The capital of Spain, Madrid is a city bursting with culture, food, and entertainment. It is an ideal destination for LGBTQIA+ visitors since the country is highly welcoming and celebrates the community members. Every year, hundreds of visitors are hosted by the city, which is known for having one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ local communities.
Spain has a long history of embracing LGBTQIA+ people, having become the third country in the world to legalise gay marriage in 2005 and enabling gay couples to adopt without hesitation. Madrid even holds one of the world's largest pride festivals, attracting over 2 million visitors each year! Their resolve exemplifies the country's open and friendly attitude toward all people.
Madrid is a must visit for travellers who want to experience a safe and exciting journey, in such an adventurous country. Buckle up and find out what makes this city so appealing to LGBTQIA+ visitors!
Pride
The city's annual Pride celebrations are one of the most anticipated events in Madrid, attracting the most visitors of any pride event in Europe and the second largest in the world. The primary event, the Pride Parade, is organised by FELGTB (National Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals) and COGAM (Madrid Association of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals), and brings everybody together to celebrate the past and keep moving into the future. There is music, entertainment, contests (such as The High Heels Race or Mr Gay Spain Pride), and even concerts to commemorate love regardless of sexuality.
Pride events in Madrid begin on June 24 and continue until July 4, with the pride parade taking place on Saturday, July 3. Due to COVID, there will be restrictions in place for the parade, but visitors are encouraged to attend with safety measures. The parade begins from Atocha Station and will continue through popular streets such as Paseo Del Prado, finishing at Plaza De Colon. For a more informative itinerary of all the events, visit Madrid Pride’s website.
LBTQIA+ Friendly Communities
Not only is Madrid very accepting of all sexualities, but also has many local neighbourhoods composed of a high population of queer identities. One of these neighbourhoods is Chueca, known as the gay district of Madrid. Many businesses in this area, from restaurants to bookstores and even travel agencies, focus on their LGTBQIA+ clientele and cater to their needs. You will see streets flooded with people who treat others with respect and even rainbow flags hanging from balconies at every corner!
Other friendly neighbourhoods include Malasaña, which is known for its extravagant shopping street and seen as the ‘gay hipster’ area to the locals. Sol, which is located in the center of all neighbourhoods and attracts a lot of visitors due to its diverse selection of restaurants, entertainment, and events. Lastly, La Latina which has the largest Sunday market in spain, great nightlife, and an amazing variety of tapas; it is close to Chueca with a walking distance of around 20 minutes!
Dining
Food is an important element of Spanish culture, and Madrid exhibits the wonderful treats that the nation has to offer. Visit Gula Gula, a local restaurant with an incredible buffet variety as well as a busy nightlife scene with drag shows and dramatic acts! For vegetarian options we recommend El Estragón, known for fascinating even meat lovers from their delicious menu. For those who like to explore the city for local hidden gems, or a taste of Madrid’s street food, head to the neighborhoods of San Bernardo and Chueca. Madrid offers a diverse selection of tastes, with LGTBQIA+ restaurants being of very high quality and a must-visit!
Community Events
Besides pride, there are a variety of sights you must visit while being in Madrid. Gay Day Madrid is annual event taking place in the city’s main park that gathers community families, couples, and individuals to have fun and participate in entertaining activities. LesGaiCineMadrid is a film festival also occurring annually, with the mission of showcasing gay filmmakers and movie themes, displaying the talent that the community has to offer. There is always an activity happening in the city for the LGBTQIA+ community!
In Madrid, the LGBTQIA+ community is warmly welcomed and appreciated. So mark your calendars and get ready to explore this lovely city and its welcoming people!
Originally Written: Nadim Kassymov
Edited: Vinita Malik
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