Europe's most surprising gay friendly islands

Mar. 06 2011

by Marc Dedonder

Although cities like Paris, Barcelona, London and Berlin attract thousands of gay tourists every year, Europe offers surprising islands, sometimes unknown to the general public.

Each one more charming than the other, some European islands offer an alternative to popular destinations. Depending on the traveler's search criteria, there are several possibilities: from the beach to the expedition to a return to history.
Discover the secrets of European islands and make new discoveries.

Ibiza, Spain
This island is probably one of the most attractive and well-known among gay men. Rarely is Ibiza the first gay friendly destination.

The island of Ibiza has a small population of 11,000, but it attracts four million tourists annually. The tourism market is therefore the number one industry in Ibiza, and gay and lesbian travelers are welcomed with open arms.

Ibiza offers essentially two activities: beaches and discos. You get up around 1pm to head to a beach and in the evening, you party until the wee hours of the morning in a gay friendly disco.

Private parties, sexy parties and meetings are not rare. By making some contacts on the island, you will be given access to illicit and sometimes exclusive places for selected people. Ibiza is a unique island in its kind.

Majorca, Spain
The island of Mallorca became known mainly by the British when they invaded this sunny destination. Mallorca is known for its clientele who are looking for warmth, the sea, but also hot and sexy parties.

The island offers tourists fantastic places to relax. A short walk through the medieval center of Palma will reveal picturesque old quarters, gothic churches and baroque palaces.

Gay men are invited to experience Mallorca. Activities and nightclubs are mainly located in the center of Palma. The mix of locals and tourists is what Mallorca is known for.

Lanzarote, Spain
at one time, the island of Lanzarote was called Lancerotte. Located in the archipelago of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is rapidly developing its gay tourism market in the same way as its neighboring islands.

Its strength of character, natural beauty and national identity make Lanzarote an evolving and emotionally rich destination.

The island of Lanzarote offers several fascinating tourist attractions. Between a beach in the hot Canary sun and its 300 volcanic cones, the island becomes in itself a revelation for all tourists who arrive in Lanzarote for their vacations.

Its natural and diverse biosphere has made UNESCO place Lanzarote as a world environmental heritage to protect this incredible space.

Rhodes, Greece
Located in the Dodecanese archipelago in Greece, the island of Rhodes is one of the many gay-friendly destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. Rhodes is ideal for mixing sunbathing on the beach with archaeological discoveries. Rich in history, the island offers many attractions for history lovers.

Sometimes Rhodes is very popular with tourists. But there is a resort called Faliraki that will briefly make you feel like you are the only person who has discovered this island. A strange feeling will come over you.

Rhodes is unfortunately too popular for its capacity. You should therefore plan a visit in the low season if you want to avoid the big crowds and the many families that settle there during the summer period.

Cyprus
Totally unknown to the gay and lesbian community, this destination is nevertheless worth discovering. The homosexual clientele will discover a warm and sweet climate. The island of Cyprus alone offers several discotheques that make the big gay capitals jealous.
With more than five gay and gay-friendly beaches, Cyprus is the place to be for this clientele looking for an out-of-the-ordinary destination.

Beach by day and disco by night is what gay men can experience in Cyprus on their next vacation.

If you like the difference of destination choices, some European islands could be the perfect opportunity for your next vacation in the sun. From the classic Spain to the well known Greece, passing by the paradisiacal destination of Cyprus, you are the only one missing to discover unique and especially... gay friendly!