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Photo by Roger Ferrer Ibáñez
If you’re LGBT (or, hell, even if you’re not), Spain is one of the friendliest countries on Earth. As the rest of the world ties itself up in knots over the issue of gay marriage, Spain has just quietly gotten on with placing itself as Europe’s mecca for gay tourists. Priests, judges and military officials are all out, loud and proud – while the country’s main cultural export is the king of cinematic high-camp Pedro Almodovar. So, faced with a whole country waiting to accept you (sometimes literally) with open arms, where should you be heading for your vacation? One word: Barcelona. Yes, the culture capital of Spain has just about everything going for it, as you’re about to find out below…
Nightlife
Bars, clubs, alternative venues… Barcelona is awash with places to strut your stuff or, if the whole muscle-bound posers thing isn’t for you, simply chill out with a friends over a quiet drink.
For you weekend-warrior-types, Bim Bam Bum is the epicentre of all that is pounding and unholy on the Scene, with drag acts, pumping house and a crowd that conceivably spends more time down the gym than most Olympic gold medallists. If your tastes flock more to the outrageous, the camp-splosion that is Atame is always a good bet; while those who like hirsute man with the build of an untamed Grizzly should head to Woofy – the latest spot for Bear admirers.
Lesbians have a harder time of it – there are far fewer women-orientated bars in Barcelona than other cities – but premier girls’ spot La Rosa almost makes up for the lack of choice. Finally, if you’d rather stay away from stereotypes or simply can’t stand 80′s pop music, the militantly untrendy (but very popular) Punto BCN is the spot for you.
Photo by Henri van Kalkeren
Beaches and Saunas
Being a sunny, Spanish seaside town, it’s inevitable that Barcelona would have its own fair share of gay-friendly beaches. Off the top of our heads we can think of two: Platja de la Mar Bella, at the north end of the seafront, is a gay haven on weekends and strictly clothing-optional. Closer to town, the Platja de Sant Sebastia is a mix of gay and straight, but no less LGBT friendly for it.
Those of you who’d rather shun the blazing sunlight on account of a raging hangover can acquaint yourself with a couple of the better saunas in the city. Sauna Casanova is the standard Sunday choice, unless you have a thing for mature gentlemen, in which case the tiny Sauna Nova Bruc is the place to be.
Photo by John Bostock
Parties
The LGBT party scene in Barcelona is by no means as vibrant as in, say, London or New York, but it has a certain sense of community that bigger cities may be lacking. If you like charming and intimate, we recommend checking out Churros con Chocolate, a monthly party that’s making waves both on and off the scene. For those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ venue, there’s Saturgays @ Discotheque, with its plethora of Go Go dancers, or Bombon at Cabaret Berlin. Finally, those of you lucky enough to travel in the summer months should head on down to Circuit festival – a collection of heaving flesh spread over 30 locations that briefly transforms Barcelona into a living wet dream (provided your wet dreams usually involve House music and a lively bar).
Sights
Parties and saunas aside, there’s so much to see in Barcelona that it would be unforgivable to not spend at least one day on the tourist trail. The Sagrada Familia is like a Disney creation brought to life, a cathedral that seems neither real nor unreal – a hallucination wrought in stone. The Fundacio Joan Miro is a museum that could rival the Louvre, housing over 350 specialist surrealist works; while those just looking for a stroll should head along the beautiful La Rambla Boulevard. Finally, a ramble round the Cementiri del Sud-Ouest near the mountain is a perfect way to while away an autumn afternoon.
This guide was written by James, a travel writer currently based in Barcelona and blogging for HouseTrip.com.