Destinations

The city that never sleeps

Best time: November — February

Safe

Phuket

Tropical paradise for everyone

Best time: November — April

Safe

Chiang Mai

Spiritual capital of the North

Best time: November — February

Safe

Khao Lak

Tranquility and the Similan Islands

Best time: October — May

Safe

Krabi

Cliffs and turquoise waters

Best time: November — April

Safe

Koh Samui

Quiet luxury in the Gulf of Thailand

Best time: December — April

Safe

Hua Hin

The royal resort with character

Best time: November — March

Vietnam

Moderate

Ho Chi Minh City

Dynamic Saigon — Asia's rising star

Best time: December — April

Moderate

Hanoi

A thousand-year history and a living Old Quarter

Best time: October — April

Moderate

Hoi An

City of lanterns and living history

Best time: February — August

Moderate

Da Nang

Modern beach paradise between mountains and sea

Best time: February — August

Taiwan

Safe

Kaohsiung

Taiwan

Harbour metropolis with a vibrant queer scene

Best time: October — April

Safe

Taichung

Taiwan

Heart of Taiwan — art, nature and night markets

Best time: March — May, September — November

Safe

Taipei

Taiwan

First in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage

Best time: March — May, September — November

Japan

Safe

Tokyo

Metropolis of dreams with the world's largest gay district

Best time: March — May, September — November

Safe

Osaka

Culinary capital of Japan with vibrant nightlife

Best time: March — April, October — November

Safe

Sapporo

Snow, beer, and cosy Pride in northern Japan

Best time: February (Snow Festival), June — August

Safe

Fukuoka

Gateway to Asia with Japan's best street food

Best time: March — May, September — November

South Korea

Moderate

Seoul

South Korea

K-Pop, technology, and the gay scene of Itaewon

Best time: April — June, September — November

Moderate

Busan

South Korea

Port city with beaches, mountains, and seafood

Best time: May — October

Moderate

Daegu

South Korea

Korean classics with youthful energy

Best time: April — May, September — October

Philippines

Moderate

Manila

Philippines

Buzzing capital with a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene

Best time: December — May (dry season)

Moderate

Cebu

Philippines

Historic island with the region's best diving

Best time: December — May

Safe

Boracay

Philippines

White sand paradise island for everyone

Best time: November — April (dry season)

Nepal

Moderate

Kathmandu

Nepal

Heart of the Himalayas with progressive queer laws

Best time: March — May, October — November

Moderate

Pokhara

Nepal

Lakeside city at the foot of Annapurna

Best time: March — May, October — November

Europe

Spain

Safe

Madrid

Chueca — the gay capital of Europe

Best time: April — June, September — October

Safe

Barcelona

Gaudí, Gayxample and a sea of freedom

Best time: May — June, September — October

Safe

Gran Canaria

A little continent of total freedom

Best time: Year-round (peak: February, October)

Safe

Sitges

The gay capital of the Mediterranean

Best time: May — September (Carnival — February)

Safe

Valencia

City of paella, oranges and progressive freedom

Best time: March — June, September — October

Safe

Málaga

Birthplace of Picasso and gateway to the Costa del Sol

Best time: April — June, September — October

Portugal

Safe

Lisbon

Portugal

Hills, trams and bohemian freedom

Best time: March — June, September — October

Safe

Porto

Portugal

Vintage charm, port wine and the Douro

Best time: May — September

Safe

Lagos

Portugal

The golden cliffs of the Algarve

Best time: April — October

Germany

Safe

Berlin

Germany

The sleepless capital of freedom

Best time: May — September

Safe

Cologne

Germany

Rhineland warmth and a giant Pride

Best time: May — July

Netherlands

Safe

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Canals, bikes and total freedom

Best time: April — September

Safe

Utrecht

Netherlands

Medieval canals and young queer energy

Best time: May — September

Safe

Rotterdam

Netherlands

Architecture of the future and a September Pride

Best time: May — September

United Kingdom

Safe

London

United Kingdom

Soho, Vauxhall and everything between

Best time: May — September

Safe

Brighton

United Kingdom

Britain's unofficial gay capital by the sea

Best time: June — September

Safe

Manchester

United Kingdom

Canal Street and the spirit of Queer as Folk

Best time: May — September

Greece

Safe

Athens

Cradle of civilisation, open to all

Best time: April — June, September — October

Safe

Mykonos

White windmills, blue sea, queer paradise

Best time: June — September

Safe

Paros

Boho chic and turquoise coves of the Cyclades

Best time: June — September

Moderate

Thessaloniki

Greece's soulful culinary capital

Best time: May — October

Middle East

Israel

Safe

Tel Aviv

The Middle East's most gay-friendly city

Best time: April — June, September — October

Moderate

Jerusalem

The holy city and its queer resistance

Best time: March — May, September — November

Safe

Haifa

Underground culture on the slopes of Mount Carmel

Best time: April — October

Safe

Eilat