By Soren Rivero
Not every destination is welcoming for every traveler, and it's always best to research a destination before traveling. To help, we've compiled a list of the most welcoming places to travel to for the safety-conscious traveler.
Toronto, Canada
Canada has consistently ranked as one of the world's friendliest countries by multiple sources. In recent years, Canada signed several laws into effect that ensure safety and protection against hate. Some of these laws are specifically targeted to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, examples include legalizing same-sex marriage and protecting against workforce discrimination.
It’s no surprise that an extremely popular major city in Canada such as Toronto would be a safe haven for people to feel welcomed. Thanks to the city’s overall progressiveness combined with Canada’s protection laws, Toronto is an excellent choice for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC travelers. Toronto’s crime rate is also the lowest of all major cities in Canada at about 56.7% (“Best” range).
Some friendly places to visit in Toronto include Yorkville, The Church and Wellesley Village, and The Entertainment District. Yorkville is the city’s fashion center, and what better way to express yourself than with fashion? The Church and Wellesley village is Toronto’s prime LGBTQ+ area, and The Entertainment District values everything performing-arts related.
Madrid, Spain
Spain is one of Europe’s friendliest and diverse countries. When it comes to accepting members of the LGBTQ+ community, Spain ranks as one of the highest countries across the globe. The country also ranked as #1 in the European Union as the most supportive of individuals being able to change their legal gender. This makes it a welcoming place for queer travelers.
Madrid is Spain’s capital and the heart of the country. You likely won’t see the same excitement and elegance of this city in comparison to Spain’s other popular cities. From cultural monuments to exciting nightlife spots, Madrid is the place to go to feel welcomed in Spain. Aim to start your Madrid vacation at Chueca Square, a dazzling district characterized by dozens of rainbow flags and avant-garde establishments.
Want to see more of Spain’s incredible LGBTQ+ scene?
Consider spending some time in Barcelona, where you’ll see streets lined with rainbows, a variety of LGBTQ+ bars, and drag performances.
Glasgow, Scotland
In comparison to the USA, the UK is generally safer in terms of violence and hate crimes. Visitors to the UK will specifically appreciate the very safe environment in the UK’s constituent country of Scotland. Travelers who identify as female may also rest easy knowing that Scotland is a safe place for solo female travel.
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and thus, gets the most attention. However, it’s the country’s second largest city, Glasgow, that takes the cake for being the most welcoming. Glasgow even went as far as to win the #1 spot of the friendliest city in the UK in 2022. It’s no surprise that the city’s slogan is “People Make Glasgow”, as it's truly the community that makes the experience all the better.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Uruguay is a booming travel destination that continues to grow in popularity. One of the reasons that people from across the world are so drawn to Uruguay is the overall relaxed, safe, and friendly environment.
As of 2023, it is the most LGBTQ+ friendly country in South America with an overall equality index of 86/100. Uruguay also prides itself on being the most egalitarian country in South America. With that being said, please be aware that Uruguay is behind on protections for certain demographics: people of African descent, women, and trans individuals. Efforts to make the country more welcoming for everyone are ongoing.
Montevideo is the country’s capital, and an incredible representation of modern development alongside community engagement. Rumor has it that some of the tiles in the city’s uneven streets are hand-placed. That, in combination with the relatively low population for an urban city, makes Montevideo a comforting place to visit.
Plan a day or two in Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) to explore the historical side of Uruguay. Also located in Ciudad Vieja is Montevideo’s youthful LGBTQ+ scene.
New York City, New York
A traveler’s experience of feeling welcomed in the United States will vary greatly depending on where they are. Protection laws are different in every state; some states have strict immigration policies, some have banned LGBTQ+ discussion in classrooms, “crossdressing” and drag performance, and teaching critical race theory. It's important to note that on June 6, 2023, the Human Rights Campaign announced a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ citizens and tourists for the entire country.
New York City has historically been one of the most diverse places in the USA. Some say that the city itself was built by the hard work of immigrants. The reason? NYC has long stood as the main entry point for people leaving their countries to enter the USA. You’ll find small cultural towns across the city, all with roots in different parts of the world.
On top of that, NYC is the birthplace of the Pride movement in the USA. Other aspects of the LGBTQ+ community, such as the underground ballroom scene, were also born in the Big Apple. To this day, NYC is the most diverse and accepting city in the USA (rivaling San Francisco and other major cities). You don’t have to worry too much about standing out, as that’s essentially the name of the game in NYC. Aim to visit Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Harlem if you want the best LGBTQ+ scene in NYC.
Just be aware that locals in NYC may not be the friendliest people, but that might have to do with the extremely-fast paced lifestyle inherent to the city. Regardless, the city is accepting of people from diverse backgrounds. On a final note: stay resilient in NYC. The city is quite notorious for petty crimes, scams, and pickpockets.
Bangkok, Thailand
If you’ve ever heard someone talk about “The Land of Smiles", they’re referring to Thailand. For years on end, Thailand has been a welcoming place for tourists of all backgrounds. The country’s nickname comes from the Thai people’s tendency to smile in almost any situation. Thailand is also one of the most accepting and welcoming of LGBTQ+ travelers in all of Asia, and has had anti-discrimination laws in effect as of 2015.
Bangkok is Thailand’s joyful city of colors and culture. It’s a popular destination to travel to among the LGBTQ+ community, and is also quite safe for solo female travelers. Bangkok’s mix of traditional and modern aspects has transformed it into a diverse city that openly welcomes people of different lifestyles.
Want to make your experience even better in Thailand? Check out the numerous queer-friendly hotels and businesses around Bangkok’s Silom and Sathorn neighborhoods!
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland tied nearly neck to neck with Canada for the #1 spot of Equaldex’ most equal country in the world. However, it surpassed the North American country by a small margin in relation to overall public acceptance of LGBTQ+ folx. Regardless, Iceland has long been a country that’s known for being welcoming and friendly. Iceland also broke the stereotype back in 2009 when they elected the country’s first female prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, who also became the world’s first openly queer head of government. Want to know the icing on the cake (or should we say… icing on the glacier)? Iceland is the world’s most peaceful country!
No doubt that Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik is the most heartwarming and welcoming of all the cities. Praise goes to the city’s history and stunning natural landscapes for making it a more desirable place to visit. The people are generally open-hearted and kind, and it's even common to see an LGBTQ+ couple holding hands in public!
If you’re looking for the gayborhood in Reykjavik, don’t expect anything too extravagant. Most places are scattered, though you can find a bustling LGBTQ+ scene in downtown Reykjavik. Don’t forget to stop by “Rainbow Street” to take some pictures of the rainbow crossing.
Tokyo, Japan
To outsiders, it might seem surprising that such an advanced country such as Japan has much catching-up to do in the realm of human rights. This has to do with Japan’s heavy roots in tradition and strict cultural norms. The gender gap is still immense, LGBTQ+ people have little to no protections, and foreign nationals are subjected to inhumane treatment. Yet– most visitors claim that Japan is one of the friendliest countries they’ve ever visited.
Tokyo is the bread and butter image of Japan that nearly everyone has. The ultramodern ‘new’ capital of Japan is incredibly high-tech and high-pace. In line with that, the people in Tokyo are also exceedingly welcoming. It’s not uncommon at all to see an array of people from different backgrounds walking the streets of Tokyo. In combination with Japan’s prioritization of respect, Tokyo is an exceptionally welcoming place.
Look no further than the colorful and youthful street of Harajuku, and you’ll see there’s no reason to hide your true colors while in Tokyo. Over in Shinjuku Ni-chōme, you’ll find the unofficial gay district of Tokyo, and possibly the fanciest LGBTQ+ scene in all of Asia.
Mendoza, Argentina
Did you know that Argentina was the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage? Argentina has sustained a fair relationship with acceptance over the past decades, recently becoming one of South America’s friendliest countries. Penalties are issued towards those who commit crime based on another's sexuality or gender. The country also has laws prohibiting racial and ethnic profiling.
Mendoza is one of Argentina’s major cities, located in the Cuyo region. The city is most famed for its wine culture, and what better way to welcome your neighbor than with wine? The city is safe and has a popular LGBTQ+ scene, specifically in Condado and Santurce.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a popular travel destination for many people. Whether you love to learn about history or are an avid beach-goer, Puerto Rico is a welcoming place for travelers from all backgrounds. The island’s cultural roots also make it a diverse place, with most locals identifying as multi-ethnic.
San Juan is Puerto Rico’s prized possession. With dozens of instances of historical significance held within its city limits, San Juan is the #1 place to visit in Puerto Rico. Fortunately, the city is rather welcoming due to the rich history behind it and the influx of tourism. LGBTQ+ travelers will find solace in San Juan, as it is the most welcoming part of the island.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The Netherlands is another country that is well-known for its welcoming demeanor and overall friendly environment. On top of that, the overall crime rate in the Netherlands is significantly lower than most other first-world countries. Visitors often report feeling welcomed in the Netherlands, even despite cultural differences. In 2020, the country also won the spot for the most tourist-friendly city in the world with its capital: Amsterdam.
The booming city of Amsterdam is known for many things. From housing historical monuments to selling cheese wheels you can’t see anywhere else, Amsterdam truly has it all. The growing popularity of it as a travel destination has forced the city to consistently evolve, making it more and more diverse as the years go by.
Known by some as the second “Sin City” due to its chaotic nature, Amsterdam can be quite packed. There’s always a chance for you to meet someone who resonates with your lifestyle, so feel free to mingle! For the LGBTQ+ traveler, no need to search far for queer-friendly places. Amsterdam is considered to be the gay capital of Europe and hosts (arguably) the most queer-owned businesses in all of Europe’s major cities.
Cape Town, South Africa
The African continent holds some of the most intense anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, particularly in the northern region. Alongside that, violence and turmoil is extremely high in a few African countries such as Nigeria and South Sudan, making it best to avoid traveling to them no matter who you are. Fortunately, South Africa is a country where tourists of diverse backgrounds can feel relatively safe and welcomed. South Africa boasts the most progressive mindset and laws out of all African countries.
It should be noted, however, that South Africa has a prevalent history with racism. The people are generally much more friendly to tourists. Still, it is never a bad idea to stay vigilant, especially since South Africa does have a moderate crime rate compared to other destinations on this list.
But for those looking for a welcoming experience, visit Cape Town! Known as one of the gay capitals of the world, Cape Town is exceedingly welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers. With friendly locals, a progressive atmosphere, and extra tourist protection, Cape Town is a good option for the most welcoming places to travel to in 2023.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico often finds itself landing on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to safety and acceptance. On one hand, the country is slowly progressing to become a more inclusive place. As of late 2022, gay marriage was finally legalized in the country; in some cities, specific transportation methods are designed solely for females, children under 12, and people with disabilities. However, Mexico continues to have a rising crime rate. The good news is that Mexico’s major cities and tourist hot-spots are much safer than the rest of the country.
Mexico City is fortunately one of Mexico’s safest and most friendly cities. As the heart of the country itself, it's hard to imagine anywhere else where you’ll find a more entertaining environment than Mexico City. The people are kind, the businesses are welcoming, there’s plenty of things to do, and it’s an excellent option for queer-friendly travel destinations!
Melbourne, Australia
Australia is a fairly safe country overall in terms of crime and violence. With constitutional protections, workforce protections, and legalized same-sex marriage, Australia is generally a safe place to travel.
Australia as a country has also become more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community within recent years. Please be aware, though, that the awareness of racism in Australia is growing steadily. Both locals and tourists have felt some impact of the country’s history with racism, whether it is microaggressions or blatant hate. Still, Australia’s most progressive streets are very welcoming.
Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and thus sees a hefty amount of tourism from visitors around the world. Alongside the city being known for its welcoming and friendly locals, it’s also earned the name of “Australia’s Cultural Capital.”
Melbourne ranked as Australia’s most LGBTQ+ friendly city in 2022. Pay particular attention to the numerous welcoming establishments in Fitzroy. Browse and shop at LGBTQ+ and BIPOC owned stores, walk around the artsy streets, and attend local events.
Wellington, New Zealand
Ranking higher than the United States in terms of overall safety and protection, New Zealand is a superbly welcoming country. In an overall equality index, the country landed at an amazing score of 78/100. In addition, New Zealand landed just under the top ten mark of the most accepting countries in the world of LGBTQ+ folx.
That’s not all– the New Zealand Government, alongside The National Iwi Chairs Forum and others, have initiated an anti-racism action plan in recent years that aims to progressively eliminate racism in all forms.
Wellington is not only the country’s capital city, but also the creative and cultural epicenter. It’s just behind Auckland in terms of ethnic diversity, though that might have to do with the city’s rather small size. It’s also not a surprise that the city is incredibly welcoming, considering that the people living in Wellington come from diverse backgrounds. You’ll meet people who are creatives, government workers, IT techs, students, artists, and much more! Visit Wellington to see one of the most welcoming places to travel to.
