Spain is among the first countries in the world to allow same-sex couples to freely enjoy the legal rights of marriage, to adopt children openly and to be treated as equals on a level that the American LGBT community is still struggling to achieve. Because of this wide acceptance and legal equality, Spain is among the top choices for safe, enjoyable gay vacations. From the sexually-charged scene in Madrid, to the higher-brow LGBT culture of Sitges, there is a thriving community in every major city and many of the smaller towns throughout this country that offers breathtaking scenery, stunning architecture, rich culture and history, and wonderful year-round weather that makes any time a good time for gay travel to Spain.
Welcoming islands, cities and towns that should not be missed include Barcelona, Benidorm, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Sitges, Valencia and Torremolinos, which are the most popular destinations for gay vacations in Spain. Most of these hotspots offer excellent beaches and all offer exciting nightlife and a visible community. While Madrid is the place to be for anyone looking for a raucous LGBT scene, Ibiza and Gran Canaria offer a more laidback beach lifestyle and Valencia and Torremolinos offer a good mix of bars and beaches.
One of the most welcoming cities in Spain is Barcelona, which boasts amazing architecture, art and culture and is home to more clubs, bars, restaurants, bathhouses and other community establishments than any traveler could fit into their gay vacations. Visitors will surely want to visit LEixample, where most of the community bars and businesses are located, as well as the fabulous beaches located around this city that boasts a very active, very visible community. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that has earned its rank among the most welcoming, most out places in Europe and also makes a great home base for side trips to other areas that are popular with LGBT locals and visitors, such as the beach town of Sitges.
To get the most out of your gay vacation in Spain, you may want to consider visiting Spain with a professionally organized tour group offered through a company that specializes in gay travel. Partaking in a tour to Spain will allow you to discover the captivating landscapes and enticing adventures Spain has to offer while forging new friendships that will last a lifetime.
For folks who would rather explore Spain on their own, with their partner or with a group of friends, planning your Spain excursion through a well-known travel agency with experience arranging gay tours to Spain is the best way to ensure that you will have a memorable experience that is both enjoyable and safe.
Author Howie Holben wrote this gay vacations article about Spain. Spirit Journeys does spiritual gay holidays with a difference. Go to www.spiritjourneys.com for more info about Howie and his work.