Staying in lockdown since March has been necessary but also incredibly tiring, and nothing sounds better than a break out of the house right now! Thankfully, there are a lot of places within Europe that will soon be open to UK travellers and be ready to take tourists for a quick getaway.
If you’re LGBTQ+ and itching to travel, here are some cool (and friendly!) places where members of the LGBTQ+ community can travel to, will be welcomed and can have fun…
This post was written in collaboration with Emily Jones.
Oslo and Fjord Tour, Norway
Oslo has become increasingly popular in recent years, and Norway’s capital is a trendy metropolis where you can head to for a getaway to incredible nature. Since the fjord is located right off the city, you can get to nature quickly when you want a break from the city. By the water, you can explore the forest and mountains and catch a view from almost anywhere.
Before you go, you can learn a few new Norwegian words by using a language app such as Babbel for example. Also, having it for reference on your phone will help your trip go as smooth as possible!
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is known for having an insanely cool culture and is historically one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in Europe to travel to. Some of the most culturally rich areas not to miss are Kreuzberg and Neukölln. While in the city, visit the Brandenberg Gate (the symbol of Berlin), Graffitis on East Side Gallery, and for a night out check out the The Club for art exhibitions and shows.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is definitely worth a visit and it is a city that is open and welcoming! It has a vibrant art, Scandinavian chic scene and is often referred to one of the friendliest cities in the world. Popular sites to see here are Tivoli Gardens, the Amalienborg and Christiansborg palaces, the Little Mermaid statue, and museums and nightclubs along the way. If you want to get outside and explore, rent a bike! Copenhagen is a very bicycle friendly city and it enables you to stop and explore as you please.
Milan, Italy
Milan is a city full of charm and character, with incredible shopping, restaurants, bars, and sites to see. It is the headquarters of Arcigay, the country’s leading gay organisation and many will tell you that Milan is the most welcoming city in Italy for the LGBTQ+ community. But let’s be honest, Italy is calling us for all that amazing pizza and pasta dishes!
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is a pretty progressive country in terms of rights, and discrimination is prohibited here! Lisbon has warm weather, gorgeous views over the water, a hilly city to explore, and friendly locals that make for a perfect environment for a rejuvenating getaway. While here, you can enjoy the sea, dive into diverse Portuguese food, and relax!
Madrid, Spain
Madrid has warm weather, tapas, and a lot of history to explore! You’ve got to eat the oranges, as they are famous for being some of the best in Europe, amongst other types of Spanish dishes!
For a getaway here, the Chueca district is especially popular for different kinds of bars and nightlife and exploring the San Antón food market is a must. You can also plan your visit for next year (when hopefully the pandemic will be under control) to the Pride parade, which is one of the largest in Europe!
Lyon, France
Lyon is a beautiful city situated at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. It is known for its extensive history and architecture, as a gastronomical capital, and home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites.
If you want a getaway where you can eat well, explore medieval stone buildings, and explore by foot, Lyon is a great destination.
Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is a gorgeous city surrounded by the Alps. While here, go for a stroll along the cobbled streets through the old town, paddle-board across Lake Geneva, para-glide from Switzerland to France for some adventure, and indulge in some local food such as cheese fondue. You can make your getaway to Geneva as active and adventures or as relaxing as you want it to be with so much to see and do.
A quick weekend trip to any of these places will have you feeling rejuvenated and ready to focus all of your attention on your kids, jobs and life at home!
Here are just a few LGBTQ-friendly travel ideas, but we’re always on the look out for more places to add to our list! If you have any suggestions or great recommendations, let us know!
Thanks for reading!
