LGBTQ+ — Practical Tips
The Canary Islands are one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly travel destinations in the world. Spain has had marriage equality since 2005, and Canary society is exceptionally tolerant.
Gay Hotspots
- Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés (Gran Canaria): The undisputed LGBTQ+ center of the Canary Islands. The Yumbo Centrum has dozens of gay bars and clubs. Beach at Kiosko 7 (between Playa del Inglés and the dunes). Numerous gay hotels and apartments
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta and Santa Catalina with a good scene
- Playa de las Américas (Tenerife): Smaller scene around the Veronicas area
Pride Events
- Maspalomas Gay Pride (May/June): 300,000+ visitors, a week of partying, parade along Avenida de Tirajana
- Carnival of Las Palmas (February/March): The Drag Queen Gala is a national TV event
- Winter Pride Maspalomas (November): Smaller winter version of the big Pride
Safety
Open hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals is extremely rare in the Canary Islands. Holding hands in public is absolutely normal in tourist centers. In rural areas on the smaller islands, people are more conservative, but hostile behavior is also the absolute exception there.
