As longtime travelers, we do love a lively drag show or a Pride parade, but we also want to go beyond the obvious to discover cute small towns, safari adventures, and pockets around the world that offer more well-rounded experiences—while still being able to be our true selves. That’s what led us to write the National Geographic book Out in the World, a travel guide that supports LGBTQIA+ travelers, and our allies, in meaningful ways—including queer-owned and welcoming businesses, and memorable activities where everyone feels like part of a community.
Here are 10 exciting destinations (plus our lodging tips in each), from surprising small towns and exciting big cities, to romantic beaches and wild national parks.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the world’s largest reef system is home to 1,600 species of fish, 134 species of sharks and rays, 30 species of whales and dolphins, and 700 species of hard and soft coral.
If you’re interested in snorkeling, book a day tour with Wavelength Reef Cruises, an eco-certified company that offers smaller group excursions and is owned by local marine biologists. The company visits popular reefs such as Tongue, Opal, and St. Crispin (we spotted dolphins and whales en route), with the skipper picking the best spot based on the day’s conditions. Other companies, such as Quicksilver Cruises, offer excursions where you can choose between scuba diving and snorkeling.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Cairns and Port Douglas, gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, are very queer friendly.
Where to stay:The adults-only Pink Flamingo Resort in Port Douglas offers colorful private villas (with an outdoor shower and hammock). Turtle Cove is an adults-only beachfront resort (with clothing-optional sections) for LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Wangetti (about 30 minutes from Port Douglas). The queer-owned Gunnadoo Holiday, with views of the Coral Sea, is near the Daintree Rainforest in Rocky Point.
New York City, New York
New York City’s history, especially in Greenwich Village, can be explored via Christopher Street Tours, which gives the inside scoop on historic sites and LGBTQIA+ pioneers. We could spend all day people-watching in Washington Square Park, but so many other great sites are nearby: the Stonewall Inn, a historic landmark where the 1969 riots helped launch the gay rights movement; Marie’s Crisis Café, a classic LGBTQIA+ piano bar (dating back to 1929), where you can belt out show tunes; and Henrietta Hudson for lesbian karaoke and dancing. And don’t overlook the Museum of the City of New York, which details the city’s history and has a moving exhibit on progress for LGBTQIA+ rights.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:NYC has the largest queer population in the United States and is an essential location of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in the country.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
In Cambodia, same-sex activity is legal and same-sex relationships are widely accepted, especially in major cities. The buzzing capital Phnom Penh has a small LGBTQIA+ scene with a few bars and restaurants central to the community.
For drinks, head to Blue Chilli, the longest running LGBTQIA+ bar in the country, with drag shows, dancing, and co*cktails. At Space Hair Salon and Bar, you can get your hair done and your drinks poured in one place; the Pride of Phnom Penh is a bijou music bar with LGBTQIA+ crowds; and the Toolbox is “geared” toward gay men.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Pride week is typically in May. When in temples, make sure to wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders (shawls are not permitted in some places). Just as in some other areas of Asia, public displays of affection are not especially encouraged (for any type of couple).
Where to stay:Arthur & Paul is a spa boutique hotel for men only. Mad Monkey Hostel has dorms and private rooms, plus a beer garden, restaurant, and pool. It also hosts Pride events and gives back to the community through clean water projects and beach cleanups. Palace Gate Hotel & Resort is on the riverfront with sophisticated rooms and a lush pool area.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio, in eastern Brazil, is world renowned for its Carnival celebration but its beaches, mountains, and other natural spaces beckon year-round. Start at Ipanema Beach, a hot spot for the queer community and one of the cleanest beaches in the city (here you’ll find Rua Farme de Amoedo, a famous LGBTQIA+ street with some of the city’s best queer nightlife). Also check out Copacabana Beach, which also has a lively queer crowd, music, restaurants, and bars. Or visit Praiade Abricó beach, the city’s only nudist option.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown: Rio is the queer mecca of Brazil, priding itself on initiatives like vocational training courses for trans people, anti-bullying projects to support queer students, and legislation outlawing discrimination in the city’s nightclubs.
Where to stay: Praia Ipanema Hotel has modern rooms and balconies with sweeping views of the beach. MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel on a historic coffee farm dating back to the 1850s. It boasts a spa and Michelin-listed restaurant. Or try LaSuite by Dussol, a minimalist and modern hotel with views of the beach, the landmark Christ the Redeemer statue, and the Cagarras Islands.
Cape Winelands, South Africa
In addition to hundreds of wineries (including some of the oldest outside of Europe), the Cape Winelands, South Africa, offers expansive estates and historic towns only an hour away from Cape Town. Award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage are among the varietals at M’hudi Wines, the first entirely Black-owned wine tourism farm in South Africa.
Between Cape Town and the Cape Winelands area, don’t miss Steenberg Farm, the first winery in South Africa to join the International LGBTQ+Travel Association(IGLTA). Established in 1682, Steenberg Farm has some of the country’s best winery views and Sauvignon Blanc. While touring the wineries, let someone else do the driving with Vine Hopper (Stellenbosch) or the fun Franschhoek Wine Tram.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:South Africa amended its constitution in 1996 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation (the first country to do so) and legalized same-sex marriage in 2006. Still, there are ongoing incidents of racism and hom*ophobia, so visit with caution.
Where to stay:Maison Chablis Guest House is a quaint and inviting country house, with a pool. Queer-owned Holden Manz Wine Estate is a hidden gem where you can enjoy some Merlot or Syrah, and wine and dine in the Franschhoek Kitchen. Sugarbird Manor at Protea Heights Farm has serene views and an amazing infinity pool amid vineyards.
Nova Scotia, Canada
Nova Scotia is known for its rugged coastline, rolling hills, world-famous lobster, outdoor hiking and cycling, lighthouses, and the world’s highest tides. In 2023, it hosted the North American Indigenous Games, bringing together 756 nations to compete and connect through sports across 21 venues.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Nova Scotia is a queer-welcoming destination with Canada’s largest population of trans and nonbinary people and extensive protections for queer people. It also has a wide array of services, including First Love Yourself, Gender Creative Kids Canada, and Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project.
Where to stay: The Pebble Bed & Breakfast has charming rooms overlooking Northwest Arm, an inlet with bright blue waters for boating and fishing. The Wellshire Bed and Breakfast in Lunenburg is in the historic Old Town with a well-tended garden and pond. The Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel is eco-certified and has picturesque views of the water, plus an indoor pool and fitness center.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
A mountain town famous for its mineral springs and Victorian architecture, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, may not be the first place you think of as a queer-friendly destination, but with more than 30 percent of its population identifying as LGBTQIA+, the town is a leader in southern hospitality.
Millions come for the Great Passion Play, the “Christ of the Ozarks” statue, and Thorncrown Chapel, an architectural gem with 425 windows. According to architect E. Fay Jones, it’s a place to “think your best thoughts.” In downtown Eureka Springs, stroll the Historic Loop, a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) walking tour with 300 Victorian-era buildings. Don’t miss the rainbow steps on North Main Street for a Pride photo spot.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Nicknamed the “gay capital of the Ozarks,” Eureka Springs has long advocated for equality. Before the United States legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, Eureka Springs residents formed domestic partnership registries, and the town enacted laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender expression.
Where to stay:Gay-owned options include Magnetic Valley Resort, an all-male (including trans men) retreat in a serene setting, and the pet-friendly Wanderoo Lodge, which has a bar, restaurant, and the town’s largest swimming pool.
Barcelona, Spain
Northern Spain’s only coastal city, Barcelona has it all: history, art, Gaudí-designed landmarks, gastronomy, and Instagrammable sites at every turn. Trendy neighborhood, Eixample, known by the locals as Gaixample for its large LGBTQIA+ community, is great for craft beer bars, art galleries, high-end stores, modernist buildings, and the Arc de Triomf, designed as the entrance to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. You should also visit the Gaudí houses: Casa Batlló (“House of Inspiration”) and La Pedrera Casa Milà, Gaudí’s last private residence project (completed in 1912), for immersive hologram experiences. Mar Bella Beach (with a clothing-optional section) is popular with the LGBTQIA+ community.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Barcelona, the Catalan capital, is particularly welcoming to the spectrum of the queer community, with multiple LGBTQIA+ events, queer-friendly districts, and inclusive hangouts.
Where to stay: Kimpton Vividora in the Gothic Quarter is a pet-friendly favorite with a pool. Hotel Ohla, in the same area, is known for the 1,000 ceramic eyes on its facade and its Michelin-starred restaurant. The hetero-friendly Axel Hotel in Gaixample is also quite popular with the LGBTQIA+ community and houses Sky Bar, which features a fan of feathers representing diversity
Cologne, Germany
Few places do Christmas markets better than Germany, and the progressive university town of Cologne is no exception. Each market offers a chance to sip warm glühwein, browse handmade arts and crafts, take in ornate decorations, and sample Wiener schnitzel. The biggest and most famous Christkindlmarkt can be found in front Cologne Cathedral, where a giant Christmas tree and pretty overhead string lights set a jolly atmosphere. In the (holiday) spirit of inclusiveness, don’t miss Heavenue, a queer Christmas market featuring sexy St. Nick, live shows, and stalls bursting with color.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Cologne competes with Berlin for the most queer-friendly city in Germany. You’ll find one of Europe’s biggest Pride festivals, two distinct LGBTQIA+ neighborhoods (Rudolfplatz-Schaafenstrasse in the west and Heumarkt-Mathiasstrasse in the east), and lots of queer spaces.
Where to stay: The Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom is a five-star luxury option steps from the Cologne Cathedral. Maison Marsil is a family-owned boutique hotel with lots of character in the heart of the city.
Los Cabos, Mexico
On the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, the Los Cabos region includes the popular towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, connected by the Corridor: 20 miles (32 km) of walkable beaches, golf courses, resorts, and great spots for snorkeling and fishing.
Visit Cabo San Lucas’s popular Medano Beach, crammed with oceanfront hotels and plenty of places to sip margaritas all day. Just across from the beach, you’ll see the landmark El Arco, a three-story limestone arch where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Take a water taxi to Lovers Beach, a beautiful swimmable spot on the Sea of Cortez side of the arch.
LGBTQIA+ lowdown:Cabo San Lucas is particularly welcoming, hosting an annual LGBTQIA+Pride march. It’s also home to many inclusive resorts and businesses.
Where to stay:ME Cabo on Medano Beach puts you near all the action; walk to town or sit by the pool with views of the sea and El Arco, then join the parties along the busy beach strip at night. It also holds the Queer Destinations Committed distinction, an internationally recognized standard of inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Amy B. Scher is the best-selling author of four books translated into 20 languages. She lives with her wife in New York City.
Mark Jason Williams is an award-winning playwright, essayist, and travel writer who has visited 47 countries across all seven continents. Out in the Worldis his first book. Mark lives in New York with his husband and their 15-year-old Yorkie.
