Gay Barcelona: Best Bars, Beaches, Saunas, Hotels and More

Madrid may be the capital of Spain, but the gay cherry on top of the Iberian peninsula (OK, more like the gay cherry holding court over in the corner of Catalonia)? Bright and lively Barcelona, of course. 

With its gorgeous beaches, incomparable cuisine, stunning architecture, and arguably even more stunning señores, Barcelona is hands-down one of the best destinations for gay travelers to explore (and, not to mention, mojar el churro). From Pride celebrations that make Mardi Gras look like a knitting circle to the Circuit Festival (basically a gay amusement park with plenty of rides both sentient and non), “La Barna” can’t be beaten. 

Is Barcelona gay-friendly? 

Let’s put it this way: Is Choriza May’s B.D.E. thicker than her accent (her words, not ours)?

Of course Barcelona is LGBTQ-friendly! Whereas many other vacay locales around the world are only starting to proactively welcome queer folks (the pink dollar talks, y’all), Barcelona has long been a rainbowed ally. To which we say, slay. After all, if you stay ready, you never have to get ready. On that note, Barcelona was born ready.

Catalonia, the coastal region where Barcelona is located, has long been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ rights in Spain, where same-sex marriage became legal in 2005. Barcelona also hosts one of the world's largest Pride fests, which takes place in June and July, and is home to a vibrant LGBTQ scene with plenty of bars, clubs, and events.

Gaixample: Barcelona’s gayborhood

The West Village. Boystown. South Beach. West Hollywood. Pretty much anywhere in San Francisco. Most every major metropolis in the world has a queer quarter, including La Barna. Nestled within the larger Eixample district, the center of Barcelona’s LGBTQ scene is commonly called Gaixample — a portmanteau of Eixample and gai, the Catalan word for gay.

There’s essentially a rainbow flag on every corner, if not outside every business, and when it comes to queer fun, the six-by-three-block cluster couldn’t be more accommodating. Whether you’re looking for a chic little cocktail at a quiet bar or a glitter-drenched night of dancing that lasts until sunrise, Gaixample’s got it. It’s also the center of Barcelona’s Pride festival (more on that in a bit). Parades, parties — it’s all going down in Gaixample. 

Gay-friendly hotels in Barcelona

Of course, once you’re in Barcelona, you’ll need somewhere to lay that pretty little cabeza of yours. There’s really nowhere bad to stay, but there’s certainly somewhere gay to stay. Several places, in fact:

Axel

It should come as no surprise that Barcelona’s most famous gay-friendly hotel is located in Gaixample. It’s so gay-friendly, in fact, that it markets itself as hetero-friendly to avoid putting off the straights. It’s bold and modern, with a rooftop bar that offers amazing views of the whole city. 

Cram

Just a block from Axel, Cram is another gorgeous LGBTQ-friendly hotel with panoramic views of the Barcelona city skyline. Cram comes complete with a Michelin-star restaurant, Angle, perfect for cramming something delicious in your mouth before heading out to see what else will fit in there.

Hotel Soho

Our third stop in Gaixample, Hotel Soho’s name is a portmanteau of soft and hot (Barcelona sure loves a portmanteau). This sexy little place has all the modern amenities you could ask for. Don’t worry, of course there’s a rooftop pool. 

Axel TWO

The hotel so nice they built it twice. Axel TWO, the second hotel from the team behind Axel, was born out of necessity. Axel books up quickly, so it only made sense to expand. It has everything everyone loves about Axel (and still bills itself as hetero-friendly) and is only a few blocks away. 

Villa Emilia

If you’re one of those gays who can’t leave their fur babies behind on an international vacation, Hotel Villa Emilia is the gay-friendly, pet-friendly hotel for you. If you find a dog collar lying around, there’s at least a chance it actually belongs to a dog. It’s also in the Eixample district, close to many gay hot spots.

Notable gay bars and clubs

Relaxation is important. Good food is nice. But, let’s be honest, we’re all on vacation to party a little bit (or a lot). If you’re in Barcelona, you’ve got plenty of opportunities. Whether the vibes call for a drag show, a dance floor, or a little bit of everything, Barcelona has what you need.

El Cangrejo

A famously laid-back gay bar, El Cangrejo (The Crab) is a short walk from Gaixample, and it’s got everything. Cheap drinks, good vibes, fun karaoke nights — there’s nothing not to love. Pre-party or late-night, you can’t go wrong at El Cangrejo. 

Punto BCN

Located in (you guessed it) Gaixample, Punto BCN is all you could ask for from a gay club in Barcelona. From special theme nights to show-stopping drag performances, the Punto PCN has something stunning for you every night of the week.

Moeem

Moeem is a fab little gay bar frequented by locals; that’s how you know it’s good. Catch a drag show, a karaoke night, or a theme party. Or just order a drink from their extensive gin list and do some cruising. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Moeem can serve you something you like. 

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Gay beaches in Barcelona

You’re going to the Mediterranean, you’re going to the beach. If you’re going to Barcelona, you’re going to a gay beach. Right? Right. 

Mar Bella

Near the neighborhood La Poblenou, Mar Bella is one of Barcelona’s most famous beaches. It’s gorgeous, of course, and there’s a clothing-optional strip of beach, so you can avoid tan lines and get all your sightseeing done in one place.

San Sebastián

A little closer to the city center, San Sebastián is another Barcelona gay beach, this one named after the patron saint of homoeroticism himself. Because of its location, it’s more popular with locals. Hopefully, you can find a few gays to show you around while you’re there. 

Gay saunas in Barcelona

Looking for a place to sweat (other than in someone else’s bed)? These are the can’t-miss gay saunas in Barcelona:

Casanova

Casanova is in the Eixample district and is open 24/7, which is good news because the best time to go is around 5–6 a.m. (right when the clubs let out). If you would rather snooze than cruise, go during the day; the hot tub is always on.

Condal

Condal in the Gothic Quarter that attracts a slightly older crowd, which is great if you’re into bears and silver foxes. They also have theme nights, a dark room, and a maze, so you never know what you’ll find there. 

LGBTQ events and festivals

Festivals, films, and parties, oh my. Gay Barcelona really does have it all.

Barcelona Gay Pride

Also called Pride Barcelona or Pride BCN, Barcelona Pride is the central event of the city’s gay calendar. The highlight is the parade — or la marcha (the march) — where everyone goes all out. It winds through Eixample, ending in Gaixample, and attracts thousands of people every year (approximately 120,000 participated in the 2024 edition).

Circuit Festival

Every August, Circuit Festival brings together thousands of gays for a week of themed parties, pool events, sports tournaments, and cultural activities. Get ready to cruise, sweat, shake it, and then do it all over again. 

Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (FICGLB)

Looking for an activity where you can stay fully clothed? The Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is where you’ll want to be. Every October, the LGBTQ community comes together for screenings, panel discussions, and to celebrate the best of queer cinema. 

Tips for visitors

The good news about Barcelona? There’s so much to see! The bad news? It’s more than you can see on a weekend trip. If you’re visiting, we recommend staying somewhere in Eixample for at least three or four days. Hit the beach, hit the pool, hit on a local — just don’t make a fool of yourself. Barcelona’s locals love their city and don’t take kindly to people who make a mess of the place.

Connect with the locals on Grindr

You’re probably already booking your flight. Trust us, it’ll be worth it. Barcelona is a gay mecca for a reason, and there’s never a bad time to go. 

Need a travel buddy? Or maybe you want to find a local to show you around? Grindr is global. And if you’d rather keep things stateside, we’ve got you covered there, too. So, hop on the Grindr app and start chatting. You never know where your next hook-up will take you.