Ibiza

Ibiza is small on the map but huge in the European gay imagination: alongside Sitges, Gran Canaria and Mykonos, it's one of the continent's great beach-and-party destinations. The LGBTQ+ heart of the island is Ibiza Town (Eivissa), specifically the old port quarter at the foot of the Dalt Vila walls. There, the little Calle de la Virgen — pedestrianised, cobbled, strung with fairy lights — is the scene's meeting point: a run of tiny bars, terraces, boutiques and fetish shops where drag queens try to lure you in. Many gay travellers also stay in Figueretas, the neighbouring seaside district, a short walk from the centre.

Ibiza's nightlife starts late: bars fill up after midnight and run until 3 or 4am, when the real party moves to the superclubs. The scene is deliberately mixed — most gay bars are hetero-friendly and most regular bars are gay-friendly — so the energy flows easily. On Calle de la Virgen you'll find classics like Sunrise (a neon interior with swings hanging from the ceiling, also a favourite with lesbian visitors), Bar Monalisa, DÔME and Soap. The island's flagship gay club is Lolas, on Calle Alfonso XII, a historic, laid-back spot.

For the big nights, the names are themed parties in the large venues: La Troya, the Glitterbox nights, and sessions at clubs like Amnesia, Hï Ibiza (in Playa d'en Bossa) and Club Chinois. Most operate seasonally, roughly April/May to October, so it's worth timing your trip to the calendar. And between parties, Ibiza shows its other face: turquoise coves, legendary sunsets, hippy markets and the walled medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.