top 6 Underrated Gay Travel spots You Need to Visit
Forget Mykonos. Skip Paris. Ditch the crowds and explore somewhere new. These gay destinations might be flying under the radar—but trust us lovelies, they deserve your attention.
Why You Should Care About Underrated Gay Destinations
Lovelies, let’s be real—some of the most famous gay hotspots are packed with tourists and expensive as hell. We love a good Pride in Madrid or a beach party in Puerto Vallarta, but sometimes you just want to find an authentic queer scene without the overpriced cocktails or experience local gay culture, not just another “gay bar street.” Or, best of all, actually be able to book a hotel room without selling a kidney (we’ve all been there during Pride celebrations, don’t lie).
These six destinations offer vibrant gay scenes, stunning landscapes, and welcoming locals—without the Mykonos price tag or the Fire Island crowds.
Before you plan your next trip, grab our free Gay Travel Safety Guide! 👉 Click here to download it!
🇲🇽 Mérida, Mexico – A Colonial Gem with a Low-Key Gay Scene
When we think of Mexico, it’s easy for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and Tulum to come to mind. But if you’re looking for something more authentic, more cultural, and less overrun by tourists, Mérida should be at the top of your list.
Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is one of the safest cities in Mexico and a vibrant, colonial-era gem filled with pastel-colored streets, lively markets, and rich Mayan history (our favourite!). While it may not have a massive gay nightlife scene like Mexico City, Mérida is emerging as a welcoming, gay inclusive destination—a place where queer travelers can experience real Mexican culture without sacrificing safety or comfort.
The city’s gay scene is small but growing, with gay-friendly bars, local Pride celebrations, and a warm, accepting atmosphere. Mérida offers access to stunning cenotes, breathtaking Mayan ruins, and incredible cuisine that make it a dream destination for those who love history, adventure, and food.
Queer Highlights: There’s no massive gay district, but places like La Negrita Cantina are super gay friendly and always buzzing with good energy.
Budget Rating: $ Super affordable—your dollars go FAR here.
🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal – Lisbon’s Edgier, Queer Little Sibling
If Lisbon is the loud, fast-paced older sibling, Porto is the cooler, artsier, more laid-back younger sibling. When we say Porto is gorgeous, we mean it from top to bottom (no pun). It’s a city of wine tastings, colorful tiled buildings, and a vibrant creative scene that attracts gay travelers looking for something different. The queer nightlife here is smaller but definitely growing, with underground drag shows, inclusive bars, and a Pride movement that gets bigger each year.
Beyond the gay scene, Porto is a dream for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and culture seekers. We did not have one bad meal and the port wine was magnificent. Porto also offers breathtaking riverside views, historic districts straight out of a postcard, and some of the best seafood and pastries in Europe. Not to mention if you’re into port wine, then Porto is for you! And the best part? It’s cheaper than Lisbon and far less crowded.
Queer Highlights: Places like Invictus Café and Zoom Porto are major hubs for gay locals and travelers. Also, do a port wine your at Cálem — you’ll thank us later.
Budget Rating: $$ Affordable, but still European prices.
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai, Thailand – A Hidden LGBTQ+ Gem in Northern Thailand
While Bangkok and Phuket are famous for their gay nightlife, Chiang Mai offers something entirely different: a peaceful, spiritual, and welcoming gay escape in the heart of Thailand’s lush mountains.
Known as Thailand’s cultural capital, Chiang Mai is a blend of ancient temples, breathtaking nature, and a surprisingly strong queer community. The city attracts gay digital nomads, backpackers, and travelers seeking a slower pace without sacrificing vibrant nightlife. You’ll find drag shows, gay-friendly cafés, and a welcoming local culture that embraces diversity. You’ll meet travelers from around the world, from queer creatives and yogis to adventurers exploring hidden waterfalls. Also, if you love massages, one of the best ones we ever got was in Chiang Mai. You honestly cannot go wrong! We had a blast here, more than we did in Bangkok (don’t cancel us for this).
Queer Highlights: Chiang Mai has a surprisingly active queer nightlife scene, with Ram Bar being a must-visit spot for drag shows and cocktails.
Budget Rating: $ Very affordable—you can live like royalty for cheap.
🇨🇷 Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica – A Tropical Paradise with a Big Queer Heart
Imagine a place where you can wake up to the sound of howler monkeys, sip coffee overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and then head to a queer-friendly beach where gay locals and travelers alike come to relax and celebrate their identity. That’s Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rica is one of the most gay friendly countries in Latin America, and Manuel Antonio is its unofficial queer capital. With gay-owned resorts, inclusive nightlife, and an overall “pura vida” attitude, this town is as welcoming as it is beautiful. Whether you’re here for hiking, surfing, wildlife spotting, or simply soaking in the tropical sun, Manuel Antonio offers a safe, open, and carefree environment for gay travelers.
Queer Highlights: Manuel Antonio’s queer scene is centered around beach bars and boutique hotels. Hotel Villa Roca is a gay-owned, adults-only resort, perfect for gay travelers.
Budget Rating: $$ Moderate—it’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.
🇨🇦 Montréal, Canada – The Coolest Queer City in North America
When people think of gay travel in Canada, Toronto is often the first city that comes to mind. But ask any queer traveler who’s been to Montréal, like us, and they’ll tell you: this city is on another level.
Montréal is French meets English, history meets modern, and high-energy meets laid-back charm. It’s home to one of the biggest gay communities in North America, with a massive Gay Village, drag performances, and queer-friendly events happening year-round. Just, please for the love of everything that is good, don’t go in February… You’ll survive the winter but it won’t be pleasant.
Beyond the queer nightlife, Montréal is an artistic, multicultural, and foodie paradise. Whether you’re exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, hitting up a gay bar, or indulging in world-famous poutine, there’s no shortage of things to do. And did we mention Montréal Pride is one of the largest in the world?
Queer Highlights: The nightlife here is insane—from wild drag shows at Cabaret Mado to all-night dancing at gay clubs like Stereo — which is a VIBE. Plus, Montréal has a strong Black, Latinx, and immigrant gay community, adding to the city’s vibrant queer culture.
Budget Rating: $$ More affordable than Toronto, but not dirt cheap.
🇬🇷 Athens, Greece – A Rising Star in LGBTQ+ Travel
For decades, Mykonos has reigned as Greece’s top gay destination - and don’t we all know it - but Athens is where Greece’s queer community actually thrives. This city is bold, rebellious, and unapologetically queer, with a fast-growing gay nightlife, underground queer spaces, and an annual Pride festival that’s getting bigger every year.
Athens is a city of contrasts—you’ll find ancient ruins standing beside modern queer bars, traditional Greek tavernas hosting drag shows, and a gay scene that’s deeply political and artistic. While Greece has been slow to adopt gay laws compared to other European countries, Athens’ queer community is fiercely active and growing stronger every year.
Queer Highlights: BeQueer Athens and Rooster Café are must-visit gay hotspots. Athens Pride is getting bigger every year, and the local queer community is strong, politically active, and unapologetically themselves.
Budget Rating: $$ Cheaper than Mykonos, but still European prices.
