June is here and you know what that means? It’s Pride month! A month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. This June marks 53 years since the first the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement where many marches have been made for the Pride celebrations around the world towards the liberation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities at the best gay-friendly holiday destinations.
To commemorate the occasion, many Pride celebrations around the world will take place in all LGBT friendly countries. With vibrant parades, parties, demonstrations, seminars, film festivals, concerts, and much more. Plus, there’s something for everyone at Pride and everyone is welcome at Pride.
So, grab your rainbow flag and get your Pride on! To make things easier, we’ve created a list of the best Pride celebrations around the world at the top gay friendly holiday destinations for 2025.
Is it easy and safe to travel to gay-friendly travel destinations?
When it comes to holidays, it is often hard to know which destinations are safe and suitable for gay travel. The world of gay-friendly travel is progressively broadening. Presently, whether you’re looking for a fun getaway, or a romantic rendezvous with your better half, travelling to these gay-friendly destinations, is safe, easy and better than ever!
Top 6 pride celebrations around the world
If you had to pick just one gay-friendly travel destination to enjoy Pride celebrations around the world, there are plenty of places that are warm and welcoming.
Whether it’s pristine beaches, lively streets, chic towns or an exciting LGBT nightlife scene, these gay friendly holiday destinations will surely be some of the best spots for pride celebrations around the world. So, if you’re looking to squeeze in a holiday, we will inspire you with our list of favourite gay travel hotspots for 2025!
1. Pride in the UK
This year the UK Pride celebrations are promising, and the theme for this year’s parade will be “Visibility, Unity and Equality.” There will be immense celebrations taking place in some of the gayest cities in UK, such as Bristol, London, Manchester, Brighton and the Birmingham Pride 2025 are just a few of the UK cities rolling out the rainbow flags and parties. So, put on your best pride festival outfits, get your glitter and face paint on, and prepare for some good times ahead!
★ Gay retreats UK
Whether you’re looking for relaxation, a fitness retreat or an urban escape in the UK, these gay retreats in the UK would be the ideal spots for the gay traveller. Where you and your significant other can focus on your wellbeing as well. Here are some of the best gay retreats in the UK for 2025.
- Tofte Manor in Bedfordshire
- Stede Court in Kent
- Norfolk Yoga Retreat
- The clubhouse at Fritton Lake
- Infinity Pool Nadarra, The Coniston
- Men’s Spring Equinox at Broughton Hall, Yorkshire
- The Barre Coach Retreat, Cheshire
- Oxon Hoath Tai Chi and Meditation Retreat, Kent
- The Human Method at Fair Oak Farm, Sussex
- YogaHikes in the Lake District
- Mindful Wild Camping in Dartmoor National Park
- Wild swimming in Cornwall / St Michael’s Resort
- Digital detox at Glass House in Essex
2. Pride in Iceland
Iceland is very famous for its equality and vibrant nightlife. And is considered as one of the top gay friendly holiday destinations for pride celebrations around the world. The annual Iceland Pride festival celebrated couldn’t possibly be more fabulous. The gay pride in Iceland is a huge event on the national calendar and is a celebration of love, happiness, equality, and diversity, and you should definitely be a part of the Gay Pride.
3. Pride in Malta
Dreaming of an island in the sun? Then Malta is your best bet. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is a pint-sized island that is crowned as Europe’s hottest up and coming gay hot spot, best known for its picturesque architecture, gorgeous beaches, amazing vibes, eclectic party scene making it one of the best gay friendly holiday destinations that also hosts an annual Gay Pride festival in Valletta, in a vibrant setting, with fun and beautiful surroundings.
4. Pride in France
Paris Pride, is a festive and powerful Gay Pride parade, in France with non-stop fun activities and parties. This lively and colourful event brings together a huge crowd in a single parade where everyone has the freedom to express themselves. This makes it one of the best Pride celebrations around the world. With many exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, dance and sports demonstrations, voguing performances, festive evenings, loud music, pride festival outfits and clubbing, among other things.
5. Pride in Denmark
If you are looking for awesome Pride celebrations around the world, Copenhagen Pride takes a top spot on the list. It is considered as one of the top gay-friendly holiday destinations in Europe. This is also Denmark’s biggest celebration of diversity, held annually in August, and everybody is welcome!
Copenhagen Pride makes a great option as not only one of the world’s most lgbt friendly holiday destinations but also has a long and proud LGBTQ history. The Danes sure know how to throw a party as you’ll find that the entire town is decked out in rainbow flags, glitter, and the City Hall Square is even renamed Pride Square!
6. Pride in Italy
Italy is the kind of place that will have you hooked on forever. With incredible views, awe-inspiring architecture and delectable food, it is the perfect holiday destination. Even though Italy is stereotyped as being quite conservative, it hosts the best Pride celebrations around the world.
Italy offers a lively LGBTQ scene as in places like Rome and Milan which is lauded as the gay capital of Italy. You are guaranteed a wonderful time at this lgbt friendly holiday destinations where the streets are brimming with people celebrating during the Parade and the parties here get pretty wild!
BONUS
Pride in New York
Pride in New York is considered one of the most revelled pride celebrations around the world and one of the best gay-friendly holiday destinations. It’s an eminent bluster of colour, music, dance and pure joy that will make your heart flutter. The entire month of June is packed with events celebrating LGBTQ culture. The whole city comes together to throw an epic party that manages to be moving, inspiring and offering a hell of a good time all at once. So, it should be number 1 on your list of places to celebrate Pride as it is one of the top gay friendly holidays abroad.
Fact: New York the birthplace of the Pride movement which was called Christopher Street Liberation Day, illustrated the spirit, diversity and concerns of the LGBT community in 1969.
Holidays for gay singles
Planning on celebrating pride on your own? Well, don’t worry here is a list of places where you could go enjoy some much-deserved time for yourself. And, who knows, you might even end up finding someone to mingle at one of these gay-friendly holiday destinations.
Pro tips to travel to gay-friendly holiday destinations
➺ Book your breaks through LGBT-specific websites
You can be certain to stay in gay-friendly places by using LGBT-specific websites for booking.
➺ Mingle with the locals
Get to know the local LGBTQ community and ask around for local tips, suggestions on the tourist sights, the best bars, and events.
➺ Visit local drag shows
Visiting local drag shows offers an atmosphere that is often light-hearted and fun. Plus, it is a super way to connect with the local LGBT community.
➺ Do plenty of research before you go
Spend a little bit of time doing some research before travelling to a new destination. You can then get to know if or what the LGBT rights issues are in that specific region.
➺ Go to gay bars and coffee shops
Going to a coffee shop or a gay bar is always a good idea when in a new location. That’s where you’ll find flyers, maps of the nearby gay-friendly establishments and local LGBT information.
➺ Travel during pride festivals
Gay pride festivals can be a great reason to travel to a new destination. Pride festivals are usually multi-day affairs and coincide with LGBTQ activities.
TIP-IN A TIP – You’re going to have bucket loads of fun so don’t forget to hydrate yourself with plenty of water!
➺ Visit LGBTQ hotspots
If you’re looking for authentic travel experiences at one of the best gay-friendly holiday destinations, try travelling to one of the more popular LGBTQ travel hotspots as mentioned above.
➺ Report any problems
The local LGBTQ organizations can help you inform or report any issues if you face any harassment while travelling.
➺ Get inspiration from gay travel blogs
There are countless gay/gay-friendly travel blogs that cover both typical and atypical LGBT destinations and useful links to make things easier for you to find.
➺ Have fun & be safe!
While LGBTQ rights may vary across the world, you don’t have to let that hinder your own travel experiences. All you have to do is be cautious, stay safe, and trust your gut as you take on and enjoy the world!
Feeling inspired? Then it’s time you book a holiday to one of these gay-friendly holiday destinations. All you have to do is take a pick and give us a call or drop us a line and our travel experts will get in touch with you to plan a wonderful Pride celebration with your loved one. What are you waiting for? Start packing now!
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