LGBTQ+: Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia’s capital city boasts a bustling culture that features beautiful cafés lining every street, excellent shopping opportunities, great museums and some truly incredible architecture. The city of Zagreb is steeped in medieval history and was a Communist stronghold for much of its existence. While it certainly came a long way, it still remains a socially conservative place.

However, you’ll find the city of more than 1 million is quite welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Not only does it boast the largest Pride event in the country, but it also houses the only handful of gay venues in Croatia. Hotpot is the premier gay dance club in the city, while Denis Bar offers a more laid-back vibe and an older crowd. Funk Club, while not exclusively LGBTQ+, is also a great place to cut loose. Meanwhile, Bacchus Jazz Bar is one of the best places in town to catch live music.

Travelers will want to check out Kino Europa Cafe, a 500-seat cinema built in 1924. It hosts the annual Zagreb Film Festival, along with art-house films. There’s also a large yet quaint café serving excellent beer and coffee. KIC Club, or the Cultural Information Center, is another great venue with a focus on the arts. The LGBTQ+ community gathers here frequently to enjoy films, lectures and book presentations while sipping on beer and tea.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned in Croatia, but there’s still an undercurrent of hostility from local conservatives. LGBTQ+ travelers are welcome and not in danger, but you might get a few odd looks from the locals.