On the tapas trail in La Latina!

Say a big hola! to couple Alberto & Eli. They are five-star misterb&b hosts welcoming guests to their home in the very gay-friendly La Latina neighborhood of Madrid. Within walking distance of the city's touristic highlights, renting with them is a great option if you're planning to stay like a gay local in Spain's historic and cultural capital...

What’s gay life like in Madrid?

Like Barcelona, Madrid is not only one of the top gay-friendly destinations in Spain, but also in Europe. Gay marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005 and Madrid itself celebrates gay life and rights, as you can see in its newly installed gay-friendly traffic lights [featuring same-sex symbols], put in place ahead of last year's Madrid Pride!

In addition, Madrid is Europe’s nightlife capital. There’s something for every taste and lifestyle in this 24-hour city. People are encouraged to show affection outdoors no matter their sexual orientation, and authorities remind the gay community of their rights.

Where’s the gayborhood in Madrid? 


Chueca! It may just be the gayest neighborhood in the world (!), but it’s not the only one in Madrid. In fact, gay life is now spread all over the city center.

La Latina, our neighborhood, is walking distance from Chueca and we think it’s the best choice to stay to visit all the tourist attractions. La Latina is also the oldest neighborhood in town and offers trendy shops and restaurants, highly influenced by gay life. [Editor's note: La Latina also has the awesome Rastro flea market where the streets fill up every Sunday and some great gay drinking spots open the same evening!].

What are the best gay events that take place in Madrid?

Without a doubt, Madrid Gay Pride [aka Madrid Ogullo] is the largest and one of the most popular gay events in all Europe, attracting two million people each year. The 2018 event will be held from 28 June to 8 July and is definitely not to be missed!

If you’re visiting Madrid in August, you should try the local festival of La Paloma, in the very same neighborhood were we live. La Paloma is know as the Orgullo Chico or Little Pride.

We only have 48 hours in Madrid. What can’t we miss?

One of the advantages of Madrid is that most of the tourist sites are very close to one another. You can reach main spots such at the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Templo de Debod, Plaza de España or the shopping area on Gran Vía, just from walking from our place.

Stretching your visit to two or three days will let you enjoy Chueca nightlife, the lively terrazas in La Latina, strolling around El Retiro park and checking any of the world-famous museums, such as El Prado, Reina Sofia or Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Inside El Retiro park

What’s your favorite place to grab a bite to eat?

Madrid offers a wide range of options when it comes to restaurants and bars. Tapas is a must: walk down Cava Baja and Cava Alta in La Latina for any of the most traditional yet trendy tapas places. Add some beer, sangría or wine, and make it complete! You want a gayer scene? Well, Plaza de Chueca or Calle Fuencarral are the places to see and be seen.

We’re ready to party! What are the best gay clubs?

Guys in Madrid start their evening pretty late. Dinner and first drinks will take place around 21:00 or 22:00pm, so do not expect to find bars crowded before 23:00pm. Chueca is a good place for Latino and Spanish music lovers while Lavapiés and La Latina are home to many cruising/sex bars and clubs.

Also, don’t forget to check parties in advance, as they change locations and sessions every weekend: Amen, Kluster and We are some of the most popular clubs for Madrileños. 

Any beaches, parks or best other places to chill-out?

El Retiro is the biggest and most beautiful park in Madrid and the best place to chill out. If you’re visiting for more than a weekend, day trips to historical and monumental sites such as Toledo, El Escorial, Segovia or Aranjuez will make your trip complete!

Templo de Debod © flickr/Jose Palao Chinchilla

Finally, where can we get the best view of Madrid?

There are many great rooftops and viewpoints in the city and we will be glad to share those with you in person. For example, the Templo de Debod near Plaza España offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in town! ●

Don't forget to read our City Guide for top tips on the best places to eat, drink and party in the Spanish capital.