Europe is easily the most tolerant and accepting region in the world and there are many cities across the continent where you can let your true colors shine without fear of judgement or harassment. Places like Amsterdam, Berlin or Barcelona are well known for being gay friendly, tolerant and having a large community of LGBT residents. Still, we think Madrid is perhaps the contender for the number one spot on our list of the best gay destinations in Europe. Certainly, there are a handful of cities that compete for this title, but with the mix of its size, gay scene, events and overall vibe, we’d ague to say that Madrid takes the crown.
We’ve teamed up with the new online, gay meeting place Yurnee, to share our favorite aspects of Madrid. Here are 10 reasons why we think you should visit Madrid and see why we think it’s the best gay destination in Europe.
MADRID IS TOLERANT AND GAY FRIENDLY
Madrid is not a city where the LGBT community holds up only it the gay neighborhood. For years Madrid has been known as a tolerant place and you can hold partner’s hand or be affectionate in public and nobody cares. For the most part, local residents are used to LGBT people and you’ll rarely encounter hostility, let alone even a single anti-gay comment or glance from a local. The vibe in Madrid is not just tolerance, but rather acceptance. There are very few cities in the world that offer the same kind of welcome to LGBT+ residents and visitors.
MADRID’S WEATHER IS GREAT
The weather in Madrid is warm nearly all year and the city has more than 300 sunny days per year. Besides a couple chilly months in January and February (though not terribly cold), Madrid’s climate is pleasant and for this reason you’ll see locals outdoors at all hours of the day. July and August can be a bit warm in the heat of the afternoon but this is the reason why the Spanish siesta is so well known. As the afternoon turns to evening, the weather cools down and it’s extremely pleasant to spend the evening socializing outsides with friends, family or colleagues.
AWESOME GAY NEIGHBORHOODS
Madrid is full of diverse neighborhoods and each offers their own unique style. Madrid has a great gayborhood, called Chueca and for decades this is where the LGBT community gathered and lived together. But as the city became more open, welcoming and tolerant, the LGBT community has even moved beyond the borders of Chueca to other great neighborhoods like Malasaña, La Latina and Lavapies. Chueca certainly has the highest concentration of gay bars and LGBT specific places, but more and more venues are opening in these other neighborhoods and across the city. In each of these neighborhoods there are always cool new bars, cafes and restaurants opening. You can find some of the coolest new places online with sites like Yurnee or even find a local to show you around.
THE PARTY SCENE IS ON FIRE
Madrid is well known across Europe as a city with great nightlife. This reputation holds for both mainstream and gay parties alike. It’s incredibly common to see crowds of people at 6 or 7 in the morning finishing their nights out during the weekends. Both Madrid’s size and large gay population supports a big party scene and you have lots of different options to choose from when going out. The city offers everything from bars, clubs, saunas and more to keep you partying and dancing into the early hours of the morning. After the clubs close at 6am, you can even find after parties that go until 10am or noon in some cases if you so desire. To find the latest events and parties you can take a stroll through Chueca and see the latest posters and flyers advertising the weekend’s events. Or better yet, get connected with a gay local in Madrid who can tell you the best places, events and parties. Checking a dating app is one way to find a local, but if you are really just looking for advice and a social experience (not sex) you might consider signing up for Yurnee, where you can check out profiles of local Madrid residents who can give you tips, advice and show you around the city by day or night.
MADRILEÑOS ARE SEXY
Residents from Madrid are called Madrileños and you’ll find no shortage of attractive people in this city. Spaniards are known for having a southern European flare as many share the light skin and dark features that so many find attractive. The city’s mild weather nearly all year and thriving gay community bring attractive people from all around the country and many keep up with appearances by staying in shape and sporting the latest fashion trends.