30 Top LGBTQ Travel Destinations for 2019

by Paul Heney
Last updated:: 6:00 AM ET, Fri January 4, 2019

LGBT rainbow flag outside in the sun (Photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus) (GummyBone / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Montreal, Canada (Photo via Hubert Figuière / Flickr / Creative Commons) (Photo via Hubert Figuière / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Brno, Czech Republic (Photo via David~ / Flickr / Creative Commos)

Myanmar (Photo via Paul Arps / Flickr / Creative Commons)

PHOTO: Landmarks of New York City. (Photo via spyarm / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Cape Town, South Africa (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Thailand (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Cloud Gate in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo via Sean Pavone / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

Sitges, Spain (Photo via Jef Nickerson / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Tel Aviv, Israel (Photo via Ted Eytan / Flickr / Creative Commons)

PHOTO: Washington, D.C. (Photo via John Brighenti / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Puerto Rico (Photo via Jeff Gunn / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Taipei (Photo via bryan / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Austin, Texas. (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Barcelona, Spain (photo via Paul J. Heney) (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Photo via wontolla-gdl / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo via Jeff Gunn / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Saba, Dutch Caribbean (Photo via killians_red / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Mexico City, Mexico (Photo via Esparta Palma / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Tokyo, Japan (Photo via Yoshikazu TAKADA / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Cleveland, Ohio (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

San Francisco, California (Photo via Paul J. Heney)

London, England (Photo via Pedro Szekely / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania (Photo via Dan Gaken / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo via Kristoffer Trolle / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Zurich, Switzerland (Photo via Kamil Porembinski / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Hong Kong (Photo via istolethetv / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Santiago, Chile (Photo via simenon / Flickr / Creative Commons)

Mykonos, Greece (Photo via Hassan Rafeek / Flickr / Creative Commons)

LGBTQ Travel in 2019

1/31

From gorgeous beach destinations to dynamic urban experiences, LGBTQ travelers are always looking for that next "new" place to visit. But the queer community still has some old standbys, places that are accepting and hold a special place in its collective heart. Here are 30 places that should be on the radar for queer travelers in 2019.

Montreal, Canada

2/31

In addition to being perhaps one of the most European cities in North America, Montreal hosts one of the largest Pride events in the world. Why spend the money and the time to fly over to Paris, when there's a lovely alternative that's less than a two-hour flight from most of the East Coast?

Brno, Czech Republic

3/31

While Prague has been hot for many years, gay travelers are also discovering the Czech Republic's second largest city and the fantastic surrounding Moravian countryside. There is a small town feel to the city, which is sometimes called the country's Biggest Village. Visitors here enjoy the blend of ancient and modern architecture.

Myanmar

4/31

This Southeast Asian gem has only opened up to the rest of the world in the last decade. The country is actively courting tourists in areas, and the American dollar goes extremely far here. While the country's laws (like many others in Asia) are not friendly to LGBT citizens, more queer visitors are exploring the country's cities and religious sites and have reported hospitality and acceptance in tourist areas.

New York City

5/31

New York is always a queer travelers' hotspot, but 2019 looks to be something special, with the city's hosting of World Pride 2019 as well as recognizing the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Visitors can party, see the sights and also reflect on how far we've come and what work we still have to do.

Cape Town, South Africa

6/31

South Africa's famed "Mother City" is probably the gayest, most progressive city on the entire continent. Queer European travelers have long enjoyed the city's beaches, wine growing regions, glamorous hotels, and stunning natural beauty...and now more North Americans are starting to catch on to this Southern Hemisphere gem.

Thailand

7/31

From the urban excitement of Bangkok to the breathtaking beaches of Phuket to the amazing religious architecture of Chiang Mai, there's an endless variety to see in this southeast Asian country. Queer travelers have been warmly welcomed here for many years, and it's inexpensive to get around and explore. Throw in cheap massages and what more can you want?

Chicago, Illinois

8/31

Hang out next summer at Chicago's lovely Hollywood Beach, also called the "gay beach" in Edgewater. Chicago has a seemingly endless supply of gorgeous men, and you'll find many of them here all summer long, not covering up any more than necessary. Plus, this Midwestern favorite is everything an American city aspires to be with great cuisine, important architecture, a friendly vibe, and impressive lodging to boot.

Sitges, Spain

9/31

While Barcelona is on many best-of lists (including this one!), one of the favorite new queer destinations is this idyllic beach town located about 25 miles southwest of the Catalan giant. Sitges has long been an artistic hangout, and LGBTQ travelers will also enjoy the thriving nightlife scene here.

Tel Aviv, Israel

10/31

Queer visitors to this urban mecca come back year after year for its famously sunny weather, miles of great beaches, and gay-friendly vibe. In fact, some people even describe this second largest city in Israel as the gayest city on the planet. Tel Aviv is full of great museums, interesting architecture, hip restaurants and plenty of clubs.

Washington, D.C.

11/31

Just because a certain anti-gay administration is in town currently doesn't mean that the nation's capital shouldn't be on your 2019 queer list. There's a huge, vibrant queer community here, which means there's always a party happening. And with so much cultural wealth to visit during the day, you'll need a reserve of energy to keep going after dark.

Puerto Rico

12/31

One of the more gay-friendly places in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is back open for business after its awful string of storms-plus it's safe and perfectly in order in all the main tourist areas. What's more, there are some really fabulous places such as Culebra that are relatively undiscovered.

Taipei

13/31

Last year, Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, and the nation is slowly moving toward this eventuality-great news for queer citizens, especially in Asia, where equality is far behind North American and Europe. Visit some of the largest gay saunas in Asia or hit up local clubs, which focus on everything from hot bears to hot beats.

Austin, Texas

14/31

Locals in Austin promote the concept of "Keep Austin Weird"-you'll even see it on shirts and hats. So LGBTQ travelers will find a naturally welcoming place here. Austin is known worldwide for great live music, and its restaurant scene gets better every year. In addition to being an urban paradise, there is plenty of nature close by, so most anyone will find something to love here.

Barcelona, Spain

15/31

The capital of Catalonia, Barcelona has a wealth of incredible architecture, beautiful boulevards, amazing food at every turn and some of the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere. Stroll around Gayxample, the local gayborhood, wander La Rambla, perhaps Barcelona's best-known street, or spend the day at the city's lovely beaches and fall in love with this Spanish paradise.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

16/31

While there's really no bad time to visit this Mexican city, perched on a graceful bay, queer travelers seem to take it over each year from October through May, when temperatures across much of the U.S. are colder. Hardly a month or two pass by without a major annual event, from Pride to New Year's to the White Party.

Asheville, North Carolina

17/31

This magical North Carolina city is set amidst the state's western mountains and is perhaps most famous for the nearby Biltmore Estate. But there is a vibrant and active LGBTQ community here, and visitors will enjoy this progressive town's college vibe, extensive art scene and abundant natural beauty.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

18/31

Bronzed bodies are seemingly everywhere in and around this South American hotspot, so why wouldn't it be on all queer travelers' lists? Even with the country taking a more conservative tack politically, the home of Copacabana and Ipanema is still a worthwhile visit for gay singles or couples. The weather here is lovely year-round and the exchange rate is a definite positive for American travelers.

Saba, Dutch Caribbean

19/31

Located a short ferry ride (or shorter flight) from St. Maartin, Saba is loved for its beautiful ocean vistas and its seclusion, as it is not on the radar of many Caribbean tourists, and too small for mega cruise liners to stop at. Queer travelers are warmly welcomed here, and it was actually the first island in the Caribbean to legally approve same-sex marriage, back in 2012.

Mexico City, Mexico

20/31

Queer equality has been a reality in much of Mexico for years, and gay travelers will find a vibrant, active community in the country's capital city. The bar scene here is fantastic, and the enormous metro area offers something for everyone, with world-class museums, great food and plenty of outside options, too.

Tokyo, Japan

21/31

This city is looking forward to hosting the 2020 Olympics, and queer travelers can get a head start on experiencing the city's vibrancy in 2019. This densely-populated metro area is more accepting of LGBTQ citizens than some expect, and you'll find the requisite bars, saunas, dance clubs and more. Check out the new Toyosu Fish Market, which recently replaced the venerable Tsukiji market, which had to close due to Olympic construction. The new market is almost twice the size of the old one.

Cleveland, Ohio

22/31

This city on Lake Erie wasn't on the queer scene until it unexpectedly won the right to host the 2014 Gay Games, which was considered a huge success. Cleveland now boasts a vast foodie scene, a plethora of great regional microbreweries and a range of fantastic art museums (including the Cleveland Museum of Art, pictured) and galleries.

Honolulu, Hawaii

23/31

Honolulu Pride (pictured) is one of the most international, joyous Pride celebrations that you will find. The parade moves through town on busy Kalakaua Avenue, with festivities at Kapiolani Park and the Waikiki Shell. The majority of the queer-owned businesses and gay clubs in the islands are here in Honolulu, and the city's international airport has good connectivity with most of the U.S. hubs.

San Francisco, California

24/31

The City by the Bay has long been a mecca for gay travelers, and it continues to be an important global destination for LGBTQ tourists. From the nightlife in the Castro to the views around every corner to a thousand magical spots to discover, like the Palace of Fine Arts (pictured), there's something for everyone in your gay gaggle.

London, England

25/31

London is a natural magnet for queer citizens in the United Kingdom and across Europe. It offers a fantastic array of attractions, along with plenty of history, an art and theater scene beyond compare, and plenty of architectural eye candy, both old and new.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

26/31

LGBTQ travelers may associate this western Pennsylvania city with the setting of the TV Series Queer as Folk. This rust-belt city has been reinventing itself in recent years as a robotics center, and the economy is humming here. You'll find plenty of charm in the downtown area, which is liberally sprinkled with bridges crossing the three rivers. Take in a summer baseball game or wander through the lovely Oakland neighborhood, with its many universities, museums and restaurants.

Copenhagen, Denmark

27/31

This accepting city will be hosting WorldPride and the EuroGames in 2021, so get a head start on your friends by checking out the Danish capital in 2019. Denmark was the world's first country to recognize same-sex partnerships, in 1989, and the nation remains one of the most queer-friendly places you'll find today.

Zurich, Switzerland

28/31

Zurich, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Zurich, may bring to mind banking and finance, but the largest city in Switzerland also boasts convenient access to the Alps, beautiful waterfront promenades, and a liberal mindset that has resulted in a vibrant gay and lesbian scene. Come for the annual Pink Apple Film Festival or the city's gay Angel parties, which happen four times per year.

Hong Kong

29/31

Hong Kong often walks a tightrope between Chinese and Western values, and its past treatment of LGBTQ people has not been good. But change is in the air here, and the city was recently awarded the 2022 Gay Games, giving the local queer community something exciting to build around.

Santiago, Chile

30/31

Surrounded by the glorious Andes, Santiago is a lovely urban mecca that is also located an easy drive away from world-famous wine country and chic seaside town along the Pacific. You'll find wide acceptance of queer couples here (the country legalized gay marriage in 2015), and a fun gay neighborhood in Barrio Bellavista, with restaurants, clubs, and plenty of shopping.

Mykonos, Greece

31/31

You certainly can't go wrong with traveling to a Greek island. But this very tolerant island continues to hold a special place in the hearts of queer travelers, thanks to its turquoise waters, well-preserved architecture, and fantastic weather. Head to the beaches on a sunny day, and you'll find a plethora of gay and lesbian sunbathers.

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Paul Heney

Paul J. Heney is a lifelong writer and avid world traveler. He's served as Editorial Director for several hospitality magazines, including Luxury Hotelier, Hotel Design, and Hotel & Motel Management. He has written extensively about family travel, green issues, cruises, and LGBT travel issues. He has won multiple Azbee awards for writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and served as National President of the association from 1999-2003. He lives in suburban Cleveland with his partner and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @paulheney or Instagram at @paulheney.