LGBTQ+-Friendly Destinations to Add to Your 2023 Bucket List

From Japan to Puerto Rico to Malta, we highlight a few queer-friendly destinations around the world that LGBTQ+ travelers should consider adding to their 2023 travel bucket list.

It may be a little early, but Vacationer wanted to provide some travel inspiration to get queer travelers thinking about planning trips to some of the best travel destinations to visit in 2023. So, we decided to offer our short list of places to go, including destinations Kyoto, Japan, Valletta, Malta, and Washington, DC. 

Our list not only highlights something LGBTQ+-related in each destination, but we also wanted to make sure that each place is safe for queer folx to visit. Whether it’s traveling for a festive global event or visiting a place that finally recognizes our rights, we hope you immerse yourself in one or more of these queer-friendly destinations in the new year. 

Daylesford, Victoria, Australia

Along with the thousands of LGBTQ+ revelers, we’re excited about Sydney WorldPride 2023 in Australia. However, we’re encouraging queer travelers to visit Daylesford, a small LGBTQ+-friendly township about a 1.5-hour drive northwest of Melbourne. A town of fewer than 3,000 people, Daylesford is the newly appointed home of Tinder’s Big Rainbow, a landmark to highlight the importance of LGBTQ+ communities outside of Australia’s major metropolitan areas. The town attracts queer out-of-towners not only for its beautiful natural surroundings, but its food, wine, and local events, such as Daylesford Beartopia. 

ChillOut Festival (March 9-13, 2023) is yet another reason you may want to consider adding this emerging travel destination to your bucket list in 2023. The annual Pride celebration conveniently kicks off the week after all the revelers have disbanded from the festivities at Sydney WorldPride. And with local readers of the Australian Traveller giving the town high marks – voting Daylesford No. 16 on its list of Top 50 towns in Australia – how could you possibly go wrong extending your stay beyond WorldPride or adding it to your itinerary when planning a trip Down Under.  Check out our Daylesford travel guide for more details on things to do and see in this queer-friendly town!

Valletta, Malta

Since we’re on the theme of Pride celebrations, we’d be remiss if we didn’t add Valletta to our list of places to visit in 2023. Why Valletta? Well, Malta’s capital city will host EuroPride Valletta 2023. The event’s theme is “Equality from the Heart” and it’s expected to be “the largest gathering of love and diversity the country has ever seen.” So, why miss out on one of the gayest events of the year?! 

For diehard history buffs, the city of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and for good reason. The walled city has 320 monuments all within approximately 137 acres, making it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Visitors will quickly recognize the influences of the different cultures of the people who once ruled the island nation, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and the Order of the Knights of St. John. But if pop culture is more of your thing, you can always take a tour of movie and TV show filming locations to visit the locations that provided the picturesque backdrops for scenes in blockbuster movies and TV shows, such as Jurassic World Dominion, Below Deck Mediterranean, and Game of Thrones.

Of course, we have to mention Malta’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. The queer-friendly country ranked No. 1 in the ILGA-Europe ranking of all 49 countries in Europe in terms of their respect for human rights and equality and Malta also has legal protections for gender identity, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ+ parents who want to adopt children. Malta’s safe queer-friendly atmosphere allows LGBTQ+ visitors to explore the country and the capital city’s history while taking in the festive EuroPride celebration! 

Washington, DC

Next year, 2023, marks the 75th anniversary of an LGBTQ+ icon in Washington, DC – Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse. Named after Annie Katinas, an ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, the steakhouse became a mecca for closeted gay men who worked on Capitol Hill in the 1950s.

Located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, this 17th Street fixture has become a regular hangout for gays that brunch to late-night revelers looking for a place to eat after hitting a few nearby bars or for a place to dine after special LGBTQ+ events such as the 17th Street High Heel Race and the Capital Pride Parade. If you’re looking for more details about queer life and history in DC, we recommend taking a Rainbow History Project walking tour. You may be able to also catch the opening of the District’s newest LGBTQ+ venue, Little Gay Bar, currently under construction and located in the Shaw neighborhood. 

While you’re visiting Washington, DC, you have to check out the completion of the Phase 2 renovations to the Wharf DC, which includes two Gordon Ramsey restaurants, Blank Street Coffee, Lucky Buns, DC’s first Pendry Hotel, and the first location in the District for Limani, a New York-based Mediterranean restaurant. It all can be found along the revitalized mile-long promenade. Feeling adventurous? You can take a water taxi from the Wharf or take a short Uber ride to experience the southern charm of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Visitors will find streets lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and waterfront restaurants. It’s definitely worth a day trip if time permits.

Cuba

We were elated to hear that Cuba legalized same-sex marriage and also allows queer parents the opportunity to adopt children thanks to sweeping legislation passed in September. And it’s those progressive, but surprising moves this year that make us want to plan a visit to the country in 2023. In addition to visiting Havana to experience its queer culture, we’re eager to stay at the country’s only LGBTQ+ Resort, the MGM Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel. Unfortunately, there are still strict entry requirements for Americans who want to visit the country; however, we highly recommend that you snag a spot (if you can) on the LGBTQ+ Cuba Tour from September 1-5, 2023 with Alysse Dalessandro (aka Ready to Stare) and Dr. Kiona. This special trip is a collab with Fat Girls Traveling. You can’t miss out on Havana’s beautiful stretches of sand, meeting local queer activists, seeing firsthand the African influence on Cuban culture, and much more! 

French Polynesia

I don’t think we have to convince people why they should travel to French Polynesia. It’s one of the most beautiful, secluded, and stunning places on Earth. And believe it or not, it’s a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive place you should add to your travel to-do list in 2023. If LGBTQ+ travelers need more reasons to visit, consider the fact that no laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in French Polynesia, and LGBTQ+ travelers are afforded all the same rights as heterosexual people. 

Fun fact: The concept of gender identity here is very different from western culture. Tahitian culture recognizes a third gender called “Rae Rae” – meaning “men who are raised as women.” And it’s that inclusive tradition that makes Bora Bora an ideal destination for same-sex couples looking for a romantic getaway, wedding, or honeymoon where they can be open and authentically themselves. 

Kyoto, Japan

With Japan now open to travelers for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Kyoto is an authentic Japanese experience that should be added to every traveler’s list next year. Yes, Tokyo is known as a bustling LGBTQ+-friendly city, but we know queer travelers enjoy visiting places that provide a unique glimpse into the local Japanese traditions and culture, too. So, we added Kyoto, the cultural and historic heart of Japan, to our list. 

Probably not for all-night revelers, Kyoto has a low-key LGBTQ+ scene and Osaka is accessible from the city if you’re feeling a little adventurous. You can grab a drink and mingle with the locals at bars like the Jam Jar Lounge, Azure, Bell Kyoto, the men-only Apple, and Bar Look Me, the only lesbian bar left in town. 

We recommend planning a trip to indulge in a few cultural festivals like the Gion Festival (July 2023), an event based on the indigenous Shinto faith that features two processions of floats, and several venders selling food and drink. The same can be said for Gozan no Okuribi, a Kyoto-based bonfire culmination of the Obon Festival in August 2023. 

Need a place to stay? You should consider staying at two new Bayan Tree properties. The Dhawa Yura Kyoto is a 138-room boutique hotel that features nods to Kyoto’s history in its interior design and artwork. After a long day of exploring, guests can rejuvenate in the hotel’s onsite 8lement Spa. This property is located within walking distance of historic sites, shopping, restaurants, and museums.  Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto is another new Banyan Tree property that features 25 rooms located in front of Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests have a meditative view of lush greenery, seasonal cuisine at the property’s innovative French restaurant, and a well-being room for restorative exercises and yoga. Head back home relaxed with newfound Zen energy.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a must-visit destination for lovers of food, art, and culture – and 2023 is a big year for new openings and not-to-be-missed festivals. In January, the highly anticipated International African American Museum will finally open to highlight the city’s role in the history of slavery and also allow guests, including Black queer folx, the opportunity to trace their ancestors while discovering how their ancestors shaped the development of a nation.

For travelers seeking festive events, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival (March 1-5) and Spoleto Festival (May 26 – June 11) return in 2023 with potentially more visitors from cities like Las Vegas and San Francisco expected with Breeze Airways’ new nonstop flights. 

Charleston has or will have more new luxury hotel options for visitors, including the award-winning French Quarter Inn, featuring an expansive list of complimentary sleep amenities (i.e., pillow menu, sleep guides, and sound machines). Next door, The Spectator Hotel exudes elegance with its Art Deco design, speakeasy-inspired cocktail lounge, and an array of amenities from personal butler service to contactless shopping. And on the waterfront, the recently refreshed HarbourView Inn provides luxe, nautically-inspired accommodations and a private escape on the guest-only rooftop with surrounding views of the historic harbor and steeple-lined skyline. 

If LGBTQ+ travelers stay at either of the hotels mentioned above, you can easily walk (30 minutes) or drive (7 minutes) to Dudley’s, the only gay bar in town. Looking for a couple of queer-friendly restaurants in Charleston? Grill 225 and 82 Queen are recommended restaurants that have made it onto notable lists on LGBTQ+ websites, including GayCities.com. 

Puerto Rico

Although Puerto Rico has battled back from its bouts with crippling weather like Hurricane Fiona, we always feel the need to push tourism to travel destinations that take proactive steps to make us feel seen. Puerto Rico is doing that, making a concerted effort to court LGBTQ+ travelers by highlighting an array of activities that appeal to us or show us a different side of the U.S. territory as told from the perspective of locals such as a lesbian restauranteur Kara Keefe or Nicky Fas, a lesbian mixologist at La Coctelera in San Juan. 

On Discover Puerto Rico’s website, travelers can easily find LGBTQ+-owned accommodations like Andalucia Guest House and Coquí Del Mar; queer-friendly beaches like Condado Beach in San Juan and La Playuela in Cabo Rojo; and LGBTQ+ events to plan your vacation around like Puerto Rico Queer Film Fest, San Juan Pride, and Boquerón Pride. It’s this strategy to engage and inspire LGBTQ+ travelers to visit Puerto Rico that was part of the reason the U.S. territory will host the 2023 IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) next October. And we’re here for it!

Honorable Mention: Caribbean Island Hopping

We couldn’t wrap up our list without giving a proper shout-out to a few Caribbean islands, where the respective courts, in Antigua and Barbuda as well as St. Kitts and Nevis, ruled to strike down laws that criminalize gay sex. At Vacationer, we’re also realistic and understand that change can be a slow-moving process even if local communities score a win for LGBTQ+ rights. So, in support of our fellow underrepresented communities, we encourage queer travelers to visit four islands that may not have been on their gaydar until now. Just remember to always do your research before traveling to a new or unfamiliar destination, so you can gauge your safety and comfort level before your visit.