12 underrated LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations to visit in 2023 – The Points Guy
There are countless places around the world that are famous as LGBTQIA+ hot spots, where vacationers can enjoy comfort, support and camaraderie. Also, — outside of some extremely conservative regions — nearly all of the world’s major cities have at least one (and often several) neighborhoods with visible, thriving gay scenes, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Rome and many others.
Although all of these places are wonderful, a number of other places around the world are becoming increasingly popular with LGBTQIA+ vacationers — destinations that might not come to mind at first when naming top queer ports of call.
These largely off-the-beaten-path cities and resort towns offer new and perhaps surprising opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
For well over a century, the so-called “City Different” has been a haven among artists, writers and countercultural types, including LGBTQIA+ folks.
The rambling Spanish-Pueblo Revival home of gay poet Witter Bynner — now the wonderfully inviting Inn of the Turquoise Bear — hosted countless luminaries over the years, including such queer notables as Thornton Wilder, Georgia O’Keeffe, Errol Flynn and Christopher Isherwood.
This idyllic high-desert city, with a population close to 90,000, nestles beneath the snowcapped 12,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. It remains a favorite LGBTQIA+ getaway, with many visitors combining their adventure with scenic road trips to similarly gay-welcoming Albuquerque and Taos.
Established by Spanish explorers in 1610, Santa Fe is the nation’s oldest state capital, and the surrounding region has been continuously inhabited by Indigenous people for well over 1,000 years. The city’s vibrant tri-cultural heritage (Indigenous Puebloan, Spanish and Anglo) informs every aspect of its culture, from the vibrant art and music scenes to the acclaimed culinary offerings.
Be sure to experience the first-rate cultural riches during your visit, the Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in particular. Stop by the immersive and wildly imaginative Meow Wolf art center, and in summer, attend the world-famous, open-air Santa Fe Opera.
The region’s other major calling is the great outdoors. In this stunning, sunny destination with four distinct seasons, you’ll find ample opportunities for hiking, rafting, mountain and road biking, golfing, horseback and downhill skiing.
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Where to stay
Set on more than 300 peaceful, pinon-dotted acres of high desert just a 10-minute drive north of downtown, the Bishop’s Lodge reopened in 2022 as part of posh Auberge Resorts, following an ambitious seven-year revamp. Anchored by the 1870s home and chapel of storied Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, the property features 100 ultra-cushy rooms and casitas, a spectacular spa and a stylish contemporary restaurant and bar specializing in mezcal cocktails.
Rates start at $824 per night (based on double occupancy).
La Posada de Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa, is a Marriott property with a rich 200-year history and an authentic Spanish Colonial design. With smartly furnished suites and casitas, many with private entrances and kiva-style fireplaces, this upscale hideaway is on the historic east side of downtown, steps from the acclaimed galleries of Canyon Road. There’s a first-rate spa, and the rambling Staab House Bar and Patio is one of the most atmospheric spots in New Mexico for a cocktail.
Rates start at $341 or 58,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (based on double occupancy).
Related: Escape on a budget: 13 domestic destinations with an international feel
Asheville, North Carolina
For decades, Asheville has served as a cultural and artistic mecca of the southern United States, as well as a progressive center of LGBTQIA+ life. In fact, according to the latest U.S. census, the city has 83% more LGBTQIA+ residents than the national average.
Surrounded by soaring mountains and bisected by one of the country’s most spectacular scenic roads, the National Park Service-operated Blue Ridge Parkway, this vibrant creative and culinary hub in western North Carolina offers an alluring mix of urbane and outdoorsy attractions. An eclectic college city with a population of around 94,000, Asheville is at once friendly, forward-thinking and fiercely independent, with a visible and thriving LGBTQIA+ community.
Asheville consistently ranks among the country’s leading food and drink destinations (especially when it comes to craft beer), and its historic downtown buildings contain trendy shops and galleries, plus several designer hotels.
Although there’s no LGBTQIA+ neighborhood per se, most businesses draw a mixed, eclectic crowd, and there are a couple of queer-identified bars as well. Highlights for visitors include touring the massive mansion and pastoral grounds of Biltmore Estate and exploring the lively gallery scene in the River Arts District (RAD). If you’re keen on the outdoors, this verdant, mountainous region is ideal for hiking, biking, rafting and zip lining.
Where to stay
Right downtown, the Kimpton Hotel Arras is steps from all the action. Restaurants, craft breweries, galleries and colorful boutiques dot the surrounding blocks, including several businesses popular with the LGBTQIA+ community. The hip Mediterranean restaurant Bargello serves stellar seasonally inspired fare, and District 42 is a hot spot for cocktails. Plus, you can use IHG points to book a stay here.
Rates start at $234 or 44,000 IHG points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, The Foundry Hotel is a former steel mill reimagined as a luxe hotel in the heart of downtown. Guests can stroll amid the on-site galleries and workshops of local artisans and dine on creative Appalachian-inspired soul food at Benne on Eagle.
Rates start at $249 or 71,000 Hilton Honors points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Related: Upscale stay, but missing amenities: My time at The Foundry Hotel in Asheville
Merida, Mexico
Rich with Mayan and Spanish Colonial history and famous for its gastronomy, Mérida is an ideal base for exploring the northwestern Yucatan (which is far less touristy and commercial than Cancun and the northeastern side of the peninsula).
Among the most beloved cities in the country, Mérida is adored by both Mexicans and travelers from other parts of the globe. This beautiful city with a walkable, historic core is also extremely LGBTQIA+-friendly, with several gay bars and a number of other businesses owned or staffed by queer folks.
Many of the city’s colorfully painted Spanish Colonial buildings date to the 19th century or earlier and have been converted from grand residences into museums, hotels, cultural centers and restaurants. The streets here feature shady parks, festive cafes, boutiques and galleries, which make this city feel at once sophisticated and relaxed (the sultry climate doesn’t hurt either).
Served by its own efficient airport, with direct flights from the U.S., Mérida is about a three-hour drive from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. It’s also within an easy drive of several carefully preserved Mayan archaeological ruins, including Chichen Itza and Uxmal (which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), as well as dozens of gorgeous cenotes (natural freshwater limestone grottos where people can swim and snorkel).
Where to stay
Part of the hip Marriott-branded Design Hotels portfolio, the 17-room Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel and Spa comprises a pair of palatial Spanish Colonial mansions situated along the city’s Parisian-inspired Paseo de Montejo. Accommodations offer an enticing blend of sumptuous historical details and modern tech-savvy features (Bose sound systems, lightning-fast Wi-Fi), and the romantic restaurant is one of the most acclaimed in the city.
Rates start at $233 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
A gorgeously restored former residence built during Mérida’s late-19th-century heyday, Casa Lecanda is a charming seven-room inn that’s centrally located but hidden away from the busy street. Behind the neoclassical facade, you’ll encounter a gracious courtyard with a pool, lush gardens and impeccable service. The high-ceilinged rooms have patios or balconies.
Rates start at $248 per night (based on double occupancy).
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
A popular European destination for gay travelers for several decades, Gran Canaria is now on the gaydar for the rest of the world because of the live-and-let-live ethos of its locals and the well-developed network of LGBTQIA+-friendly businesses. Part of the Canary Islands chain and officially an autonomous community of Spain, Gran Canaria is much loved by the LGBTQIA+ community — and vice versa.
The island itself is stunning, with wide sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and warm, crystal-clear waters. The Maspalomas neighborhood is particularly noted for its gay appeal. Playa del Ingles touts a broad range of offerings, including nightclubs, casinos, theaters, shops, golf courses and many other diversions.
Related: The best beaches in the Canary Islands for every kind of traveler
The beaches, however, remain the star attractions due to the year-round temperate climate, nudist options and popularity with the gay community. Of note are the festivals held on Gran Canaria, the most famous of which is Carnival in February or March, and the Drag Queen Galas, which gathers divas from across the globe. Parties, parades, festivals and colorful pop-up events are a regular occurrence here.
Where to stay
The LGBTQIA+-owned and adults-only Axel Beach Maspalomas — they playfully describe themselves as “hetero-friendly” — is right in the middle of the queer nightlife action of the lively Playa del Inglés district. This sleek hotel offers 92 beautifully designed apartments with kitchenettes and spacious living areas, plus a large pool, and the beach is about a mile away.
Rates start at 198 euros (about $216) per night (based on double occupancy).
A large-scale resort geared toward adults, the Riu Palace Maspalomas is set amid neatly tended gardens and adjacent to the massive, much-photographed sand dunes for which the south end of Gran Canaria is known. It boasts 350 rooms and an extensive array of amenities, including pools, a spa, fitness facilities, restaurants and more.
Rates start at 219 euros (about $237) per night (based on double occupancy).
Victoria, British Columbia
Vancouver and Whistler tend to get most of the attention as the top LGBTQIA+ destinations in British Columbia, but Victoria has a sizable gay population and has evolved considerably from its slightly staid reputation of yore.
Lots of younger queers have moved here, the nightlife and dining scenes continue to expand, and it’s easy to get here from both Vancouver and Seattle. You can also combine a trip to Victoria with two or three days on tranquil and utterly beautiful Salt Spring Island, which is a short ferry ride away, and boasts its own prominent LGBTQIA+ population.
Situated at the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, picturesque Victoria has a population of around 92,000 and was established as the provincial capital in 1862. Today, it offers plenty of both artsy charm and exceptional natural beauty, with acclaimed museums, cool cafes and a growing number of hip craft breweries, sophisticated cocktail lounges and stylish wine bars – virtually all of them popular with the LGBTQIA crowd – along with a few cozy gay bars.
The city is set around the Inner Harbour, to which ferries from Washington State come and go and seaplanes take off for destinations beyond.
Set aside some time to visit the outstanding Royal BC Museum, have high tea at the refined Fairmont Empress Hotel and saunter through the gardens and lawns of Beacon Hill Park, perhaps catching the sunset or even some rays of sunshine earlier in the day at the park’s Finlayson Point Beach. If you visit from spring through fall, don’t miss the spectacular greenery of The Butchart Gardens, an easy half-hour drive or bus ride away.
Where to stay
An ardent supporter of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and a sponsor of July’s Victoria Pride, the urbane Oswego Hotel is less than two blocks from the gracious Inner Harbour, the ferry from Washington State and the Royal BC Museum. The roomy accommodations all have kitchens and large separate sitting areas, and Bar 500 hosts live music and serves locally-driven modern Canadian cuisine.
Rates start at $289 per night (based on double occupancy).
Rates at the romantic 30-room Abigail’s Hotel, a gracious 1930s Tudor-style boutique lodging close to both the Inner Harbour and leafy Beacon Hill Park, include an artfully plated three-course breakfast. Up the luxury factor by booking one of the top-of-the-line suites with jetted soaker tubs, fireplaces and wet bars.
Rates start at 429 Canadian Dollars (about $321) per night (based on double occupancy).
Hvar, Croatia
An easy boat ride from Split or Dubrovnik, this breathtaking island off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is perfect for a relaxing waterfront vacation on the rippling Adriatic Sea. A longtime summer paradise among European visitors, Hvar has more recently begun attracting travelers from all over the globe, including North America, seeking fresh air and the chance to rejuvenate and float in the surprisingly buoyant waters.
Hvar Town is the island’s main commercial center, a lively and easily walkable medieval village with an attractive seaside marina and narrow cobbled streets lined with bars, restaurants and shops.
Nightlife is lively, with many outdoor clubs and bars along the breezy waterfront catering to a diverse crowd that includes LGBTQIA+ visitors.
A primary reason for visiting Hvar is the chance to cruise the nearby islands, which are mostly small and uninhabited yet are surrounded by some of the most stunning beaches, caves and grottos in the Mediterranean. The Green Cave and the more touristy Blue Cave are mysteriously sunlit by cracks through the rocks, casting an unearthly color to the water that’s difficult to describe in words. If traveling with a group, consider cruising the islands via Sail Dalmatia, which offers chartered boats and yachts staffed by expert tour guides.
Where to stay
Perched on a hill overlooking the azure blue Adriatic Sea, the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort is a leisurely walk from town and is but a stone’s throw from stunning Bonj Beach. It offers cascading pools, a beach club, a swim-up bar and easy access to the waterfront and boat docks.
Rates start at 354 euros (about $383) per night (based on double occupancy).
If a private villa is more your speed, Marriott Homes & Villas Hvar offers several that provide the best of both worlds: luxury and privacy steps away from the rich nightlife, restaurants and shops of Hvar Town.
Rates start at 200 euros (about $217) or 38,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Related: The best Marriott Homes & Villas properties
Guam
This under-the-radar Micronesian island that’s an unincorporated U.S. territory is, for many visitors, an unexpectedly magical place for a tropical beach vacation. One of the friendliest — and most LGBTQ-embracing — getaways in the Asian Pacific, Guam legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 and has become a favorite wedding destination with queer folks from throughout Asia and even Russia.
Think Hawaii, but with fewer crowds and significantly lower prices. You can snorkel in the sheltered, bathtub-warm waters of Tumon Bay and hike in the emerald mountains of the island’s interior, and you’ll discover tasty Thai, Japanese and local Chamorro food at every turn.
The island’s ties to the LGBTQIA+ community are deep. Guam’s Lieutenant Governor, Josh Tenorio, is openly gay, as is the retired Chief Justice of the Guam Supreme Court, Benjamin Cruz. Also, the Island holds a festive Pride rally in late June. Most of Guam’s resorts are in the island’s second-largest town, Tamuning, which offers an array of enticing high-end shops (bargain seekers take note — the entire Island is duty-free), eclectic restaurants and friendly bars, a few of which have strong LGBTQIA+ followings.
Related: 4 best places to travel without a passport from the US
Although it takes some effort to reach this island situated about 1,300 miles east of the Philippines, making the trip from the North American mainland can actually be part of the fun, as you can easily add a long stopover in Hawaii, Tokyo or Seoul.
Where to stay
With a prime location on Tumon Bay, the upscale Dusit Thani Guam Resort rises 30 floors above the beach. The property’s spacious villas and suites offer splendid ocean or mountain views and it’s home to six restaurants, including arguably the best Thai eatery on the island. Indulge at the full-service spa (the couples experiences are utterly romantic), try your hand at a variety of activities on offer, from dolphin-watching cruises to star-gazing programs, or stroll to the luxurious Plaza Shopping Center next door for a dose of retail therapy.
Rates start at $272 per night (based on double occupancy).
A favorite of the island’s LGBTQIA+ visitors, the well-appointed Westin Resort Guam offers a full slate of leisurely pursuits: scuba; snorkeling; kayak and boat rentals; a sprawling pool, a well-equipped fitness center; and the soothing Lavender Spa. There are also five excellent restaurants, spanning sushi to gourmet Italian, and rooms are airy and comfortable with balconies.
Rates start at $243 or 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Medellin, Colombia
The second-largest city in Colombia sits nearly a mile high in a lush, tropical valley of the Andes and is home to one of Latin America’s most dynamic LGBTQIA+ communities. You’ll find that queer folks here are generally quite out and open. Also, the gay-popular nightlife district, Zona Rosa, is located within a fashionable and trendy neighborhood, El Poblado, known for its bustling cafes and restaurants, upscale shopping centers and abundance of desirable hotels. One must-see attraction is the excellent Museum of Antioquia, with its exceptional collection of works by the country’s most acclaimed artist, Fernando Botero.
Now one of Latin America’s leading cities in art, industry and innovation, Medellín has undergone a remarkable turnaround since the 1980s and ‘90s, when the city was plagued by violence and instability during the city’s notorious drug wars. Those days are long gone, and Medellín today is quite safe, especially in the areas of the city where most of the attractions are. You can even book a guided Pablo Escobar Tour, which offers a fascinating deep dive into this infamous period in the nation’s history.
Visitors who come here for the city’s huge Pride weekend in late June and early July will find a wealth of festivities as the streets fill with beautiful people, colorful costumes and great music.
Where to stay
Located in one of the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods, El Poblado (which is also handy for gay clubbing), the upscale Hotel InterContinental Medellín offers luxury accommodations with sweeping views of the city from higher floors.
Rates start at $242 or 43,000 IHG points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Ideally located near the queer nightlife of the Zona Rosa, the Medellín Marriott Hotel stands out for its world-class amenities, which include a pool and fitness center with great views and one of the city’s best Japanese restaurants.
Rates start at $298 or 24,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Osaka, Japan
Home to the second largest LGBTQIA+ scene in Japan, Osaka is more relaxed and liberal than most other Japanese destinations, arguably even Tokyo.
It’s a city of contradictions in that Osaka is both a corporate banking hub while also being a center of arts and creativity. Street food stalls thrive amid the city’s blossoming cherry trees, and towering skyscrapers soar above a network of tiny sake rooms. The city is deservedly known for its first-rate culinary scene and fine sake, which is made locally, shipped around the world and revered by many.
Osaka possesses a wealth of gay bars, clubs and saunas. As tends to be the case throughout Japan, gay bars here are typically smaller and more niche-oriented, and of the three LGBTQIA+-identified areas in Osaka, Doyamacho is especially popular with visitors. Keep in mind that, per the somewhat quirky local regulations, some clubs will admit foreigners only as guests of Japanese citizens, and some do not allow women.
In addition to a buzzy nightlife scene, there is plenty to see in this pulsing metropolis with a greater population of nearly 20 million, such as Osaka Castle, eighth-century Nara Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Universal Studios.
Where to stay
If splurging is on the itinerary, the InterContinental Hotel Osaka is a spectacularly beautiful urban oasis that’s well worth the rather steep rates. The hotel offers restaurants, a superb spa, a well-designed fitness center and close proximity to some of Osaka’s most famous landmarks. It’s just a 10-minute cab ride from Doyamacho’s LGBTQIA+ scene.
Rates start at 58,000 Japanese yen (about $410) or 67,000 IHG points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Towering 34 floors above the city, the sleek and modern Hilton Osaka is connected to Osaka Train Station, an upscale mall and the subway that connects guests to all parts of the city.
Rates start at 27,600 Japanese yen (about $195) or 61,000 Hilton Honors points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Recife, Brazil
An inviting and less-visited (especially among international travelers) alternative to some of Brazil’s more publicized destinations – like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo – this beautiful oceanfront city (population 1.7 million) in the northeastern state of Pernambuco offers a colorful, boisterous and welcoming LGBTQIA+ scene, not to mention some of the most gorgeous beaches in Brazil.
Recife is also known for its extensive system of canals, islands and bridges, which have led to this modern city with a colorful historic quarter (Recife Antigo) being dubbed the Venice of Brazil.
Local food, music and art reflect Recife’s rich and diverse heritage, which is a mix of African, Indigenous, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch. LGBTQIA+ life in Recife is carefree and breezy, just like the weather, which is consistently sunny, balmy and tropical. The scene, with its many bars and clubs, is centered in the Boa Vista district, and several discos pulse with dancing and cruising into the wee hours. During the day, queer sunbathers take to the many blissful, palm-dotted stretches of sand, including long and popular Boa Viagem.
Where to stay
Tall, sleek and gleaming in the plentiful sun, the Radisson Hotel Recife is situated on the beautiful white sands of Boa Viagem Beach. Sightseeing, nightlife, beach clubs and shopping are all nearby, making this hotel a convenient option with something to appeal to every taste.
Rates start at 450 Brazilian reals (about $94) or 15,000 Radisson Rewards points per night (both based on double occupancy).
Right in the middle of the action and close to the beaches, the E/Joy Boa Viagem offers affordable but nicely appointed rooms along with a rooftop pool, a fitness center and restaurants.
Rates start at 208 Brazilian reals (about $44) per night (based on double occupancy).
Dublin, Ireland
LGBTQIA+ travel in the British Isles tends to get the most attention in London, Manchester, Glasgow and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. However, the eternally green and gorgeous country of Ireland has garnered a growing gay following in recent years.
The capital city of Dublin is remarkably welcoming and has a highly visible gay community, and the entire country, which decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and passed marriage equality in 2015, has steadily become one of Europe’s best LGBTQIA+ countries to visit and live. In fact, Leo Varadkar, the country’s taoiseach (prime minister), is openly gay.
Located where the River Liffey empties into the Irish Sea, progressive and easygoing Dublin enjoys a picturesque setting. The city offers plenty of ways for LGBTQIA+ visitors to enjoy themselves, from hobnobbing in the friendly gay cafes and pubs of the Temple Bar district to catching a play at one of the many acclaimed theaters. You can walk by the Oscar Wilde statue in handsome Merrion Square Park and also tour the restored childhood home of this queer literary legend.
Ireland’s literary, cultural, political and LGBTQIA+ capital, Dublin hosts GAZE in late September and early October — this outstanding queer film showcase presented by the Irish Film Institute is one of Europe’s most prestigious. Formed in 1992, it’s the largest LGBTQ event in Ireland after the extremely popular Dublin Pride celebration, which is held in June.
Where to stay
Situated midway between two of Dublin’s loveliest green spaces — St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square Park — the refined, Georgian-style Merrion Hotel dates to the 1760s and has hosted countless dignitaries. Afternoon tea in the regal Drawing Rooms is a longstanding Irish tradition, and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is the recipient of two Michelin stars. The gorgeous campus of Trinity College is just around the corner.
Rates start at 570 euros (about $616) per night (based on double occupancy).
A tony 101-room boutique hotel that’s long had an LGBTQIA+ following, the hip and cozy Temple Bar Inn lies in the heart of Dublin’s lively riverfront nightlife quarter, close to several gay establishments and the oft-photographed Ha’penny Bridge. Rooms are compact but smartly decorated, and the inviting public spaces include an endearingly quirky bar and restaurant.
Rates start at 192 euros (about $208) per night (based on double occupancy).
Taipei, Taiwan
Home to the biggest and most colorful LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration in Asia (it typically draws well over 200,000 participants and spectators), Taiwan’s largest city is by far Asia’s most LGBTQIA+-welcoming, with a government that legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and with a massive, multi-floor queer nightlife complex, Ximen Red House, which bursts with bars, clubs, clothiers, gift shops and restaurants.
This modern, bustling metropolis with about 2.6 million residents is one of Asia’s most celebrated culinary destinations, with hundreds of both swanky and modest restaurants serving Taiwanese, Chinese and other fare from across the continent — the city’s exuberant night markets provide a great way to sample myriad delicious dishes.
Taipei is also known for its fashionable shopping, with one of the city’s top malls located at the base of the iconic Taipei 101 tower (don’t miss the panoramic view from the 101st-floor observation deck). Other notable draws include the National Palace Museum, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
Taiwan Pride is always held in autumn, which is an appealing time to visit, as the weather tends to be mild and dry. It’s also the same season as the indie-spirited Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, which always screens some queer-focused movies.
Where to stay
The chic and contemporary W Taipei is a favorite spot for LGBTQIA+ parties during Taiwan Pride and a fantastic place to stay any time of year. Rooms have soaring windows, some of them overlooking the iconic Taipei 101 tower, and amenities include a beautiful rooftop pool and sundeck, the see-and-be-seen Woobar and Yen Bar and the 31st-floor Yen Chinese Restaurant.
Rates start at 8,820 New Taiwan dollars (about $285) or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
