If you’re planning on taking a holiday, or seeing the world, you might be interested in visiting some of the world’s best gay-friendly destinations.
Here are 10 of the most gay-friendly places to visit, where you can have the trip of a lifetime, and truly be yourself.
1: West Hollywood, CA, USA
A lively city in the heart of Los Angeles, West Hollywood (or WeHo as the local residents call it) is the epitome of gay-friendly.
It’s a safe haven for the young and old, and does well at showing its diversity. The streets are lined with pride flags and the bars hold nightly events that are inclusive of all. You’ll probably find that most bars even have dedicated ‘gay nights’!
2: Montevideo, Uruguay
Even if you’ve never heard of Montevideo before, you’ll be packing your bags and jumping on a plan once you’ve seen what this city has to offer. It has everything from beautiful art deco features to quaint seaside escapes.
The club scene is active and full of life. You’ll never be short of a bar to visit! But if you were hoping for a more sophisticated travel experience, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of artistic sights to be seen, and fancy restaurants to try out.
It’s home to a large LGBTQ population and honors marriage equality to the fullest. It’s also only a 2-hour journey from its notorious neighbor, Buenos Aires.
3: Florianopolis, Brazil
With a culture known to be kind-hearted and welcoming, it’s no surprise that this Brazilian destination makes the list.
It’s on the list of up and coming queer locations, with several lesbian-run businesses and even a gay surf camp that draws in quite a few visitors each year.
The best part is, most people have probably never heard of it before, so you could consider it relatively undiscovered!
Whether you’re hoping for relaxing, exotic beaches, or buzzing nightlife, this city is a dream come true.
4: Brighton, England, UK
Brighton is the gay capital of the United Kingdom, and this seaside English town knows how to live.
Impressively, Brighton is home to its very own Trans Pride weekend. They have been celebrating this for over 5 years, meaning that more and more LGBTQ travelers have been making their way to the accepting city.
Take a stroll through the city and you’ll see just how many same-sex couples reside there happily. There are plenty of gay bars and businesses as well, so wherever you go in Brighton, you can truly be yourself without a worry in the world.
Plus, if you ever have the urge to visit London, the train ride is only 30 minutes!
5: Toronto, Canada
Toronto’s gay scene is HUGE, and it’s ever rising. You’ll even find a ‘gay village’, known as The Village, in the center of the city. There’s gay friendly restaurants, shops, bars and clubs. The Village isn’t even the only place to find LGBT hot spots; mostly everywhere in the city contains gay-friendly gems.
Whatever you fancy doing on your travels, Toronto’s got it all, from buzzing nightlife to art galleries and performance theatres.
6: San Francisco, CA, USA
A mecca of the gay world, San Francisco is one of the top gay-friendly cities out there. It actually contains one of the highest gay populations in the entire world (more than 15%)!
Historically, it’s also well known in the community for its revolutionary roles in LGBT history.
Amongst the rolling hills lies the district known as The Castro. This is the gay neighborhood where the best gay-friendly clubs, bars, restaurants, theaters, and galleries can be found. It’s also known for housing a large community of drag queens, bears/cubs, and transexuals – very diverse!
7: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Known for being fun and full of life, Amsterdam is a great destination to visit for the LGBT community!
The residents rule their lives according to one saying – ‘live and let live!’ It’s the city where anything goes, and there’s an admirable attitude towards diversity that shines through the whole of Amsterdam.
Each year, they hold a spectacular pride parade known as the Canal Parade, which is one of the largest in the world! So if you’ve decided to head to Amsterdam, you should try and coincide your trip with this parade, because it’s definitely worth seeing and being a part of.
8: Berlin, Germany
Way back in the 1920’s, Berlin made its presence known as a leader in the gay community. It was culturally advanced and progressive, and even today, it still remains one of Europe’s top gay-friendly destinations.
Every corner you turn, a party can be found. Berlin is known for their wild and even adventurous party life, unlike anything you can experience elsewhere.
9: New York, NY, USA
If fashion, style, and wit is what you’re after, look no further. New York has an energy unlike any other city, and a diverse population to match.
Of course, history starts here, where the Stonewall riots originated. Life here can be overwhelming at times, just beaming with potential.
Each neighborhood houses unique gay communities that are some of the friendliest around. The local abodes are very hip and have their own unique elements. You’ll find piano bars, lounges, and so much more. Being in New York is a truly cultural experience.
10: Tel Aviv, Israel 
If you’re surprised that Tel Aviv made the list, you’re probably not the only one. But Tel Aviv is actually one of the most progressive cities in the world. It’s home to many likeminded, liberal individuals.
With year round sunshine and plenty to do, it’s no wonder that the residents enjoy calling Tel Aviv home.
They have architecture like no other, amazing beaches, and the city is completely gay-friendly. Aside from the usual pride festivities, they also hold their own LGBT film festival and gay culture fair. Overall, it is a great destination!