Algarve
Gay Portugal
Portugal, in Southern Europe, is a beautiful country that offers an array of activities and sites to see for the LGBT traveler. Portugal has a rich, unique culture, lively cities, and the most beautiful countryside. Cycling, festivals, beautiful beaches, surfing, charming hotels, restaurants, exciting nightlife, and oh, the wine…you name it and you can find it in gay Portugal.
Photo Credit: Aayush Gupta
What do you want to discover?
Top things to see and do in Portugal
MUST DO: Attractions & activities
MUST VISIT: Gay-friendly bars & nightlife
Local Expert: Gay Scene in Portugal
Portugal has a colorful and vibrant gay scene. Portugal’s big cities each have their own little gayborhood in which you can find gay-friendly dining, culture, and nightlife. Also, Portugal is very gay-friendly and welcoming. In fact, Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010. If you are wandering around and are looking for a gay-friendly establishment, look for the rainbow flags on display, or ask the locals. They will direct you on where to go.
Photo Credit: Claudio Schwarz
Best Time to Visit Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal is between the spring and fall. The weather will be perfect and is an ideal temperature to explore. This is also considered peak tourist season and the country will come alive with festivities, culture, and more!
Photo Credit: Benjamin Voros
Top Things to See and Do in Portugal
MUST DO Portugal Attractions & Activities
Portugal offers many activities, foods, art, and more that one can spend a whole day exploring or even just immersing yourself in the local culture. From wine tasting to golfing, hiking, and more, there is something for everyone in Portugal. Below, you can find some ideas on how to spend the day.
Go sunbathing - There are a lot of beautiful beaches in Portugal. In fact, you can spend a whole day beach hopping and exploring the many different beaches, seaside cliffs, and more. The views are breathtaking and the sunsets are unforgettable.
Explore the cities - The cities offer 16th and 19th-century architecture and you can spend days admiring the history Portugal has to offer. You can also spend the day immersing yourself in the shops, markets, and culture that the city has to offer.
Photo Credit: Ricardo Resende
Visit a winery - Portugal is also famous for its wine. The region of Douro is known for its Port. a type of fortified wine, that is produced and shipped all over the world. The region is so well known that it's a UNESCO world heritage site.
MUST EAT Portugal Gay-Friendly Dining
Portugal has a very vibrant and delicious cuisine that the locals are very passionate about. The Portuguese diet consists of plenty of fresh seafood, due to its close proximity to the sea, fruit, wine, and more. The food is fresh and traditional and you can find many restaurants that serve traditional food. Below, you will find some traditional food that you can try while visiting.
Caldo Verde - Translated as “green broth”, Caldo Verde is a very popular soup that is served throughout Portugal. It’s made of thinly sliced cabbage, chouriço sausage, and potatoes. It’s a very light soup and is sometimes served as an appetizer or even as a late-night dish.
Sea Food - Due to its close proximity to the ocean, Portugal offers some of the best seafood you can imagine. From shellfish to fresh fish, this is a seafood lover’s dream! Cod and sardines are popular fish options here.
Pastel de Nata - This egg custard is a popular dessert found all over Portugal. It’s typically dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon and is enjoyed as an after-dinner dessert or with some tea or coffee.
Port - Named after the city that this drink comes from, Port is a fortified wine that is typically enjoyed as a dessert and is often served with chocolate, cheesecake, or just as its own. It’s a popular wine in Portugal, this is a must-try for any wine enthusiast. You can tour a port winery or just have some at a restaurant.
MUST VISIT Portugal Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Portugal has a very large and vibrant nightlife. In the daytime, there are many restaurants and bars that you can go visit and have a bite to eat or even some sangria to pass the time. However, when the sun sets, the nightlife comes to life. Many restaurants or bars convert into a bar/nightclubs with people even pouring out into the streets. So if you are looking for a fun night out, or just relaxing and sipping on a few cocktails, Portugal has something for you.
Photo Credit: Daniel Sessler
Travel Safety Tips
Portugal is considered a very safe and friendly place to visit. The people are friendly and welcoming and the streets are full of arts and culture. Portugal is also considered a very safe place to visit for the LGBT community and actually legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, making it the 8th place in the world to do so (at the time). While visiting, it’s always smart to practice common sense travel tips. Use the hotel safe to lock up any valuables and remember how to get back to your hotel room. After a fun night out, you will want to make it home!
Destinations within Portugal
Submit Your Content to be Featured on GayTravel.com
Are you well traveled? Want to contribute content to GayTravel.com, as well as to our widespread readership? From photos to recommendations to travel tips, we would love to see it all! Submit your content to be featured here.
Portugal Photos:
