5 LGBTQ+ Destinations in Italy
Italy is an amazing destination… the food, the scenery, the history and the passion of the people! We picked out five of the best LGBT-friendly destinations in Italy so you can go check it out for yourself!
Editor’s Note: Those who travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.
Rome
With its many gay clubs, discos, B&B’s and beaches, the city offers a wide choice to anyone wanting to make the most of their holiday.
For travelers looking to have fun in one of Rome’s most beautiful districts near the Colosseum, Via San Giovanni in Laterano, the so-called Gay Street, is a must: gay-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants all make for a social evening. Not to be missed is the Gay Village, one of the most important events hosted by the city every summer, which attracts thousands of people.
Don’t miss out on a beautiful day in the sun on one of the beaches outside Rome at Ostia or Capocotta, well served areas with facilities (beach chairs, umbrellas, restaurants). Another must-do event is the Gay Pride Parade, which usually takes place in June and includes a march with tens of thousands of people attending.
Verona
“If you love someone take them to Verona” is the Valentine’s Day slogan for the city of Romeo and Juliet, one of Italy’s most gay-friendly cities. With its neoclassical buildings and monumental squares, the old medieval quarters and the courtyard of the old market all the way to the famous Juliet’s Balcony, Verona is the city of lovers.
Take a stroll to Piazza Bra to admire the Roman Amphitheatre and on to the monumental San Zeno Altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna continuing to Porta Nuova, in the historic center with the elegant Lucla Cafe, a gay-friendly hang out and the perfect place for an aperitif.
For a typical Venetian dinner you should enjoy a plate of hand-made pasta or risotto with Lessinia truffles. After a wonderful meal why not dance the calories away at Romeo’s nightclub in the Porta Vescovo area. The club regularly organizes LGBT evenings with go-go boys and drag queens. February 11-14 the city hosts the “Verona in Love” event.
Torre del Lago
Torre del Lago is a very gay-friendly location in Italy which rival Sitges, Spain and Mykonos, Greece. Located in beautiful Tuscany, this small town surrounded in the lush landscape of San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Park and steeped in culture, being the birthplace of famed music composer Giacomo Puccini and home to the famous “Festival Pucciniano”.
Small and charming, Torre del Lago affords travelers everything needed for a fun and relaxing vacation, including campsites, B&B’s, hotels, pubs, restaurants, and bars. For a fun-filled day into the night, rent a bike to reach everything from the shops to the beach to the bars.
Catania
Catania is a young and dynamic city, which boasts an active gay scene thanks to its many shops, pubs and bars. The historical gay hangout in Catania city center is Via Alessi, around Nievki: a bar and an alternative restaurant which has been welcoming to LGBT people since the ‘70s.
In addition to the historic Baroque buildings, it derives its appeal from the splendid views of Mount Etna, the volcano that rises above the Catania surroundings. In 2002, the Baroque historic center of Catania was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mount Etna received the same honor in 2013.
For over twenty years between late June and early July, the city is flooded by the colors of the rainbow flag with a series of initiatives crowning in the traditional Catania Gay Pride Parade.
Taormina
Taormina is one of the most gay-friendly destinations on Sicily, an ideal destination year round, thanks to the mild climate and the focus on fun, relaxation and joie de vivre as well as the warm hospitality of the Sicilian people.
Known as “the Pearl of the Mediterranean”, Taormina is located on a natural terrace above the sea. The Greek Theatre is one of the most popular spots, in a fantastic position offering a stunning view on the gulf and Mount Etna. The outdoor theatre is still used today to host various performances.
The town of Taormina is best visited on foot: walking along the streets full of shops and charming panoramic spots, restaurants and food shops where one can enjoy some delicious Sicilian specialties, all the way to the Church of San Nicola, the main church in Taormina.
Some of the most popular spots are the beaches at Giardini Naxos and Mazzarò, while Isola Bella is a protected natural oasis surrounded by clear blue water where swimming is a pleasure.
All info courtesy of Italian National Tourist Board.
