Gay Barcelona: our LGBTQ+ guide
From Mar Bella to evenings in the Gaixample, Barcelona is one of our favourite cities to explore as a couple. Here are our LGBTQ+ places, our little rituals and the spots we love returning to.
The gay neighbourhood
LGBTQ+ venue
A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Address
Gaixample neighbourhood, Eixample, BarcelonaGaixample
About this place
In the heart of Barcelona, Gaixample, a blend of “gay” and “Eixample”, is the city’s best-known LGBTQ+ nightlife area. Around Muntaner, Casanova and Consell de Cent streets, you’ll find plenty of gay bars, restaurants and nightclubs, from relaxed places for a drink to clubs where you can dance into the early hours.
What we loved
We always love coming back to this neighbourhood whenever we’re in Barcelona! We especially enjoy its open, relaxed gay atmosphere, where we’ve always felt comfortable. Having so many bars just a short walk apart is a real plus: we can easily move from one to another depending on the mood and what we feel like doing. The neighbourhood itself is also lively, pleasant and very central.
Our tip
We recommend starting your evening around La Chapelle on Carrer de Muntaner, with several bars nearby. It’s a great place for a first drink, checking out the atmosphere and deciding where to go next. If you’re in the mood for dancing, clubs such as Arena or Believe offer a way to keep the night going.
From the Gaixample to Mar Bella: our little rituals
We always love coming back to this neighbourhood whenever we’re in Barcelona! We especially enjoy its open, relaxed gay atmosphere, where we’ve always felt comfortable. Having so many bars just a short walk apart is a real plus: we can easily move from one to another depending on the mood and what we feel like doing. The neighbourhood itself is also lively, pleasant and very central.
Matthieu & Sébastien
Gay beaches
LGBTQ+ venue
A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Address
Platja de la Mar Bella, BarcelonaGuingueta BeGay
About this place
Located on Platja de la Mar Bella, one of Barcelona's most gay-friendly beaches, Guingueta BeGay is a beach bar where you can enjoy drinks, grab a bite and rent sun loungers. Right nearby is a traditionally nudist section, with a relaxed, predominantly LGBTQ+ atmosphere that welcomes everyone.
What we loved
This is our favourite hangout in Barcelona! We love settling into the sun loungers, having a few drinks and soaking up the atmosphere of Mar Bella. When we visited, the nudist section was right next to the beach bar, so we could even stay completely naked on the loungers. What we love most is the predominantly gay, easygoing atmosphere, where everyone does their own thing and we immediately feel comfortable.
Our tip
We recommend visiting at any time of day, whether it's for a drink, a bite to eat with a sea view, or a relaxing full day on a sun lounger. And if you'd like to go nude, this is a great spot too! Just check the current location of the nudist section, which has shifted a little since our last visits.
LGBTQ+ venue
A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Address
Platja de la Mar Bella, Sant Martí, Barcelona, EspagneMar Bella Beach
About this place
Located in the Poblenou area, Mar Bella is one of Barcelona's most LGBTQ+ beaches. It's particularly known for its clothing-optional section, popular with the gay community. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with sports facilities and beach bars, including Guingueta BeGay.
What we loved
It's simply our favourite beach in Barcelona! We love the mix of people we meet and the freedom to enjoy the sun and sea without a swimsuit. We always feel comfortable here, whether we stay for a few hours or spend the whole day. It's somewhere we love returning to on every visit.
Our tip
If you want to enjoy the clothing-optional area, check where you put your towel, as not all of the beach is naturist. We also recommend stopping by nearby Guingueta BeGay for a cocktail or a bite to eat overlooking the sea.
Where to stay
LGBTQ+ venue
A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.
Address
Calàbria 90-92, 08015 Barcelona, EspagneTWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel
About this place
TWO Hotel Barcelona by Axel is a hetero-friendly hotel in Eixample, close to Barcelona's gay district, known as Gayxample. Primarily designed with the LGBTQ+ community in mind, it welcomes everyone in an inclusive atmosphere. The hotel features a rooftop pool, a sauna and wellness facilities. The group also has another property in the neighbourhood, Axel Hotel Barcelona.
What we loved
We especially enjoyed the heated rooftop pool and sauna, ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. The rooms were fairly basic, but perfectly adequate for our stay. We also appreciate staying somewhere that puts the LGBTQ+ community front and centre and supporting places like this.
Our tip
If you're visiting Barcelona for its gay nightlife, the location is convenient for reaching Gayxample's bars and restaurants. We'd recommend this hotel more for its facilities and atmosphere than for its rooms. It's also worth comparing it with the other Axel Hotel Barcelona in the neighbourhood.
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