LGBTQ Gibraltar

With same-sex marriage legalized in Gibraltar in late 2016, the territory experienced an uptick in popularity among the LGBTQ community. With that comes a blossoming scene for gay travelers to enjoy.

Gibraltar is famed for the Upper Rock Nature Preserve, wherein you’ll find one of the world’s most prominent attractions, The Rock. Getting inside is no easy feat with wait times often verging on three hours. However, it’s a must see and the entrance fee also grants you access to numerous other attractions like the Ape’s Den and the Moorish Castle.

The region also contains plenty of sandy beaches to explore with one of the largest and most gay-friendly being Catalan Bay. Here, you’ll find less of a crowd than Eastern Beach along with a few bars to help keep the vibes up while you soak up the sun.

When it comes to nightlife, Gibraltar leaves much to be desired. The only distinctly LGBTQ bar was shuttered recently due to a lack of interest and a somewhat family-focused culture in town. However, there are some great bars that cater to everyone where you can relax and cut loose. Aqua Bar rests on top of the yacht-hotel Sunborn Gibraltar and offers stunning views of the area along with slightly pricey cocktails. For a more down-to-earth vibe you’ll want to check out Star Bar or The Ship.

When it comes to dining out, Sacarello’s is leaps and bounds above the rest when it comes to quality food and decent prices. The atmosphere is friendly and staff upbeat. Inside you’ll find a good mix of locals and tourists. To enjoy the Moroccan influence in the area you’ll want to check out Amin Office. The owner is one of the friendliest guys in Gibraltar and the kitchen dishes out lamb and couscous that are out of this world.