Barcelona is overflowing with good addresses for the gay and lesbian community. Here’s our selection of must-visit LGBT venues.
Barcelona is without doubt one of Western Europe’s leading LGBT tourist destinations. Spain’s second most populous city, Barcelona enjoys a particularly pleasant climate. Located by the sea, 180 km from France, the Catalan city is rich in history. Today, Barcelona is a thriving city with an international reach in sectors such as finance, commerce, art and tourism. Cosmopolitan to the core, the Catalan capital is a place where the LGBT community has a strong presence. Would you like to discover a metropolis with plenty to do and see? We’ll take you on a tour of Barcelona’s best gay activities and addresses!
Barcelona must-sees
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Before discovering gay Barcelona, a detour to a number of mythical landmarks is in order. The city is packed with sights, bold architecture and breathtaking scenery.
- It’s impossible to stay in Barcelona without visiting the fabulous Sagrada Familia. Designed by the architect Gaudi, the basilica is an impressive monument combining Art Nouveau and Gothic flourishes.
- Gaudi’s inspiration is everywhere in Barcelona: don’t miss Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, original buildings with curved, undulating forms.
- Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can stroll through the gardens and fountains of Parc Güell. Here, too, Gaudi created a bewildering work of mosaics, columns and undulations.
- Near the Gothic Quarter, you can stroll along La Rambla, a large pedestrian avenue. It’s a lively place, with the presence of many artists, painters and musicians.
Activities in Barcelona
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Catalonia ‘s capital is huge and there’s plenty to do.
- Would you like to discover a district where architecture flirts with mysticism? Then head for the Barri Gòtic, located in Barcelona’s historic center. Here you can explore the many streets dominated by medieval Gothic architecture, where time seems to stand still.
- Do you love art? Barcelona boasts an impressive collection of museums dedicated to great artists. If you have the time, visit the Picasso Museum, where no fewer than 4,000 works by the Cubist painter are on display. Other must-see museums include the Fundació Joan Miró, dedicated to the artist of the same name, and CosmoCaixa, a museum dedicated to science and nature.
- If you prefer sporting activities to strolls, Barcelona is a coastal city. You can enjoy a wide range of water sports (jet-skiing, flyboarding), including those offered by Aventura Náutica.
Barcelona’s gay districts
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Like any self-respecting gay city, the Catalan city has its own LGBT community district. This is the Eixample (or Gayxample), located between La Rambla and Avinguda Diagonal, in the center of the city. Not strictly a gay district, but home to the majority of Barcelona’s best gay addresses. Numerous establishments and Airbnbs cater to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
Not far from here is one of the best gay hotels: Hotel Axel. Renowned for its relaxed, jovial atmosphere, the hotel has its own app, AxelPeople. AxelPeople enables hotel guests to exchange ideas with each other and encourage potential encounters.
The village of Sitges is also popular with the gay community. Situated south of Barcelona, it’s easy to get to by train. Gay beaches, gay-friendly restaurants and bars await you!
Gay restaurant addresses
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Would you like to discover Catalan gastronomy? Or simply to satisfy your appetite? There’s no shortage of restaurants in Barcelona.
- At D’Divine, on rue (carrer) de Balmes, you can enjoy tasty Mediterranean dishes. A special feature of this restaurant is that it features drag queen shows, in a colorful setting where laughter is guaranteed!
- In a much softer style, head to Castro, on Rue Casanova, where you’ll find a traditional menu featuring products sourced from local markets.
- Do you prefer pizzas to Spanish dishes? No problem, Little Italy opens its doors to you on rue del Rec. This gay-friendly restaurant is renowned for the quality of its dishes and its warm atmosphere.
- Another notorious restaurant for Barcelona’s LGBT community is Casa Jaime, on rue del Consell de Cent. The tapas and fried calamari are delicious!
Gay bar addresses
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Want to quench your thirst in a warm and friendly atmosphere? In the gay district of Eixample, you’re spoilt for choice.
- Boys Bar BCN welcomes you to Calle Diputació. Here, you can drink, chat and flirt in a serene, relaxed atmosphere. This bar also offers themed evenings: Latino atmosphere, strip-teasers, gogo dancers…
- Another not-to-be-missed address is Plata Bar, on Calle del Consell de Cent. Here you can enjoy delicious cocktails served by a friendly and welcoming team. With its modern, colorful decor, it’s the perfect place to spend a pleasant evening with friends and meet new people.
- And don’t forget to visit the El Born bar on Passeig del Born. The cocktails are fabulous, and the presentations are out of the ordinary.
Addresses of gay nightclubs
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Beautiful to discover by day, Barcelona is also a metropolis with a lively nightlife. Spaniards love to party, that’s for sure.
- Arena is well known to Barcelona’s gays and lesbians: it’s a collective of LGBT clubs, all located in the Gayxample. Arena Classic is a benchmark among Barcelona’s good gay addresses. Open to gays and lesbians as well as straights, it’s the place to dance and have fun to the rhythm of upbeat music.
- L’Aire is a lesbian club renowned for its techno and house music. It’s the ideal place to spend some quality time with your girlfriends!
- For men, head to Metro Disco. Once inside, you can dance and flirt to techno music. If you feel like it, you can also take a trip to the backrooms to discover more daring pleasures…
Gay places to relax
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To relax and enjoy moments of complicity, have you considered a sauna? The latest hot spot in Barcelona is the Buenos Aires sauna. With its enormous spa, various sauna areas and backrooms, this place offers a real invitation to serenity and masculine pleasures. There’s also a massage room, a bar and a video corner.
If you fancy a good time in front of a colorful show, book your evening at Dietrich, a gay cabaret located in rue del Consell de Cent. Here, you can enjoy a drink in a subdued, serene atmosphere, followed by a show featuring comical, extravagant but also touching drag queens.
LGBT events in Barcelona
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One of the most important LGBT events in Barcelona is, of course, Gay Pride. It takes place every year in June. It’s an opportunity to take part in or admire a parade in which the gay and lesbian colors and identity are proudly displayed. Many activities take place around this event, with the aim of changing mentalities and promoting the LGBT cause.
Another major event in August is the Circuit Festival in Barcelona. This international event brings together gays and lesbians from all over the world with a single aim: to have fun! On the program: seaside activities, competitions, themed evenings in bars and clubs… This festival is a unique opportunity to discover a gay Barcelona that’s even more festive and wild!
Other addresses
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As a coastal city, Barcelona boasts some superb beaches. The most popular gay beach is in Sitges, where almost a third of tourists are gay. The main beach is at the Picnic restaurant. This is where many gays come to swim, sunbathe and flirt. If you’re a naturist, there’s an unofficial nudist beach just a ten-minute walk from the main beach, on either side. Barcelona’s Mar Bella beach is also popular with the LGBT community.
Do you like to read while sipping a cold drink? The Antinous bookshop near La Rambla is a popular spot for gays and lesbians in Barcelona. You’ll find books on the gay scene, souvenirs and a wide range of DVDs.
Enjoy your stay in the Catalan capital!