Gay Spain - Our 6 favourite places to experience LGBT Spain

We wouldn’t blame you for making a beeline straight to Barcelona’s 4.5km of scenic coastline. Start at Sant Miquel or Sant Sebastia Beach, both located near the iconic W Hotel (and just a stone’s throw from downtown Barcelona.) Due to their central location, these gay Barcelona beaches always attract a crowd, but that also means there are plenty of handsome, sun-kissed men around, too. For something a little quieter, Mar Bella is Barcelona’s clothing-optional gay beach. Be sure to stop by Chiringuito BeGay while you’re there, a gay Barcelona institution serving up delicious drinks and beach bites.

For a gay party not soon forgotten, time your visit to Barcelona over one of its world-renowned festivals. The Circuit Festival is a gay Spain classic and Barcelona must-do. Every August, some 100,000 people descend on Barcelona for Europe’s largest gay festival and ten days of riotous good times punctuated by themed dance parties and epic DJs. Don’t miss Circuit’s “Water Park Day,” always a crowd pleaser. Barcelona also hosts one of Spain’s largest Pride Festivals, a fabulous celebration of diversity with a myriad of epic parties across the city. Of course, Barcelona offers plenty of action any time of year, with a vibrant gay nightlife scene to rival any European capital. One of our favourite Barcelona gay bars is Plata Bar, a stylish cocktail bar with a sunny terrace, handsome staff, and expertly crafted drinks. Another icon for gay Barcelona nightlife is El Cangrejo, best known for its weekend drag performances and kitschy, colourful decor.

Gayxample’s central location remains a vibrant hub for LGBTQ+ travellers, offering the perfect starting point to explore Barcelona’s highlights. For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, Monument Hotel on Passeig de Gràcia is an exquisite choice. Situated in a stunning pre-modernist mansion, this five-star gem offers a seamless blend of modern design and historic charm. With its Michelin-starred dining by Martín Berasategui and a serene rooftop terrace complete with a pool and panoramic views, Monument Hotel guarantees a sophisticated and indulgent experience. Additionally, Hotel El Palace Barcelona exudes classic elegance with its opulent interiors, rooftop garden, and world-class spa, providing a regal retreat in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, The One Barcelona stands out with its contemporary design, luxurious spa, and stunning city views from its rooftop bar, making it a haven for those seeking both style and comfort in the gay capital of Spain.

For a charming Spanish coastal retreat, it doesn’t get much better than Sitges. A mere 40-minute train ride from Barcelona, Sitges is a foolproof day trip with enough attractions to easily extend into a gay weekend getaway. By day, join bronzed beauties on any of Sitges’ 17 sun-dappled beaches. By night, explore the mecca of gay bars and clubs, world-class restaurants and thought-provoking art galleries. It’s all very elegant with just the right dose of debauchery, showcasing why Sitges is one of Europe’s most sought-after gay vacation destinations; the Spanish Tourism Board is an excellent place to start planning your Sitges itinerary. The heart of Sitges gay district is Old Town, specifically along Calle Montroig, but Sitges’ notoriety as gay Spain’s premier retreat means the entire town is hugely gay-popular.

When it comes to gay beaches, Sitges doesn’t disappoint. Start your beach hopping at Bassa Rodona, an official gay subsection of Platja de la Ribera just in front of Hotel Calipolis. For Sitges gay clothing-optional beach, Playa del Muerto is tucked away down a 45-minute rocky path. You’ll find fewer amenities but also more privacy here. In search of new swimwear so you can stylishly rock all this beach time? Hop into Menswear Sitges, a concept shop specializing in gay outdoor, fetish and clubbing clothing, brought to you by trendy Barcode Clothes.

Start your exploration of gay Madrid in Chueca Square, easily distinguishable by the plethora of billowing rainbow flags that decorate most establishments. This is Madrid’s buzzing gayborhood, a veritable hotbed of LGBT bars, cafes, and restaurants. Madrid’s most gay-popular square is also one of its most fashionable, so expect plenty of avant-garde boutiques, alternative design labels, and cosy wine bars. For a full list of our favourite spots in Chueca, don’t miss our in-depth gay Madrid City Guide.

In keeping with Spaniards’ insatiable appetite for stylish nightlife venues, Madrid offers snazzy gay haunts of all styles and sizes. An underground gay bar that attracts an earlier crowd, Why Not? is a gorgeous, if narrow, space full of beautiful people unabashedly dancing the night away to pop and Top 40s playlists. If it’s a megaclub you’re after, Sala Cool’s Saturday night gay MalaMala party is the place to see and be seen. Multi-level bars surround the central dance floor, where you’ll find a mosaic of drag queens, trendsetters, locals and tourists. A refurbished cinema turned contemporary gay club, Marta, cariño, promises strong imbibements crafted by equally intoxicating staff in a unique, always lively atmosphere. That said, like most gay Spain nightlife, it’s best to arrive after midnight.

Madrid’s Chueca district continues to be a magnet for LGBTQ+ travellers, with accommodations that offer both luxury and a welcoming atmosphere on its doorstep. For those desiring an elevated experience, The Madrid EDITION presents a new level of sophistication. This stylish hotel blends modern design with a rich cultural experience, featuring a rooftop pool, a chic bar, and signature dining that makes it an urban oasis. Nearby, Urso Hotel & Spa impresses with its elegant 20th-century architecture, bespoke design, and indulgent spa, ensuring a stay that is both luxurious and tranquil. For ultimate opulence, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid offers a stunning blend of historical grandeur and modern luxury, with a rooftop restaurant providing breathtaking views of Madrid, making it a top choice for discerning gay travellers.

The seductive ‘nightlife capital of the Mediterranean,’ Ibiza’s spirited reputation precedes it. And while you won’t find us complaining about the world-class DJs and bacchanalian nightlife, the Spanish island offers much more than debauchery alone. Gay Ibiza is what you make of it—wildly fun with a cosmopolitan edge and home to azure waters, swaths of protected terrain, and stunning white sand beaches. Mr Hudson’s ultimate guide to Ibiza and Formentera is a fitting starting point for planning your picture-perfect gay Spain vacation. That said, gay Ibiza centres around Calle de la Virgen, where bustling gay bars and terraces dominate the territory. It’s especially lively during Ibiza Pride, attracting travellers from some 50+ countries.

Sweat out the previous evening’s toxins at any one of Ibiza’s blissful beaches, where clutch opportunities for tranquil respite and replenishment await before another all-night raver on the town. Head first to Es Cavallet, Ibiza’s only official gay beach (and popular nudist hangout.) This long white sandy beach surrounded by dunes is also where you’ll find Chiringay, a gay Ibiza institution that doles out quality food and boozy tropical cocktails. Worth a mention is Figueretas Beach, a gay-popular hangout largely due to its proximity to the nearby gay Ibiza hallmarks Chaos Bar and Cenit Hotel.

Valencia gay nightlife is synonymous with The Muse, one of the city’s premier gay bars. Expect contemporary decor and a sizeable dance area, along with a sunny outdoor terrace that makes for a perfect spot to sip sangria at the start of your night. Cafe de las Horas is a veritable stunner, dripping with glittering chandeliers and chic Parisian influences. The vintage, old-world atmosphere is a highly popular spot with gays, especially when there’s a cabaret show happening. Open all day, this spot is equally as enjoyable for coffee and pastries as it is for champagne. La Boba y el Gato Rancio is a laid-back gay bar distinguished by the not-so-subtle giant rainbow flag out front, attracting a decent crowd earlier in the evening. We also love Trapezzio Gay-Friendly Cafe for its expansive terrace and ultra-friendly staff.

Valencia’s eclectic mix of historic charm and modern sophistication is reflected in its top accommodations. Only You Hotel Valencia brings a fresh, luxurious option to the city. Located in the heart of the city, this stylish hotel combines modern design with warm, inviting spaces, making it a perfect choice for LGBTQ+ travellers seeking both comfort and convenience. Hospes Palau de La Mar offers another exceptional option with its elegant 19th-century architecture, beautiful garden courtyard, and a luxurious spa, providing a serene and sophisticated escape within the bustling city.

Once a sleepy fishing village, today Benidorm is a lively gay coastal retreat idyllically situated in Spain’s Alicante region. With some 50 gay bars—the first of which opened its doors back in the ‘70s—what Benidorm lacks in size it makes up for with plenty of pizzazz. The renowned music festivals Low-Cost Festival and Electrobeach draw a nice annual crowd to Benidorm, as does the city’s week-long Pride Festival which (unlike many other Pride events) is free to the general public. Quaint, walkable Old Town doubles as Benidorm’s gay village, a laid-back conglomeration of mellow gay bars spilling over with tourists, expats and Spaniards alike. Near to Old Town is the alluring gay Poniente Beach; its tree-lined promenade makes for an appealing afternoon walk alongside the Mediterranean. Another famous gay beach is Raco de Conill, a sheltered little spot that, due to the seclusion, also attracts nudists.