Expedia has listed the best LGBTQ+-friendly destinations for a summer beach holiday.

The holiday company’s LGBTQ+ edition of the Summer Travel Outlook surveyed 1,000 queer Brits to highlight the top destinations and travel trends for the upcoming season.

Here are the top 10, in no particular order.

Brighton 

Featuring a pebbled beach, amusement arcade, bars and restaurants and the must-visit Royal Pavilion, Brighton has been described as a “safe haven” and a “place to escape” by Dr Zoe Boden-Stuart, who led two years of research to find out what made the East Sussex resort such a draw. 

Mykonos 

Mykonos is perhaps one of the most popular – and expensive – Greek islands. Packed with a colourful nightlife, lavish beach clubs, white-washed walls and crystal-clear waters, it’s clear to see why it’s a favourite among the LGBTQ+ community. 

Last year, in a “historic moment”, Greece became the first country with a Christian Orthodox majority to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption.

Phuket 

Farther afield, Thailand’s Phuket is synonymous with beautiful beaches and lush tropical greenery. It was also the filming location for season three of The White Lotus, making it an ideal holiday destination for fans of the series. 

Last June, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise equal marriage, prompting thousands of couples to flock to the country to tie the knot. 

Gran Canaria 

Spanish autonomous Gran Canaria is an LGBTQ+ haven, so much so that it once ruffled a TripAdvisor user, who left a review of his holiday complaining there were “too many gay couples“.

The Canary Island boasts stunning sandy beaches and a thriving inclusive nightlife. 

In 2021, giant lizards were found to be at risk at popular cruising hotspot the Maspalomas sand dunes after swallowing discarded condoms.

Ibiza 

Another popular Spanish destination is Ibiza. Warm weather and a bustling nightlife are just two of the reasons UK holidaymakers always head there.

But a writer previously reviewed his trip to the Balearic island for PinkNews, saying that, despite preconceptions, the location had “a whole lot more than just clubs and house music to offer”. 

Malta 

For nine successive years, Malta has been named Europe’s best and safest place for LGBTQ+ people, according to ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map.

In February, PinkNews’ Marcus Wratten reviewed his trip to the island, writing that the Pride march “felt pure” and the bars and other nightlife spots “make it clear that they’re safe spaces for the community,” meaning “exclusive venues aren’t a necessity”. 

Sitges 

Little more than 20 miles from Barcelona, the coastal city of Sitges is a well-known spot for LGBTQ+ sun-seekers, and that’s before mentioning Bear Week in September.

“[The] gay scene in Sitges is just as active as it’s ever been,” one reviewer proclaimed.

Cape Town 

The capital of South Africa is cosmopolitan and surrounded by breath-taking nature. It will also be the venue for WorldPride 2028. 

South Africa is the only country on the continent that constitutionally recognises LGBTQ rights. In 1996, it became the first country in the world to make discrimination based on sexual orientation unlawful. Same-sex marriages were recognised 10 years later.

Additionally, same-sex couples are able to adopt, trans people are allowed to change gender, and LGBTQ+ men and women can serve in the military.

It offers beaches on both the Atlantic (such as Clifton and Camps Bay) and Indian Ocean (Muizenberg) coasts, with the water being considerably warmer at the latter.

Key West, US

Key West, in Florida, prides itself as a top LGBTQ+ vacation spot. 

The beach town adopted “One Human Family” as its official philosophy in 2000, recognising that, as president Abraham Lincoln famously proclaimed, all people are created equal. 

“The entire destination is renowned for its welcoming and accepting attitude,” the tourist website advertises.

Provincetown, US 

Provincetown, in Massachusetts, boasts an array of popular beaches, including Herring Cove. A 2019 report showed that The Codfish State was the best place in the US to live and work if you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Expedia spokeswoman Melanie Fish said: “This summer, LGBTQ+ holidaymakers are blending the comfort of familiar favourites with the thrill of discovering new destinations. Here’s my number-one tip when choosing your destination: check the “LGBTQ+ welcoming” search filter on [our website] to find a hotel that has opted into our Inclusivity Pledge.” 

In 2023, United Airlines shared their five best tropical LGBTQ-friendly destinations.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.   

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