LGTBI

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan, tolerant and open city. Throughout its history, its inhabitants have been in tune with the advances and breakthroughs in society. In the 1970s, it was already one of the pioneering cities in the fight for LGTBI rights. 

Since the beginning of the LGTBI movement, Barcelona has been a key destination in terms of diversity and the values associated with tolerance, dialogue and coexistence. It offers a great choice of leisure and cultural attractions in an atmosphere of total freedom. Most of them are located in the Gaixample, the area of the Eixample district bounded by the main thoroughfares Balmes, Gran Via, Urgell and Aragó. Here visitors will find LGTBI-friendly travel agencies and hotels, hair salons, fashion boutiques, restaurants and clubs.

The Gaixample is also a great starting point for some of the city’s most traditional sightseeing routes, including the Modernisme trail and Gothic Quarter trail. It is also well located for the best choice of shops, showcased by the Barcelona Shopping Line, the retail district connecting the Diagonal with the Port Vell. 

The LGTBI route extends to other neighbourhoods in the city, including the Raval, Poble Sec and Poblenou, where a number of clubs host parties catering to the LGTBI community.

The most diverse Mediterranean 

Barcelona is the LGTBI capital of the Mediterranean and you only have to check out its beaches to see why. Mar Bella and Sant Sebastià are two of the most popular LGBTI-friendly ones and have areas for nudists. Heading south you’ll find the charming coastal town of Sitges which offers a wide variety of LGTBI clubs and bars.

During the summer, in addition to the sun and sea, you’ll be able to enjoy festivals geared to the LGTBI community, such as Pride, which is famous for its colourful parade celebrating LGTBI rights, and the Circuit Festival, the LGTBI party par excellence. A few months earlier, the city also hosts Bear Pride, another great experience to remember.

LGTBI culture

Barcelona’s LGTBI route has a great deal to offer on the cultural side. The city hosts two gay and lesbian film festivals between June and October: FIRE, organised by the Casal Lambda, and the festival organised by the Filmoteca de Catalunya. Another of the most widely followed events is the sporting tournament Panteresports, held every September.

Two bookshops specialising in gay and lesbian literature play an important role in disseminating the LGTBI narrative in the city: Antinous, which opened more than 15 years ago, and Cómplices, which also runs the publishing company Egales, the first one in Spain specialising in LGTBI literature.

There’s no doubt that Barcelona wouldn’t be the LGTBI destination it is today without the work many associations have carried out for many years in favour of an open city that is against discrimination. With the same aim in mind, at Turisme de Barcelona our team of experts is on hand to give specific guidance and advice on ways of enjoying an unforgettable stay in the city.