since there are so many romantic tapas bars and restaurants to try! You can’t pass up a meal at Mamarracha Sevilla.
#9 Benidorm
Benidorm is one of the more affordable gay destinations in Spain and continues to grow in popularity. Most visitors don’t expect to find much of a gay scene in Benidorm, but it exists!
Like many other coastal cities with vibrant gay nightlife, the gay bars in Benidorm are conveniently clustered together in the Old Town center. There are a ton of them too.
After a day relaxing along the city’s expansive beaches, check out Sensations Benidorm, the local Bears’ Bar, and Spirit Bar.
#10 Bilbao
Bilbao has a smaller gay scene but is still a fantastic gay-friendly city in the north of Spain. Local gay bars, saunas, and other LGBT-friendly nightlife venues are scattered about the city.
Axel Hotels, a popular gay hotel brand, is opening a brand-new location right here in Bilbao. So, if you’re planning a gay Spanish adventure here after the summer of 2024, consider staying at the Axel Bilbao!
#11 San Sebastián
Not far from Bilbao, the Spanish city of San Sebastián wraps up this list of gay Spain destinations. A fabulous resort town on the Bay of Biscay, it’s perfect for travelers who want a low-key gay destination.
San Sebastián is right next to the French border, making day trips or a continuing journey through southwest France easy.
The Axel San Sebastián is a must if you’re staying here, the local gay hotel that’s of course branded as “hetero friendly!”
For more tips and recommendations for your visit, check out the Gastro Gays’ San Sebastián guide.
Need more gay vacation destination ideas? wolfyy offers gay travel guides to destinations around the world.
