Repeatedly ranked as one of the most LGBTQI+-friendly destinations on earth, Canada was one of the first countries to legalise same-sex unions and has implemented strong anti-discrimination laws. We recommend visiting one of the larger cities, such as Vancouver, Montréal, or Toronto, where you’ll find the world’s oldest LGBTQI+ bookstore, Glad Day Bookshop.

This year, the UK was ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the safest places to visit for LGBTQI+ travellers. Unfortunately, recent anti-trans rhetoric has caused friction across the country, but it is still considered a welcoming destination. Soho in London’s West End features rainbow-adorned bars, restaurants, clubs, cafés and shops, while other places such as Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Hebden Bridge (the “lesbian capital of the UK”) are all historical LGBTQI+ hubs.  

Buenos Aires, Argentina, is widely recognised as one of the safest and most welcoming cities in South America, so much so that it has been referred to as the "gay capital of Latin America”. While other areas of Argentina are more conservative, here you’ll find progressive legal protections, inclusive neighbourhoods such as Palermo and San Telmo, and a lively annual Pride parade.

Spain was amongst the first to legalise same-sex marriage and today, one of the safest countries for queer travellers. Madrid hosts the largest Pride celebration in the world, while Barcelona’s Eixample district has been affectionately nicknamed “Gayxample” due to the array of queer bars, restaurants, clubs and shops available. Queerness is also cause for celebration on the islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Gran Canaria, while across the border in Portugal, Lisbon and Porto offer an equally accepting environment.

According to Forbes, Sweden is the second safest country to visit for queer travellers after Canada. Other countries in Scandinavia also rank high in safety and inclusion, including Denmark (with its first gay bar originating in 1955), Norway and Iceland. The country has hosted the official EuroPride three times over the past three decades and is a safe haven for LGBTQI+ travellers. We recommend visiting the capital city of Stockholm or other places such as Malmö or Gothenburg.

Other highly rated locations include: 

  • Berlin, Germany

  • Bangkok, Thailand

  • Mykonos, Greece

  • Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Bora Bora, French Polynesia

  • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

  • Sydney, Australia

  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • New York City/Provincetown, USA

We recommend staying in one of the ASMALLWORLD properties such as Anantara Siam Bangkok, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora or Ett Hem Stockholm. Of course, you can book hotels at all the above locations at ASMALLWORLD Collection.