Trending cities packed with Pride

In the early days of gay liberation, traveling was all about the promise of safe havens. For decades, LGBTQIA+ vacationers headed to places we could call our own, from Provincetown to Fire Island, Sitges to Mykonos. As LGBTQIA+ rights have advanced, so have our opportunities to venture out. Our beloved beaches and queer quarters will forever feature in LGBTQIA+ travelers’ itineraries, but now there’s a whole host of emerging destinations to discover. From big cities with burgeoning gay scenes to islands with bundles of charm, they are as diverse as we are. The one thing that unites them? The promise of a warm welcome.

With striking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a big, bright LGBTQIA+ scene at its heart, Cape Town is a sight for sore eyes. There is just so much to take in here, from the rainbow-colored houses of the historic Bo-Kaap neighborhood to the breathtaking views of—and from—the city’s landmark Table Mountain. Book in and check out the vistas from the lounge at the luxurious One&Only Cape Town hotel, people-watch at the LGBTQIA+ friendly Clifton Third beach, and rest your weary feet (if not your eyes) at the exceedingly colorful Café Manhattan in De Waterkant, the city’s gay district.

Thailand needs no introduction as a holiday destination, but the country’s progressive politics—it’s soon to be the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage—have truly put it on the gay map. Pattaya, a seaside resort and Thailand’s second-largest city, is a great pick, with a thriving gay scene around Dongtan Beach and a less frenetic energy than Bangkok. The coastline’s a dream, with luxury resorts like Royal Cliff Beach Terrace doing the quintessential Thai luxury beach-swim-spa package with an LGBTQIA+ welcome.

We don’t exactly need to do the hard sell on St. Barths, a jewel of the Caribbean islands, with its undulating tropical landscapes and silky sand beaches. A vacation here feels like a no-brainer, but there’s another crucial selling point: St. Barths has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights in the Caribbean (same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013, for example). Assured of a warm welcome, all you have to do is check in to a luxury beachside hotel like LGBTQIA+ welcoming Hotel Manapany, where you can book a rejuvenating spa treatment or settle in with a bestseller by the pool… and relax.

Island life doesn’t get more enchanting than Hobart, where the slow pace of life and great wine and dining scene is putting the Tasmanian capital on the travel map. The gay scene is understandably small but that’s part of the charm, as is a stay at the romantic Grande Vue Private Hotel, with its gorgeous river views and adults-only policy. From here, take a road trip around the island and drop in to lesbian-owned winery The Farm Shed or one of the many LGBTQIA+ friendly cocktail bars in town like Society and Boodle Beasley. Looking to up the ante? Judy’s drag shows bring the party. 

Proximity to popular gay resort Puerto Vallarta helped put Guadalajara on the LGBTQIA+ map, but Mexico’s second-largest city has an energy all its own. With vibrant queer spaces, a healthy art and theater scene, and great architecture—both old and new—Guadalajara has much to offer the urban explorer. Our advice? Check in and grab an espresso in the elegant foyer café of the Grand Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Country Club, then check out the neoclassical architecture at UNESCO World Heritage Site Instituto Cultural de Cabañas. If you’re flagging, affogatos at lesbian-run RinTinTin Café hit the spot, while the drag shows at Peligro al Fondo will give you life. 

This year, A-Town became the first U.S. city to host Global Black Pride, getting the rest of us caught up on what Atlanta locals already know: The Georgia capital likes to celebrate. If you’re fresh to the party, there are opportunities to meet kindred spirits, from folk-rock pilgrims in eastern suburb Decatur, to R&B fans in the Midtown bars (for women, My Sister’s Room, for men, Bulldog), while sports fanatics seeking their people will find them at Woofs, the city’s gay sports bar. And where to stay? New addition Forth Hotel Atlanta is a suitably stylish winner for design aficionados and serious socializers.

Once considered a no-go for travelers, remarkable regeneration has transformed Medellín into a bustling cosmopolitan city—and Colombia’s top tourist destination. The setting is spectacular, nestled in a valley between the Andean mountains, and the climate so idyllic, it’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring.” Outdoors is the best way to experience it all, from the vibrant gay scene around Barbacoas Street to the cable cars up through the barrios. Visit the Museum of Modern Art to get the cultural steer and rest up at Hashtag 98, a luxury hotel in the heart of gay Medellín, five minutes’ walk from the biggest gay club, Club Oráculo.

Historically, LGBTQIA+ destinations have emerged organically; in Cleveland, they’re doing things differently. Its newly created Studio West 117 is a first-of-its-kind gay district with bars, clubs, restaurants, gay-owned barbers, a gymnasium, and a community garden. With inclusive luxury hotels like Metropolitan at The 9 and the Ritz-Carlton within walking distance, Cleveland should be firmly on the itinerary of city adventurers looking to discover new frontiers in urban LGBTQIA+ living.