> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Barcelona tops list of Europe’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/barcelona-tops-list-of-europes-most-lgbtq-friendly-cities/
- Published: 2025-10-28T10:52:48.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-28T10:52:48.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News

Travel giant **TUI** has released its third annual [**LGBTQ+ Travel Ranking**](https://www.tui.com/lgbtqia-travel-ranking/?ref=scenemag.co.uk), spotlighting the continent’s most inclusive and welcoming cities for queer travellers. The study, which prioritises safety, legal protections, and social acceptance, places **Barcelona** at the very top of the list with **Brighton** making the top 50\. 

The ranking draws on a variety of factors, including hate crime legislation, legal recognition of nonbinary individuals, Pride event scale, and even Google search interest for terms like “gay” in relation to each city. While the methodology isn’t without limitations, it offers a valuable snapshot of where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel most at ease.

**Top 10 LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in Europe:**

1. **Barcelona, Spain**
2. **Berlin, Germany**
3. **Ibiza, Spain**
4. **Porto, Portugal**
5. **Madrid, Spain** and **Cologne, Germany** (tied)
6. **Amsterdam, Netherlands**
7. **Lisbon, Portugal**
8. **Vienna, Austria**
9. **Hamburg, Germany**

[Que(e)r durch Europa: TUI LGBTQIA+ Travel Ranking 2025Akzeptanz & Awareness: Welche Städte sind am queer-freundlichsten? Wo fühlt sich die Community sicher? Wo gibt es die größten Prides? Mehr erfahren.![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/icon/safari-pinned-tab.svg)![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/thumbnail/tui-lgbtqia-2025-facebook.jpg)](https://www.tui.com/lgbtqia-travel-ranking/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

**Spain** and **Germany** dominate the top tier, each boasting three cities in the top ten. Portugal also makes a strong showing with **Porto** and **Lisbon**, while **Amsterdam** and **Vienna** round out the list. The only **UK** cities to make the Top 50 are **London**, **Brighton** and **Manchester**. 

**Germany** stands out for its progressive legislation, being the only country in the ranking to formally recognise nonbinary individuals. The **Netherlands**, meanwhile, is the sole nation where hate speech against queer people is explicitly criminalised. **Spain** leads the Global Equality Index for gender and sexual diversity, closely followed by **Germany** and the **Netherlands**. 

TUI’s ranking also reflects broader societal trends. According to a recent **Ipsos** study, 12% of Germany’s population identifies as queer, up from 7% in 2021\. The Netherlands leads with 17%, while **Belgium**, Spain and **Sweden** each report 11%. 

However, not all countries fared well. Destinations in Sweden, **France**, the UK and **Greece** were noted for underperforming, largely due to weaker legal protections and safety concerns for LGBTQIA+ individuals.