Last-Minute Queer Summer Vacation Destinations
Whether you’re looking for a cure to post-Pride month depression or a healthy separation from your 9 to 5, everyone is entitled to a vacation every now and again. Maybe you still haven’t been on holiday yet and it’s already the middle of summer! So, you’re restless with some serious FOMO (fear of missing out) from your friends on Instagram, who are sun-kissed and sailing in Croatia.
Well, I can assure you there is still hope. Summer is not over yet. Here are some of the best last-minute summer vacation destinations worth exploring before the season ends.
1. Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are not only an underrated and less traveled spot, but it’s also extremely gay. This summer vacation destination has many queer-friendly beaches, including Canteras beach, which is near Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where you will find many queer-friendly venues, as it’s a well-known gay district. Make sure you visit Abuela Bar Las Palmas, known for its red interior and alfresco tables, for you to devour all the tapas and drink all the sangria your heart desires. Europe-based readers will be delighted to know this spot is a relatively cheaper destination to fly to.
2. Miami, Florida, U.S.
If you’re stateside, you’d be doing yourself a big favor by getting on a flight and coming to this Gay Mecca. Miami, deservedly one of our summer vacation destinations, simply can’t be faulted at this time of the year. Its South Beach district is heralded as the heart of the queer scene and will give you a much-deserved nap under the sun with a frozen margarita or two. Miami is also home to a few exclusive gay hotels, including AxelBeach Miami and Hôtel Gaythering, two well-regarded places of accommodation for all the mingling and resting… or none. And you’re only a 40-minute drive without traffic (rare) to Fort Lauderdale gayborhood, Wilton Manors, which has a larger scene for LGBTQ+ nightlife than Miami. Avoid the traffic and take the Brightline between the two cities, with the last train leaving the station around 11 pm.
3. Nice, France
Keeping it under the sun, we have Nice, the prettier, more carefree, and lesser-known cousin of Paris. Its architecture and coastline are otherworldly. The only thing you have to worry about here is not forgetting your sandals when you go to the beaches, which are filled with small pebbles. The trade-off is worth it, as you get your much-needed TLC at one of its many beach clubs on the French Riviera. Nice is historically very queer-friendly, and the Old Town is a vibrant picturesque area filled with many queer-friendly venues.
4. Berlin, Germany
Don’t be alarmed. Just because it’s our first beach-less recommendation, Berlin does have places to catch some rays and take a dip. Schlachtensee is a frequented queer lake southeast of central Berlin (27 minutes on the S-Bahn). As the capital of techno, it would be rude not to do some partying. We recommend checking out KitKatClub, a queer-focused bondage and fetish club. Berlin is also home to one of the largest dark rooms in Europe, at Ficken 3000.
5. Porto, Portugal
Porto is yet another breathtaking and queer-friendly beach town, nestled three hours north of Lisbon. Considered a liberal and queer-tolerant holiday spot, you’ll find many things to do, like frolic on one of their many beaches or spend a day at one of their scenic wineries – or both! For a fun nighttime activity, we recommend checking out My Porto Tours, a queer-owned tour company that will take you around to all the best queer bars in town.
6. Kyoto, Japan
If you’re a history fanatic and local to the Asian Pacific, Kyoto is definitely the place to be. The city is most notable for the Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Shinto Shrines, which are breathtaking in person. Film lovers traveling to Kyoto in September should look out for the Kansai Queer Film Festival, an annual film festival that showcases many films under the umbrella of queerness for 13 years.
7. Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Home of the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, we can assure you that April isn’t the only time to hit up the California hotspot. According to Forbes, it’s estimated that between 40 and 50% of Palm Springs residents identify as LGBTQ+ and it doesn’t stop there! Palm Springs is known for its LGBTQ+ resorts, so you’ll have plenty of spots to choose to park yourself for a relaxing pool day and the city’s cluster for queer nightlife, in some cases, a short walk away. The Hacienda at Warm Sands is a well-known gem that has all the swimming and pampering activities your heart desires. Keep in mind – clothing and swimwear there are optional.
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Considered the gay capital of Argentina, Buenos Aries is rich with culture and has you covered for plenty of vacation activities. Known for its late nightlife, you’ll be partying till sunrise at one of their many queer weekly events. While here, it’s worth checking out Peuteo Palermo Soho, a famous queer club that hosts lip-sync battles and music events weekly. Like Miami. If you’re interested in queer-friendly accommodations, Sissi Haz Hotel is located within Palermo Soho, a well-known queer district.
9. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
St John is a wonderful choice for an island getaway for a queer person. Northeast of the U.S. mainland, the Caribbean island is welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers and the locals, on the surface at least, seem somewhat accepting of LGBTQ+ people. Look out for the Reef Bay Trail, a two-mile hike that includes a 40-foot waterfall, and this trail puts you in the center of its Instagram-worthy forest. If hiking isn’t your thing, make sure you visit Trunk Bay and or Coral Bay, where you can swim and snorkel. Don’t leave the island without heading to Our Market Smoothies in the Cruz Bay neighborhood. For adults, try the delicious Love City smoothie made with fresh strawberries, passionfruit juice, rum, and cognac! You’ll thank us later.
10. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
With an emphasis on many queer-owned businesses, you’ll find yourself amongst great company with the locals of Vancouver Island. It’s a rare beauty, where you will find unique swimming spots which lie between tall brisk forest trees. Expect carefree queer vacationers during the summertime with a plethora of gay spots including The Vicious Poodle, a gay lounge where you can sip on a cocktail and enjoy some live queer entertainment.
If you’re closer to Canada’s East Coast, you should consider visiting the summer vacation destination to Montreal before it gets too chilly. The summer is the best time to see the city’s sights and explore the LGBTQ+-owned restaurants, shops, and bars located along a portion of Saint Catherine Street, usually blocked off from traffic to create a pedestrian walkway in summer.
Well, there you have it. Hopefully, we provided some inspiration with our list of last-minute summer vacation destinations. Whether you end up baking on the beach or sweating it out to Dua Lipa till sunrise, we hope you give yourself the break you deserve before the season end.
