LGBT+ travel
LGBT+ travel: where you can just be yourself
Same-sex relationships are legal in around two-thirds of the world's countries and criminalised in roughly 60. Laws are only part of the picture, though. Some countries with harsh laws still welcome huge numbers of gay visitors in their resorts, and some where it is fully legal can feel tense once you leave the capital.
This hub explains our LGBT+ map ratings and the places where the tourist experience differs from the law. It also lists the big pride events UK travellers fly to.
Before you pick a destination
A few general points hold almost everywhere:
- Dating apps are the biggest risk in countries where it's illegal. Police and criminals have used fake profiles to arrest, rob or blackmail people in Egypt, Morocco and Jamaica, and the FCDO warns about this directly.
- Hotels are usually the safe zone. International chains in strict countries tend to treat same-sex couples like any other guests.
- Social media can be evidence. Posting from a country where same-sex activity is illegal can create a legal problem.
- Trans and non-binary travellers may face problems at the border if their appearance doesn't match their passport. The FCDO mentions this for Egypt, and the UAE criminalises cross-dressing.
How we rate countries
Our LGBT+ filter combines the legal position, as summarised by the UK government's FCDO, with how things feel on the ground for visitors. We use four levels.
Same-sex relationships are legal and protected, there is a visible scene, and holding hands rarely turns heads in the main cities.
Legal, but attitudes vary a lot between the big cities and everywhere else. Expect to read the room outside the scene.
Same-sex relationships are illegal or prosecuted under other laws. Visitors are rarely targeted in tourist areas, but public affection, dating apps and social media carry real legal risk.
Harsh penalties are enforced, or LGBT+ people face organised harassment. We would not recommend travelling as an openly LGBT+ visitor.
Where the tourist experience differs from the law
In these countries the national law is strict or the mood is conservative, yet the tourist hubs are visited by many LGBT+ travellers without incident. 'Safer' here means lower risk if you are discreet. It doesn't mean protected: the law still applies to you.
- Morocco: Marrakech riadsIllegal or prosecuted
Same-sex relations are illegal and public affection can lead to prosecution. Gay couples stay in Marrakech riads every week, and staff rarely blink at two men or two women booking a double room. Be careful on dating apps.
- UAE: Dubai hotels and resortsIllegal or prosecuted
Illegal under UAE law, and the FCDO says people have been punished, especially for public behaviour. International hotels are generally relaxed about same-sex couples sharing a room. Keep affection private.
- Indonesia: Bali vs AcehNationally Illegal; death penalty possible Here Legal, but conservative attitudes
Aceh enforces Sharia law, which can mean public caning, even for non-Muslims. Bali, a Hindu island built on tourism, has an openly gay bar strip in Seminyak.
- Türkiye: Istanbul and BodrumLegal, but conservative attitudes
Legal, but pride has been banned since 2015 and official rhetoric has hardened. Istanbul's Beyoğlu still has a long-running gay scene.
- Mexico: Puerto Vallarta and Mexico CityNationally Legal, but conservative attitudes Here Legal and broadly accepted
The FCDO says same-sex relations are tolerated rather than accepted across Mexico. Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City's Zona Rosa are among the most open places in Latin America.
- Jamaica: all-inclusive resortsIllegal or prosecuted
Sex between men is illegal, and attitudes can be hostile. Many international resort chains welcome same-sex couples, but it is wise to check the hotel's policy before booking.
Pride calendar
- Feb–MarCape Town Pride
South Africa's biggest pride, usually late February or early March. 2027 dates TBC.
- 3–9 May 2027Maspalomas Pride, Gran Canaria
A week of parties and a parade in the dunes resort at Playa del Inglés.
- Late May (TBC)Puerto Vallarta Pride, Mexico
Beach-town pride in Mexico's best-known gay resort.
- 30 May 2027São Paulo Pride, Brazil
One of the largest pride parades in the world, along Avenida Paulista. Reported date, to be confirmed by the organisers.
- Late May–June (TBC)Bangkok Pride, Thailand
In 2026 the parade was on 31 May. Phuket and Pattaya hold their own prides in late May and June.
- Late June (TBC)Mexico City Pride
More than 500,000 people marched in June 2026.
- Late Jun–early Jul (TBC)Madrid Pride (MADO)
Europe's biggest pride by many counts. In 2026 it ran from 25 June to 5 July, with the parade on 4 July.
- August (TBC)Circuit Festival, Barcelona
A huge week-long party festival. In 2026 it ran from 1 to 9 August.
- November (TBC)Winter Pride Maspalomas
A second pride week in Gran Canaria, timed for winter sun.
See the full Pride 2027 calendar
Dates marked TBC have not been announced yet. Check the organiser before booking.
Destination guides
Detailed guides to popular destinations where the LGBT+ picture is interesting, complicated or worth celebrating.
Illegal under UAE law, yet many couples holiday here. Hotels are discreet, but public affection, apps and posts carry real risk.
Read the guide →Illegal, with public affection prosecutable. Marrakech riads are relaxed with couples, but dating apps are a known trap.
Read the guide →No explicit ban, but LGBT+ people are prosecuted under 'debauchery' laws. Resorts are fine with discretion, but apps are dangerous.
Read the guide →Legal, with a scene in Istanbul, but pride has been banned since 2015 and official hostility is growing.
Read the guide →Equal marriage since January 2025, and the FCDO calls it generally safe for LGBT+ travellers. Bangkok Pride is now a huge event.
Read the guide →Bali's Seminyak has an open scene, while Aceh canes people under Sharia law. A new criminal code adds risk for unmarried couples.
Read the guide →Equal marriage nationwide, with Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City among Latin America's most open places. Rural areas are more conservative.
Read the guide →Equal marriage and one of the world's biggest prides in São Paulo. Violence against LGBT+ people outside the big cities is a serious issue.
Read the guide →Sex between men is illegal and attitudes can be hostile. Many international resorts welcome couples, but outside them, discretion matters.
Read the guide →One of the world's most LGBT+-friendly countries. Maspalomas, Sitges, Torremolinos and Madrid are all a short flight from the UK.
Read the guide →Before you book
- Read the LGBT+ section on the FCDO page for your country. Every country page has one.
- Check your hotel's policy on same-sex couples if you're going somewhere strict.
- Turn off location sharing on dating apps, or don't use them, in countries where it's illegal.
- Save the number of the nearest British embassy. Consular staff will help regardless of your sexuality or gender identity.
- Check your travel insurance covers legal costs abroad.