With increasing number of countries recognising their LGBTQ+ constituents, there is an emergence of several gay friendly cities. Money.co.uk, a UK-based price comparison website, has ranked LGBTQ+ friendly cities from around the world.

Keen to restart tourism after the catastrophy brought about by Covid-19 pandemic, many countries are reaching out to all key tourism segments, from family and honeymooners to corporate and solo travellers. An increasing number of countries has also recognised the potential that LGBTQ+ communities hold as tourists and have devised ways to attract them, promising the key factor of safety and acceptance, which is still rare in many parts of the world.

A study by Money.co.uk revealed the most accepting cities in the world for the LGBTQ+ community. Based on the study, India Outbound lists the five most welcoming cities.

Reykjavik, Iceland 

Topping the list is Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, that has been crowned as the most accepting city in the world, with a perfect 10/10 score for LGBTQ+ acceptance.

Besides being one of the most progressive, liberal and welcoming cities in the world, Reykjavik is a captivating destination with beautiful design, rich history, and a burgeoning nightlife scene.

Here, gay couples are free to walk hand in hand without any concerns. The most one will ever get is a curious stare on occasion, which is usually followed up by a smile or nod of approval.

Not only will this city make you feel welcome, but it will also guarantee that you have a blast of your time with the most LGBTQ+ dedicated bars and clubs out of the top cities. With high average rating of 4.0 at TripAdvisor, some of the highlights include -Kiki Queer Bar which is a fun place for dancing and Bravo, a cozy bar with DJs and local beers.

Reykjavik is also known to have abundance of gay-friendly events. Make sure to pay a visit during the month of August and join the Reykjavik Pride Festival, one of most lively gatherings in the capital, featuring several days of concerts, parades, educational events, and more. Other events to look out for include Rainbow Reykjavík, Reykjavik Bear, open houses and many more.

Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Following closely behind Reykjavik, Amsterdam has the highest rating of LGBTQ+ establishments averaging 5 stars.

The Dutch word gezellig roughly translates to cozy, pleasant, or comfortable which is a feeling of well-being that arises from a person or place. As an LGBTQ+ traveller, visiting Amsterdam will let you know what this means.

The capital city of the Netherlands is packed with LGBTQ-friendly restaurants, cafés, clubs and hotels. In 1984, the city hosted the first International Gay Youth Congress and Festival, which had led to the formation of IGLYO (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth & Student Organisation). Today, for three weeks every July, the streets and canals of the city are filled with celebrations and parties for the annual Amsterdam Gay Pride festival – one of the most renowned Pride celebrations in the world.

Rotterdam, Netherlands 

Following Amsterdam with a bronze position is yet another well-known city of the Netherlands, Rotterdam.

With the third-highest number of establishments for LGBTQ+ (1.4 per 100,000 people), the city along with Amsterdam has a high LGBTQ+ acceptance score of 9.8/10.

With a long and proud history of supporting its queer communities and leading the world in LGBTQ rights, Rotterdam is an innovative, modern, and energetic city where people of over 170 nationalities live together.

Known to have inaugurated some of the world’s first gay bars opening in the 1910s and 20s, the Netherlands in 2001, became the first country to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriage. You can see that same sex marriages is hardly a surprise for anyone in Rotterdam.

Though the port city may be overshadowed by Amsterdam in terms of gay bars, saunas, dance parties, and LGBT events, however, with innovation, modern design and graceful architecture, it makes up. Do pay a visit to the cube houses to awe at how it is strangely tilted and anchored on its corner, resulting in oddly angled walls and impractical living spaces. Other highlights include Markthal Rotterdam, De Rotterdam and many more.

English is almost universally spoken by the Dutch, so, if you speak English it will never be difficult to chat with the locals to ask around. No matter where your interest it is certain that Rotterdam with its real equality and unconstrained freedom will have something for everyone to look forward to.

San Francisco, USA

After the two Dutch cities, next in line is San Francisco in the United States. This city has the second-highest number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people and has an average rating of 4.2 stars. San Francisco is known for its celebration of diversity. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise as to why the city has come to be known as the epicentre of the worldwide LGBTQ community.

 A walk in the Castro Neighbourhood will lead you right to the LGBTQ centre of San Francisco. Every store, restaurant, bar and nightclub in this district is known to openly welcome people of any diversity and isn’t prejudiced to any community. Take some time to explore the GLBT History Museum and get an insight about the struggles of the community in the past, then party your night away at the QBar.

 Forget the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When in San Franciso, a tour of the gay city is unfulfilled without checking out the Rainbow Honor Walk that recognises prominent LGBTQ individuals.

Lastly, do not miss the largest gathering of LGBTQ people in the nation called ‘Annual Pride’ that takes place over 10 action-packed days in at the end of June.

Dublin, Ireland

The last on the list to close it off with a dramatic ending is another European city, Dublin, the capital of Ireland.

A unique, vibrant and welcoming city, Dublin is one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations for LGBTQ tourists. Unlike other LGBTQ friendly cities, there is much more to see beyond the traditional gay bars and club events in Dublin.

A trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without visiting the pilgrimage to one of Dublin’s most famous LGBTQ writers, Oscar Wilde. Located in Merrion Square Park, right across the street from Wilde’s childhood home, the park is perfect for your leisure walk.

If you are a history buff or are an avid reader, The Irish Queer Archive at the National Library of Ireland nearby holds the most comprehensive collection of material relating to LGBTQ+ history and literature in the country.

Just like all the other cities mentioned on the list, Dublin also has its own Pride festival, LGBTQ+ Pride, which is the city’s biggest celebration next to the St. Patrick’s Festival. The LGBTQ+ Pride is held every year at the end of June..

For the adventure seekers and enthusiasts, ‘Out and About’, Dublin’s hill-walking group for the LGBTQ+ community, organises regular hiking and mountaineering events in the local Wicklow Mountains, along with trips to destinations further afield in Ireland and abroad.

For sport lovers, ‘Out2Tennis’, meanwhile is Ireland’s gay tennis network known to organise social events and tournaments.